Demon Untamed (6 page)

“Bad day?” Sonya mused.

“I'm a princess,” Anya blurted in a half-crazed tone.

Sonya stared at her for a moment, waiting for the punch line. “Is that so? It's not a bad thing to be, I guess. Unless…do they sacrifice princesses where you're from?” When Anya considered the question with alarming seriousness, Sonya gasped. “No…Do they?”

Anya shrugged. “I don't know. All I've learned so far is that my people are called Faieara, and they may be involved in a war that has spanned four hundred years or more. My father sent me, my mother, and apparently two of my sisters away, to avoid capture. And oh, yeah, did I mention I might be over four hundred years old, if what Ethanule says is even remotely true, which I don't know for sure. And somehow he thinks, at least, I believe he thinks, that I am somehow capable of helping our people.” She rapped a finger over her temple. “Did I leave anything out?”

Sonya had begun to worry Anya would pass out from lack of air. She’d never seen her friend so shaken. “Oookay…. Take a breath, everything will be fine. What about the book, what does it say in there?”

“I haven't opened it,” Anya admitted, looking slightly shamed.

“Why not?”

“Because only three people in the universe can open that book, according to Ethanule. And if it does open for me, then…well, that makes everything real. And if it doesn't open…” She didn't finish her sentence.

Sonya could guess the turmoil that was beating a destructive path through Anya’s head. She finally had answers as to who she was, where she came from, and why she was isolated away from her people…and it all sounded like one big mess, with the pirate directly at the center.

Yep. Should have left him behind
.

Sonya offered an encouraging smile as she refilled Anya’s glass. “Either you are who he says you are, or you're not. Whatever you find out, we're still here for you.”

Anya's lips thinned into a half smile. “Thanks. It's just, I'm so close to finding out who I am, finally. But what if he's wrong?”

Or worse, Sonya thought to herself, what if he was lying.

* * *

Ethanule lay on the uncomfortable hard mat of his cot with his arms tucked behind his head, staring up at the high ceiling.

As he’d predicted, the princess has come to him seeking answers. He’d been shocked by how ignorant she was of her previous life on Evlon. She remembered nothing of her family or her people, just as he feared. She was even unaware of her true age!

Her father had warned that her memory would be fuzzy, but Ethan hadn't anticipated this complete lack of knowledge.

He had only offered her the basics, then had refused to say more until granted his freedom. He’d been in this cell for two days now. Measure for measure, they had their reprisal.

The enticing scent of cooked meat filled Ethanule's nostrils, and his stomach growled. When he searched for the source, he saw the female demon entering with a plate of food.

He'd have liked to say it was the promise of food that brought him to his feet, but he'd only partly be telling the truth. The she-demon was clad in another of those tight skirts and a form-fitting top decorated by woven laces at the front.

Not only was she a feast for the eyes—even though she was a demon—the strength and bravery she had demonstrated on his asteroid commanded his respect. Not that he would ever tell her that.

She stalked toward him. “Hungry?” Her tone was dangerously low.

He offered a noncommittal shrugged.

“Not hungry?” She hovered the plate over a nearby trash bin. “I'll just get rid of this then.”

“Well, if you're just going to throw it away. I don't approve of wasting food.” He extended his palm, though the force field was still in place.

“Oh, you want it then?” She held out a piece of meat to him like a master to a pet.

He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at her. “Look, demon, either give me the food or throw it out. I don't give a damn either way.” His stomach chose that moment to betray him with a growl, and the sexy little demon quirked a triumphant smile. “Did you only come here to torment me?”

She crossed the room and set the tray on a nearby counter. He tried not to notice her curves under the thin clingy material of her skirt. Her tail flicked when she caught him staring. Her smile vanished, replaced with a hardness that didn't fit her.

“I came to judge for myself,” she announced cryptically.

“Judge? I'm a prisoner. I think everyone's made up their minds. What's more to judge?”

“You said a lot to Anya. Maybe it's true.” She narrowed her violet gaze. “And maybe it's not. If it's not true, I warn you now to come clean. Because if you fill her head with false hope, you won't live to see what Sebastian will do to you because, pirate, I'll make sure I get to you first. And I'll rip your entrails through your gut and make you watch while your insides are being torn from your body.”

“Graphic.”

She bared her tiny fangs.

He put his hands up in surrender. “Everything I told her is the truth.”

Sonya tilted her head, looking as if she were deciding whether or not to believe him. Then her brows furrowed. “So, she's really a princess?”

“Yes, the youngest of three.”

“And what happened? Why was she sent to that place?”

“Like I told the princess, I'll offer no more until I'm freed.”

Sonya shifted her weight. “You're a pirate.”

“We've established this.”

“Pirates in general are untrustworthy. You'll do and say anything to get what you're after. So, pirate, what are you after?”

“I wasn't always a pirate. I'm just trying to save my people.” 

“How long have you been a pirate?”

“Three hundred and fifty years,” he answered without thinking.

“That's a long time of taking what you want with no consequences. You must have grown fond of the lifestyle.”

That was true enough. He'd acted the part for so long he was no longer sure if he was a soldier or a pirate. He'd had to do a lot of underhanded things to get into the right position. Was it all for the sake of his home? Or was a little bit of it for him? He
had
enjoyed it more than he probably should’ve.

“That's what I thought.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“It's all over your face. Once a pirate, always a pirate.”

He'd prove her wrong about that. It had been his duty. He was a soldier, doing a king's bidding. And now he would focus on being a loyal and honorable husband to the princess. The demon turned on her heels without another word, her hips swaying as she went.

“You know, you're not bad looking for a demon,” he found himself saying. Maybe he was a little more pirate than he wanted to admit.

She glanced back at him and sneered. “You are not even slightly good looking for a pirate.”

Sonya wondered at the fierce beat of her heart as she stomped her way back to the pub. Such a flimsy compliment should not affect her so. Especially one from a conniving pirate, designed to appeal to her vanity.

Yet the pirate’s eyes had traveled the length of her body and back again with blatant interest. A traitorous smile crept over her lips. She gnashed her teeth and pressed her lips together until the urge passed.

The ridiculousness of it!

Was she actually intrigued by the attention of a pirate? Her father would be disgusted. More than disgusted! He’d be outraged if he were alive today. And what would her brothers say? She didn’t even want to imagine.

Pushing the memory of the pirate’s heated expression from her mind, she reentered the pub. She glanced around, dismayed by how many seats remained empty. Now that the wards had come down, the crew was eager to find entertainment elsewhere.

After tending to her only two customers in the place, she wiped down tables and counters, ignoring the fact that they still gleamed from when she’d cleaned them earlier.

As the day drew on, a few more tables filled. Not the rush she would have liked, but better than nothing. Serving them ate up minutes at best.

She briefly considered closing the pub for the evening and heading to the recreation room. For some reason, her body thrummed with pent-up frustration—due to boredom, she assumed. Boredom and restlessness, and nothing else.

Sebastian appeared in the doorway, followed by Cale, Marik, and Anya. They made their way to an empty table in a far corner, and Sebastian motioned for her to join them.

“What is it?” she asked.

Instead of answering, Sebastian turned to Anya. “May I read part of the letter?”

Anya eyed the piece paper in his hand before giving a tight nod.

He kept his tone low as he read. “Now is a time of great tragedy among the Faieara. Shortly after I had you and your sisters removed from our planet, we were attacked and overtaken by a swarm of destruction. They call themselves Kayadon.”

Sebastian paused as Sonya sucked in a breath, recognizing the last word. The Kayadon had destroyed the demon home world.

Sebastian continued. “The Kayadon live only to consume, and our planet is plentiful. They also live for power and have usurped my throne. Our home has become my prison, and I have become nothing more than a figurehead to keep our people compliant while the Kayadon ravage our lands.

“I sent you away to give you and your sisters time to grow into your powers. The reason you must grow into your gifts is because your destiny, along with your sisters, is to return to our home and trigger the rebellion against the Kayadon. We may defeat them yet. I have seen this as a possible future.

“As with all my visions, there are many possible futures. None are set in stone, and for our people, many end in tragedy. But the quest I have sent you on is the only future I must believe in. If our people are to survive, you must find your sisters and bring them home.

“The book you now possess is filled with the information you require for success. Follow my instructions. Find your sisters. Save our people.”

When Sebastian finished, he looked up and his gaze met six sets of flashing red eyes. Sonya’s mind reeled.

“This letter was found inside the book,” he announced. “I don't know about any of you, but I no longer believe in coincidences. Something larger is at work here. Anya came to us for a reason.” He placed a hand on Anya’s shoulder, whose eyes were cast down as if shamed by the revelation. “Anya will not ask for your help, but I will. This is not an order. It's an opportunity to take our revenge. I'm going to do everything in my power to avenge our people and hopefully save hers in the process. It's your choice to come with us or not.”

The entire bar had fallen silent. Sebastian spoke loud enough for all to hear. There was no doubt that Sonya, Marik, and Cale would stand behind Anya, but not everyone held a vendetta against the Kayadon. The rest of the crew would have to choose between joining them or parting ways.

“Of course we're coming,” Sonya assured. “We've all dreamt of ripping out Kayadon throats. I can't believe you thought you even needed to ask.”

Cale's fists were clenched tight, his red eyes darkening with palpable rage. No doubt thoughts of his Velicia’s betrayal swarmed his mind.

Marik mirrored Cale's anger. Amid the Kayadon invasion, he had lost his family as well.

“Well, how do we find these sisters of yours?” Cale growled to Anya, sounding harsher than he had probably meant to.

Anya hesitated, then shrugged uncomfortably. “Part of the text needs to be translated.”

Realization struck Sonya like a punch to the gut. “The pirate,” she groaned.

“He won't do it. Not while he's locked up,” Anya said.

Point Ethanule.

“Oh, he'll do it,” Cale assured. “Or he'll become acquainted with my claws.”

“We can't keep him locked up. It's not right,” Anya continued. “Besides, he wants to help just as much as you do. He lost his home too.”

“He'll be freed for his help.” Sebastian's voice rang out with the air of a leader, not to be questioned. Yet he hesitated before adding, “He'll be expected to work.” Sebastian shot Sonya a meaningful look.

A heavy ball of dread sank into her stomach. “No! Don't even think about it.”

“Anya cannot work both in the galley and here at the pub, while continuing her training with Cale and learning about her people. The pirate will take her job in the pub.”

“The pirate has a name.” Anya sounded perturbed, but she went ignored.

“Damn it, Sebastian!” Sonya slammed her fist on the table. “He can't be trusted. He'll probably just hide out in the back drinking all my liquor like the degenerate he is.”

Anya interjected, “He's not a degenerate. He was a soldier—”

“I don't care if he was the freaking king himself! I don't like him, and I don't like this plan.”

“Please, Sonya.” Anya looked up at her with the most earnest, compelling expression Sonya had ever been subject to.

She wanted to whine and rail and throw a fit—she might have even stomped her foot for good measure—but Anya deserved to possess the knowledge of her people.

“Fine,” Sonya grumbled. Surely she could tolerate a pirate for a short time. “But if he doesn't do his job perfectly, I reserve the right to slash his throat.”

“No.” Sebastian leaned forward in his chair.

She rolled her eyes. “Kidding. I'll just rough him up a bit before I kick him out of my pub.”

Chapter 6