“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 vi
llage 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 Thirteen
Jade 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.”