The Warlock (BxB)

Chapter 10

Logain and Casimir followed after the children despite how reluctant the warlock was. It was a nuisance to be dragged into a situation where he needed to help people. Maybe the prince was right and he should have been more helpful, but Logain didn't see the need. People didn't help him. They avoided him instead, so why should he help others in need? Especially if it wasn't for his benefit.

Logain was aware he was a selfish person. After being alive for over two hundred years and being treated like trash for existing, it was hard to be friendly with other people. Once again, he was annoyed with Casimir for getting him stuck in this situation. He tried not to glare at the prince, but Casimir could feel the tension in the air. The prince awkwardly chuckled and continued to follow the children without commenting on how the atmosphere changed. He could sense the rage radiating off the warlock.

The children led the men off the path, and towards a hut that stood alone near the edge of the cliff. From the looks of it, the small house looked like it had been abandoned for a long time. Seeing the ruined hut made Logain suspicious the closer they got to it. He didn't trust anyone, not even children, so he couldn't help thinking that something was wrong. It was odd that out of all the people walking down that path, the children targeted the two of them. The closer they got to the hut the stronger a demonic presence felt.

He glanced at the prince. "You feel that, too, don't you?"

Casimir nodded. He could feel the demonic energy, but something was off about it. Whatever it was, it felt weak, as though it were wounded. He said, "Let's check it out."

"Are you serious?" Logain hissed. It was reckless for them to charge into the hut to face whatever demonic presence waited inside. Logain turned his attention back to the children and asked, "What is in that hut and what do you need help with, exactly?"

He didn't care if his tone of voice sounded harsh. He wanted to get to the bottom of this before they were led into a trap and ended up getting hurt. He was already challenged with one dangerous situation against the bandits; he wasn't in the mood to be in another so soon. Cordea was turning out to be full of danger that Logain wasn't expecting. It seemed he wouldn't be returning to Ambria as peacefully as he had hoped.

The little girl was the one who responded, "Our friend is hurt and needs help."

"Friend? Do you realize what I am? I can tell that your 'friend' is a demon, so fess up. What trick are you trying to play?" he asked, getting down to business. They might have been children, but he wouldn't beat around the bush."

Casimir, on the other hand, would have preferred a much nicer approach to the situation. His voice was kinder as he said, "We'd love to help, but we need you to be honest with us. Your friend is a demon, but why does it need help? You kids aren't up to anything you shouldn't be, are you?"

This time, when the children looked at each other, they looked like they were almost on the verge of tears. The boy said, "P-please, come with us. There's a lot of b-blood. I don't want them to die."

Casimir let out a sigh. This didn't answer his question, so it looked like he had no other choice but to investigate. The kids seemed genuine. If this were some sort of trick, then they were good actors. He believed them, though, and was willing to find out what was wrong. However, he didn't think he could help a demon. Warlocks were half-demons, so Casimir didn't mind them. A full demon was another story, though. This would be his first time seeing a real demon.

The kids continued to the hut with the men behind them. Logain grabbed his staff when they were almost there. He might have been a half-demon, but that didn't mean he wasn't wary of other demons. He met enough in his lifetime to know that they were all dangerous creatures that couldn't be trusted. The children were the first to enter the hut. Casimir and Logain looked at each other, before following with the prince taking the lead.