Tia turned to the mejai in confusion. “You even knew about this? What haven’t you two been telling me?”
“S-so, er, what are you even doing, Apra? Helping out the Pagan Order?” Haymi nervously glanced away.
Thank you, Haymi! Maiya thought. The question had been at the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t have asked it without appearing suspicious.
“The Pagan Order!” a four-armed demon behind Vir shouted. “You’re with the Order?”
Maiya felt Vir’s panic.
“Did I ever say that?” Vir shouted back. “You need to trust me.”
“Trust you?” a demon woman spat. “Why would we take a risk like that? I’ll not die at the hands of those Order maniacs. If you wish to kill us, do it here and now, that I may meet my end with some dignity.”
The woman was so emaciated, Maiya wondered how she was still alive. And yet, she spoke with iron resolve.
“Even if you are telling the truth, how will you free us against so many?” an elderly demon said. “That woman is out for blood.”
“Give me a reason,” Tia said, addressing the old man. “Just give me a reason to end you. Go on. Keep talking.”
Both Vir and Maiya cringed at her words. It was no secret that Tia loathed demons. But to know about her prejudice and experience it firsthand were two different things entirely.
“Tia…” Vir said pleadingly.
“Sorry, Apra. So this was the contract those zealots heaped on you,” Tia said. “Gotta say, I never thought you’d accept a mission like this. I avoided demon subjugation contracts as a favor to you, y’know? We should talk about taking some on when you’re done.”
Why’s she saying these things? Why would Vir ever harm… No.
Understanding dawned upon Maiya.
She doesn’t know Vir’s a demon! Oh, no. Vir, you’ve gotten yourself into a fine mess, haven’t you?
Vir remained silent, which was likely the best thing he could’ve done. Unfortunately, Tia’s next words ruined everything.
“I’ve… made things difficult for you, haven’t I?” Tia said, frowning. “You need to take those demons back to the Order, but that’s gonna be tough at this point. Why don’t we just kill them here and give them the bodies? Safer for you, too.”
Don’t lose it, Vir. Stay calm. Peace.
Maiya could scarcely listen to Tia’s words. They sounded like a joke. Like dark sarcasm. Except, they weren’t. From her expression to the way she shivered and held her spear with white knuckles, the princess radiated pure, unfiltered loathing. She would kill those demons without blinking an eye, and she’d sleep peacefully after, thinking she’d done the world a great service.
Vir said, “I never knew you to be this callous, Tia.”
Tia looked confused. “You know how dangerous these things can be. What if they escape on the way back? Can you guarantee they won’t harm another human? I’m not being callous. I’m being rational. There’s no reason to leave them alive, and every reason not to. Less hassle than taking them back, right? Why are you—”
“That’s enough, Tia,” Maiya commanded. “Allow him to take them.”
“This is a private conversation. Don’t get in my way.”
“That’s not how this works, Tia. You—”
“I’ve put up with quite enough of you tonight, handmaid,” Tia said, speaking over Maiya. “If you intervene, or if those Balarian Guards outside get in my way, there’ll be war between our countries. Are you willing to start a war, little bandy?”
This grakking chal!
It was a bluff. It had to be a bluff. But it was one Maiya didn’t dare call. She had no authority to—no right. It mattered little. Maiya would not be the tinder that ignited a war between two nations.
“Stay! Good. Keep that up and I might even throw you a treat!”
Vir jerked. It was such a subtle thing that would have gone unnoticed if Maiya hadn’t known him so well.
He’s furious. But not for himself. For me. He wants to hurt her.
Vir might have grown stronger since they parted, but Maiya knew. He was still the same soul. The same kind of person who cared more than he should.
“C-Countries?” Vir said, stuttering. Not out of cowardice, but indignant anger.
“Sorry, Apra. She’s just some chal whose head has grown too big for her shoulders. You needn’t bother with her.”
Vir’s breaths came labored. Maiya could see it even standing a dozen paces away.
No way those demons’ll follow him if he admits he’s here to kill them.
He’ll have to give up and come back some other time. Right. That’s what he’ll do—
“So? Any objections?” Tia asked. “Let’s take them out together.”
“Like grak, you will!” the four-armed demon said, squaring off against Tiyana with two other demons whose shackles had been broken.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Tia said, moving far faster than Maiya had thought her slim frame could muster.
Clang!
It was not the sound of metal piercing flesh; metal-on-metal echoed through the room.
“What are you doing?” Tia asked.
“I won’t let you kill them, Tia,” Vir said softly, standing in her path, having deflected her speartip with his armored bracer.
What’s your plan, Vir? As far as Maiya saw it, Vir was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He’d never let Tia kill them, but if he admitted to working with the Order, he’d lose any chance of escaping with those demons. If he fought Tia, he’d have to incapacitate her to escape. Haymi was currently powering Tia with her magic, and with Prana Vision, Vir would’ve known that. Maiya didn’t know how strong he’d become, but those weren’t good odds, even if Maiya stood aside. Which she wouldn’t, and Vir had to suspect that, too.
“Explain to me how it’s any different, killing them now or later? Or… hang on. Did the Pagan Order say they wouldn’t pay you unless you brought them back alive?”
Vir narrowed his eyes. “Of course, I need them alive! They’re no use to me dead.”
Tia relaxed visibly.
“Well, you should’ve said something earlier! What are they paying you?” she asked with a sly grin. “I’ll double it. Look, I won’t lie, I’ve never been a fan of this plan of hers,” Tia said, nodding to Maiya. “Sure, I get that the Order’s gonna kill them, but seeing them here, right in front of me? All I see are the faces of my parents’ killers, Apra. Would you feel nothing, were you in my boots?”
“It’s not that simple, Tia. I have reasons for my actions.”
“You’re not going to budge, are you? Alright, fine. Do what you want,” she said with a sweep of her hand.
Nice acting, Maiya thought. Vir had gotten Tia to stand down without ever admitting he worked for the Order. He’d walked a tightrope… but would the prisoners see it that way?
Vir breathed out, then turned the demons. “Come with me.”
“Get grakked!” a demon raged behind his back.
“Anywhere’s better than here!” Vir shot back, his face contorted with frustration.
“Pagan Order’s worse,” a frail elderly demon man croaked.
“What’s with that look, demon?” Tia said, addressing the four-arm demon who glared daggers at her. “You’re one of them, aren’t you? You’re one of the ones who wouldn’t bat an eye murdering human children. You want to kill me, don’t you?”