Joint Intentions (Book 9) by Jeff Inlo

Author:Jeff Inlo [Inlo, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2015-03-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Moments before Ryson, Holli, Jure and Vraya had arrived upon the summit of the stone tower, Baannat was plucked from the plateau and hauled before the embodiment of absolute evil. Even as the ghoul could hover in the air of physical domains, the force of hate pressed his incomplete form ruthlessly against the gritty ground. The moment he looked into the shifting gray shadows which surrounded him, he knew where he had been brought. He sensed the presence of the daokiln before he looked upon the incarnation of monumental malice. Baannat did not understand the reason for his arrival in Demonspawn, and the brutal delivery of his somewhat insubstantial form added seething anger to the slink ghoul's confusion.

Had it been anyone or anything else, Baannat would have severely questioned the audacity of the maneuver and threatened his captor with harsh reprisals. Few, however, could have snatched the slink ghoul from the tower precipice and pulled him into the very center of Demonspawn. Baannat also knew it was not wise to question the actions of the daokiln. Taking an aggressive stance against the lord of all demons normally led to only one outcome... painful annihilation, and the ghoul still had much to accomplish.

Despite his comprehension of Reiculf's power, the ghoul had no idea of the demon master's plans, and Baannat could not stifle every question.

"Why have you brought me here?" Baannat demanded, but in a somewhat subdued and respectful tone.

"Because I can," Reiculf growled. "We made a bargain. You requested complete control over a pit demon and a doppelganger. I agreed to your request. In return, you promised to deliver the Delver Acumen and his mate. You have failed in that regard."

"I haven't failed," Baannat protested.

The slink ghoul might not have understood the demon lord's intentions, but he knew he had to make his own aims clear. Despite certain setbacks, the slink ghoul remained confident of his success. Baannat fully intended on fulfilling his arrangement with the daokiln, and Enin was the key to his ultimate conquest.

"The pit demon possesses Enin," the ghoul revealed. "I have brought them both back into the dark lands. His foolish friends will sacrifice much to save him. The threat of death is a strong tool against Ryson Acumen. The delver is so concerned about the loss of life, he would risk almost anything to keep Enin safe."

To Baannat's dismay, Reiculf viewed the situation in a different light.

"I no longer care about Enin," the daokiln snarled. "Enin has lost his core. Without his magic, the wizard is powerless and useless to me."

"But he is bait."

Reiculf did not bother to reply. He ignored the slink ghoul as he turned his attention back to the ebony casting sorcerer. The daokiln had been torturing Ansas at will, and the monstrous beast decided to indulge in additional torment as a distraction from the slink ghoul's petty denials.

"Do you see, sorcerer? Even the ruler of nonexistence is nothing to me. I can claim him as my own."

Ansas looked to Baannat with pure disgust.

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