14. Kavian

"You've done well, Vex. As expected."

I study the crumpled parchment closely. All over it are notes written in code—observations on what Gorran and his lackeys do every day.

I've arranged a meeting with Vex to catch up and discuss our tactics.

"Thank you, my lord." He flexes his muscles as he stands next to me. My praise doesn't come easy and he knows it.

"So, these notes indicate that there are specific routes the xaphan prefers to take. Are you sure these are their only means of transporting the slaves?"

"Fairly. We've been following different groups for a while now, and they all frequently visit the locations and destinations I've mentioned. Granted, we only follow at a distance, but learning more about their routes was easy enough."

I nod. That makes sense. Getting too close could be very risky.

"Gorran is focusing on humans the most, I see."

Vex nods. "They're weak and easy to overwhelm. And according to my research, they actually make for good slaves and fetch good prices. Once they've been tamed, of course."

I scowl. I know exactly how humans are tamed and I hate the thought. I glance at Meera. If I hadn't bought her…

I can't let my thinking be clouded by this strange anger when it comes to the human. Has she somehow cursed me? No, I'm not weak enough for something like that.

Vex points to a specific note on the parchment. "The clientele and buyers vary greatly. Demons and xaphans make up the majority, though. Normally, they're wealthy nobles or have high ranks."

"Do you have information about any of these buyers? I'd love to have a talk with one of them."

Discussing their slave purchase in detail would be a lot of fun, especially if that discussion involved my shadows ripping them apart and prolonged torture.

He shakes his head. "That would be unwise, my lord. Any action like that could tip off Gorran."

"I'm aware. But a dead man can tell no tales, right?"

He shakes his head again but smiles. "That is certainly true."

"Do you have more spies currently on Gorran and his associates?"

Vex nods, his arms folded. His eyes are on Meera as he watches her closely. She, in turn, is pouring over maps and pieces of paper detailing Gorran's illicit dealings.

He walks closer to me, a scowl on his face. "You trust her?"

I look over at where she's sitting and then at Vex. I simply nod, and continue to focus on the notes in front of me.

Vex sighs but doesn't say anything else. He knows better than to question my motives and decisions.

He taps a nail against one of his thick, curled horns.

"As you can see, Gorran regularly provides slaves for the auctions. He has a pattern. Hit a small-ish human village, take everyone that seems valuable, and sell them almost immediately."

"The bastard is shrewd. He knows keeping the humans for too long increases his chances of getting caught. How many crews does he have operating right now?"

"About six or seven," Vex answers, speaking low so Meera doesn't hear. I notice his suspicion.

"Meera, come here."

Vex gives me a quick glance but then shifts his focus to her.

I invite her to sit down on a chair at my table. "Tell Vex everything you know about the xaphan guards."

She nods and looks Vex in the eye, not cowering in front of his harsh stare. I feel a smile threaten to creep onto my face and quickly cough to cover it.

"They're ugly, merciless bastards." The disgust on her face can be heard in her voice. "But they're not stupid. I was only with them for a little while, but they know what they're doing."

"We know that," Vex says, impatiently folding his arms.

Not faltering, she continues. "They seem to have a secret code for communicating what they're doing."

This catches my attention and makes Vex raise his eyebrows.

Now this could be interesting.

"Go on," I say, curious to hear more.

"While we were traveling, they liked to talk loud and scare us with discussions about what our futures looked like. But when it came to discussing the ‘business' side of things, they used intricate hand gestures."

I glance at Vex before looking at Meera. This is compelling information.

"I didn't have time or enough opportunity to learn what their gestures meant, but there were several that were repeated. There was a specific way they tapped their fingers to their necks, and I remember them forming symbols with their fingers when talking about us."

She taps her index finger against her chin.

"They also used karasu to send messages. I saw one of them take a piece of paper from a pouch tied to one's neck, read it, write a reply, and return it. The thing flew off after getting a piece of meat from one of the guards."

"How did they manage to tame such creatures?" Vex wonders aloud.

"My question is, how did you and your men miss this?" I feel proud of Meera for noticing such details but disappointed that one of my top spies didn't.

Vex squares his shoulders. "Maybe because we haven't been able to get very close to their caravans yet. Or, this could all be taura shit. I don't think we would have been able to overlook such communication efforts."

Meera raises an eyebrow. "Are you calling me a liar?"

He glares at her. "Perhaps that is exactly what you are. Perhaps you're trying to scheme your way into Kavian's bed?—"

Meera stands up to face Vex. "What did you just say?"

"That's enough." I hold up a hand, silencing both of them.

Meera doesn't back down even when faced with the intimidating Vex. She's such an interesting creature. Gods, she excites me!

I turn to Vex. "Get some of your men to focus on this. Maybe if they know what to look for, they'll pick up on these gestures."

He doesn't seem happy about it, but he nods. "Yes, my lord."

"Oh, and make sure to look out for those karasu. If we can intercept the messages, we might gain an advantage." I sit down in my chair, already thinking of the intel we could learn if Meera is right.

Vex's voice infiltrates my musings. "Gorran's associates will soon return to Ikoth to deliver the slave trade profits directly to him. Shall I go ahead and infiltrate that group myself to gather information?"

I nod. "Yes. No one else is capable enough. I trust only you with this task." I dismiss him with a flick of my wrist.

I wish I could go as well, but I need to plan strategies and keep Meera safe. I'm better off here than in the field.

Vex returns my nod, gives Meera a polite nod, and wordlessly leaves the room.

Meera gives me a lopsided smile. "I don't think he likes me much."

"What? No, he respects you. You got a nod out of him, that's more than any non-demon would typically get. Especially a female."

"Oh." She smiles and folds her hands over her lap. "Lucky me, then."

I stand up to look out of my window. The horizon radiates with the promise of revenge and success.

"The information you gave us is invaluable." I make a point of looking back at her. "If it's accurate."

"Now you're calling me a liar?" Her tone is less accusatory than it was with Vex.

I chuckle. "No, no. I'm sure Vex will learn much thanks to your observations."

"He seems like a capable demon. I'm sure that there's a lot he and your other spies can pick up if they just get a bit closer to those ugly bastards."

I nod in agreement.

"Have you always been a tactician?"

The question takes me a bit by surprise. I think for a moment. "No. I'm a warrior at heart. There's nothing I enjoy quite like facing my enemies and looking into their eyes as they draw their last breath, their death at my hand. A foe's blood dripping from my hands is a sight I'll always appreciate."

Meera's face pales a little bit, but she doesn't seem overly bothered by my words.

"The situation with Gorran has forced me to retreat and take a more calculated approach."

"You really are passionate about this, huh." It's not a question, more an observation. The adoration on her face makes my heart flutter.

My feelings remind me of books I read as a curious youngster. Books about human poets and romances between the species' lovers. For such oppressed creatures, they can truly make interesting art even in the worst of times.

Get a hold of yourself, Kavian. You're a demon warrior, not some lovesick human in the throes of an affair.

I stare out of the window for another moment before facing Meera again.

"We'll use whatever intelligence Vex uncovers to strategically dismantle Gorran"s operations. I promise."

She nods. "Good." She seems relieved, perhaps impressed by how our meeting with Vex went.

Compelled to say more, I give her a smile, hoping it looks genuine. "Thank you for your bravery and cooperation. Together, we will take down Gorran."

Her eyes sparkle. "Yes, we will."

Once again I feel my heart respond to her. I was determined to bring Gorran down and wipe his arrogant smirk off his face. Now, I want to erase him from this world as painfully as possible.

Certainly, Meera is influencing me, but it's a good thing. She encourages me to remain firm with my aspirations. She's not a distraction. Not at all.

"The meeting was a success, I think." I hold out my hand to her. "Would you care to join me for a stroll in the gardens? I have exquisite wine that would be perfect for the occasion."

She takes my hand with a wide smile. "I'd love to."

As we walk out of the building hand in hand, I can't help but glance at her every few minutes, appreciating her beauty.

Who knows what the future holds? Right now, it doesn't matter. I simply want to enjoy these moments with Meera.