Chapter 41 – In The Name of Science

“I’ll admit, if I knew just how primitive things were here, I’d have brought ink and parchment,” said Hector Hallen.

Kairon waved dismissively. “Not an issue, my friend. We still managed just fine!”

The Valdren lordling grit his teeth. “Yes. I suppose we did.”

The demon gave him a fang-filled grin. Negotiations had gone… well. Very well.

“So, before we conclude, I just want to recap our agreements.”

“Is that really necessary? It seemed pretty ironed out…”

“Oh? So if you had a way to sign our agreements, you would?”

Lord Hallen yawned, tying back his long hair behind his shoulders. “Of course. But without parchment, I just don’t see how.”

On instinct, Kairon gave a gentle nudge on Sovereign Eye. He wasn’t sure this would work, but he did feel… something in return. A kind of feedback.

And it answered.

Arbitration requested…

No whispering hall located.

The connection cut out.

As I thought. Still a good test. Back to plan A! Kairon had made contingencies. Of a sort.

Memories of juicy demonic regulatory code flowed through his mind. Specifically, page forty-seven, subsection twelve. It was a clause meant for early settlements without proper infrastructure. Or, in this case, one that hadn’t made a pact district.

It was crude and limited. But it was there, and for this, that would be sufficient.

“Lord Hector Hallen, representative and sovereign of The Kingdom of Hallen. In the absence of a formal whispering hall or proper mediating entity, I invoke the right of dominion by witness.”

Hallen blinked. “What?”

“By blood already being spilled on domain ground, and terms spoken under the gaze of a sovereign eye, this accord is entered into record.” And, in one swift motion, Kairon drew one of his own razor-sharp claws over his forearm. The scales gave way, leaking orange blood into the sand. It sizzled, melting into the ground.

Hector stared first at Kairon’s forearm, then, a measure of understanding entered his expression. He studied his own wrist, cut earlier when they’d shaken hands.

“Kairon… What did you just do?”

“Oh, nothing to worry about. Just a formality. A verbal receipt, of sorts.”

Dominion Witness – Record Logged

Above, the purple eye sparkled atop its tower.

“That phrasing seemed rather serious,” said Hector. His face had gone pale, proof perhaps of the prudence in the demon’s actions. “And what’s this about a pact hall and sovereign eye? Is that what that thing is?”

Kairon brushed his claws over his side, flicking off the blood, and patted the man’s shoulder. “Oh, it’s just how deals are done in our domain. Besides, as long as you had no intention of breaking our agreements, there truly is no downside.” He paused, voice going soft. “That was your intention, correct, Hector?”

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, neither said anything. A tension of some kind pressed between them. Kairon let it sit. Let it stew and soften the lordling.

Once he was satisfied his political acquaintance was at the perfect temperature, he snorted. Letting off the steam, so to speak. “Besides, it’s not like you asked for a refund.” He gave an overly exaggerated shudder. “Now that would have warranted concern.”

Hallen stared at him, clearly not understanding. But the tension broke. The lord sighed, shaking his head.

Inwardly, Kairon grinned, that shark-like, predatory expression. Blood was in the water.

“Yes, yes. Sorry, mind you. I feel… off. I think your lands, exotic and fascinating as they are, have started to wear on me.”

“Ah! I warned you about that. Staying here for prolonged periods is unwise for humans. We’ve seen… adverse effects.” He was once again reminded of Veron’s current state.

At least Sythara’s doing what she can to recoup that investment.

“I’m beginning to see that. It may be time I take my leave.” Hector began packing up his travel sack. “Guards! Pack up. We make to depart before nightfall.”

“Yes sir!”

Shouldering his pack, he returned his attention to Kairon. “And my two men?”

There was still one more topic Kairon needed to discuss. One he didn’t want in any agreement the demonic plane might see. His mind went back to all that lovely glowing code he was nearly done polishing off. One section in particular kept returning to him. A thread that connected all of Hector’s slain soldiers to an intriguing clause.

But Hector Hallen might just fit into my plans more seamlessly than I originally intended.

“Hmm. If I know Sythara, he’ll be good as new by now. Let me show you to him. Now that we’ve become more acquainted, I wouldn’t mind giving you a quick tour of the city.” Standing, Kairon sniffed, cocking his head. As if he’d just remembered something. “Come to think of it, we could even use the walk to discuss one last item.”

“Oh? What’s that?” Hector replied cautiously.

As they began the trek to the city, wrath imps and human guards trailing, Kairon flicked his gaze to the walls in the distance. “Think of it as an investment. Tell me, Hector. Do you know what an offshore account is?”

***

Sythara pressed two fingers into skin, feeling the rapid pulse inside. “Subject is showing signs of increased cardiovascular activity.” Pulling up his eyelids, she peered into the purple irises. “Dilation is normal. And…” A pause. “Internal arteries are all a violet hue. Signs of essence acceptance normal,” she ticked off.

As the shadowed demoness observed, geometrical scripts swam over her skin. One like a pentagon illuminated along her wrist. With a careful precision, the demoness slid it down Veron’s chest, then along the spot on his underarm where the tumor had been.

“This… This is wondrous. Host corruption has been assimilated. The intent has been internalized, and the blood.. The blood.” Her prismatic eyes widened, azure light spreading in the tower chamber. “It can’t be!”

Nearly toppling over, she rushed to her belongings, searching until she found the stolen dagger. Rushing back, she positioned the blade along the human’s forearm, finding just the right spot, before making a tiny incision.

What came out was not the red blood of a human, nor the black blood of a corrupted host.

It was orange. Orange!

Stolen novel; please report.

A manic laugh filled the stone room. “Essence binding is possible! With a host that had their body normalized to corruption, but… but… but that shouldn’t be possible. Right? I mean if it was, then the child…” She pursed her lips. “What is it about this realm, or maybe more accurately, this domain that allowed a human to live with so much corruption for so long? Even without my treatment, he would have survived another week. This defies centuries, no, millennia of demonic science and discovery!”

That elation was short-lived. A conflicted, frustrated sense overcame her. She froze. Outside, a shadowy tendril snaking around the door sensed something. Chitters, squeaks, and blood. Imps were coming. And they weren’t alone.

***

“This way!”

“What? No. I told you, you can’t just drag him along the floor like—”

“No horse. City not allow!” snapped Boney.

The limp body of Elson Bredford was being pulled along the crimson stone of the wrath district, courtesy of three well-muscled warriors. There were some obstacles between the ill man and their destination, but hard tugs got him over any bumps.

By their side, Boney was keeping pace, several more wrath warriors at his back.

“Besides. Master say save men. Not horse.”

“Yes, but please. I’m sure master would understand. The horse keeps the man more comfortable. Dragging him like you are is only worsening his condition. Would master like that?”

“Don’t care. You stupid. Shutup.”