Despite this, their numbers were spread thin to attack three wings. While the raiders’ goal wasn’t to destroy, the jails were distributed evenly throughout the compound. To free all the prisoners, they’d have to penetrate deeper.
Fully staffed, even Altani forces would have a tough time cracking Garrison Nihira. To have held up so well with a skeleton crew barely a tenth of the norm, it spoke volumes to Kin’jal fortifications.
And we’re not even using the ballistas and traps.
“You, you, you, and you!” Maiya said, picking out four guards. “The southern flank is unattended. I need your help.”
“As you command, madam.”
The warriors swiftly disengaged and retreated, disappearing through the hall Maiya had arrived in. With a portion of their forces redeployed, the warriors began to give ground to the invaders.
Satisfied with the situation in the eastern wing, Maiya followed her new warriors back to the south, but the Order raiders were nowhere to be seen.
Backtracking, Maiya returned to the central corridor that led to Commander Rohin’s command room. She was halfway back when her ears picked up sounds of conflict nearby.
Odd, she thought. There shouldn’t be any raiders this far inside.
Taking a hallway, Maiya followed the sound to its source—the largest jail room, containing twenty-five demons.
“…Just kill them… now. Simple.”
Maiya recognized that voice. Tia!
She broke out into a sprint. The sounds grew louder and louder.
Maiya stepped through the large door that led to the guardroom.
Tiyana stood with her spear pointed at a raider Maiya didn’t recognize, along with the rest of Spear’s Edge.
The raider wore a hooded black cloak that concealed most of his body. Demon prisoners huddled behind him, looking scared and lost. Half had their shackles broken.
Tia must have found him when he was in the middle of breaking them out.
The raider held his weapon—a katar—slightly behind him, as if hiding it.
Foolish, Maiya thought, her gaze passing over his exotic choice of weapon.
He’s facing down three armed opponents, and he doesn’t even have his guard up. He’s not even in a combat stance. Amateur.
Perhaps her impression of the Order raiders being elites was wrong, after all.
Maiya’s sudden appearance broke their confrontation, and all parties turned to look. Haymi and Vason both visibly relaxed upon seeing Maiya, while Tia tch’d and scowled.
That much was expected. What she hadn’t expected was the look of pure shock from the Order raider, who stumbled a step back before righting himself.
Why’s he looking at me like that? Is he targeting me?
Maiya’s eyes narrowed, and she reached for her dagger… then froze.
Her eyes drifted down to the raider’s weapon. To the hand holding it. There, on his wrist, he wore a bracelet.
A beaded bracelet that was much too familiar.
46YESTERDAY’S FRIENDS
For the longest moment, Maiya simply stared. It was akin to walking into one’s home and finding a Prana Swarm lurking in the corner. Or an Ash Gate. Or something equally as ridiculous.
How? Why? No. Maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe it’s only a bracelet that ‘looks’ familiar. But look at him! He clearly recognizes me. Those beady eyes of his. It has to be him! Oh, gods. What’s going on?
Maiya struggled to piece the puzzle together. Why was Vir here? How did he end up raiding for the Pagan Order? Why was he helping free demons?
No, it’s exactly like him to do something like this, isn’t it?
Having gained access to Princess Ira’s entire intelligence network, Maiya was privy to many secrets. She knew that ‘Ashborn’ was simply a misnomer for a rare type of demon with gray skin and red eyes. And she understood the true face of the Pagan Order. That they worked to create a sanctuary for demons. Vir was a demon.
They must have offered him a job.
Maiya intuited the series of unfortunate circumstances that led to this moment. The Pagan Order had learned of his nature and divulged their secret. Vir, being the sweet soul he was, couldn’t say no to rescuing his fellow demons.
Maiya’s gaze turned to one of pity, and Vir’s to confusion.
“What are you doing here, M—” he began, but Maiya shook her head, hoping against hope Tia didn’t notice.
Get the hint! Please get the hint!
“—Tia?” he blurted, pivoting awkwardly.
Oh, no.
“Excuse me? How do you know who I am?”
“Oh, I, uh—well that redhead over there said your name earlier, didn’t she?”
“No, she didn’t,” Tia said confidently, pointing at Maiya. “That insufferable wench didn’t say a word.”
“She certainly didn’t,” Vason added, growing suspicious. “Who are you? I don’t recognize your face.”
Oh grak. This is my fault, isn’t it?
Vir would never have made a mistake like that normally. Her presence would have come as a shock to him.
“It’s over,” a demon behind Vir said dejectedly. “Should’ve figured this was too good to be true.”
“I can explain—” Vir said, facing Tia.
“Explain how you know my name,” Tia said, edging closer to Vir with her spear.
Vir’s eyes darted between Tia, Haymi, and Maiya.
“Tia, I’m ordering you back,” Maiya said. “Step down. I’ll handle this.”
“Grakking Ash I will! There’s something suspicious here and I’m not budging until I find out what. You ought to have realized it too. What’s going on? Do you know this man?”
Maiya’s heart pounded madly in her ears.
“We’ve never met,” Maiya said, leveling her gaze at Vir. Please understand. She hoped her thoughts would reach him.
The look of longing Vir gave her told her they hadn’t. She wanted to forget everything and just run over and hug him. But she couldn’t. She had a part to play in this.
I’m sorry, Vir. I can’t help you right now.
“I’ve seen you around,” Vir said, trying to salvage the situation. “Your mercenary exploits have really gotten around.”
“Oh, well, thanks?”
“I’m sick of this,” a four-armed demon snarled from behind Vir. “I don’t care if it kills me. I’ll fight my way out.”
“Stop!” Vir shouted, restraining the demon. “Don’t resist. We don’t have to—”
“Apra!” Tia said suddenly. “That katar. Is that you?”
Vir whirled, his eyes wide, instinctively moving his katar behind him.
“Haymi, Vason, that’s the katar we bought him, isn’t it?”
“Er, I dunno, Tia?” Vason said, scratching his nose. “Might just be a similar one.”
“Y-yeah!” Haymi squeaked. “I’m sure it’s a different one.”
“Okay, Vason’s one thing, but Haymi? You’re a terrible liar. You two know something, I don’t, don’t you?”
“No! It’s not like—”
Tia extended her spear to Vir. “What are you doing with our friend’s katar? Either you’re Apra in disguise, or you stole that weapon from him. Or worse. Because I know he’d never sell it. If you’re not him, I’ll be retrieving that weapon.”
She might be a chal, but she’s pretty perceptive, Maiya thought. Doesn’t look like he’ll be able to talk his way out of this.
Vir deflated, and when he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “You’re right. Tia. It’s me. It’s Apramor.”
“Uh, nice disguise, there, Apra! You sure fooled me,” she said. Even to Maiya’s ears, her voice sounded put on. As if she’d already known and was trying to hide it.