The journey to the Nivisara compound was uneventful. No opposition - except peddlers, scammers, and beggars after his Darkshards. The difference between a human village and the unconquered Darkland wilds.

  Iron gates barred the way to the castle town. Two guards in blue plate flanked the gates. He approached with Shadow, chin high, nodding at the guards. He played his role. So did they.

  Both guards pushed the heavy gates open, clearing his path.

  This suit really comes in handy.

  The cobblestone streets were cleaner than the village below. Fewer people, less dirt. Castle towns should be crowded. This one wasn’t.

  Quiet as a ghost town. Smoke and iron scented the air despite the emptiness.

  The vacant buildings were bigger and nicer than the village’s. Stone bricks, no wood.

  A grey castle with four towers loomed over the town. It dwarfed even Ice God’s church. Above the castle, the red sun hung, glaring down at him. Warming his heart and welcoming him into its peaceful embrace.

  There was no peace for him in that castle. Things were never that simple.

  “Praise my luck!”

  An eager, familiar voice reached him. He turned. A familiar face: Rusk, his second bodyguard. Powerful, Marked, and loved by the threads of fate.

  “Is it me, or has your fashion sense improved?” Rusk said.

  Kai shrugged. He’d summoned his dark blade and stored it in the deathly scabbard on the way here. His all-black ensemble enhanced his charisma. But it made him look suspicious as hell. No one else wore all black.

  He stood out - not ideal for staying undercover.

  Having Rusk beside him could divert attention - especially once his clothes started disappearing.

  Kai smiled. “Thanks. Could use more colour, but it works.”

  Rusk raised his chin and peered down his nose at Kai. He hesitated, then lowered his head in respect. A moment later, his chin lifted again. He couldn’t decide.

  Kai released a tired breath. No hiding it. Anyone who saw him fell victim to his terrible Curse. Honesty would prevent future problems.

  “Rusk, I need to tell you something. This stays between us. Got it?”

  Rusk’s expression turned serious. He nodded. “I’d never betray your trust, Mentor.”

  Mentor?

  Something unusual happened - Kai believed him. Trusted the lunatic. Was he going mad? Some kind of mental attack?

  He shook his head as if that could help. “Do you feel…do you think I’m an easy target?”

  Rusk’s jaw dropped. He shook his head. “No, no, of course n—”

  Kai raised a hand. “Don’t lie. I know you do.”

  Rusk examined the ground like he had a passion for stonework. “I don’t know why. I don’t mean to. It’s just…” He shook his head, shoulders slumping. “I think I can beat you up and rob you easily. It’s not like I’d actually do it!”

  He met Kai’s eyes, pain clear on his face. “Can you forgive me?”

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  Kai nodded graciously. His hand settled on Rusk’s shoulder.

  “You don’t need to apologise. I appreciate you weren’t going to act on your...misguided instincts. The truth is - and remember, don’t tell anyone - I have…”

  Kai paused. Considered.

  Is this the right move?

  Would revealing his second Curse reveal more? Did a second Curse mean a second Gift? Or a Gift so powerful it needed extra balance?

  So many theories. So many potential lies.

  What would Rusk ask?

  Kai steeled himself and continued. “I have another Curse.”

  He waited. Rusk said nothing. He just listened. Intently. Patiently.

  Isn’t he suspicious? Curious?

  “It makes me seem like easy prey. Monsters, abominations, people - you name it. Everything thinks I’m a walking meal. But the thing is…” He tapped his sword. “Looks can be deceiving.”

  Rusk nodded. “True words.”

  Rusk’s shoulders tensed. They locked eyes.

  “You trusted me with your secret. Let me trust you with mine.”

  A wisp of fear stroked Kai’s heart. What would he reveal? Would he need to kill this man he could imagine becoming a friend?

  He stifled the fear and speculation.

  Rusk’s eyes darted around. He leaned in close and whispered, “My father, the castle armorer, is a Demon.”

  Kai’s eyes widened, then narrowed.

  A Demon.

  That made Rusk Half-Demon, right? If that’s how it worked.

  Did demons procreate? If a Demon possessed a human and had a child, would the child be Demon or human? What about two human-wearing Demons?

  Kai knew little about his own race. His people. His heritage. His kingdom.

  Studying the slender, fashionable man before him, Kai realised: Demon or not, Rusk was one of his people.

  They shared secrets. They shared battles.

  Maybe…

  But which god did Rusk’s father serve? Was he friend or foe?

  Rusk crouched before Shadow, reaching toward the cunning beast. Before Kai could warn him, Rusk continued. “When I told my father about the trial and my companions, he told me to serve and follow you - just as he serves and follows Death God.”

  Is that why I trust him? Death God’s influence? Does it matter?

  A bright smile stretched across Rusk’s face. Shadow embraced his touch without complaint. “I mean, I was gonna do that anyway. Maybe not the serving part - but I was definitely gonna follow you. How else would I make my fortune and build my shop?”

  Kai nodded and met his eyes. “So you know?”

  Rusk nodded. “I know.”

  They said no more on the subject.

  Kai had few allies. He’d take what he could get. He could do worse than a loyal, capable Half-Demon. Each knew enough to doom the other.

  Mutually assured destruction built the strongest trust.

  “Come on then. We’re meeting the third member of our little group.”

  Rusk’s gaze sharpened. “Oh? Love at first sight? You’ve known her, what, four hours?”

  Kai sighed. “Not here for love. I’m here for life.”

  Rusk’s eyebrows drew together. “Life?”

  “I’ll die without her help.”

  Rusk asked no more questions. Kai was grateful.

  They walked through the deserted streets, footsteps echoing. Tradesmen hammered, wove and polished their wares. The ghost town was light on guards and townsfolk. A skeleton crew of castle retainers formed most of the populace.

  Did everyone leave, or were they forced out?

  One thing was certain - House Nivisara was crumbling. Kai suppressed a smirk.

  They soon approached metal gates tall as four men.

  Four soldiers in red plate passed them, expressions stern.

  Ashvale soldiers?

  That meant trouble.

  One soldier smirked at them. Something unusual about him. Kai wouldn’t have noticed it if he hadn’t tamed Shadow. A two-dimensional creature wrapped the soldier’s arm. Tentacle-like. Or snake-like. Hard to define.

  Another shadow creature?

  Kai shot a glance at Shadow as they passed the red soldiers. The wolf had no reaction. Curious. But that wasn’t why he was here. They kept moving.

  Two guards in blue plate armour flanked the gates, poleaxes ready. The right was two-men tall. The other stood a head taller than Kai.

  Both looked like men with no patience for shenanigans.

  The giant glared down at them. “State your business.”

  “I’m here to see Lady Alira,” Kai said.

  “And you are?” asked the other guard.

  Kai raised his chin and puffed his chest. “She knows me. We survived the First Trial together. Tell her Kai’s here.”

  Four eyes narrowed in unison. The guards exchanged glances, then looked at Kai.

  “If you’re lying, we’ll skewer you like the meat they sell at the market,” the giant said.

  Kai straightened. His voice dripped with indignation. “I’ve no reason to lie.”

  He had plenty of reasons to lie. And was more than willing to.

  The large guard struck the gate three times with the butt of his poleaxe. A girl no older than fifteen poked her head through a small opening in the gate. Probably used for deliveries.

  Annoyance painted her face. “Yes?” she asked.

  The giant cleared his throat and lowered his head. “My Lady, this man claims to be Lady Alira’s companion. Name’s Kai. Can you inform your sister?”

  The young girl had the same blue eyes and blue hair as Alira. She huffed, pouted, and disappeared.

  The gate opened soon after. Alira emerged. Both guards bowed.

  “Lady Alira,” the giant said, “is this man your companion?”

  Alira’s cold glare pierced Kai. “No. He is not.”

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  Is Kai about to make a new friend? Or is trusting Rusk the wrong move?