Imp Forsaken (Imp Book 5) by Dunbar Debra

Author:Dunbar, Debra [Dunbar, Debra]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: paranormal, demons, fantasy, hell, angels, elves, urban fantasy
Publisher: Anessa Books
Published: 2013-10-27T16:00:00+00:00

19

Dar went with me to meet Taullian. We were each allowed to bring one other to the meeting. I wasn’t surprised to see the elf lord with a sorcerer by his side. The gathering was at a clearing in the Western Red Forest, the buffer lands between the elven kingdom of Cyelle and the demon grasslands that surrounded the Maugan Swamp. Taullian had prepped the site with a large table—gently constructed to retain the look of wild growth. Two seats were at either end, and on top was a spread of food. It was a good strategy. Demons enjoyed food almost as much as they loved gifts.

Dar kept glancing over at me. He’d been doing this since he’d seen me this morning. The party had run into the wee hours without either Dar or Leethu, who had headed out to arrange the two meetings for me. Leethu wasn’t back yet, but Dar had shown up bleary-eyed in the morning, letting me know that Taullian wanted to meet right away. I hoped that was a good sign.

“You look good,” Dar whispered.

I knew it was more than a compliment on my attractive features. Somehow my human form had managed to fix itself overnight. All the blisters had disappeared to be replaced with smooth, tanned skin. The chewed up part of my arm with Ahriman’s mark was likewise unblemished, save for the dark smudge, like a smear of charcoal on my flesh. Even my burned hair had been replaced with thick, glossy, brown locks. I felt strong, a small store of energy within me, available as long as I didn’t try to hold on too tight. It churned through my spirit being, shining out through my eyes with an unholy light. I might have looked like a demon, but I didn’t feel quite like one. I felt… different.

“Lord Taullian.” I bowed as I spoke. “I appreciate the audience, especially on such short notice.”

The high lord sat and gestured for me to do the same. “Az. I am surprised you contacted me. Now that you have your freedom, there is no motivation for you to assist me.”

“Oh, but there is.” I leaned forward in my seat and picked up a spoon, twirling it between my fingers. “I’m still willing to assassinate your enemy for you, and fight on your behalf, but there is a price.”

He’d flinched when I reached forward, but quickly relaxed. A spoon was no weapon, and I was well aware I looked non-threatening in my human form.

“And that price is?”

“I want all the elf gates in the kingdoms under your control to be dismantled. Never again will you trap unsuspecting humans and keep them as slaves.”

He laughed. “You can’t be serious.”

“Second, there will be no more changeling swaps in any of the kingdoms under your control. No more human babies will be stolen from their parents and brought to Hel.”

“But how are we expected to replace the humans who die? They don’t live very long, you know, and we render all of them infertile upon puberty so there are no issues of loyalty.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.