Middle Demons (Angels and Demons Book 2) by Randall Morris

amusement.
    “Sticking with what you know, huh? Clubs and mallets? That’s fine. Now select my weapon. Anything on the table.”
    Murmur scanned the table again. One item caught his eye. There was a sword attached to the inside handholds of a shield. Murmur removed the sword and handed the shield to Tannin. Tannin laughed.
    “So you get my mallets and I get a shield?”
    “You said anything on the table. The shield was on the table. I can pick something else if you want to go back on your word.”
    Tannin’s demons gasped. The grin that Tannin wore since Murmur issued the challenge finally left his face.
    “Never question my honor. If you had said air was on the table and told me I had to kill you with nothing, I would have done it. Now choose some armor. I don’t want you complaining that you didn’t have the clear and obvious advantage after I kick your ass. I’ll be waiting over there with my shield when you’re ready.”
    Murmur found the largest armor set that Tannin had and put it on. Before he went to fight Tannin, he grabbed an extra dagger from the table and hid it in his boot.
    “Go ahead, Murmur. Take your best shot.”
    Murmur charged. He was ready to strike when he saw that Tannin was no longer where he was standing a few seconds earlier. Suddenly, Murmur felt something hit him in the back of his head. He stumbled forward a few steps but didn’t fall over. Once he regained his footing, he spun and threw one of his mallets. It sailed through the air and came to rest on the ground. Tannin was once again out of sight.
    Murmur felt something strike his leg and then his other leg was kicked out from under him seconds later. The edge of the shield was placed against his neck and then Tannin’s foot appeared on top of the shield. If he stepped down hard enough, the shield would cut through Murmur’s neck.
    “Do you yield?”
    “Yes. You win.”
    Tannin removed the shield from Murmur’s neck and then reached down to help him up. Murmur got back on his feet and dusted himself off.
    “You’re as good as you say. I never got a hit in. Just one question: are you really that fast or were you using magic?”
    “I’m really that fast. The best warriors never give their opponent a target. If I can be seen, I can be slain. That’s why I prefer light weapons. They’re easier to carry and strike with as I stay out of sight. I’m still quick enough to kick your ass with a bulky shield though.”
    Murmur put the mallets back on the table. He went to return his armor set as well, but Tannin stopped him.
    “Keep it. I’m pretty sure you’re going to need it for the mission General Leviathan has planned for you. It can also serve as a reminder for what you learned today.”
    Murmur accepted the armor but it reminded him of something other than what Tannin thought he had taught him that day. Murmur took it as a reminder that he owed Tannin a good ass-kicking.
     
     
    When they finally made it to Leviathan’s camp, Tannin raised his hand to signal to his demons that they should wait. He took Murmur into Leviathan’s tent to meet him. Seated on a large pile of gold, gems, and skulls was a demon with sharp claws, fang-like teeth, and clutching a scythe in his hands. His armor looked exactly the same as General Cain’s and Murmur wondered if he had taken it from Cain’s corpse.
    Standing on his left with his arms crossed was a demon that Murmur couldn’t see very well. He could see his eyes, but the rest of him was shrouded in smoke. Tannin bowed to Leviathan and Murmur got down on one knee and did the same.
    “General Leviathan, I have returned with the demon you wanted. This is Lord Shadow’s old sparring buddy, Murmur.”
    “Did you lose anyone to Nightmare?”
    “No. Murmur nearly killed his conjurer, Andras, as well.”
    “A perfect acquisition, Tannin. Well done.”
    Leviathan looked down at Murmur.
    “Stand, young demon.”
    Murmur stood and crossed his arms. He wanted to look impressive as he