Chapter 123 - One-Hundred-Twelve (1/2)
I swallow dry at the next question, dreading the answer but knowing that I could not avoid any longer, so I let the words slip out between clenched teeth.
”My brother… do you know where he is? Have you seen him? He-he looks a lot like me, is a hound too of course, black hair, dark skin, a little smaller and cheerful all the time…” Though I bet even my brother would not be able to smile at his current situation.
The demon looks away, as if thinking, and nods while saying: ”I have seen a hound there, yeah… and now that you said so he does resembles you a little, yeah…”
”Really?! Where is he?! Is he, is he hurt?!” I say, barely holding myself from shaking the answer out of this demon, only standing and gripping the poor table.
”Oi oi, calm down, calm down! I'll answer all right? He was doing fine the last time I saw him…” She says, but the tone of voice and the choice of words makes me think there is more to that story…even more when a 'but�� follows. ”But…He is a frenzy one, that one, he wasn't behaving so he was bound to suffer some consequences.” My first line of is to be proud of him and think: That's my boy! Never bow down to anyone! But the other part… the other part wished that he would act differently, more careful and less like I taught him to.
”Such as?” I ask, feeling the boiling anger wanting to surface once more and the excruciating thought of him being hurt.
But not now… we still don't have the right prey at bay, nowhere to slash out… but soon…
”Answer me!” I say when Hel hesitates to answer, sick of this way they are acting, avoiding the question and straight answers as if steeping on eggs, better not waste time with silly empty comforting words and tell me already what I need to know!
I need no one's pity, I need nothing from them beyond information to save my brother!
I'm done with this sneaking feeling of guilty crawling in my veins…
”Well, his sons, the Demon's King have him, and… they can be as sick as the father, worsen some may day, and last time I saw Dearil had taken a fancy on your brother and he… has been preparing him.”
”Preparing? For what?” I hold my breath at that dreadful question.
”For a binding contract.”
I growl without noticing, showing teeth, bloodshed eyes narrowing, ears and tail standing. They dare try to enslave my brother?! Those demons…. Death is a too lenient penance for them! I shall crush their bones with my teeth, rip their will to live from their minds, rip and slash until there is nothing left beyond a pile of flesh!
Dearil…you have your name marked to death now!
”You know where he is? Where this Dearil has taken him?!”
”I know somewhere he has a high chance to be in, but…”
”Then what are we waiting for?!” A mix of thrill and anger makes adrenaline rush in my body, prompting me to rush out in this instant.
However, at that point we are interrupted by light footsteps approaching, and by the fragrance and behavior I could guess that it was an elf as the intruder approaches and knocks on the door.
”Please enter.” Leonel says as the door opens and reveals that I was right, an elf stood at the door frame, a tall figure well dressed and manner, greeting us while pulling the edge of his vest with his long fingers adorned with rings.
Beyond the characteristic high cheekbones and blond hair, however, this elf had many tattoos adorning his body, from leaves to thin lines that resemble branches, coating the edge of his face to the back of his hand, proving that he was an elder.
And yet different from the elders I have encountered so far, this one had an… arrogant air around him, raising his nose and walking with the back straight and arms folded behind his back, the hands sometimes directing the clothes around.
”Elder Othorion.” Leonel says, giving him a small bow while the other answers with only a nod.
I try to contain my annoyance from being interrupted, but even though my words were somewhat polite my tone was far from it as I say:
”Sorry elder, but what brings you here? Where are in the middle of something important.” So would you kindly piss off?
”Oh, I'm aware, that's why I'm here, after all miss. Helraya agreed to share information with us, 'elves'.” He says, enforcing the last word, as if say that I was the one meddling in other's people business.
The hell with that.
”Oh yeah? Then you will have to wait your turn, 'after' we ask our questions, then Miss Helraya is all yours.”