Immortals After Dark 10 - Demon From the Dark

in his expression. She perceived no shame from him. Which meant either he'd done nothing wrong--or he was a hardened killer.
    Carrow wished she could believe the latter, since it would make her mission easier. But she couldn't. She gazed at him up there, chained, his body covered with gashes.
    He was so much better than these people. Malkom is noble.
    If he'd killed their prince, then the guy'd had it coming.
    Malkom must have scented her then, because he stiffened, rattling his chains. Then she got hit with a bolt of something like utter joy.
    She swayed and moaned, "Whoaaa." Yet he instantly followed that emotion with a helpless kind of rage.
    No takesie-backsies, demon . She'd just scored a spike of uncut, pharmaceutical-grade vemon joy. Delectable power surged inside her. This would be enough for several simultaneous spells, and she'd need them all--protection, language, her continued glamour. As she was hurriedly spellcasting, the demon who'd led Malkom's capture climbed to the stage, dressed in full armor from feet to chin, everything but the helmet.
    This Ronath had an air of deviousness mixed with conceit. And she didn't think he could possibly ever have been happier than he was right now. I'll take a shot of that--and then I'll defeat you with your own delight.
    After quieting the crowd's frenetic cheers, Ronath addressed them: "Blah blah blah MALKOM SLAINE blah blah."
    Though she didn't understand Ronath--yet--she knew that whatever he was saying was the wrong thing .
    She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so infuriated. Word to the wise, Ronath. Never piss off a hungover witch.
    Or she'll have your head for it.

Chapter 25

    I will heat her backside for this.
    How the hell had Carrow made it here across the desert? Malkom had believed he'd separated her from his enemies.
    He'd thought he would never lay eyes on her again, had resigned himself. He'd expected her to return to her home, crossing into the portal without a look back.
    Then for him to know her scent once more...
    Foolish female! He quelled the urge to yell for her to run from this place; he must act as if he didn't care about her. Must not to give Ronath this leverage.
    Otherwise, they would use her to punish him. Malkom could think of no more effective torment.
    At best, they'd enslave her. She would fetch a fortune.
    Damn it, why did she come? He craned his head to see her better, gashing his neck on the manacle, but he didn't care.
    She had concealed herself with a rich cloak over her body and hair, and she seemed to be floating through the crowd, which began swiftly parting for her.
    Her movements were odd--too smooth yet aggressive at the same time. Malkom swallowed as she neared. Her shining boots ... weren't touching the ground.
    For the first time, he could believe she was one among the eerie witches from olden tales who cooked men's hearts and brewed noxious potions--all for a fee.
    When she floated up the steps, he grated, "Carrow, leave ... this place." But his mouth was almost too dry to speak.
    Instead, she stood beside him. When she pulled back her cloak, the crowd grew hushed. He was speechless.
    She wore garments fit for an empress, a crown as well. Though his eyes were seared by the sun, he couldn't look away. The light reflected off her gleaming blue-black hair. Her pale skin glowed amidst the filth of this place.
    Her green eyes glittered menacingly. She was so beautiful, yet at the same time she looked deadly.
    Malkom was awestruck.
    "What gives you the right to do this?" Carrow asked Ronath--in Demonish .
    Now she spoke his tongue? Or was it another spell? Her very voice sounded altered, her words delayed, coming out of her mouth as if filtered.
    Ronath snapped his slackened jaw shut, then answered, "What business is it of yours, stranger? This is how we punish criminals in Ash. Especially one like him."
    "One like him, Ronath?"
    The armorer frowned at the casual use of his name just as Malkom was wondering if she knew the demon somehow.
    Ronath recovered, saying, "He owes us his death for a dozen crimes."
    He will announce that I was a vampire's whore. Shame scalded Malkom, burning hotter than he'd ever imagined. Carrow would despise him. Then this will end. I will accept it.
    "There are two murders he must atone for and--"
    " Two murders?" she said, interrupting him.
    Ronath was all too happy to tell her, "He killed our prince. And before that, he murdered his own mother."
    Carrow raised her brows at Malkom, but