At that Rell looked at Siban, staring at him for a second before looking away. There was no mistaking her message. She would do as she pleased—what she felt was right for the Bringers. He gritted his teeth, worrying about what drove her obsession to help Icarus. Was it merely her desire to right the wrongs of the Bane or did her feelings for the demon run much deeper? No matter what, protecting her was going to be more difficult than he’d expected. Trusting her even more so.
“It appears he’s taken an interest in Rell’s transformation. We’ve got him locked in the cell we used for Rell now, but at some point we’re going to have to deal with him,” Gregory said. “Though I’m still unsure what decision will need to be made, after consultation with Rell and Meran, we believe Icarus might be of some use to us. His actions seem more personal than spurred on by Vile’s influence.”
“Why do you say that?” Luc’s voice held a hint of malice, understandably so.
After being lured into the Shadow World by Rell and Icarus, the demon had tried to force information from Luc by torturing him. Siban caught his eyes and gave him a nod of agreement.
“We think there might be a chance he was once human and that until Rell was transformed, Icarus was unaware of the possibility.” Gregory shrugged. “This may mean nothing.”
“It was my understanding that we’d finally rid ourselves of the demon once we garnered information.” Luc pulled the immortal dagger from its sheath at his belt and buried the tip in the wooden tabletop. “If you will not do it—then I will.”
“You have every right, Luc, but I’m asking for patience in this matter.” Gregory paused. “From all of you. If Icarus was human, he’s been Bane for far longer. I’ve never had direct contact with the demon, so I am not in a position to offer my opinion until I speak with him further. I do however put great stock in Meran’s Tell abilities. And from what Rell has said, there are enough differences between Icarus and the other Bane to indicate several possibilities.”
It would take more than the word of the two Tell women to ever convince Siban, and from Luc’s stoic expression, him as well.
The decision to keep Icarus alive was foolish. He felt it clear to his bones. “Be done with him, Gregory, and spare us all a lot of trouble.”
“So now you are judge and executioner?” Rell said.
“If need be.” He didn’t look at her, not wanting to see the anger he felt emanating from her. “I will do what it takes to keep you safe.”
She didn’t reply.
Their leader held up his hands to stay the argument. “I’m not saying that we trust him or even interact with the demon. But we should not act rashly. A captured foe may be of more use than a dead one.” He lowered his arms and sighed. “We’ll be leaving at first light. Get some sleep. Meran and Rell, I’d like you to come with me when I speak with Icarus.”
“I will come, too,” Siban said. “I want to hear his words for myself.”
Gregory hesitated. “Only if you remain calm and silent.”
That would be easier said than done, but he needed to assess the situation for his own peace of mind. “I will try.”
After a few seconds Gregory relented. “Come then.”
The Bringers rose, their low conversations about the quest and the revelation about Icarus swirling around Siban. He stood and made his way to where Gregory waited. Rell approached. Words seemed awkward. It would be best to let the situation unfold instead of trying to defend his opinion that Icarus should die.
The day’s heat had abated when the sun dipped below the horizon. Besides the whir of night hoppers the evening was quiet. Their footsteps swished in the grass. No one in the small group spoke, perhaps each lost in their own thoughts about how to deal with the Demon King’s son Icarus. As they drew closer to where the demon was housed, the burn of the Bane intensified. Siban noticed Meran lightly brushing her hand back and forth against her arm, but Rell appeared unfazed.
Gregory stopped at the door of the same hut where Rell had been kept. His hand hovered on the handle. “I will speak first. If you have questions, keep them simple so that he is unable to weave lies within his answers.”
The three of them nodded. More than hearing Icarus’s explanations, Siban wanted to use his Tell to ferret out the Bane’s lies. For most definitely there would be many.
The demon stood in the middle of the cage. Perhaps he’d been expecting them. Maybe he had heard them coming. Siban was struck with how little he’d asked Rell about her time as a Bane. It was a situation he would remedy tonight.
“Good evening, Icarus.” Gregory led the way into the room.
“Perhaps good for you, Bringer. Not for me.” The Bane didn’t move except for his eyes, which followed them as they moved closer to the cage. “Are you here to interrogate me or dispatch me?”
Rell stepped forward and Siban had to restrain himself from grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the demon’s reach. “We’d like to ask you a few questions. We think we might be able to help you.”
Icarus inched forward but stopped when Siban moved to stand beside Rell. She glared at Siban. He was headstrong with obviously no intent to stand down. But he wasn’t willing to risk her safety. If Icarus got hold of her, they would be at his mercy. Siban didn’t want to have to make the choice of her life or the demon’s freedom.
“You needn’t worry, dark one.” The statement sounded too suggestive and was directed at Siban. “I wouldn’t hurt Rell.”
Jealousy tore at him. Even if what Icarus said was true, he knew the demon was goading him. His weakness for her was a weapon the Bane could now exploit. “Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
“No, I’m sure you don’t.” Icarus glided to the stone wall and then turned back to face him. “I’m sure you’d like nothing more than to rid yourself of me—permanently.”
A humorless smile curved Siban’s lips. “Then we understand each other well, demon.”
Rell scowled at him again and then turned her attention back to Icarus. “Will you answer some questions for us?”
He was silent for a few seconds. Certainly the demon would not willingly help them. The entire inquiry was foolish in Siban’s opinion. To his surprise and suspicion, Icarus inhaled deeply and said. “Ask. Whether I answer or not is yet to be seen.”
“Thank you.” Rell turned to Gregory. “What do you wish to know?”
A grunt escaped Siban. Would the other three Bringers truly believe what the demon said? One comforting thought was that if keeping Icarus became too perilous, there was no doubt Luc would help Siban vanquish the Bane. Secure with that knowledge, he backed away from the cage, allowing Gregory to take his place.
“What is your relationship with Vile?” their leader asked.
“He is my father.” The answer was curt. “And my king.”
“From your tone, I surmise you’ve had a falling out.” Gregory paced a few steps along the front of the cell. “Where do you stand now?”
The demon’s eyes cut to Rell. “As I’m sure you know, I’ve been banished from the Shadow World.”
Siban let his Tell creep forward, attempting to get a genuine sense of the demon. The biting against his skin increased. The closer his awareness inched, the more suffocating the demon’s darkness became. The truth of Icarus’s words emanated through the thick taint, giving Siban pause. At least that part of his story rang true.
“And does that order still stand?” Gregory stopped and gripped the iron bars of the prison. “Are you and Vile still at odds?”
“Why do you want to know how my father and I fare?” Icarus turned his back to them. “What difference does this make? I am still a Bane and you are my sworn enemy.”