You’re too weak, Merihim told him. You have all that anger stored upinside you, all that fear, and you don’t utilize it to its full advantage.
“I’ll… beg if you… want me… to,” Cornish said. His voice was soft andhoarse.
He’ll lie to you, Merihim said. He’ll beg for his life today, thenhe’ll plot to take yours tomorrow.
Warren didn’t doubt that. He’d seen Cornish’s kind all his life. Bullies whomade the most of their power, whether they were a manager at a quick mart he’dworked at or the building super where he’d shared the rent of a flat.
So many people with just a little power let it go to their heads. Having power only made them worse.
“I…beg you,” Cornish said.
Even lying there in the grip of the zombies, the First Seer had trouble saying the words. Warren knew the man would never recover from the ignominy of his rough treatment at Warren’s hands. He would live only to send more peopleafter him, and he would never risk being this close again.
Warren knew that because it was what he would do if the roles were reversed.
And still he stayed his hand.
You’re a fool! Merihim exploded. This man offers you nothing in returnfor any kindness you might show him, and he’ll harbor only a thirst for revenge.If you let him live you’re only signing a death sentence for yourself.
Warren turned away before the fear overcame him and he did what the demon wished. Naomi stood nearby watching him.
Look at her, Merihim ordered. Look into her eyes. Does she think she sees a man willing to he forgiving? Or do you think she sees a man afraid to seize his destiny?
Warren didn’t know. He didn’t want to think like that. He wished he could begone from that place immediately. He wished he’d never come.
You came because you wanted to impress her. How impressed do you think she is?
Warren ignored the voice and tried to walk through the door. He didn’t knowif he would even live to walk outside. But he couldn’t move.
No, Merihim said. There’s more here than you think.
Abruptly, the mirror on the table that Cornish had been gazing into turned molten red. At first Warren thought the smoke rising from it was caused by the table burning. Then he saw that the smoke came from the mirror’s gleamingsurface.
Merihim took shape in the climbing smoke pooling against the ceiling. He formed with his back to Warren as if he were ashamed of his chosen vassal.
The demon had a blunt face and a square jaw covered with red scales. Two horns jutted from his forehead and towered above him, adding another foot of height. Scars ridged his brow and cheeks from past battles had turned black with age. Massively muscled and broad, the demon stood almost eight feet tall. Blue-green armor made of lizard scales from a vanquished monster covered his body. A long, heavy broadsword hung at his hip, Naomi shrank back. She’d only seen the demon in visions, never in the flesh.
Merihim ignored Warren and strode to the First Seer spread-eagled on the ground by the poisoned zombies. The zombies all hummedlike children at the demon’s approach.
Warren knew from his own use of the zombies that the response was more a generation of the power they sensed than out of any emotional well. Zombies held nothing over from their former lives. They were automatons that awaited orders from whoever had raised them.
Effortlessly, Merihim dropped into a crouch beside Cornish.
“What secrets do you hold, little man?” the demon asked.
“Don’t kill me,” Cornish begged. “Please don’t kill me. I can serve youbetter than he does. I can be more than he is.”
Warren didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected Cornish to try somethinglike that. And if the demon took the First Seer up on his offer, what would happen to Warren?
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Naomi staring at him. If his life was forfeit, she knew hers was too.
“No.” Merihim’s voice was flat and mocking. “You already serve another.That’s the problem. You already staked your life with the one you chose toserve.” The demon traced the ridge of Cornish’s left eye with a thick talon. “Idoubt your master would let you live after your offer.”
“Please. You can protect me. I know you can protect me. You’re stronger thanshe is.” Cornish struggled fiercely but hopelessly against his zombie captors.
Merihim grinned, and the expression was totally without compassion. “Howcould I ever trust you? You change sides as soon as the way becomes difficult.”
“I won’t. Take me. I will always be yours. I will always serve you.”
Warren felt sorry for Cornish because he knew the demon wouldn’t show mercy.But Warren also felt afraid because he knew Cornish’s fate could one day be his.
“No,” Merihim said. “And that’s enough begging.” With a simple flick of hishand, the demon drove his talon and then his finger into the First Seer’s eye.
Blood spurted from the eye socket and Cornish’s wails filled the room. Naomisat with her back against the wall and her knees curled to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs.
A moment later, Cornish shivered all over then relaxed and lay still in death.
Nausea whirled through Warren’s stomach. For a moment he thought he was goingto throw up. Sour bubbles of bile burst against the back of his throat.
Merihim’s work wasn’t finished. He hooked his finger behind Cornish’scheekbone and pulled. The muscles along his arm rippled with the effort but he made it look like child’s play.
The front of the First Seer’s face shattered. Ivory bone suddenly jutted upthrough bloody flesh. Naomi got sick at that point and turned her head away as she threw up.
Merihim glanced back at Warren. “Come here.”
Unable to disobey, Warren walked over to the demon. The scent of burning rocks and decay clung to Merihim. Heat resonated from his body. Some of the Cabalists believed that the demons came from a much warmer environment and that was why they had started the Burn to terraform the areas
