The Broken Halo

In an unknown location and room, a demoness knelt on one knee, her back was straight and her head was lowered enough to show respect.

This demoness was the Voice, and her name was Sava.

Sava was a two-horned demon and she possessed a Supreme Forged Heart, making her a Supreme Greater Demon. Two smooth black horns curved backward from her temples, while long dark-brown hair fell over one shoulder and reached her lower back.

Her skin was a warm bronze-red, and her amber eyes carried narrow vertical pupils. She was beautiful enough to draw a second look, though not beautiful enough to make an entire room forget what it had been discussing.

She wore no armour.

Instead, she wore a sleeveless dark-red dress wrapped around her body, leaving her shoulders and part of her sides bare. One slit ran high along her left thigh, and a thin black chain rested loosely around her waist. It was clothing meant for comfort inside a private residence, not battle or an official gathering.

The room around her made that clear.

Soft black rugs covered the stone floor. Crimson lamps burned behind thin glass, filling the chamber with warm light. A dressing table stood against one wall, crowded with perfume bottles, hairpins, folded ribbons, and several open jewellery boxes. A wide bed rested farther back beneath hanging fabric, while the faint scent of sweet smoke and flower oil remained in the air.

A pale curtain divided Sava from the far side of the room.

Through it, she could see the outline of another two-horned demoness reclining on a long couch. The robe covering the demoness was loose enough for one shoulder to remain exposed, while one leg stretched across the cushions.

Two male demons attended to her.

One sat beside the couch and lifted pieces of a fruit that was similar to grapes toward her mouth. The other knelt near the end and slowly massaged one of her feet.

The demoness behind the curtain was the Second Claw.

She accepted another piece of fruit before speaking.

"So," she said lazily, "what did he say this time, Sava?"

Sava tightened her fingers around the Murmur Bone in her grasp.

"The Outsider survived the ambush and claims to possess all three cases. He confirmed that the original carrier is dead, refused to explain how he recovered the cargo, and-"

"How many times have I told you not to speak as though you are addressing a military council when we are alone?"

The Second Claw’s silhouette turned slightly toward her.

"Sava, there are no Wardens here. No Needles. No fool waiting to misunderstand one careless word."

Sava’s lips tightened.

"A report should remain precise regardless of where it is delivered."

The Second Claw sighed.

"You have been saying that for how many years now."

"And I have yet to see why it is wrong."

A quiet laugh came from behind the curtain. The demoness shook her head, making the outline of her horns move across the pale fabric.

"Stubborn as ever. Fine. Continue your very precise report."

Sava ignored the amusement in her voice.

"He wants to choose the handover location. He ordered me to appear personally and demanded that you come with me. According to him, there must be no guards, observers, scouts, or hidden attackers nearby."

The hand massaging the Second Claw’s foot paused for a heartbeat. However, she moved her toes, and the male demon immediately continued.

"He called those conditions non-negotiable," Sava added. "He also refused to prove that he truly has the cases."

The Second Claw accepted another piece of fruit and chewed without any visible urgency.

"Hmm... I see."

Sava’s eyes narrowed.

"Master, this is serious."

"I did not say it was not."

"You are being fed while discussing a demon who now holds the road’s bones, defeated Korran’s tracking methods, and believes he can summon you to a location of his choosing."

The Second Claw waved one hand carelessly.

"I was being fed before you entered. Should I stop eating to make the danger feel more important?"

Sava inhaled slowly through her nose.

"He knew the cases contained trackers. More importantly, he discovered that Korran’s markings could leave an imprint on the ring or container carrying them. Our isolation box might have silenced the direct signal while still allowing Black Horn to follow the route."

The Second Claw’s hand stopped before gesturing for the male demon to feed her the next piece of fruit.

"Now, that’s a little bit surprising."

"Surprising?" Sava repeated, frustration touching her voice. "He knows more than he should. He recovered the cargo from a Half-Step Abyssal Beast when our own operation failed, and he increased his price after the agreement was completed."

"And you dislike him."

"Is that so shocking? He’s so insufferable."

"Hmm? Seems he has left an impression and mark on my precious little Sava’s heart."

Sava’s left eye could not help but twitch. Meanwhile, the Second Claw leaned farther into the couch.

"What do you think he actually wants?"

Sava’s expression became colder.

"Access."

The Second Claw tilted her head slightly behind the curtain.

Sava continued.

"He already has the payment we agreed upon, yet instead of demanding hell stones, artifacts, or more information, he specifically asked for you and me to appear personally."

Her fingers tightened around the Murmur Bone.

"He wants to see who stands above the Wardens and Needles. He wants to know more about us, the eastern faction, Crownless Dawn, and definitely much more"

The Second Claw hummed softly.

"So you believe he intends to study us."

"I believe he intends to gain something that cannot be bought."

Sava raised her amber eyes toward the silhouette behind the curtain.

"And that is precisely why I do not like this."

The Second Claw lazily gestured for another piece of fruit.

"Then we should be flattered. Apparently, our faces are worth more than his previous payment."

"Master."

Sava’s tone became firmer.

"He defeated Korran’s tracking plan, recovered the road’s bones after our carrier died, and now he is deliberately forcing us to move according to his instructions. This is not the behaviour of a demon asking for recognition."

"No," the Second Claw agreed casually. "It is the behaviour of someone trying to change his position on the board."

Sava fell silent.

That answer was far closer to her own thoughts than she expected.

"He demanded that you come alone," she said after a moment. "He insulted the Eastern Faction, rewrote your agreement, and spoke as though the Second Claw was another route keeper he could order around. Yet you sound almost entertained."

"Perhaps I am."

"Master, he is dangerous."

"So are you in bed."

"How are those two things related?!."

Sava’s composure slipped just enough for her voice to rise.

"He has killed the Fifth Needle and other rebels, interfered with Crownless Dawn, survived whatever happened after the ambush, and now holds materials we cannot simply abandon. I do not understand how you can remain this unconcerned."

The Second Claw chuckled.

"One thing I actually love about you is how easy it is to rile you up."

The male demon holding the fruit lowered his hand, then the Second Claw slowly rose from the couch.

Her loose robe fell around her silhouette, and one of the demons hurriedly moved aside as she took a single step toward the curtain.

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