The Thief (A Tale of Heroes & Demons Book 2)

Chapter 1

Well-Laid Plans

"The king is dead," Makom repeated. The firelight flickered in the clearing, casting shadows on the faces of those gathered.

Five souls were present in that clearing as the words pierced the still air. Exhausted yet wary, they watched the man that just spoke.

The world seemed to pause—the bugs stopped their incessant singing, no breeze rustled the branches, and the shadows thickened and crept closer, brushing against the small pool of light offered by the dancing flames.

Shaking his head, Orelius laughed. The sound was abrupt, sharp against even his own ears.

The thief stood slightly apart from the others, leaning against a steady bough and his chin tilted in disinterest although his eyes never left the messenger. "He's not. He can't be. The king stays holed up in his castle in Dracfort where nothing can touch him." He tensed when Makom took a step further into the light.

Caedmon held up a hand. The dirt and soot-streaked across his face sharpened his features, emphasizing the anger present. "If things are so dire, why did you leave the people of Nightridge? I tasked you with caring for them in my absence." His eyebrows drew together as the frown spread across his face.

The clearing was silent as Makom and Caedmon stared at each other. Two men that once appeared so alike, noble hearts seeking to save them all. Now, though...

Eyeing them, Orelius crossed his arms and shifted his stance. He had never trusted the man, although he knew little of him. And there was something about him, a shadow.

Orelius shifted again, pushing off from the tree and angling himself between Makom and the others.

Caedmon, the one that had first sent them on the path to find the sacred Flame, had a long history with the messenger.

Katherine stood over Saege, who now cradled the remains of her arm, burned while saving them from the Cherufe, the monstrous beings that served as the final guard of the flame.

Katherine didn't relax her stance either, watching Makom with a hard glare. Orelius was surprised she could stand to be in his presence at all after what he heard Makom did with the soul stone, recalling how they had found her, drained and visibly shaken in the root cellar all that time ago.

It seemed life forever ago now that they left Nightridge to search for the fabled flame of the gods, their only chance to rid their world of Demonica, the demon that tormented them. Now they had it and had no idea how to use it.

Tension hung heavily in the air around them, and Orelius let his hand drift closer to his sword while the other hovered over the hidden pocket in his pants. He lifted his chin and looked at Makom over his nose. "Why should we believe you?"

Makom tossed his sword aside and ran a hand through his hair. "I have no reason to lie." When he glanced around the clearing and saw the glares, he amended his statement. "At least not about this." He turned to Caedmon and shot him a pleading look. "Caemdon, the monarchy is gone. They need leadership." His voice lowered. "They need you."

Orelius could see Caedmon's jaw shifting before he replied, "I need a moment," and disappeared into the forest. Katherine met his gaze, the question clear. Orelius nodded and shifted over to take her place before she took off after Caedmon.

She found him pacing back and forth in the moonlight, hair askew and clothes rumpled. Caedmon rubbed his hand over his face. "We need to go to the capital. The people need help."

"But we can't just abandon the quest." Katherine was indignant. After all they had been through...to just abandon it? "What are you thinking?" she hissed.