The mob rumbled with boos. Weyland looked down on the crowd, smug. Villagers at the edge of the fleshy mass noticed the newcomers on their Dark mounts. Their faces soured before they recognised Alira. They bowed and made way.

  Kai’s jaw tightened.

  Did I lead these hunters here? Lead this mother to her death?

  No. He wasn’t accusing her. Wasn’t executing her.

  This differed from his dark calculations at the blacksmith’s. This was public execution - not witness cleanup.

  The Demon hunters were protecting their lies. Kai was no saint, but his eyes narrowed at the macabre performance. The random victim generator masquerading as a Demon test had chosen its sacrifice. Her crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  Her son’s cries grew louder. Kai couldn’t blame him. His mother was being executed as a Demon. His father was nowhere to be seen. They’d been buying a sword for his father - huntsman, or criminal, likely. High chance he’d die in the wilds, or attack the hunters and meet the same end.

  The kid was on a fast track to become an orphan.

  His chest tightened. He knew that path too well.

  Alira turned to him. “Does this bother you?”

  He nodded. Little reason to lie.

  “Me too,” she said.

  He glared at her. “Why don’t you stop it then?”

  She held up empty palms. “Don’t have the authority.”

  A sad smile touched her lips. “Hunters report to the government. We’re supposed to let them conduct their...” Her nose wrinkled. “Business without obstruction. For the sake of humanity.”

  Kai scoffed. “Good excuse for doing nothing.”

  “Why don’t you do something?” she said.

  He bit back a laugh. “Me?”

  “Why not?” Rusk said.

  Kai turned to him. “You too?”

  Rusk shrugged.

  “My hands are tied.” Alira took a long breath. “Our House is on its last straw. We can’t afford to fight the government.” She gestured toward him. “But you - an unaffiliated Marked with the lord’s authority?” She smiled again, less sad. “What can the government do to a naive steward protecting his citizens? You’ll get a slap on the wrist at worst.”

  She wants plausible deniability. And for me to bear the consequences. Do I look like an idiot?

  Kai shook his head. “Sounds like a raw deal. I have no connections. They’d punish me worse than you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” she said, eyes glistening. “They can’t touch you without my father’s approval.” She shrugged. “My father’s no fool. He’ll claim ignorance, say you’re green, and offer to deal with you himself.”

  “And if the government lackeys refuse?”

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  “Protocol won’t let them refuse.” Her chin rose. “Unless they want to provoke every House. We may be weakened, but we’re not powerless. There are still rules.”

  The crowd’s roar grew louder. Weyland raised his hand. Voices hushed. Shouts became murmurs.

  Weyland gestured to the trapped mother. “Don’t let her screams fool you. This is a Demon! Reported by her son and confirmed by our tests. His true mother is dead. This thing wears her corpse.”

  “Your move,” Alira said.

  Kai frowned. “How will your father punish me?”

  “He’ll make you build a church and repent for your sins.”

  He laughed. Heads turned. Glares followed. Weyland glanced his way.

  He locked eyes with Alira. “I have your word? If the government comes - you won’t throw me to the wolves?”

  Alira didn’t flinch. “I won’t. You don’t trust easily, do you?”

  Kai shook his head. “Only a fool trusts easily.”

  She nodded. “True. House Nivisara will keep the government away from you. In the villagers’ eyes, I authorise your actions.” She gestured to the stage. “When you’re ready.”

  Revealing his power would bring trouble. Expanding the space between Weyland and the accused mother would only prolong the execution.

  He had to sacrifice secrecy to save her. Teleporting would announce his fundamental Gift - painting a target on his back.

  And for what? To save one child’s mother?

  He shut out the boy’s cries.

  Ashes. Her husband better be useful.

  Kai caressed his silver ring. He couldn’t let these hunters run amok in his territory. There had to be a smarter way. A method that didn’t reveal his Gift. A path that didn’t rely on the Nivisaras’ good graces. A route to stake his claim on this village - with or without the unloved lord.

  A smile spread across his face. He slapped Butcher’s neck. The proud beast stepped toward the crowd. Shadow followed. Stunned onlookers parted like flesh meeting steel.

  He could kill all three hunters without trouble, but that would produce more problems. Why create enemies when he could create subordinates?

  If they knew their test was fake, the path was simple. Demon hunters had a problem. They had to hunt Demons but couldn’t find them. Every false accusation created enemies. Every execution multiplied them.

  Terrible propaganda strategy.

  Kai manoeuvred Butcher near the execution platform. “Halt!”

  Weyland turned, eyes widening. “You. What do you want?”

  He dismounted. He jumped onto the platform. Shadow joined him. The menacing Dark Horse turned to face the crowd, standing guard. The mob kept its distance.

  Kai raised his chin, peering down at the Demon hunter. “Lord Nivisara appointed me steward of this village. Do you question his authority?” He gripped his blade’s pommel, prepared for bloodshed.

  Weyland’s eyebrows furrowed. “Steward?” He shook his head, sneering. “We answer to the government. Steward or not, you don’t command us.”

  Kai held up a hand. “Sure. But you’ll want to hear what I’ve got to say.”

  Weyland shook his head. “Save your breath.”

  Kai smiled. “It’s about the Demon test. And its...” His smile widened. “Inaccuracies.”

  Weyland’s brows rose to meet the heavens. His eyes widened.

  He knows. Perfect.

  Hard to strong-arm someone who doesn’t know they’re up to their knees in muck. Much easier when the target’s aware of his dirty deeds and knows you can reveal his filth.

  Kai leaned in, voice low. “How many innocent mothers have you murdered as ‘Demon hunters’?”

  His head tilted toward the watching villagers. “I doubt they’ll react kindly. Should I tell them?”

  Weyland’s scar twitched. “No,” he said, too loud. Then composed himself. “I mean - I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Kai shook his head. “Let’s see if they know what I’m talking about.” He turned to the crowd.

  Weyland grimaced. “Wait.” He lowered his voice. “What do you want?”

  He clapped Weyland’s shoulder like they were old buddies. “Put this show on hold and we’ll talk. You’ll be glad you did.”

  Weyland’s jaw clenched, but he announced an intermission.

  The crowd sagged with audible relief. A few bloodthirsty fools complained.

  Weyland motioned to one of his men. The Demon hunter rushed onto the platform to guard the dead-woman-to-be.

  Kai followed Weyland to a quiet alley, Shadow in tow. His spatial senses swept the area - no eavesdroppers. Shadow guarded the alley entrance.

  “What’s your problem?” Weyland asked. “She one of your mistresses?”

  Kai shook his head. “I’m just a concerned citizen. And that’s a married woman. Do you think I’m so devious?”

  Weyland was silent. Kai knew the answer wouldn’t be flattering.

  The Demon hunter brushed his hair back with a gauntleted hand. “Concerned citizen?”

  Kai’s head bobbed in affirmation. “A concerned citizen with an offer to die for.”

  He clasped his hands behind his back, chest high. “Tell me, is this why you became a Demon hunter? To kill for optics?”

  He glared at Weyland. “To sacrifice a few so the many feel safe?”

  Weyland’s gaze fell. He bit his lip. His hand moved to his sword.

  “Why don’t I just cut you down?”

  Kai shrugged. “You can try.”

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  What's more effective? A bloodbath or blackmail?