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.And to offer additional protection for the village.”“The shifter seems to have vanished, like our fire wraith.”“Yes, that’s a problem.” He absently stoked the fire, which had nearly died since she hadn’t attended to it all day.After tossing a log into the hearth, he turned back to her.“You were right about the caves.We found evidence the army had been there not long before we’d arrived.We’ve found multiple tracks leading in several different directions, and I’ve divided our forces to follow them.”“Any more villages destroyed or humans murdered?”“Not that we’re aware of.Although…” He winced.She clearly wasn’t the only one ill at ease.“My suspicion is they’re on a campaign to band together all the renegade demons on the continent.And head north.”“Toward your castle.” And the human village that sat in its shadow.“Oh my God.”“Don’t worry,” he was quick to say.“The reason I’m back is to prepare for their advance on us.They won’t make it into the village or up the hill to the castle.Even if they’ve gathered several hundred demons, my army is much bigger.” He paused, then added, “My greatest concern is the assault on Walker.The two slayers in the south were killed just before the rogue demons attacked the villages under each of the slayers’ protection.”A chill slithered down her spine for many reasons.“So you think they’re close by?”“Yes, I do.”“And the village is vulnerable without Walker.”“I won’t allow the demons to breach your borders.”She nodded.“I believe you.It’s the random, individual assailants that currently worry me.”He gave her one of his please-obey-my-command looks as he said, “Stick with Tanner when I’m not available.I feel much better with you under the protection of a slayer during times I can’t be here.”“Yeah, about that…” She wrung her hands nervously.Not at all a common characteristic and one that drew his attention, so she forced herself to stop, dropping her hands to her sides.“The reason I asked whether you’d been to the castle yet is because there was some important paperwork delivered a few weeks ago.For the Registry of Slayers, to be exact.”A disturbed expression crossed his face.“Has Walker died since I heard of the attack? Did Tanner file a death certificate?”“No.Walker is still in recovery.But that left the village with only one slayer.Until another was sworn in.Those are the documents awaiting you at the castle.”His eyes narrowed on her.“Someone new to the village?”“No,” she repeated.“And, of course, there was no one with the necessary training or skill to step up, so I thought—”“Jade.” The disturbed expression deepened.“Who is the new slayer?”Panic welled within her, rising into her throat so she could barely breathe, let alone speak.“Jade,” he said in a sharp tone.“Who?”His hands shot out and gripped her biceps.Feeling her newly developed muscles must have made the entire scenario fall into place for him, because his intense gaze remained riveted on her.“Tell me you haven’t done anything reckless.Tell me you haven’t done anything that purposely puts your life in danger.Tell me!”She swallowed hard, somehow managing to say, “I made Tanner swear me in the night Walker was attacked.”“You did what?” Shock filled his wide eyes and fury radiated from his every pore.His fingers tightened around her arms, but Jade didn’t flinch.Hitching her chin a notch, she said, “I’m the new slayer.”And here comes the king’s wrath…Chapter ThirteenJade rushed on.“I told you a long time ago that I’ve always wondered if I should follow in my father’s shoes.”Darien roared, “Jade Deville!”He released her but grabbed her right forearm.Yanking back the long sleeve that covered her wrist and a portion of her hand, he let out a low growl.She wore the dark-brown leather band of a demon slayer.“Your father wasn’t a slayer,” he ground out as a red-hot rage tore through him.“He was the leader of the village though.” Her voice shook slightly as she spoke, as if she knew how deeply this would affect him, but had gone through with the ludicrous and dangerous action regardless.“Something Tanner has never been comfortable with.We complement each other quite nicely.”He wanted to shake her.The desire was unrelenting, but he resisted the overwhelming urge, knowing he’d hurt her because he was so fired up.Letting go of her, he stalked away.Only to pull up short and spin back around to face her.“This is a joke, right? You’re teasing me, the way you sometimes do.”She squared her shoulders.“Does it look as though I’m teasing?”The anger ripped through him again.He whirled around and clasped the wooden mantle with his hands, wanting very much to tear it from the stone fireplace.“Please don’t hurt my house,” she pleaded.“I understand you’re mad, but—”“I am not mad,” he said between clenched teeth.“I am furious.And I want to strangle you, Jade.Tanner too, for swearing you in.”“It was my choice.Leave him out of it.I had to convince him to do it.”“Why would you even want this?” he demanded.“After the wraith attacks? Goddamn it.You know how susceptible you are to pain, and yet you’ve gone and put yourself in the most hazardous position imaginable! Why?”He couldn’t bring himself to turn back to her
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