“It’s not an uncommon teaching.” Akua said with a shrug. “But truthfully, demons were created by the gods to be their lesser servants.”

Neira frowned.

“So how did it become a common teaching that demons are evil?”

“I imagine it's because, unlike angels, we have our own agency. We are less powerful than angels, but more difficult for the gods to control.”

His expression was blank, without a hint of emotion. Foreboding clawed at Neiras stomach.

“You mean some demons may become evil?”

Her voice was quiet, she fought to make it sound as calm and impassive as Akuas.

“It's certainly not outside the realm of possibility. Even angels can fall.” A stiffness settled into his voice, his eyes growing hard. Neira fidgeted at the worn edges of her shirt, studying her gritty shoes. Silence hung between them for a long moment.

“You needn't worry my lady. I agreed to serve you for the goddesses and I will keep my word.”

Neira managed to give a small nod and a thin smile. Quiet overtook them once more, the only sound a swishing of sand, shifting beneath their feet. The sun rose higher, casting long shadows ahead of them.

A shrill cry ripped through the air, snapping their attention to Tawny. She was facing away from them, her eyes fixed on some distant point. Neira turned to see what had upset her. Heat waves warped the visage, everything pulsing and vibrating, but there against the rosy hues of sunrise was a shadow.

It grew as they watched, solidifying and spreading. Neira squinted against the morning light, trying to get a clearer picture. Someone or something was definitely coming in their direction. It looked to be a group, perhaps even a caravan.

A memory of armed guards flashed in her mind and her breath caught. Panic flashed through her. No, they wouldn't recognize her anymore because of the glamor. There was no more need to fear being seen. Still her heart thundered. She pressed a hand to her chest forcing herself to take deep slow breaths. Turning back, her eyes found Akua.

Seeing his brilliant ember eyes she smiled. Then she sucked in a startled breath as the realization hit.

“Akua you need to cast a glamor on yourself! Hurry! Before whoever that is gets close enough to see you!”

Akua gave her a look of mock dismay.

“Are you ashamed of the way I look my lady?” His mournful pout didn't quite mask the twinkle of mirth in his eyes. “I thought I was rather dashing.”

A chill ran through her despite the heat, her voice rising in pitch.

“This is no time for jokes Akua! You have glowing red eyes and skin the color of an onyx stone! It will not take them long to see that you are not human!”

Akua chuckled “It's sweet of you to worry for me, my lady, but there's no need. I have been glamored this entire trip. You still see my true form because of our contract.” He pointed to the amulet strung about her neck.

Her internal trembling slowed. She glowered at him, angry more at the tears that pricked her eyes than anything.

“You might have mentioned that a bit sooner.”

He held his hands out in front of him, still smiling. “You're right, I'm sorry.”

She let out a slow breath, rubbing away the pesky dampness trying to slip down her cheeks. Her face felt hot, she turned away, keeping her eyes on the sand below her.

“Hey,” He reached out, the gentle pressure of his hands against her shoulders drew her gaze up.

“I am sorry.” His tone was softer now, his eyes earnest. “I shouldn't have teased you. You've been through a lot, but you're safe now, alright?” He held her gaze. “You're not alone in this.”

The warmth in her face softened, pushing down and spreading into her stomach. She searched his eyes, they were mesmerizing. Her gaze slipped down to his lips, full and soft. A rich, dark temptation.

What was she thinking? She tore her eyes from his face and felt the heat intensify again.

“We should really keep moving.” She muttered, spinning on her heel to hide her burning face.

They began walking again, the distant shadow swelling as the gap between them narrowed. The sun grew higher, vigor and vitality evaporating in the oppressive heat. Neira took a small sip from the dwindling remainder of their water. Akua watched her with a furrowed brow.

“Perhaps we had better seek shade until the day cools.”

They scanned their surroundings, an endless expanse of sand in every direction.

“I have a small blanket we could hold up to protect us from the sun at least.” Neira said.

She dropped her pack, pulling out a worn square of fabric. Akua took one side and together they stood in the small patch of shade it offered. Tawny lay at their feet, panting from the heat.

“How much farther is it to the well?” Neira asked.

“About a days treck.”

They sat, Neira perched on top of her dwindling supplies and Akua on the scorching ground beside her.

“Do you want something to sit on?” Neira stood to open the pack. “I don't have a lot but it would at least get you off the hot sand.”

With a small quirk of the eyebrow and a tantalizing smirk Akua whispered playfully. “Don't tell anyone, but fire demons are impervious to heat.”

“Of course you are.” She muttered, stuffing the pack beneath her again.

“We are also quite resistant to cold.” He goaded.

“How nice for you.”

He began laughing, and Neira had to fight back a grin as he did.

“It is actually.”

Neira rolled her eyes, muttering to herself, but could not keep a small smile from her lips.

Before long the distant group drew near enough to be visible. It was a large merchant caravan. Camels laden down with goods, a sort of awning spanning between their saddles, held up by wooden dowels.

“Greetings!” The leader of the group called out to them. He was a large man with a heavy mustache and heavier figure. Next to him walked a petite woman with mousy hair and sparkling eyes.

“Are you in need of aid my friends?” His voice was a jovial bellow that matched his broad smile.

“Oh dear! It's obvious they do, just invite them to join us.” the woman gave him a playful thump.

“Of course my darling, of course.” He laughed, rubbing the spot she had hit. “I do hope you will join our caravan. We are on our way to Nopriat.”

Neira smiled. “We would love to join you. We’re actually headed there as well.”

She stuffed the blanket back into her pack as they joined the group. Tawny kept close to Neiras side, watchful of everything around them. There were just over a dozen people in the caravan, primarily men, though there were a few women and even one child.

“It’s kind of you to invite us to join your caravan sir.” Neira said “We’re very grateful.”

“Of course, of course!” He beamed at Neira, giving Akua a clap on the shoulder. “We travelers must stick together, yes? The more the merrier, that is what I say! I for one, am thrilled to have new people to talk with on such a long trek.”

“Yes,” his wife giggled “but you may wish to hold your thanks until after you survive listening to his endless stories.” She raised a hand with a flourish, making her voice low in a mock of his. “Allow me to regale you with a most fascinating explanation of how I pack my bags when traveling.”

Neira fought to stifle her laughter, Akua sniggered. Their new aquaintance crossed his arms with a huff.

“I will have you know Serri, that every year when we travel to Nopriat I have at least half a dozen people begging for me to share my stories.”

Serris eyes twinkled merrily. “Have you considered that perhaps they simply enjoy laughing at your melodramatic performances?”

The man tutted and pursed his lips, placing a weathered hand to his breast. “Your cruelty wounds me as always my darling.”

She shook her head, a fond smile on her face. “Oh Gobren, you old fool. I'll never know what makes me love you so much.”

The wide smile returned to Gobrens face. “The mystery shall keep our love alive my dearest!”

He turned back to Akua and Neira.

“Well my friends, I believe it is about time for us to introduce ourselves! I am the merchant Gobren of the Koreth peninsula. This, of course is my beloved wife Serri.”

His voice was a deep merry booming, that filled the air with energy and excitement.

“Behind you is our son, Dyric and his wife Assem.” Dyric and Assem raised their hands in greeting.

“Leading the camels on the right we have Horthar, Tench, and Sefrin.” He gestured to the other side.

“On the left is Darmic, Vresh, and Pacumi.” He indicated the woman and child bringing up the rear. “Over there is our daughter Morai and her son Cuzew.”

Cuzew looked to be about seven years old. His eyes were wide and focused eagerly on Tawny.

“Is that a Sak?”

He started toward her, causing her hackles to rise. His mother, Morai, grabbed his arm,pulling him to the side for a lecture about dangerous creatures.

“How did you come to posess such a creature?” Gobren asked, his eyes bright and eager.

“Well I don't own her or anything.” Neira explained “I saved her from a cave in and she seems to have grown to like me.” She gave Tawny a fond smile and ruffled her feathers, earning a contented trill.

“Incredible.” Gobren shook his head in disbelief. He threw an arm around Akuas shoulders. “Your wife is both incredibly brave and kind. You must be overjoyed to be so fortunate!”

Neira froze, she hadn’t formulated a cover for them yet. Her mind raced, heart pounding.

“I certainly am.”

Neira looked at him, her mouth hanging open for a moment. Akua took her hand in his with a quick wink. She shut her mouth, a slight flush creeping into her cheeks.

“But we didn't get to introduce ourselves to you. My name is Akua, and this is my wife Zora.”

“How lovely!” Gobren bellowed “You are newlyweds are you not? I have a sense about these things you know.”

Akua grinned at Neira. “I suppose you could say that.”

She smiled at him, her nose crinkling as she shook her head. He was still holding her hand, the heat of it surging into her body, it was so hot. Too hot.

Her head felt too light, like someone had filled it with wool. The sand in front of her seemed to warp and spin.

Hot pricks of darkness spattered across the edges of her vision. She heard a muffled voice calling out for Zora. Who was Zora? A pair of glowing red eyes hovered in the center of her vision, then the darkness overtook them and everything stopped.