Zephyr rose to his feet, frowning at the demon's words. First, Zephyr didn't like Lord Sorgaran's authoritative tone. It wasn't until he was reborn in this world that Zephyr realised how much he despised following others' orders—an issue now that he was at the bottom of the demon hierarchy.
It also reminded him of Jimmy, his supervisor at the fast-food restaurant he worked at. Jimmy was only two years older than his former self, but he abused his power and took a lot of pleasure in ordering him about. The prick acted superior even though he was the same as Seth, and he took great pleasure in making him suffer.
The typical- bullied becomes the bully.
Secondly, Zephyr realised this would be a wasted opportunity if he left now. Why was he taking the money? Was it because he was clearly more formidable than the others?
"Why are you still here?" Garzon snapped, kicking the back of Zephyr's knee, causing his leg to give out and collapse onto one knee.
Zephyr glared over his shoulder, which, in turn, roused a chuckle from Lord Sorgaran. "You better be careful with this one, Garzon. Zephyr has quite an attitude." He was amused at the Slinktail that showed so much promise.
"I can wipe his attitude off with my fist-"
"No need." Lord Sorgaran held his gold-ringed hand up. "As I said before, talented demons are useful."
This Lord wanted to keep him and had enough authority to cause the Draegorths to act respectfully and accept his orders. Zephyr tried to push for what little information he could. "That's my money they've given you," he snarled. "I worked hard for it."
Working hard, as in stealing, that was.
"Oho! This is not your money. It's mine." He patted his breast pocket where the coins clinked and leaned forward, staring at the Slinktail. "You see, this is for protection…"
"Why would I pay for your protection when my services are for the Draegorths behind me?" Zephyr looked over his shoulder and snorted. "You can't handle a few humans? You scared? What's this guy going to do? He already said he hates work."
Maz glared at him.
"I think it's time I show you what that money does." Lord Sorgaran grabbed Zephyr by the shoulder.
Before Zephyr could look back at the demon, he crashed through the ceiling once and twice until he smashed through the roof, staring wide-eyed at the night sky and the thatched roofs below him. Wind fluttered through his clothes and hair, the silver lighting of the moon spread across the Slinktail in a soft glow.
Alright, he should have seen that coming.
The hunters and enforcers must be far more fearsome than he anticipated if a guy like this was being paid to protect their little gang.
Oh shit. He was going to die. Again.
Lord Sorgaran shot through the hole in the roof, his cloak was gone and bat wings sprung out behind him as he hovered beside Zephyr's gradually falling form. He grabbed Zephyr by the throat, his once sleek red hair untidy now he was in the air with the Slinktail.
"For a Slinktail, you ask a lot of questions." He brought his face close to Zephyr, no doubt trying to unnerve him. The demon was unquestionably more powerful, the grip on his throat closing his airways. "I don't know how I feel about that."
"Means there is more to me than a body to help wipe the Draegorths' asses," Zephyr sputtered out, holding the demon's wrist that kept him dangling in the air.
Lord Sorgaran tilted his head to the side, observing the Slinktail. "That is true. I suggest watching that smart mouth of yours, or you won't be replacing those level 3s…"
Zephyr paused, staring back at the red-rimmed golden eyes of the demon. "I'm glad we had this little chat away from them. You'd do much better as a Draegorth. I'd much prefer brains than brawn… But I'm not about to toss a rabid dog a bone though. You will figure out how to level up or die by their hands. Garzon seems to have it out for you."
Lord Sorgaran leaned away, releasing Zephyr. The Slinktail gasped, hands flailing for something to grab onto, his stomach dropping until he realised the demon was using some sort of magic to stop gravity from dragging his ass to the ground.
Zephyr gulped, realising this demon could crush him or let him drop to his death right now. He tried to tread carefully, but there was no way around asking the following questions, "Did you order Garzon to change camps? Are the humans really that imposing, Lord Sorgaran?"
Lord Sorgaran arched an eyebrow at him. It was better than being flung into another building. It was also fortunate that this part of town seemed like a ghost town, and if there was anyone nearby, they remained quiet and didn't want to get involved in such matters.
That's how it was in the slums for Seth when he lived with his parents—never get involved in other's problems. It was the same here, and clearly, Lord Sorgaran was not someone to mess with. Any humans nearby were probably skittering away like rats.
"I like you, Zephie." What was it with Maz, and now this guy calling him Zephie?
"You may call me Sorgaran. Lord is a little too formal, but only when we're alone, alright? As for your questions… You'd be an idiot if you didn't take this issue more seriously. Humans have far greater technology, are organised and intelligent enough to keep the demons from gathering together…
"They know we are stronger but separately it is more challenging. If someone is going around killing humans, news starts to spread, ideas start forming, thoughts springing into demons' heads… Why aren't we doing that? Why don't we band together… Start an uprising? You understand?"
Zephyr watched the higher-level demon before speaking his next words. "You seem eager for an uprising? If so, why don't you want us killing people?" He honestly didn't care for himself; he just wanted to be left alone in a corner of this world somewhere.
"Because we are not ready," Sorgaran answered simply. "I am only one of three other level 2s. The others have been captured and tortured, quite possibly killed by this point…"
Oh, seven hells… Sorgaran was a level 2 demon… It made sense, really; Zephyr was currently floating in the air with a horned being with bat wings. He was lucky to still be alive right now.
He hoped Sorgaran's speech about liking him wasn't just something he said in passing. Having such a powerful demon on his side was highly beneficial.
"Where are the other level 2s?" Zephyr questioned, but whatever moment they'd been sharing in the middle of the air slipped from his fingers. Sorgaran's face shuttered; he wasn't willing to share anymore.
"I do hope to see you again soon in a different form. Until then, continue what you're doing without pissing Garzon off too much…"
Zephyr parted his lips to respond but Sorgaran's fist slammed into his face in such a blur, he didn't have time to register the time or feel of the ground rushing up to greet him before a blanket of darkness fell over him.