Chapter 377: Right on time

Chapter 377: Right on time

Lees shoulders slumped in relief and she flopped back to the grass, too tired to stay standing any longer. Brayden wasnt going to try to kill them. At least, she was pretty sure he wouldnt. Hed been pretty mad the last time theyd spoken, but hed also given her some Space Runes.

Youre late, Moxie said, letting out an explosive sigh and letting the vines sink back into the ground around her. And I dont think my heart is going to be able to take another surprise today. Why are you here? And I swear, if you tell me someone important is dead, Im going to lose my shit.

Why would someone important be dead? Brayden asked, baffled and still glancing around in search of the blood mage. The transport cannon operator ran me down while I was knocking on the door of Vermils room, yelling about some blood mage attacking you.

Tims alive. Thats good. He smells nice. Did he really run all the way over to Noahs room to find Brayden, though? Thats a bit much, isnt it? There had to be someone strong closer. Im glad he got Brayden, though. He also smells good.

Moxie studied Brayden for a few seconds, likely trying to figure out how much she could safely share with him. Lee wasnt so sure on the answer to that herself. Brayden liked them, and hed clearly rushed over to help, but telling him everything could be risky.

He should already either know or very strongly suspect Im a demon, though. Noah called me in to the room with Father when we first met him, so its not a big reach to make that the Inquisition would be after me.

It was the Inquisition, Lee said finally. There was no point trying to hide it from Brayden, considering hed probably piece everything together pretty soon.

Was? Brayden asked, blinking. You managed to kill an Inquisitor with a domain? I was told they were probably a high Rank 4 or Rank 5. I dont feel a domain from either you or Moxie.

We caught him off guard, Lee said. She didnt have a domain because she was a demon, not because she wasnt a Rank 4. And talking about Azel she couldnt quite bring herself to do it.

Not yet.

It wasnt like Azels existence would change anything for Brayden. All that mattered now was that Rafael had come for them and that theyd managed to defeat him. Everything else was just extra detail.

This gives me a sense of familiarity that I really dont want to be feeling, Brayden said, drumming his fingers on his thigh. Wheres the Inquisitor?

Buried about sixty feet beneath the dirt, Moxie replied. Along with everything that was around him. I dont know how they managed to track us all the way over here, but I didnt want to take any risks.

Smart, Brayden said, lowering his sword and driving it into the ground. He crossed his arms over the hilt and leaned on it, letting out a sigh. They likely tracked you with blood magic. From what I heard, there was only one of them. Thats a bit odd, as Inquisitors usually travel in pairs.

You think another one of those guys is going to show up? Emily asked, her eyes widening in terror.New novel chapters are published on

Unlikely. They would have shown up by now, Brayden replied, not even looking back at her. His brow furrowed in deep thought, but he gave up after a few seconds and shook his head. Must have been an Inquisitor acting on their own volition. Maybe a friend of the ones that showed up the last time. Either way, if you really got rid of the blood, its unlikely theyll be able to track you this easily again. I didnt think theyd be tracking you at all. Father said hed handled it.

Evidently not, Moxie said, her voice going cold. And we all nearly got killed because of it.

Id offer to pass your complaints along to him, but I think we both know how that would go especially coming from a Torrin.

Do you have a problem with Moxie? Emily asked, her eyes narrowing.

Brayden let out a bark of laughter. He straightened up and pulled his sword from the ground. A ripple of purple passed over the blade and it vanished from his grip. Surprisingly, no. My broth ah, Vermil likes her. Thats enough to vouch for her character, even if she is a Torrin.

Relax, Emily, Moxie said, walking over to the girl and putting a hand on her shoulder. Brayden did literally just come running to help us.

He was late.

The thought was there.

Did you say that Vermil was your brother? Alexandra asked, squinting at Brayden. Lee didnt see what the confusion was. Noah and Brayden smelled pretty similar at first take. It was easy to tell them apart, of course, but the matching blood was there.

Hands off, Renewal warned. I refuse to let your stupid acolytes destroy my only good source of entertainment in years.

I thought you were only keeping the thief around to study his Runes once you caught him, Decras said with a wry smile.

Oh, stuff it, Renewal muttered. I do what I want. Im a goddess.

A very humble one, Decras said with a snort of laughter. You think the little demon will actually manage to repair her flawed Demon Rune? I dont know if her body would even be able to handle such a change.

Renewal shrugged. Noah has both of our Runes. He has the power to do it, if the demon can live for long enough to survive the change. Why do you ask? Feeling threatened?

Decras let out a low laugh. Theyve got a long way to go before they could come anywhere near threatening me. And I cant believe you bothered to actually remember any of their names. Theyre a bunch of mortals, Renewal.

Weve been watching them for some time, Renewal said defensively. And that mortal stole more of your Rune than he stole of mine. Id think youd be smart enough to remember his name before he steals even more of your power from right under your nose.

Decras narrowed his eyes. Well see about that. My little surprise should still be on the way. The Inquisitor was interesting, but I want to see what the thief can do, not just the demon girl.

Your surprise isnt going to make it until theyre all two hundred at this rate, Renewal said, eating another chocolate. Cant you move faster?

Youve gotten impatient, Decras said. Better work on that if you dont want to go insane.

Bah. Its not impatience. Have you seen how fast theyre growing? By the time you actually get around to doing anything, theyll be ten times stronger than what you guessed they would be and the threat wont even bother them.

Do you really think I didnt account for that? Decras rolled his eyes. Theyve got their hands full already. If my surprise showed up anytime soon, it would be too much for them to handle. Ive already accounted for their growth and the time itll take them to deal with that Rune Hoarder.

Youre sure theyll beat him? Renewal raised an eyebrow. For his Rank, hes quite the menace. He might win, and then were going to lose everything. Im not going to watch him for fun. Hes just a scurrying rat dragging around something he stole.

Is our own target really any different?

Yes, Renewal looked away from the screen to glare at Decras. Hes actually comprehended what he took and improved upon it. Wizen is just a power-hungry man with a Rune too dangerous for him to handle properly.

And now youre remembering the names of the unimportant roadblocks. Decras crossed his arms. Did you get hit on the head, Renewal? How much attention are you spending on these mortals?

Oh, get over it. Youre doing the same thing, just making up your own names for everyone. If you ask me, thats even more effort just to pretend to be more mysterious than I am.

Decras cleared his throat, immediately telling Renewal that shed been right on the money. Either way, I suspect well have quite the show. And, if not, Im sure well get our entertainment soon enough. The pieces are already moving, Renewal. Maybe you should focus on getting your Church closer to the scene. Right now, they couldnt be farther from actually finding the thief.

And whose fault is that? Renewal asked. Your little temptress got in Ferdinands way.

Id argue the opposite. Garina would have captured the little shit by now if the stupid baldy didnt get in her way and start waving those damn sandwiches around. I swear, when I next talk to her

Interfere and Ill rip your throat out, Renewal growled. I want to see this play out.

Youll try, Decras said with a wry smile. Relax, would you? Garina might not listen to me now, even if I asked her to do something. Shes always been rebellious. Well just let things play out and see what happens. Either way, I think well have more than enough entertainment for quite some time.

Renewal couldnt help but agree.

She hoped Noah would find a way to get out of the situation closing in around him in a way that would keep his companions alive. Shed never admit it to Decras, but she was actually starting to get somewhat invested.

It would be a shame if Wizen killed them all.