Sentinel's Soul by Kristopher L Campa

Author:Kristopher L Campa [Campa, Kristopher L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kristopher L Campa

Chapter 17

Gasps and whispers spread through the crowd. Shedim glanced at each other and several crossed their arms to make themselves as small as possible in case a sentinel stood next to them.

Arturo tensed and crossed his own arms, grasping a knife inside his jacket sleeve. So much for getting in and out without anyone knowing they were there. He studied the other shedim with as much suspicion as they gave him.

Lorri glanced at him and arched an eyebrow.

He raised a single finger. They’d stay calm and be ready. They couldn’t reveal themselves yet but if they didn’t move, maybe the Boss would think they weren’t even there. Then they could just slip out unnoticed.

“I’m sure you believe we are responsible for the attack on the airport this morning. But I assure you, it was not sanctioned by the Bosses.”

Arturo held still. They weren’t safe, even if what the Boss said was true.

“I promise no harm will come to you,” the Boss said.

Arturo focused on the shedim. Maybe...

The shedim sighed.

“You have my word and my protection on this night,” the Boss continued. “I swear it to you by my power and those of my family. Please, come forward, we have much to discuss.”

The Boss’s words were so formulaic Arturo almost didn’t process their meaning. The knot in his stomach loosened and he let go of the knife.

Shedim, by nature, were chaotic, but they held one principle above all others. Family. It meant everything to them. And if a shedim gave his word on his family’s honor, he would do anything and everything in his power to ensure it wasn’t broken. To not would result in the shedim being outcast from all shedimic society, with no chance of ever returning. It was the closest thing to a guarantee any sentinel could get from them.

Arturo squeezed between two large shedim who looked down at him and then gasped. They jumped back like he’d burned them and the domino effect began. Shedim bumped and jostled away and an instant later, a path had cleared. Arturo caught a glimpse of the bum who’d spoken with them. His face was full of horror and fear.

Arturo walked forward, head held high. The numbers in the room, maybe even the Bosses alone could kill them, but if he could play on the sentinels’ reputation as enforcers, he’d take it. Lorri stared at him for a moment longer and then fell in step behind him.

The Boss smiled and, with a lithe twist of his body, flipped over the railing. He landed on the concrete floor, which almost seemed to ripple with the impact but Arturo was sure it was just his power softening his fall. He opened his arms wide to Arturo and Lorri as they passed to the front of the crowd.

“Arturo, we meet at last. I’ve heard so many tales of your deeds over these past few decades. Although, from the stories, I imagined you to be a hulking monster of a sentinel. A sentinel who wields the power of both shedim and mastem simultaneously.

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