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

just um… make sure everyone stays back from this area for the next little while.”
    “You do that.”
    As the demons on horseback left, a demon-in-training approached Gangrene and bowed. Gangrene recognized the recruit he had taken when he murdered his sister’s killer.
    “Remind me of your name again.”
    “Vomit, sir.”
    “Right. What message do you have for me?”
    “All of Agrat’s army that wouldn’t swear allegiance to Lord Leech was put to death. A few hundred of them fought back and we put them down. The remainder, around two hundred, have joined Lord Leech’s army.”
    “Well done. Tell both armies to be ready to march in…”
    Gangrene looked back at Leech’s tent and grinned.
    “…uh… let’s just say within the next few hours or so.”
     
     
    Leech smiled wide as he left his tent. He stretched his arms and then adjusted his belt. Gangrene approached him but was able to maintain a serious expression.
    “Lord Leech, I didn’t realize you were that injured by your fight with Agrat. You have some pretty deep scratches and some… other marks… all over your face and neck. Shall I get one of the sorcerers to take a look and see if…”
    “Shut the hell up, Gangrene. You know as well as I do that these didn’t come from Agrat. How many new recruits did we gain?”
    “We lost a few hundred from those that fought back. Around two hundred swore the oath and joined your army. There’s something else I’ve been meaning to talk to you guys about but it’s um… I’m not really sure how to…”
    “Say what you need to say.”
    “I think we may need to make arrangements in case Lord Shadow doesn’t come back. We haven’t heard anything from him, Muan, or the army that went with him. Rumors are spreading that he’s dead. If that’s the case, I would like to formally relinquish command of my army to you. It’s just too weird having our armies remain separate and the chain-of-command right now is a little… awkward…”
    “Let me correct you about a few things. Shadow isn’t dead. Muan might be dead and the other half of Shadow’s army could be dead but Shadow isn’t. He’s the toughest demon I’ve ever met. I will, however, take command of both armies for now and I want you to be my temporary second-in-command. We can discuss making it permanent when Shadow gets back, since I think he’ll likely be a major demon when he returns.”
    “I’ll accept the temporary position, Lord Leech, but on the condition that I rejoin Lord Shadow if he returns and Muan was slain. I can’t leave him without a suitable backup for me in his department. Muan isn’t exactly on the same level that I am, but he’s probably as close as they come.”
    Leech laughed.
    “I accept your terms, Gangrene. Let’s just hope that the little guy is alive. If he’s with Shadow, I’ll bet that he’s still breathing. I’ll work it out with old Shady when they get back.”
    “What would you like me to do with the power rings and gear we retrieved from the slain?”
    “You can distribute it. Demons with nothing get first pick. Some of them are still running around without proper weapons and it’s kind of embarrassing.”
    “Didn’t you start off with a sharpened femur bone, Lord Leech?”
    “I’m an exception. I kicked ass with a sharpened femur bone. There was nothing embarrassing about it.”
    “Right. I’ll go distribute the loot to the um… less exceptional demons of the army.”
    Gangrene bowed and left. Lilith came out of the tent and grabbed Leech’s arm. She rested her head on his shoulder.
    “So thanks for all of that. That was really fun.”
    Lilith giggled.
    “Oh I was holding back, Leechy. I didn’t want to hurt you. Maybe someday we can try it out full-strength.”
    Lilith winked at him.
    “Deal. Now let’s go kill another one of your sisters.”
    When Leech finished speaking, demons burst out of the sand wielding swords, spears, and whips. Leech and Lilith realized that they were