I have already been in this world, moreover, only two blocks from the ill-fated temple. And so the call hooked me. Me, who, under other circumstances, no mortal would be able to catch on such nonsense!
I got really angry. She growled, bared her fangs. It is unlikely that this greatly spoiled my appearance: now, in any case, I did not look much like a pretty country girl. I wanted only one thing – to scare the hell out of an insolent man who encroached on something he had no idea about. Also, maybe rip out his liver. But, alas, there was not a single chance for the latter: the polygon reliably kept me in its ugly framework.
The suicide bomber – although he did not yet consider himself such – was frightened, but this did not prevent him from experiencing delight bordering on insanity.
– It worked, – he whispered with his lips. And, already in a full voice, he shouted: – It turned out! It can’t be… It just can’t be.
Well, definitely crazy. Talks to himself. However, the normal initially will not get involved in such experiments. The instinct of self-preservation will not allow. It is said that people have it very strong.
– So… what’s next… I’m Tobias Challis, your lord!
Apparently, it was written in the book that one should speak with the demon clearly and loudly, and he tried, like a diligent student. At the last word, I once again grinned.
– Do you obey me, fiend of darkness?
– I obey.
Sounds are extremely reluctant to fly from the lips. And such a smile plays on them that a madman would run away to distant lands, if he understood at least something in demonic facial expressions.
– Good. Then I order to bring here Isabella Challis, my daughter-in-law, and her offspring, whom she worked up on the side. Deliver dead or alive, I don’t care.
– I obey.
I go beyond the edge of the polygon, but it does not matter. The spell of submission continues to work, they didn’t let me out, they just lengthened the strings that securely tied me to the temple. But this is temporary. Sooner or later, the scoundrel will make a mistake – and choke on his own blood. Demons do not forgive encroachments on their freedom.
All feelings faded into the background, my mind owns only hatred. It bubbles in the chest, pulsates in the temples, covers the eyes with a dark veil. The will is constrained, but I know exactly who is guilty of this and who will have to pay the bills.
Finding people in a tiny town is easy. With ease I crush the door, with one hand I grab a young woman, with the other a four-year-old male child. By the way, Tobias was mistaken in this respect: the same blood definitely flows in the boy as in his own veins. But I am not ordered to report it, and I am not so stupid as to do more than necessary…
These two are frightened and try to resist, but I, now possessing inhuman size and remarkable strength, have no difficulty in holding them back. I don’t feel sympathy, more like annoyance. For me, they are a hindrance to which I have to be distracted instead of doing my real business. We move swiftly, like an indistinct shadow, almost imperceptible to passers-by. They only cringe, feeling the cold that casually touched their souls. Sometimes human instincts scream about danger where the mind is silent.
I return to the temple, toss the loot into the corner, and stand back in the center of the polygon.
– Your mission is complete.
Tobias is already dancing, rubbing his hands.
Did you think I couldn’t do anything? he exclaims, turning to his daughter-in-law. You stole my son from me! He left home because of you. Because of you, I stopped talking to my own father. You tricked him into quarreling with his family and forced him to raise someone else’s child. But as you can see, I’m hard to outwit. And I am strong, stronger than anyone in this city! Stronger than anything you could imagine. Many will find out about this today, but you took away the most valuable thing from me – my son, and you will be the first. – And, not giving the frightened woman a chance to answer, she turns to me: – Kill them!
A madman is a madman and is.
I take a step towards the victims, but freeze, suddenly hearing a familiar voice:
– Arafel, no!
I slowly turn my head. Eitan, who for some incomprehensible reason did not run away as soon as I left the tavern, and even more incredibly appeared here – was he following me, or what? – rushes to the polygon.
Another lunatic. Everyone here is crazy.
– Who is that? Tobias exclaims nervously. – Remove it immediately, so as not to interfere!
I strike and the recent companion flies off to the wall, and remains lying near it, and the smell of freshly spilled blood tickles my nostrils. I turn back to the woman with the boy. Realizing that there is nothing left to lose, she jumps to her feet and exclaims:
– You are not telling the truth, Master Tobias! – I never tried to get you and Danny to fight. I even persuaded him not to break off relations, after all, you are his father. He himself decided so, and you know very well that it is your fault. And Gaby is Danny’s son and your grandson. Have pity on him!
And then I realize that fate provides me with a loophole. It seems that now it makes sense to speak out.
– She may be right, lord. It is possible that the boy is your grandson.
– What? For the first time, Tobias looks truly unsure. I succeeded in planting a seed of doubt in his mind. – My… but… She is walking, I know! And this kid doesn’t look like Danny or me at all… Are you saying “maybe”? What does it mean? Can you find out for sure?
– Yes, sir. To do this, I will need to drink your blood.
I can’t help but enjoy the effect. Tobias literally turned white with fear. The woman, too, was frightened, pressed the child to her. Stupid. I don’t care about you. The performance is intended for a different audience.
Having seen enough of the reaction of the insane villain who decided to command me, I clarify:
– Two drops are enough. Yours and the boy.
He calms down. Wipes sweat from forehead.
– The boy and my…
Still, it’s a nerve-wracking task to summon a demon. It is already difficult for a man to concentrate, thoughts begin to get confused, and this is to my advantage. – Okay. If he really can be my grandson…
And I’m ready to triumph, but then he exclaims, bouncing away from the polygon: – Stop! I understand! You want to outsmart me. I read somewhere… Drink my blood and I will lose power over you. No-o-e-t, you won’t succeed, demon! Kill her! Immediately, do you hear?
I growl again in annoyance, baring my teeth in a grin. And I look around, suddenly feeling a certain failure. Fluctuation in the currents of power.
Eitan, with a cut forehead, still unnoticed by anyone, creeps up to the polygon. Movements are given to him with difficulty, but perseverance bears fruit. He reaches out, touches the rusty dagger with his fingers, and tosses the weapon aside.
– Not! Tobias yells desperately.
Too late. A gap appears in a perfectly erected wall. The figure, worked out with such care, is hopelessly spoiled.