CHAPTER 8: Deal with the Devil

They left the river behind at dawn.

The caravan pushed hard, making good time over flatter ground.

Jonah sat in the wagon beside Karima, Val resting across his knees.

Neither of them spoke much.

Every so often Karima would glance at him and sigh.

Jonah couldn't stop shaking.

His fingers itched to let go of Val.

"Grip tighter," Val said quietly. "You'll drop me if they ambush again."

Jonah flinched.

"God, I don't want to fight anymore."

"That's the right answer," Val said. "But you will."

Jonah swallowed hard.

They arrived at the city by midday.

High walls of sun-bleached stone. Towers bristling with archers.

A dirty, bustling gate where merchants haggled and guards scowled.

Karima's caravan queued for entry.

Jonah stared at the gates.

He hadn't seen a city in weeks.

He wasn't sure he was ready for crowds.

Or questions.

Karima dismounted and gestured to him.

"Get up."

Jonah blinked.

"I'm already up."

She rolled her eyes.

"Up there."

She pointed at the seat beside the driver.

"You're the 'holy warrior,' remember? I want you visible."

Jonah gulped.

"Why?"

Karima smirked.

"Bandits might think twice."

Jonah grumbled as he climbed.

At the gate, the guard captain squinted at Jonah's dusty clothes, the gleaming holy sword.

"What's that?"

Jonah cleared his throat.

"Uh. Holy artifact. No big deal."

"Liar," Val said out loud.

The captain flinched, crossing himself.

Karima stifled a laugh.

They let them through with minimal bribery.

Inside, the city was chaos.

Shouting merchants. Beggars. Perfumed nobles in shaded litters.

Jonah felt dizzy.

So many people.

Val pulsed on his lap.

"Stay alert."

Jonah nodded miserably.

Karima found a shady courtyard and stopped the caravan.

She turned to Jonah.

"Stay here. I'm going to negotiate warehouse space."

Jonah opened his mouth.

She held up a finger.

"Don't start a holy war while I'm gone."

She left.

Jonah slumped on the wagon's edge, watching street performers juggle knives for a bored noblewoman.

A boy offered him dates for a copper.

Jonah gave him two coppers and didn't take the dates.

The boy beamed and ran off.

"Pathetic," Val muttered.

Jonah sighed.

"Yeah."

A man in a red cloak approached.

Elegant. Smiling.

He had dark hair, neatly trimmed, and a voice like warm wine.

"Well, well. The fabled Holy Warrior himself."

Jonah blinked.

"Uh. Who?"

The man laughed softly.

"You. Hero of the River Aheron."

Jonah turned red.

"That was… that wasn't heroic. I cried."

The man's eyes twinkled.

"Even better. Makes you seem human."

Jonah fidgeted.

"Who are you?"

The man bowed.

"A friend. A patron. Someone who knows potential when he sees it."

Jonah squinted.

Val hissed.

"Demon."

Jonah's heart sank.

He squeezed Val's grip.

The man smiled wider.

"Oh hush. Half-demon, technically."

Jonah stood.

"Leave."

The man spread his hands placatingly.

"Let's not be hasty. You need resources. Allies. Answers. I can give you all three."

Jonah's stomach twisted.

"I don't want anything from you."

The demon raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Not even… information?"

Jonah froze.

The demon smirked.

"You don't even know what you're fighting. You don't know why He chose you. Or what happens if you fail."

Jonah swallowed.

"Tell me."

Val snarled in his mind.

"Don't. Don't listen."

The demon stepped closer, voice low and honeyed.

"I can tell you everything. The truth He hides from you."

Jonah trembled.

For one terrible moment, he wanted to say yes.

To know.

To stop being so lost.

He squeezed Val until his knuckles went white.

He shook his head.

"No."

The demon's smile vanished.

Cold fury flickered in his eyes.

"You'll regret that."

Jonah swallowed.

"Probably."

The demon's voice dropped to a snarl.

"Run to your God, then. But know this: He abandons His toys when they break."

Jonah tried to keep his voice steady.

"Good thing I'm already broken."

The demon studied him.

Finally, he chuckled darkly.

"You might actually be interesting."

He turned and walked into the crowd.

Gone.

Jonah slumped back onto the wagon, shaking.

He pressed Val's hilt to his forehead.

Val hummed, quieter.

"Good choice."

Jonah sniffed.

"I wanted to say yes."

"I know."

Jonah wiped his eyes.

"Is this going to get easier?"

Val was silent a long time.

"No."

Karima returned, frowning.

"You look like you fought a ghost."

Jonah managed a weak laugh.

"Close enough."

She squinted.

"You're pale."

Jonah shrugged.

"Demonic salesmen. They're everywhere these days."

Karima raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not sure if you're joking."

Jonah wiped sweat from his brow.

"Me neither."

Karima exhaled.

"Come on. We have rooms for the night. Food. A bath, if you promise not to drown."

Jonah snorted.

"Not making promises I can't keep."

She shook her head, exasperated.

But she offered her hand.

He took it.

They walked together toward the inn, Val humming between them.

Jonah didn't look back.

End of Chapter 8: Deal with the Devil