The Shadow of Elysium (Shadow Campaigns) Read Free Page B

and sighs. “Please don’t attempt to deny it. Even if your use of sorcery were not well documented, this close I can
feel
them. I have a demon of my own, you see. My name is Hunter, and I serve the Priests of the Black.”
    “My father told me there were no more Priests of the Black,” I object.
    “Your father thought there were no more demons, either,” Hunter says. This isn’t true, but I let it pass. “These days we work in secret, but as long as there are supernatural forces loose to continue to corrupt humanity, our task will never end.”
    “Why,” Alex says in her scratchy, damaged voice, and coughs. “Why not kill us? If we’re
corrupted
.”
    “That is, you might say, the heart of the matter.” Hunter puts two fingers in the air, like a scholar lecturing a class. “A demon can enter a human in two ways. Either the human can speak the demon’s true name and summon it, or it can make its way to the world on its own and attach itself to some unwary soul, often in childhood. Once it has a host, the demon remains with them for life.”
    I will hide him.
I remember my father’s hand, fumbling awkwardly with his pen.
They will not have my boy.
    “Each demon,” Hunter continues, “is a singular being. Many are similar, of course, but each is ultimately unique, with its own unique name. They cannot die—if the host is killed, the demon simply waits for its next chance. We still do not understand exactly under what circumstances they emerge into the world on their own, but we
do
know that once a particular demon is attached to a human, that demon will not emerge elsewhere.
    “Our holy order, therefore, fights the forces of darkness in two ways. First, we strive to eradicate knowledge of the true names of demons wherever they may be found. Second, when a demon does find a human host, we bring that host to Elysium, where the demon can be contained. Imprisoned, if you like. We ensure that the hosts live long lives, to keep the creatures from taking a new victim for as long as possible.”
    “So we’re going to be locked up for the rest of our lives,” I say.
    “Yes. And when you die, I’m afraid you are already damned. The
Wisdoms
are quite clear on the subject. But in case you are inspired to attempt anything . . . foolish, let me make two points. First, if you did somehow manage to win your way free, there is nowhere you could go that I could not track you. That is the power of
my
demon. Once it has your taste, it will never let you go. Second . . .” Hunter smiles again, light gleaming in new patterns on his face. “We take great pains to keep you
alive
, but we need not keep you
whole
. A man can live for a long time without hands, or without feet. Or without a tongue. Do you understand?”
    I nod, feeling dazed. Alex, who seems to be getting stronger by the minute, sits up a little straighter and says, “If you have a demon, then you’re damned as well, aren’t you? Why would you help do this to us?”
    “Because the more of you I lock away, the fewer innocents will suffer eternal torment. I am
Ignahta Sempria
, Penitent Damned. Though my own soul is condemned to hellfire, I do what I can for the good of others.” Hunter shrugs. “You’re both young. Someday you might aspire to join our ranks, if you work diligently and pass the tests. I suggest you spend the next few weeks contemplating what is the best use you can make of your lives, if you’re guaranteed damnation in the hereafter.”
    He turns, in a swirl of black, and hops down from the wagon. Two guards arrive shortly thereafter, with our delayed meal. I can lift the bread to my mouth with my linked hands, but Alex is forced to sit and let them spoon-feed her soup, as carefully as a mother tending to a child.
    Within minutes, she is asleep again, slumped against the side of the wagon. I chew the stone-hard dried meat and watch her, thoughtfully.

4
    The second time I used my demon, I was fifteen, and just beginning to realize