Page 211 of The Wishing Game

"My vow is binding," he adds through gritted teeth. "You can ask anyone in this room and they will tell you that."

I sneak a glance at Thea's parents, and Maros gives me a brisk nod. Still, I'm somewhat apprehensive to part with her now that she's mine.

Looking down, I pet her a while longer.

"I shall call you Belinda." I smile. "Now be a good girl and follow the man out. He will not hurt you."

She gives me anothermooas if understanding my words, and I reluctantly relinquish my hold on the leash.

Balthazar takes Belinda out, and I wait for Ze to follow, too, but he's still rooted to the spot. And to my everlasting surprise, instead of leaving, he takes a seat at the table next to me.

"You may sit now." He inclines his head at his hosts.

The insufferable oaf!

"It is a surprise to see you here, Commander," Rhea notes as everyone finally sits down.

"I have pending business in Arche. We are in Code Red."

Both Rhea and Maros appear stricken by the news.

"And Cerenios?" Maros asks.

"He is on a mission. I cannot divulge much else about it, but I have a meeting with His Majesty tomorrow and I will advise you what I shall advise him as well. You need to have your army on standby, with a division that is proficient in handling demon attacks."

"Demon attacks? In Aperion? You must be mistaken..." Rhea murmurs.

"There has been a new development." Ze's lips flatten in displeasure. "Demons have been sighted in the intermediary realms and I have reason to believe they have found a way to travel between worlds in their physical form."

Gasps erupt around the table.

"Impossible," Maros mutters at the same time as Rhea takes a sip of her wine, her eyes filled with worry.

"Do you think there is a chance of them entering Aperion?"

"We are not taking any chances," Ze explains. "It is clear the demons are planning something, but none of our sources have been able to find out what it is."

"That is terrible," Rhea whispers. "I have to ask... Is Cerenios in danger?"

Ze's lips flatten into a thin line.

"His mission is dangerous, but Cerenios is more than capable of handling it. I have trust in him and his abilities."

Although Ze's words are assuring, that doesn't stop Rhea from worrying, and she's not the only one. Glancing at Thea, I note the pallor of her skin and the light tremor in her limbs. Catching my gaze on her trembling hands, she removes them from the table, folding them in her lap as she straightens her back and attempts to act unbothered.

"The demons have never tried anything like this before. Why now?" Rhea asks as she shakes her head in disbelief.

"I am not certain. It is possible they did not have the resources before. But after Elias's defection..." he trails off, and my brows go up in question. No one explains what that means, though, and a heavy silence descends upon us.

"That damn Elias." Maros strikes his fist against the table. "I cannot believe I trusted him."

"You were not the only one," Ze comments drily.

"We should have taken your counsel. If we had, none of this would have happened. The chalice wouldn't be missing either."

"It is what it is." Ze shrugs, though I note the ghost of a smirk touching his lips. "For the time being, I will reside in Arche to oversee the security detail for Arwyn's majority."

"What?" Wyn's eyes widen.

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