His words warmed me more than I could ever say. He was finally admitting to emotions, even if it was desire rather than love. But once upon a time he would have denied even that, even if his behavior suggested otherwise.
I scanned our surroundings again, knowing the Raziq were drawing closer but still unable to spot them. After a few seconds, an oddly dark surge of electricity ran across my skin. It made the little hairs at the back of my neck stand on end and my soul shiver away in fear.
They’d come within sensory distance. Whether that meant they were also within range of the swords I had no idea.
Unfortunately, no. The edge in Azriel’s mind voice was deeper, the frustration stronger.
It’s really not surprising given they’d sense your presence. The Raziq might be greater in numbers, but they weren’t fools. And they certainly had no desire to risk their lives – as evidenced by their continuing use of the Ania to do their dirty work. Not that either that fact or Azriel’s presence in any way lessened my fear of them. I licked my lips and gripped Amaya a little tighter. “Show yourself, Malin.”>Because it wasn’t smoke.
The Ania were back.
Chapter 9
Ania were minor demons and were generally summoned to perform tasks such as harassment, assault, and murder. The last two times they’d come after me they’d done so under orders from the Raziq, and I had no doubt that was who had sent them this time.
The attack itself wasn’t really surprising. If my father was aware that the sorcerer had the second key, then surely the Raziq would be. The only surprising thing was the fact they’d taken so long to get around to doing anything about it.
Another wisp of silver stirred to my left. There was more than one Ania here. But there had been the other times, too.
I rose, drew Amaya, then reached out for Azriel. Houston, we have a problem.
What? His reply was instant, concerned.
Ania.
I cannot transport from inside the Brindle. It will take me a few seconds —
No, I cut in, as a third flicker appeared. This one was closer than the others. I swung Amaya lightly from side to side, a warning of what would happen if they got close, and one I knew they would ignore.
What do you mean, no? Has insanity caught hold of you in the brief time I’ve been away?
More than likely. Despite the situation, amusement bubbled through me. But that’s beside the point. You said it yourself – the Raziq can’t hurt me.
That doesn’t mean you should let them snatch you.
But if I don’t, they’ll go after Ilianna or Tao instead. I won’t put them in any more danger than I already have, Azriel.
You value the life of your friends more than you value your own. His frustration and anger rolled through me, singeing my soul.
I’m no happier about this than you are. I somehow managed to keep my tone even. Reacting in anger wasn’t going to help the situation – I’d learned that from past mistakes, if nothing else. And I certainly have no desire to be pulled apart again.
Especially now that I was pregnant.
Then why go?
Because I do value the lives of my friends. The back of my neck tingled. The Ania’s numbers were growing, and it was all I could do to remain still. Look, what’s the worst they can do? They can’t kill me, because they still need me.
The Raziq are capable of more horrors than you could ever imagine.
Yeah, like making me think my flesh was melting from my hands. A shudder went through me and my stomach turned. That was another experience I had no desire to relive. They’ll snatch me, they’ll do their whole threatening spiel again, and then they’ll let me go. And we gain some time and space to find the damn key.
It is not worth —
It is, and you know it. I hesitated, fighting the urge to spin around and stab Amaya into the wispy hearts of the creatures who drew ever nearer. Amaya’s grumblings grew louder in my thoughts when I didn’t. You said you can find me anywhere now – will you also be able to hear me, even if the Raziq use their shield again?
Energy surged across my skin – Azriel, not more Ania. Though he didn’t physically appear, he was nevertheless standing beside me, the warmth of his presence rolling through me. God, I felt so much safer for it.
I do not know. His mental tones were annoyed. Perhaps.