Page 91 of Daemon Master
“Would it kill you to relax and take some time off once in a while?”
The teasing smirk Seymour gave him set his pulse racing. “Thisisme relaxed. Besides, you’re one to talk. This is the first time in weeks I’ve seen you breathe properly.”
Touché.
Adrian opened his mouth to reply but quickly cut off when he heard a familiar series of three raps. Conversation around the square died as all eyes fixed on Elana at the table’s head. She cleared her throat and lowered her staff. “Thank you all forcoming tonight—not that you’d have missed the chance for free food and drink.”
A general chorus of drunken laughter and cheers answered.
Smiling wanly, Elana said, “This has been a good year for the Enclave. We traded for many new supplies. The spirits blessed us with fertile crops. And, most importantly, we have remained sheltered and safe here from the horrors of the outside world.”
She waited for the cheers and clapping to die down before continuing, her voice growing more solemn. Adrian leaned forward, his attention fixed on her.
“But that is not the only gift the spirits gave us this year. They also bestowed upon us new knowledge…and new possibilities. Adrian and Seymour, please stand.”
His face heating, Adrian moved to obey. Heartrender sent her disgruntlement as she hopped from his lap. Seymour followed more slowly, his eyes narrowed as if suspecting a trap.
Adrian snuck a quick glance around the clearing. While some of the villagers at other tables appeared curious or even apprehensive, the rest of the guests at the head table wore carefully schooled expressions. Whatever Elana was about to say, they’d clearly been privy to the announcement.
“One month ago,” Elana began, directing her words to Seymour and him, “you requested sanctuary. I had my doubts, as did many others gathered tonight. Yet, in the end, I gave you a chance to prove yourselves. Over the past thirty days, you have lived and walked among us. We have gained your measure, weighed your words. Now, it is time to render our judgment.”
Fresh nerves crackled through Adrian, and he held his breath.This is it.
Regret tinged Elana’s voice as she bowed her head. “I am sorry.”
Adrian’s stomach sank. He stared down at drops of spilled sauce congealing on the table.
“Sorry we have not been more hospitable hosts,” Elana continued. “Sorry we did not listen when you tried to reveal the true nature of daemon bonding to us. Sorry it took us—tookme—so long to accept that, while your defiance of Serenity Corp differs from our own, the end goal remains the same: a world free of strife, where human- and daemonkind can coexist in peace.” Adrian’s head shot up, his eyes locking on the Enclave’s leader. “That is why, after careful discussion with the other elders, I have decided to grant your request. You are welcome to live among us at the Enclave for as long as you wish.”
Scattered protests rang out from the crowd, quickly drowned out by a cacophony of cheers and clapping.
“Guess we don’t have to pack our bags quite yet,” Seymour said with a grin.
Adrian nodded, too stunned to speak. He’d thought—or at least hoped—he was making inroads with the village, but this… Spirits above, he hadn’t expectedthis.
And apparently, Elana wasn’t finished. She waited for the noise to die down, sweeping her gaze over the assembled crowd as they stilled. “Furthermore, I believe your mission worthy of our aid.” She took a deep breath and looked at Freya. “Which is why I intend to pursue a true bond of my own so that I might join your fight against Serenity Corp’s tyranny!”
Freya leaped to her feet and wrapped her arms around her mother while chaos erupted throughout the clearing. The other elders’ expressions varied from supportive to resigned, but they nevertheless seemed prepared to field questions and mitigate the outrage. A few villagers stormed off, and a couple like Xander cheered, but most simply appeared stunned.
Adrian understood, his own mind struggling to process what had happened. Elana didn’t intend to merely grant them sanctuary. She wanted to join them—to openly defy Serenity Corp and fight for their cause. The thought had never evenoccurred to him. He’d hoped to convince the Enclave of his and Seymour’s claims, perhaps have them spread the word to others. This level of support was beyond his wildest dreams.
Tears stood in his eyes, hope lightening the perpetual weight on his shoulders. This could changeeverything. Maybe they wouldn’t need his insane plan to infiltrate the Diamond Cup after all. Two daemon masters alone couldn’t hope to stand against Serenity Corp directly, but a hundred? All of them with the advantages afforded by the true bond?
It would still be far from a genuine army. Certainly nothing compared to the might of the Watcher Division. Yet, it was a force capable of storming a fortress. Of standing their ground.
Of perhaps even sparking a full-blown rebellion…
Adrian met Seymour’s gaze and found his emerald eyes wide with shock. Before he could think better of it, he tugged the watcher into a one-armed hug. He half-expected Seymour to shove him away, but after a moment of stiffness, Seymour relaxed into the embrace, resting his hand on the small of Adrian’s back.
“We did it,” Adrian whispered into Seymour’s shoulder.
“No,” Seymour replied, his soft exhalation ghosting over Adrian’s cheek. “Youdid.”
He pulled back, giving Adrian a gentle smile utterly devoid of his usual sneers and scowls. His green-and-gold eyes twinkled in the torchlight, and Adrian didn’t think he imagined the way they briefly lingered on his lips before he turned and vanished into the crowd. Adrian stared after him with a faint fluttering in his gut.
Someone cleared their throat, and he started, glancing over to find Xander along with some of the regulars from his morning gatherings. “We just wanted to congratulate you.” Xander held out his hand, face splitting into a grin. “And be the first to welcome you to the neighborhood.”
With an answering grin of his own, Adrian shook Xander’s offered hand. “Thanks.” He surveyed the group, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I couldn’t ask for better company.”
