Mercy for the Damned by Lisa Olsen Page A

Nine
     
    The large, open air court seemed even more filled with courtiers that time, each uttering Raum’s name in a low chant, and I couldn’t help but wonder how many times a day he made them do that?  Was it the court’s idea, or was Raum that much of an egomaniac?  Probably the latter. 
    Raum, the Demon Lord, watched our approach with a faint smile, ignoring the chant of his subjects.  His dark eyes glittered in anticipation as we drew nearer, belying the casual way he lounged on his throne of carved stone.  “Well now, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he declared with a toothsome grin.  “Did you miss me, m’lovely?”
    “Undoubtedly, my lord.” I returned his greeting with a tight smile, knowing he would be more inclined to negotiate if I approached him with some semblance of respect in front of his court.  We both knew I felt otherwise though, and I could tell he was dying of curiosity to know why I’d returned after taking such great pains to escape in the first place.
    “You are always welcome here, Mercy, you know that.  You have only to ask and I will see to your… comforts, myself.”
    Swallowing back the wave of revulsion that sprang from his words and the way his eyes dipped to my body, I was dismayed to find the slightest glow emanating from my skin.  The implied threat triggered a memory of how I’d last enjoyed Raum’s personal care, causing my Grace to react. 
    “Sorry, Raum, she won’t be staying,” Adam replied before I could find the right words, and it was enough of a distraction for me to find my tongue again.
    “Actually, I hoped to speak to you about re-negotiating the terms of your deal with Adam.”
    “What are you doing?” Adam hissed, but Raum sat forward, clearly interested.
    “No, no, I’d like to hear what she wants to bargain with.”
    In for a penny, in for a pound…   “Adam only made this agreement to keep me safe in the first place, and I don’t think it’s fair that he went over my head.  I should have the right to make the same bargain, shouldn’t I?”
    “Like hell you do,” Adam growled. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
    “Shh, the grown-ups are talking now,” I patted his cheek condescendingly, he deserved it after all.  “I propose you let me serve out the rest of his sentence, and I’ll… serve you without complaint if you let Adam and Ben go right now.”
    “Surely some complaint…” Raum grinned, and I shrank away from the streak of cruelty I saw there. 
    “If you like, my lord,” I nodded shortly, but Adam stepped up, physically putting himself between Raum and me.
    “No way.  We already settled this, Mercy has no part in it,” he insisted with a baleful glare, and for a moment I couldn’t tell who he was angrier with, me or Raum. 
    “Truth be told I find her proposal intriguing,” Raum considered aloud.  “I do admit, I have missed your delightful responses, m’lovely.”
    “No deal,” Adam insisted.  “I won’t go if you keep Mercy.”
    “Fine, then I’ll keep both of you,” Raum waved dismissively.  “You do have a certain raw power I find invigorating, but nothing compares to the sweetness of your lady love.  Think of all the fun we could have together…”
    Oh God, that was not what I’d had in mind at all!  Thankfully Adam wasn’t about to go for it either. 
    “That violates the terms of our agreement.”
    “So it does.” Raum’s head canted to one side as he made a show of thinking it over.  “But then, perhaps given this new development it’s a good time to alter it.”
    “I won’t stay here willingly if you do.” 
    Raum shrugged, unconcerned.  “I think the odds are slightly in my favor.”  A quick glance showed more guards came to flank the sides of the court, more than Adam could manage, even with my help. 
    “I don’t think I have to remind you what I’m capable of,” Adam flexed, the shining sword appearing with a metallic snick.  “I think I’ve been