Prince of Demons 3: The Order of the Black Swan by Victoria Danann Page A

many generations removed, would never return to Renagoth Anh.
     
     
    “There are so many,” Brave said quietly to Abide.
    Forty three Callii females were exchanged for Brave. They had to be escorted home because they were still handicapped by the effects of liquefied farsi. It would take several days for that much farsi to wear off.
    Within minutes of being grabbed by the Reinlitegen, Brave found himself back in the dungeon of Renagoth Anh. He cursed while trying to remind himself why he had thought volunteering to be the bait part of a bait and switch sting was a good idea. At least they didn’t chain him. It seemed they would be satisfied with taking advantage of human limitations.
    They also let him keep the two duffels that Lana had packed. He hadn’t paid attention to what she was putting in them because he was sure the Reinlitegen would confiscate them on sight.
    When they left, he sat down on the floor of the cell next to the duffels, which she had called care packages.
    “So, let’s see what’s in my care packages,” he said to the cell walls.
    She’d filled the bags with protein bars, bottles of water, blankets, a toothbrush with tooth powder, toilet paper, some paperbacks he hadn’t read with a post-it note proclaiming, “Juicy”, a battery operated reading light with extra batteries, a battery operated music device with extra batteries, and a small pillow.
    Every item he removed from the bags made him smile, but it was the pillow that made him laugh out loud. And he thanked her silently for taking care of him.
     
     

EPILOGUE
     
    On the sixth day of captivity, the deal was completed. Brave was returned in good condition with new “juicy” ideas to fuel the romantic fire.
    Abide told Brave that he didn’t fully understand why Brave had risked himself for the return of Callii hostages, but that he wanted to acknowledge that the Callii were indebted to him for as long as he lived. He added that Brave would always be wanted and welcomed home as a Callii prince returned to his people. He and the strange female, of course.
     

     
    Brave and Lana spent a day in the garden of his childhood home talking about what they would do.
    Lana began. “I can continue working for The Order, but it doesn’t pay much and you’ve seen the size of the bed. If I’m not going to work for The Order, we need to figure out another way to make money.”
    “Money isn’t a problem.”
    She laughed.“No? Why not?”
    “Because I have more demon gold than we could spend in five lifetimes. It’s deposited in a vault in Dallas.”
    Lana stared for a minute. “Dallas?”
    He dipped his chin and drawled, “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Funny. Why Dallas?”
    “Had to pick someplace. We can spread it around. All over the world if you want. We could have a house on every continent, a bank account in every solvent country.”
    “Hmmm.”
    “What’s hmmm?”
    “I like money and, don’t get me wrong, it’s fabulous news about the demon gold and all. But I’m kind of fascinated by the idea of meaningful work.”
    Brave looked thoughtful. “I get that. Well, at least we don’t have to worry about paying rent while we look for meaningful work.”
    She laughed. “I guess not.”
    Brave slid his eyes sideways and coupled that with a smile that said he was up to something. “I hear having babies is meaningful work. Comes with its own kind of harrying adventure.”
    “Oh, yeah?” Lana patted his tummy. ”Go ahead and have some then. I won’t stop you, but don’t complain if it ruins your beautiful body.”

    ~~