Alistor and I sat on the roof of the old abandoned clock in the lower city. We weren't looking for the Keltcher right now. It was just a move to get away from everyone. I hadn't imagined Sasha coming back before I finished this mission. I hated lying to her, but I wasn't allowed to tell anyone I was a guardian anymore.
"It's killing you isn't it?" he whispered beside me.
"What?"
"It's killing you not to be able to tell her, isn't it?"
"Aye."
"You know it's for the best, don't you?"
I nodded. "I just don't like sneaking around behind her back."
He didn't say anything for a minute and from the side of my view, I could see him watching the city.
"What do you make of her two companions?" he asked to change the subject. "The brooding one, Jaspen, is a higher form of a demon. He seems alright, but something about him scares me. The other one, Sebastian, seems controlling, but to really care for her in his own way. I just don't know."
"Can we trust them?"
"I'm not sure yet."
Alistor rubbed his jaw. "You don't trust Jaspen at all, do you?"
"Alistor, I don't know what to make of him. My senses prickle more than usual with him due to him being a higher form of demon. I can barely stand being near him without getting a headache," I said firmly. "I hate sometimes how well we can sense each other. Even now I can tell you exactly where he is."
Which was weird. He was at a pub on the black market side of town - the bad side of the Lower City. Most citizens didn't wander into its depths. Why would he be there? Why would Sasha let him go there alone? Quinn, the ruler of the city, roamed that side and might see Jaspen as a threat. The more sensible part of my brain told me he was new and didn't know the city that well.
"Eve?" he asked worriedly.
I hadn't even realized that I had stood.
"We need to get to the Black Market district. Jaspen has roamed there."
He stood too.
��How about I go? You being down there is probably not a good idea."
I sighed. I knew he was right, but I didn't like the idea of Alistor down there by himself.
"Alright…," I said, begrudgingly. "I'll see you back at the shack."
He nodded leaning in and kissing my cheek before dashing off, jumping rooftop to rooftop. I watched him go. Oh, Alistor.
I took the old hatch and the stairs down to the bottom floor. It was increasingly damp and cold the farther down I went. Once outside, I coughed once before mounting my horse and grabbing the reins of Alistor's.
I started weaving my way through the streets when the glint of mismatched rogue plate mixed with leather. I held my breath, mentally cursing myself. It was getting close to dusk. Of course the Keltcher would strike.
I raised my hood. Hopefully, they wouldn't recognize me or the horses. Knowing my luck, two came down my street. I sucked in a breath. No. I saw one was Maverick and he had a murderous smile on his face.
I tried to keep my head low and ride past them, but Maverick grabbed the reins
"Are you new here, low dweller?" he said with amusement as if I had missed the jest. "Aye…" I whispered hesitantly.
"Show yourself," he commanded.
I flipped my hood back hoping time had dulled his memory.
"So the rumors are true. Blood traitor," he growled. "Down. Time to give you a friendly welcome to my city, mouse."
His face was twisted into a cruel smile and I recognized his companion as Neil. When our eyes met, he glanced away from me in shame color rising in his cheeks. Rage boiled on my veins as I dismounted drawing my sword.
"Wasn't our brand enough for you, Eveline?" he taunted.
The cruel memory of someone slicing the Blood traitor symbol into my arm raced in my thoughts as I drew my sword. It didn't surprise me that Maverick would join such a cause- he got a kick out of abusing his power, but Neil? I still had a hard time believing it since we had ended our relationship during our training.
"I'm going to enjoy this," he said cruelly. "Time and time again you've humiliated me. This time your phony prince isn't here to save you."
He drew his sword and advanced on me. I didn't have my shield since it was painted in the royal courts colors so I was already at a disadvantage. His sword was made out of a black metal and not the usual form but instead had a sawed blade on both sides. It was a crude looking blade.
"Like it?" he cackled. "I had it smuggled in from the north."
He pulled a vile off his side with a evil grin on his face and dowsed his blade in a black oily liquid. I recognized it at once as demonic poison. One of Nephilim's few weaknesses, but how had he gotten it? I would have to fight carefully now or it would be a repeat of the dungeon all over again.
I surveyed my surroundings and tried to see if there was a means of escape, but where would I go? I couldn't lead him back to Sasha's hut and put them in danger. I would have to stay and fight and hope that fate was on my side.
"Trying to escape?" he asked advancing.
"No," I said forcing strength into my voice.
Neil was fidgeting like a scared pup unsure of what to do. Maybe I could use that to my advantage.
"Are you really going to side with this goon?" I pressed gesturing at Maverick. "I always took you for a leader, not a sheep Neil."
Color rose in his cheeks and he shifted on his feet.
"Don't be getting cold feet," growled Maverick turning his attention to Neil.
While he was distracted, I attacked with a flick of my sword aiming at his sword hand. He blocked last moment and an evil sneer crossed his face.
"Good try."
He began attacking wildly and quickly to my surprise since he was using a long sword. I kept blocking and parrying wishing I had my shield. Everytime he got in close with his double edge razor blade, it would cut into my arms. I gritted my teeth. I couldn't keep this up. The demonic poison would be in my system soon rendering me useless and quite possibly dead. With every block and parry, I felt myself wearing down until I found myself on my knees gasping for breath. I felt his cold steel at my throat right before he withdrew it and his boot connected with my ribs.
"Take the horses. A blood traitor doesn't need a war mount anymore."
The world was becoming blurry as I saw Neil and Maverick lead our horses away leaving me in the middle of the street feeling as if my veins were on fire.