Despite the recent demonic attack, the Golden Serpent was bustling, the tables full, the backrooms heaving, adventurers and nobles both eager to spend their coin on companionship and gambling, now that the danger of death had passed. The dent in the wall from where Janaxia’s friend had hurled the roulette wheel was still there, but the wheel had been repaired, a groan ringing out as someone lost. Asai smiled, wondering how much money they’d just made. Not that it made a huge difference – the place was hugely profitable, and disappointingly, almost entirely legal. Most of the guards were for show, nobles rarely needing more than a little sweating to cough up their debts. They’d have to expand again soon, find something else to do with the gold they were raking in!

She took a sip of whiskey, wincing at the taste. Why the hell people thought it was so nice was beyond her – tasted like muddy swamp water to her. For the amount it cost, it seemed ridiculous. Still, image mattered, and their guest seemed to enjoy it. Lady Kamarni reclined at ease on the opposite couch, sipping her own glass, a bodyguard discretely loitering close by.

‘As ever, we thank you for your patronage, Lady Kamarni.’

Kamarni’s dress seemed was cut to emphasise that she had her heart back, tightly cut silk with an off-centre cut-out, a magical sign freshly tattooed above her heart, skin still red. ‘Given the amount I’ve lost at your tables, you should be thanking me! Although I never knew that you were acquainted with the Tremari’s. I suppose I should have guessed those, what with those arms you’ve got. Some kind of occult experiment?’

Asai flexed her arm, feeling its power, knowing how sharp the claws were. ‘Something like that. Not entirely by choice, and took a bit of getting used to, but handy in a fight.’

‘I’ve heard rumours, I believe the the youngest Tremari daughter was involved as well? Was she similarly afflicted? She appears normal, at least for an adventurer.’

Asai shrugged. ‘Anef? You’ve seen rather more of her than I have lately. Does Janaxia bear demonic marks?’

Anef was slumped back in his chair, shirt open, as usual, although now showing thin scratch marks, where nails had raked his flesh, with the red marks of nibbling bites visible along his neck and chest. He raised his head up with a heavy sigh. ‘I’ve seen her all. ‘Cept for the horns, nothing demonic in her. And they’re new. Pretty good to grab hold of though, useful for that. Lot of stamina though, ‘specially for a wizard. Gods. Thought I’d be a goner! If I’ve gotta go, there’s worse ways, but I’m thankful she’s gone off somewhere, before she drained me dry!’

‘I think the other one, that wrecked the roulette wheel, had her eyes on you as well.’

Anef grinned, far too smugly. ‘Hey, she had eyes, so why wouldn’t she? No idea who the hell she is, but, well.’ He gestured at himself. ‘Who wouldn’t want this?’ Kamarni took in the view with appreciation as Asai rolled her eyes. Even aside from being her brother, he was very much not her type, far too muscled and bulky. Almost a shame they had a ‘no sharing’ policy, but they would probably encounter Janaxia again, and it would be her turn then, something to look forward to.

‘Given she helped to beat Galondwyn to death with her bare hands, you might want to be careful. If she can punch through a demon, then it might be nasty if she gets vigorous.’ Asai turned back to Kamarni. ‘I assume you’ve heard about our angelic visitor?’

Kamarni didn’t take her eyes off Anef as she answered. ‘Yes. It seems the younger Iristari has some rather unusual abilities. Fortunate, given the circumstances, but it seems strange that such a thing is not widely known, even with the shadow her sister casts. Any theories? Think she’s something similar to you two?’

‘Could be. Some of our men saw them fighting – we’re talking swords of fire, radiant wings, fire in the sky, and apparently a magical goat? All very dramatic and legendary though. But they managed to defeat Galondwyn, and Janaxia and that elf managed to kill a Lithmara. When Janaxia left here, she was barely worthy of being called an apprentice. I hear she conjured up something up that tore that demon to shreds, and without any of the usual lights and mumbling. I’m no sage, but that’s not normal magic. Asked around a bit, and no-one knows where she’s been learning it – you know what wizards are like for namedropping and inheritance! Then her sister showed up, and she was about as happy as a doxy with an ugly landlord on rent day, so it’s not some special family thing. Kivata’s the good little spare lapdog, so if there’s something special, it’d go her way first, after going through the favoured kids, way above Janaxia. So we’ve got a divine warrior sell-sword, and some kinda hell-wizard. Anything else?’

Kamarni smiled, looking smug as she got to spread her own information. ‘Semari – the fist-fighter – said Janaxia was “weird and spooky and evil”. Nothing particularly useful from her. And that Stathis had “glowey magical wings”, and was also rather indignant that they couldn’t be shared. She didn’t appear to know anything useful, although wasn’t particularly intelligent. Rather sweet, in a violent sort of way, but I doubt she’s ever opened a book. She was rather evasive when I asked her where she learnt to punch a demon to death, but likely some magical blessing or other, I suppose. You know what outlanders can be like.’

Asai took another sip of whiskey, repressing a shudder. ‘I had heard the rumours that you were with her. A bit outside your usual type, no?’

‘Given the circumstances, having a skilled fighter close by seemed useful. Although she was quite resistant to my charms, unfortunately.’ Kamarni frowned. ‘I don’t think she even noticed! Perhaps I should have tried Janaxia, she may have been more forthcoming, or have had some insight as to the truth of the matter. It is unlikely that a Tremari would be simply wandering without some wider plan, especially with a scion of the Iristari as well. The two would make unlikely bedfellows, but could be a potent alliance.’

One of the staff came over and leant next to Asai, whispering in her ear. ‘Davik Slivrek, one of the magsmen from the Gatebridge district, claims to have found something left after the battle. He wishes to present it to you, for promises of future consideration.’

‘Very well. Send them up.’

They went back down the stairs, Asai standing to overlook the gambling hall as Asef and Kamarni went through the motions of flirtation behind her. Not that Asef was in any shape to indulge without some time to recover – from the sounds coming from his chambers, Janaxia had been quite vigorous. A long way from the wallflower she had been, and in not that many years. And then wherever she had learnt her magic as well – quite a mystery, for the previously undistinguished youngest daughter of a washed-up clan of grubby little necromancers and alchemists.

She pulled her thoughts back to the present, watching a shabby-looking man walking across the gambling hall, a long wooden box in his arms, straps holding it shut. As he climbed up the steps, one of the guards moved to open up the box, until Asai waved them off.

He gave an excessively florid bow, arms flapping as he juggled the box. ‘Master and Mistress Asef and Asai, an honour is mine, to present you with such a gift.’ He grinned, gold teeth glinting. ‘One of me boys found it, some back-alley up where the fancy live. Took three of my cuffins to wrestle him down and get it off him! I’m not above some shine, boosting a few fancied-up daggers, but this I’m kicking over to you. Dark stuff, whatever it is, too dark for me’

With the air of a man handling a snake, he put the box on the table, unbuckling the leather straps holding it shut, then smartly moving back.

Asai cautiously looked inside. A sword, a two-handed thing forged of razor-sharp black crystal, the hilt a twisted and jagged thing all of vicious curves and spikes, flickering with the barest trace of an inner light. Even without being a wizard, it was clear that it was magical in some way, an aura of darkness she could almost feel, pressing down on her. But business came first.

‘And what would you ask for this?’

He held his hands up in surrender. ‘Just whatever consideration you want to pass my way. Whatever this is, I want no part of it, but you’ve got good rep for delivering to those that help you. More trouble than it’s worth to me, but I’m sure you can find something useful for it.’

She reached into the box and gave the blade a gentle flick, curious as to what it was made of. As soon as she touched it, power surged into her, a red haze coming over her vision. Her right hand flexed, nails extending into claws, her fangs extending. The urge to kill grew within her, to feast upon the blood of the weak, devour their hearts and souls. A cold shock ran through her as the contact was broken, Anef smacking her hand away.

She made herself smile at the rogue, enjoying the look of terror on his face, even as she tried to control the rage burning into her. ‘A worthy gift. A suitable reward will be found. Latarl, give this man a few hundred gold for his work.’

One of the guards clamped a meaty hand onto the rogue’s shoulder, hauling him away. No doubt he would be surprised to be simply given his money and let go, but a reminder of what she could do would be no bad thing, and murdering people for being helpful was a poor incentive for the rest. ‘Well, brother. This is something of a surprise. What do you think the odds are that the alleyway this was found in might just be close to Janaxia’s home, where Galondwyn was defeated?’

He was scrutinising the blade closely, taking in the golden shimmers somehow caught within the blade, the way it caught the light, almost seeming to drink it in. ‘That’s a bet even the unfortunate Miss Kamarni wouldn’t take! This certainly complicates matters.’

Lady Kamarni reached for it, before Anef grabbed her wrist. ‘I would advise against it, this thing’s cursed. Very, very cursed. And I like you enough I don’t want to have to rip your arm off to make you drop it.’

Part of Asai craved the thing, wanting nothing more than to let herself burn away in that red rage, revel in crimson slaughter, feasting upon souls and flesh, unleashing herself in destruction and chaos. She took a deep breath and sat down, steepling her fingers and forcing herself to concentrate, ignoring the pinpricks of pain as her claws cut into her human flesh, blood tricking down her arm. ‘Shit. This is not something I want to keep around - it’s going to draw all kinds of crap we don’t want to deal with. Can’t even dump it in a hole, it’ll be crawling with some cursed monsters in half a moon. This is going to take proper effort to deal with. Lady Kamarni, would you have any acquaintances that might be able to help?’

‘I can make enquiries. Such things are hard to destroy, I’ve heard, but I’m sure containment can be arranged. For a fee, of course.’

Asai shook her head. ‘This isn’t something small. This is nasty business, and I want to stay well away when it goes down! Demons are bad for business – dead people don’t spend much money!’

A hand came down, grabbing the sword and lifting it from the case, Kamarni’s bodyguard grinning savagely. Asai started to her feet, claws ready to strike. Dark flames broiled along the length of the blade, as the guard’s shape melted and shifted, face shifting from bland and forgettable into an angry red mess of scars and cuts, features barely visible beneath the damage. ‘Don’t you worry yourselves, I’ll deal with this.’

Anef slowly reached for his blades, as Asai readied herself to fight. ‘And who might you be?’

The thing grinned, teeth showing in a dark slash of a mouth. ‘Call me a knight of a darker path. And this little trinket will be useful to me.’

Asai looked at Anef, nodding, before they both attacked, Asai swiping for their eyes. As she struck, their form shifted, body flowing like liquid, striking back. A hand suddenly grew claws, raking up Asai’s chest, shredding through her clothing and cutting her skin. Anef stabbed them, shoving a blade into their shoulder. As he cut down, the wound healed, flesh bubbling and oozing around the injury, leaving no permanent injury. Guards ran up the stairs, weapons out, place too cramped to early them all to fight as more blades struck home, slamming into the thing’s body.

It cackled, body shifting and warping, bony plates and scales ripping through clothing. ‘You think you can kill me?!’ An arm lashed out, clawed fingers finding a guard’s throat, blood spraying out. It swung the blade, cleaving through another guard, a shimmering in the air drawing itself into the weapon.

Chaos erupted, a storm of flesh and violence. Asai managed to dodge and duck around the blade, her clawed hand ripping through the flesh of the creature, coming back slick with gore. It fought with wild abandon, not caring about the damage it took, Kamarni screaming in terror.

A hand lunged out, grabbing Asai by the throat, the scarred face rushing towards her as twisted, warped flesh crawled over her skin, wet and cold as it crept towards her mouth.

‘I think I deserve a gift, for my efforts, and my suffering.’

Pain burnt her chest, as the flesh altered itself, flaying her skin away. Her scream was muffled as more of the broken, scarred flesh covered her mouth, taste of wet mould making her want to gag. Her claws rent through the mass of flesh, trying to break the grab, as it cut into her chest, seeking her heart.

Glass broke, and then there was the whoosh of flame, as a bottle of spirits broke against it, flame burning it. Now it screamed, the cold, rank flesh withdrawing, Asai dropping to the floor and gasping for breath. Another bottle followed it, the creature now lashing out in panic, blood and bodies littering the floor. It retreated, still swinging that monstrous blade, cleaving through another guard, another shimmering haze flowing from the body into the blade, even as it burnt.

It staggered and fell from the balcony, the rolling on the ground, body still smoking as it flowed back to its feet. The other gamblers and staff had already fled, as it retreated backwards speed increasing as it ran back towards the exit.

Asai managed to rasp out a command, gesturing at some of the more intact-looking survivors. ‘Follow it. Don’t die, flame it if you can.’

Extinguishing the fire took time, the injured doing what they could to help, even Lady Kamarni trying to help, bandaging wounds and reassuring the fallen. Anef was still standing, despite the blood streaming down his chest, delicate scratch marks now replaced by savage claw marks.

When the immediate aftermath was resolved, Karmarni slumped down on the tattered remnants of the couch, now broken and ashen, her face drawn and pale, shaking from shock.

Asai gently tapped her on the shoulder, making her jump. ‘You need to check up on your men better! I’ve never even heard of a monster like that. Going to have to start checking all of ours, in case there’s something else like that. Gods, doppelgangers are bad enough, but at least they die. Whatever the hell that sword is, that monster having it is probably bad.’

Kamarni fell against her, overcome by stress, starting to cry. It was awkward, especially with the bodies and gore still littering the ground, but Asai did what she could to calm her down, walking into a side chamber and peeling her off, settling her with some more booze. Whatever that thing had been, it hadn’t been a demon, at least from how it behaved. And seeking whatever that sword had been as well! Whatever the hell Janaxia was messed up in seemed larger than what would be expected of some spell-slinger.