A luxury Vir had wished for as a child.
“Now, while I’m sure we could all stare at the scenery for hours, why don’t we eat? I’m famished!”
“Your own Imperium servants,” Cirayus scoffed. “Out here in the Ash. When we banished you, we hadn’t intended for you to find a life of luxury.”
“Ah, but you hadn’t intended anything at all, had you? You lot condemned me to death out here. That I not only survived, but thrived, should be of no consequence to you, yes? Or don’t tell me you’re still upset over her?”
“Her?” Vir asked. “Who’s he talking about?”
Cirayus pursed his lips, staring daggers at Saunak. “Later, lad. Why don’t we take our gracious host up on his offer to dine, for now?” he said in a cold, even tone.
“An excellent suggestion!” Saunak said. “My Automatons have so kindly prepared our meals, after all.”
Vir glanced at the table. Three cushioned wood chairs had been placed—one of which was oversized, as if made for Cirayus himself.
“One tends to collect things over the years,” Saunak said with a shrug. “I can’t promise the chairs are comfortable, but the food, at least, I have some faith in. Ah, don’t worry. I’ve prepared a feast for your wolf as well.”
The giant settled into his chair, leaning Sikandar against the table beside him.
He took his place and began heaping contents onto his plate.
Vir reluctantly left the window to settle in beside Cirayus.
“I don’t understand,” Vir said. “How did you come by all of this? How did you control this tower? I don’t know much about Imperium magic, but I doubt they’d simply leave the place unlocked for the first stranger who comes along to claim.”
And if Saunak had indeed unraveled so many of the Imperium’s mysteries, what else did he know? Could he guide Vir back to Ashani? Was he in possession of powerful Artifacts? Saunak sounded like a trove of potential treasure. His ability to control Automatons alone was incredible, and Vir suspected that was barely scratching the surface.
“It’s not poisoned, for Yuma’s sake!” Saunak said between mouthfuls, rolling his eyes. “Don’t let this one corrupt you, boy. Cirayus is as paranoid as they come.”
“You’re one to talk,” Cirayus said, scoffing.
“True, true. Paranoia certainly can be useful, I must admit,” Saunak replied.
Vir filled his plate, eyeing the demon warily. “I have to say, I’m surprised someone with your recklessness has survived this long.”
Saunak laughed hard. “Cirayus, look at him! He’s nothing like his father. You’ve corrupted him!”
Vir froze, and Cirayus tensed. All joviality evaporated in an instant.
“How do you know who I am?”
61THE HIGH PLACE
Saunak’s next words would determine his fate. It’d mean the difference between obtaining the demon’s help with the Artifact consensually, or by force. If the thaumaturge knew who Vir was, he’d no doubt have some plan to exploit it. Why did he reveal that information now? Vir thought anxiously. Surely, he must know how suspicious it makes him look?
Saunak regarded Vir quizzically. “You have your mother’s face and your father’s unruly hair. I’d recognize you anywhere.”
“My mother? You knew my mother?” Vir asked, looking to Cirayus, who relaxed slightly. This wasn’t the explanation either of them had been expecting.
Saunak had been exiled from the Demon Realm for a hundred years. If all he knew about Vir was that he was Maion and Shari’s son, and not the Akh Nara, then there wasn’t much of a need to fear the thaumaturge’s knowledge.
Wait. That means my parents were together for nearly a century before having me.
Demonic lifespans threw his mind for a loop. After thinking so long on human time scales, it’d take some adjustment. He’d have to question everyone’s age upon arriving at the Demon Realm. Someone who looked like Vir might very well be sixty years old.
“Hang on. My mother was a gray demon?” Vir asked.
Saunak froze. “Well. Now that is curious, isn’t it?” he said, gazing quizzically at Vir.
“Sorry?” Vir asked, panicking.
“See, I’d figured you’d come out here from the Demon Realm on a training mission. I wondered how Shari would let her child venture this deeply into the Ash, even with a guardian like Cirayus. She wouldn’t have. But now… She’s dead, isn’t she? And she died when you were very young, for you to not have known her. You… I see. Cirayus likely guarded you while you grew up. Perhaps in secret. Which indicates turmoil. Unrest. Something happened to the Garga. Something bad. And knowing their past… Hmm. The Chitrans. Yes. And, by your expressions, it appears I am correct.”
Vir glanced at Cirayus, but only saw his normal, stoic expression. Only the slightest furrowing of his brow gave away his concern. Which meant Saunak was either very good at reading peoples’ faces… or he was familiar enough with Cirayus’ mannerisms to read him.
Saunak calmly returned to his meal, as casually as if he’d been commenting about the weather.
How could he have figured out all of that, though? All just from a single thing I said?
Either he was lying and knew all about Vir’s history already… or Saunak was truly a genius of logical deduction. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the Primordial, or Greesha’s prophecy, which made sense—if he’d known about them, it’d have been obvious he was using prior knowledge to come to his conclusions.
No, Saunak had read the subtext of Vir’s words, then rebuilt a historical timeline. It was… frightening.
Vir thought he would not want this man as an enemy. But as an ally? He’d be invaluable.
Cirayus regarded Saunak with a grave expression. “I would have told you when the time was right.”
“You failed to protect her,” Saunak said, ignoring him.
“I did.”
“Then Maion failed to protect her. Is he dead, as well?”
“He is,” Cirayus admitted. “As you suspected, it was the Chitran.”
“Hardly surprising. In fact, I’d predicted they would act sooner, what with the encroaching Ash. Only so far you can bend a kingdom before they snap.”
Vir thought of Matali… They hadn’t snapped, but broken instead. It seemed the Chitrans had the opposite reaction. Was it because of a difference between humans and demons? Or simply one of national strength? The Chitrans seemed more powerful than Matali had been before their downfall.
“So… you knew my mom,” Vir said softly, his thoughts returning to his deceased parents.
Saunak nodded. “And one of the most beautiful demons at that. She was breathtaking. Wouldn’t you agree, Cirayus?”
Cirayus stiffened, though not out of caution. He looked distinctly… uncomfortable.
“Wouldn’t know,” the giant said, prompting a scoff from Saunak.
Cirayus stuck a fork into his food, gingerly bringing it to his mouth.
“Wouldn’t know? You wouldn’t know?” Saunak barked a hollow laugh. Then his eyes found Vir, and his expression turned even colder. “Ah. I see. Yes, that would be awkward, wouldn’t it?”
Small Automatons trundling around on spherical bases brought out steaming hot plates, and it wasn’t until they’d set all the table for everyone that Cirayus finally gave Vir the all clear to begin eating.
They’d looked nothing like Ashani—lacking skin, or even heads, though that didn’t stop them from working with masterful efficiency.
Vir assumed the Automatons had cooked the food, so he’d been expecting mediocrity, but he should’ve known better. They might’ve been more primitive than Ashani, but they were still Imperium creations, nonetheless. The food was absolutely divine, making him salivate despite himself. It was the tastiest food he’d had in a very long time.