Demon Revealed (High Demon Series #2) by Connie Suttle

side.
Delvin's hand came over my mouth as he rushed me toward the knot of wizards
surrounding the High Commander. If Delvin hadn't held me in the tightest of
grips, I'd likely have been left behind. As it was, my Thifilatha still trusted
him at that moment and I was jerked—not folded, jerked —so far away from
Mandil I couldn't have said where we were when I landed.
    * * *
    "Reah," Delvin's voice whispered in my ear as I saw
others land around us—all the wrong ones. "Reah," Delvin repeated,
"Don't give yourself away." The High Commander, Arvil, the seven wizards—all
of them surrounded me. "I swear I'll protect you. I swear ,"
Delvin whispered again before letting me go. I jumped backward, knocking into
Delvin again as Arvil pulled a ranos pistol from his belt and shot the High
Commander in the head. Delvin's fingers closed on my shoulders once more.
    "You won't fail me again," Arvil snapped at the
headless torso. The ranos pistol he held had obliterated the High Commander's
head, and blood and bits of bone were scattered everywhere. I could only stare
in horror, my gaze darting from the High Commander's body to Arvil and then
back again.
    "At least one part of the plan went well," Arvil placed
the pistol back in his belt and moved closer to run his eyes over me. "You
belong to me now, boy . You'll be put in my kitchen—my last cook met with
an unfortunate accident."
    My mouth was open in surprise, I know, as I twisted in
Delvin's grip and stared up at him. Bel suspected one of his, but he hadn't
suspected this one. Delvin knew I felt betrayed—he could read it in my face.
    * * *
    "Where the fuck did they go?" Norian was shouting as
his six, Bel and the remaining wizards corralled what was left of the High
Commander's cronies.
    "Campiaa, where else?" Tory was blowing smoke as Ry attempted
to calm his brother. "They took Reah!" Tory shouted at the sky.
    "Send her mindspeech—tell her to cooperate with
them," Norian issued orders quickly. "This is our opportunity to see
who is involved!" The Director was in charge and he was seeing the
possibilities.
    "What if they hurt her?" Tory was coming after
Norian, his hands clenching and unclenching while smoke poured from his
nostrils.
    "Tell her if they are about to harm her, to get away. Otherwise,
I want her to stay!" Norian wasn't backing down.
    "Tell her your fucking self!" Tory shouted.
    "I'll tell her, she already hates me," Lendill
offered. The Prince Royal, with his trusted advisor Alvis, watched the exchange
with interest.
    "Bel, take your wizards and fire those fields," the
Prince issued the command.
    "As you will it, my Prince." Bel bowed quickly and
gathered his remaining Rangers and wizards. Delvin had betrayed them, taking
Reah with him and the others. Bel was hoping that Delvin still had a decent
bone in his body and thought to protect Reah, since he'd been the one to grab
her before they'd disappeared.
    * * *
    Don't change, Reah, don't fight them and stay where you
are—we need intelligence from your current location , Vice-Director Schaff's
mental voice was loud and frightening in my mind. I jerked when I received his
mindspeech—I was terrified with Delvin and the others surrounding me. All but
Delvin still thought I was a boy. Reah, did you hear me? Answer me!
    I think I whimpered aloud before I answered Lendill Schaff's
mindspeech . I hear you, I returned as best I could.
    Reah, if they hurt you, you have permission to come away
from there. If they do not, you are in a position to hand all of them to us. We
need names, Reah, and anything else you can get for us. Do this, Reah. It's
important. Remember the oath you took, when you came to the Alliance. You swore
to protect it. Protect it now, Reah. You are duty-bound .
    I shivered at his words. He expected me to stay and funnel
information to him. Are Tory and Ry all right? My mental voice was
sullen.
    They are well. This is an order, Reah. Send information to
me or to Director Keef—he can send and