Book 2 - Chapter 20. The Challenge (1/2)

I can't believe it happened. I know it must have - the evidence is splattered all over Lord Loss and his arachnid throne - but still I can't take it in. Nadia can't be dead, not so suddenly, so bloodily. Surely, even this warped universe of horrors can't be that cruel.

While my brain's whirring, Cadaver shrieks and tosses Art at Lord Loss, then makes a break for freedom, racing to a wall which has slightly fewer demons on it, scuttling towards a window.

Lord Loss catches Art smoothly and cradles him to his chest, keeping him clear of the hole where the snakes are slithering over and under each other. Art laughs, undisturbed. Lord Loss whistles to the demons on the wall. They surge round the window, blocking it, driving Cadaver back.

The demon momentarily thinks about fighting then releases his grip and drops to the floor. In a crouch, he lets the hairs on his arms grow to their fullest length, glares at Lord Loss and waits for the demon master to make the next move.

Lord Loss chuckles at Art or Cadaver, I'm not sure which. Then he says something twisted - it must be a demon language. Cadaver falls to the floor, writhing and hissing. He rolls around, scratching at his throat and face. The demons on the walls laugh and screech at him.

Then, over the sounds of the demons comes a strangely mixed cry of fear and delight. Cadaver stops struggling and sits up. The cry comes again, and this time I realise it comes from Cadaver. He's been altered. He has a mouth.

”I have honoured my end of the bargain,” Lord Loss says. Cadaver screams unintelligibly in response. ”Such language,” Lord Loss tuts. ”I am glad most of my guests are not able to understand you or their ears would sizzle. I apologise, Beranabus. Such curses should not be uttered even in this universe.”

”I've heard worse,” Beranabus says. ”Usually from demons I'm about to kill.” Cadaver goes silent and s.h.i.+fts his attention to Beranabus, eyeing him suspiciously. Beranabus smiles icily. ”Don't worry. If you answer my questions honestly - and that should be much easier now you have a mouth - I won't kill you. My advice is to come quietly. Fight if you wish, but without Lord Loss to protect you, we both know you can't win.”

Cadaver bristles and looks at Lord Loss. He says something low and pleading. Lord Loss shakes his head. ”No. I vowed to give you a mouth and voice, and promised to protect you until that time. I have acted in good faith. I owe you nothing more.”

Cadaver sneers, then spits on the floor, putting his new mouth to good use. Facing Beranabus, he retracts his hairs and marches towards him with pride, offering himself to the magician, hateful but resigned. When Cadaver is by his side, Beranabus raises an eyebrow at Lord Loss.

”Go,” the demon master says, waving at the demons round the door, who part at his command. He's smiling. His eyes flicker down at Art, then up at me. He knows this isn't over, that there's more miserable pleasure to be had.

Beranabus starts towards the door.

”Wait,” I stop him. ”What about Art?”

Shark, Sharmila and Dervish haven't moved. They're looking at Beranabus like I am, questioningly, aware of the promise he made.

”There's nothing we can do,” Beranabus says without looking back.

”But you said - ” I start to protest.

”That was before I knew Lord Loss ordered the theft,” Beranabus snaps. ”I thought if the child was alive we'd only have to pry him from Cadaver. But he's the demon master's plaything now. He's lost. Accept it.”

”Toothy little Art,” Lord Loss purrs, tossing him up into the air, grey teeth exposed, red eyes narrow slits. ”Do you want to see what happens when I bite, Art?”

”Leave him alone!” I scream. I take a step towards Lord Loss. Stop. Glance back at Beranabus, wanting him to back me up. But he doesn't even turn his head.

As I waver, torn between wanting to save Art and knowing it means death to face Lord Loss by myself, Dervish steps up beside me. ”I'm with you,” he says quietly, causing my eyes to fill with grateful tears.

”It's madness,” Shark says, taking up position on my other side, ”but how could I leave a couple of kids behind?”

I smile at the ex-soldier, then look hopefully at Sharmila. She bites her lower lip and stares at Beranabus. He has turned and is studying us expressionlessly. Sharmila hesitates, starts to smile, then shakes her head. ”I am sorry,” she whispers. ”It is hopeless. The first thing we learn as Disciples is not to throw our lives away. We have to choose our battles carefully and only fight those which we can win.”

”Coward,” Shark growls.

”No,” Dervish says. ”It's the sensible choice.”

Lord Loss is beaming at us, loving this. ”Such brave boys,” he murmurs, tickling Art's chin, careful not to be bitten.

”I can't let you do this,” Beranabus says. ”I need you - especially Kernel.”

”You were quick enough to offer our lives a minute ago,” Shark reminds him.

”But now I have what we came for - Cadaver. I won't leave you to be needlessly slaughtered. I can force you to come with me.”

”I only came for Art,” I tell him. ”There's no point trying to take me. Even if you could, it wouldn't do you any good. I'd never open a window again, unless it was a window back to this place. Try me - see if I'm bluffing.”

Beranabus sighs, then squints at Lord Loss. ”Can we do a deal for the child?”

”Perhaps,” Lord Loss replies smoothly. ”But I'm not sure I want to. This is far more interesting. I'm dying to see if you will really abandon them, or if you and Miss Mukherji will also stay and fight.”

”There's no chance of that happening,” Beranabus says.

”You are certain?”

”Aye.”

”Then the pair of you cannot be part of any deal,” Lord Loss says, turning his attention to me. He strokes Art's head softly, cooing. Grins, eyes alive with evil. ”How much do you love your brother, Cornelius?”

”Not enough to let you murder me for him,” I reply, thinking about Nadia.

”You wouldn't give your life to save his?” Lord Loss asks, surprised.

”I'd risk it, but I won't throw it away.”

”Interesting.” Lord Loss purses his lips. After a few moments he calls, ”Vein!”

A dog-shaped demon slithers down one of the walls. It looks like a black labrador with a crocodile's head and a woman's delicate hands instead of paws. She trots over to her master and waits by the foot of the spider-shaped throne.

”The Board,” Lord Loss says, and the demon races out of the room.