Chapter Thirty-seven
Hamel sat at the wooden table with the demon king sitting opposite. The intel the demon shared was too much to take in at once. Pieces. He needed to take it in pieces.
When the demon just mentioned “several years ago,” Kintu and Sefu’s story about the first discovery of the virus came to mind. This was all connected. This was what Sefu meant when he said Kintu didn’t need to know what really happened.
Sefu engaged with the demons and beat them when destroying the first batch of serum. Now, Melinda had a second vial, a second chance for these bastards to carry out some horrific plan to possess humans.
“I have a feeling you’re telling me this for a reason.”
The king smiled. “You asked. But you are correct. I have another deal we could make.”
“More money?” Hamel raised a brow, pretending that’s all he cared about.
“Indeed, warrior. Much more money.”
“What is it?”
The demon’s smile turned sly. “The woman has something I want. We’ve been waiting for it a long time. She’s hidden it and won’t tell us where. I need you to get that information from her.”
“Sure, but why would she tell me, a complete stranger?”
Scowling, the demon went quiet. He probably hadn’t planned this far into his new scheme. A door opened and Wilson floated out, holding a pitcher of liquid. Wilson was shaking so hard from fear that he was splashing it everywhere.
The scared raisin poured/splashed drink into the goblet sitting next to his untouched steak.
“Lamozierus,” the king yelled. “You incompetent, worthless fairy.” The king hauled back his fist and punched forward. Before it struck the little guy, Hamel was out of his seat, sharp teeth descended, the king’s fist in his clawed hand. Hamel squeezed the demon’s fingers he caught.
He growled to the king. “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Cuzork. You earn the loyalty of your people through love, not fear. Fear will incite your downfall.” His eyes locked onto the king’s. Both refused to give ground. Hamel slowly released his grip.
Wilson snatched up the pitcher he’d dropped and glanced at Hamel with such grateful, sad eyes that Hamel would’ve shed a tear if he wasn’t a big bad transformer.
“Cuzork, thank you for your hospitality and food. I’d like Wil— Your servant here to give me a quick tour of your beautiful palace. I don’t want to take any more of your precious time than I already have. Plus this will give me a private moment to consider all you’ve generously offered.”
Whether the king had duties or not—probably not—he agreed and allowed Wilson to guide Hamel to another room. Once out of the previous room’s range, Wilson plastered himself around Hamel’s leg in a huge hug. No words needed to be said.
After a few seconds, Wilson floated ahead of Hamel as they passed through different areas. “Wilson, do you know where she is?”
The little dried-up grape spun around and put a “hand” over Hamel’s mouth. “Shhh.” Its eyes looked from one side of the room to the other. “She is in the arem-hay.”
“The what?” Hamel tilted his head to hear better, even though his supersonic animal ears could hear outside the building.
Wilson winked at him. “You know, the arem-hay.”
Oh, fuck a duck. How did that pig Latin shit go again? First letter plus “ay” at end. So she’s in the harem. “Okay, where is that?”
“On the ar-fay ide-say.”
Chrissakes, Hamel wanted to kill him. But fuck him, if it didn’t work. They were communicating. He translated in his head “far side.” The harem was on the far side of the palace. They were quiet while he studied the artwork and paintings they passed. He noted the common elements of torture, death, and pain of humans in each. The demon king wasn’t growing on him. In fact, he’d be happy to kill the bastard and give reign to someone else.
“Hey, Wilson, Cuzork said he has a plan. Do you know what it is?”
“O-nay—”
“Dammit, Wilson, just say no, will ya?”
“Sorry, no. But the arem-hay is getting much bigger.”
That was interesting. Maybe the king was a horny bastard. “Wilson, do demons have sex?”
“Not in our natural forms. Only in human bodies do we feel the effects.”
Okay, that tossed sex out the window for the harem. What else—
The Demon King hurried to them. “There you are.” The two turned to the king. The man growled at Wilson. “Heel.” Wilson lowered his eyes and floated to the floor behind the king’s feet. He wouldn’t look up at Hamel.
“As I was saying. I have an idea to get the woman to trust you.”
“I’m listening.”
“Tell her you love her. That seems to get men what they want in your realm.”
Hamel thought if only that worked, he’d be a happy man. “That could work, Cuzork. Except I’m a stranger. She wouldn’t believe me.”
He frowned. “Even after you fuck her, she won’t believe you?”
“Human women don’t work that way. Trust me. I know. The man has to do something to show they love, they can’t just say it.”
“What can you do to show her love?”
“Usually men try with flowers, candy, taking them out—”
“That’s it. Do that.”
“Do what?” Hamel got lost somewhere in the conversation.
“Take her out. Pretend you are taking her home. Tell her you love her, then ask where the serum is.”
Hamel slapped Cuzork on the shoulder. “My man, you have come up with the best plan creation has ever seen.” The little bastard preened at his words. Hamel wanted to throw up. But he had a better idea for more authenticity. “For more gold coins, I’ll get the serum and bring it to you.”
The king laughed. “Yes, I like that. I’ll give you two coins.”
“Great,” Hamel said. Could this demon be this gullible or does he have something up his sleeve? he wondered. “Tell me where she is, and I’ll get started wooing her.”