Page 83 of Demonic Cage
“I wouldn’t give you more time against that monster either,” I mutter.
“Oh, Little Flower, you shouldn’t talk about him like that! He doesn’t even know what he did. When I explained to him that he almost killed you, he completely lost it. I passed on your message that you’ll only forgive him if he chains me to the bed…”
I throw a pillow at him just to shut him up, but the corners of my mouth involuntarily curl into a smile.
“What do you mean he doesn’t even know what he did?”
“Well,” Nárs begins, “Kripot is never in control of himself when he shows his true self.”
“His true self?”
“Oh yes,” Nárs says, shrugging. “When he becomes Polyphemus, he doesn’t really know what he’s doing. Although it excites me.”
“I’d never doubt that it does.”
“Darya granted him this human form as a grace, allowing him to think. Otherwise, he’s just an exciting creature…”
“I don’t believe he’s the real monster,” I whisper.
“Then who is, Kindra?”
I turn towards the voice. The Demon King sits in a gray, high-backed armchair. He waits patiently, a smile playing on his lips. I don’t answer, but I don’t take my eyes off the Kraldem.
“Thank you, Nárs, that will be enough now. The Herebias are attempting the eastern section of the Hél Mountains. We need Lizander. If you’re not tired, go to the war room. I’ll join you later.”
So, he doesn’t want to stay with me for long. Perfect. I can focus on the mission.
I have no idea where the Hél Mountains are, but I feel like the angels are close. Lavian is keeping his word; they’ll get me out of here. But first, I need to find something.
Nárs jumps up so suddenly it startles me.
“Why is it always him?” he asks. “For several days now, he’s the only one allowed to be present. I’m so bored…”
“Off you go,”Darya says.
Nárs dramatically buries his face in his hands, lamenting a few times why he has to suffer like this, then strides away from the huge window Darya and I once fell from.
I glance back at the Kraldem, who looks calmly at me.
“I see that,” I start before he can speak, “angels pose quite a threat if Lizander has to be always vigilant. That’s good. I hope they’ll destroy all of you.”
Darya doesn’t take offense. Instead, he finds amusement in the threat.
“Would you like them to deal with Nárs, too?”
I bite my lip to avoid taking the bait, but I can’t lie to this extent. Maybe I could negotiate with the angels. Nárs’s death… would sadden me.
“I would like everyone to experience what you did to that kid.”
Darya does something I’ve never seen him do before. He rolls his eyes, which make him look years younger.
“It’s good to see that death hasn’t changed your views.”
“The deathyoucaused.”
“Did I stab your chest with a dagger? By the way, if your heart was the target, you missed – you pierced your stomach. Although I suppose you figured that out when you didn’t die immediately.”
“Can I see the dagger?” Even to me, it sounds stupid, and I’m sure Darya will figure out why I’m asking.
