The Broken Halo

The Biggest Kev left Simon’s room a short while after learning the name of the ring.

He repeated the words Miser’s Ring several times beneath his breath, almost as though the name itself could reveal something about the artifact’s creator. Simon answered none of the extra questions the Biggest Kev asked about the Miser’s Ring.

Their remaining conversation was brief, but Simon learned one useful thing.

The Biggest Kev did not live in Velmora.

He came from the capital city of the Darkness Kingdom and had only travelled to Velmora because Korran asked for his help.

Simon naturally asked what position Kev held in the capital, but the enormous demon laughed and refused to answer.

According to him, his positions, duties, and influence were not part of their agreement. More importantly, he had already seen how Simon negotiated. If Simon learned what authority Kev possessed, the future favour would probably become suspiciously suited to exploiting that authority.

Simon did not deny it.

Kev left soon afterward, promising that their agreement would remain valid regardless of whether he returned to the capital before Simon called in the favour.

The floor groaned beneath his steps until his immense presence finally left the Pipeline Inn.

Sonya and Akaza remained for a little longer.

Akaza told Simon that it was good to have him back, although his gaze continued returning to Simon’s Infernal Heart as though he still found the advancement difficult to accept.

Sonya was less restrained.

She struck Simon’s lower back twice more, told him not to disappear inside another giant beast without informing her first, and then declared that she had never doubted his survival.

Akaza wisely did not remind her of the previous two days.

Before leaving, Simon repeated one final warning about Black Horn’s version of events. Both demons confirmed that they understood, then returned to their own rooms.

The moment the door closed, silence finally returned.

Simon looked at the damaged floor, the hole in the wall, and the small stones scattered across the room.

Then he looked at the bed.

For the first time since the convoy ambush, he allowed his body to relax completely.

He removed his burned coat, stopped suppressing Unholy Regeneration, and watched the artificial wounds he had maintained close across his skin. The dark burns faded, torn flesh joined together, and the pain in his deliberately injured leg disappeared.

Simon lay down afterward.

He intended to think about the meeting with the Second Claw and the Voice, the Miser’s Ring, Korran, and the new favour he had obtained from the Biggest Kev.

Instead, sleep claimed him almost immediately.

He slept for nearly fourteen hours.

By the time Simon opened his eyes again, the crimson light outside his window had changed and the rumours of Blackmoon’s return had already begun spreading through Velmora.

Black Horn did not summon him again that day.

It did, however, place two operatives near Pipeline Inn.

Simon noticed them before leaving his bed.

One occupied a food stall across the road without buying any food. The other sat inside the inn’s common room and had been drinking from the same cup for more than an hour.

Simon ignored both since their presence was expected.

Near the end of the day, the Murmur Bone became warm inside his spatial ring.

Simon created a narrow shell of wind around himself before bringing it out. Crimson lines glowed beneath the curved black surface.

He activated the connection, then the Voice spoke first.

Simon still knew her only by that title, and he was a little bit curious as to how she looked and what her real name was.

”The Second Claw has considered your conditions.”

Her tone was calm, but none of the irritation from their previous conversation had disappeared.

”And?” Simon asked.

”We will meet you.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

”Good. It seems you finally learned how to deliver pleasant news calmly.”

”Do not make me reconsider.”

The Bone became slightly warmer in his hand.

The Voice continued before Simon could provoke her further.

”The meeting must take place on neutral ground. It cannot belong to the Eastern Faction, Black Horn, Velmora’s guards, or any recognised organisation within the city.”

Simon nodded calmly.

”Agreed.”

”You will choose the exact meeting point only after we agree on the surrounding region.”

Simon had already expected that condition and he had thought of a place.

”The Red Sand Hall,” Simon said. ”One of its private combat chambers.”

Silence followed as the Voice considered the location.

Red Sand Hall was where Akaza and Sonya usually went to train and participate in battles. Simon had followed them once and he had gotten a good look of the fighting hall.

The Red Sand Hall was one of the more established fighting halls in Velmora. Aside from its public arenas, demons with either enough money, status, or influence could rent private combat chambers for training, sparring, meetings, or anything else they preferred to keep away from curious eyes.

And when it came to money, Simon was wealthy as fuck.

”That is hardly neutral,” the Voice eventually said.

”It belongs to neither of us,” Simon replied. ”That makes it neutral enough.”

Another brief silence followed, then the Voice finally answered.

”No problem. The location is acceptable.”

Simon nodded slightly while turning the bone in his hand.

”We’re meeting two nights from now.”

”Why two nights?” The Voice asked.

”Because I need time to prepare, and so do you.”

The Voice did not deny it.

”I will contact you one hour before the meeting and give you the exact chamber,” Simon continued. ”You and the Second Claw will come alone. No Needles, scouts, or demons waiting in the Hall.”

”The same applies to you.”

”Of course.”

Simon had no intention of bringing Sonya or Akaza. However, a Shadow Eye was not another demon.

”If either side detects a third person deliberately watching the exchange, the meeting ends,” the Voice said coldly.

”Agreed.”

”And the cases?”

”Bring the lead-lined isolation box your route keepers were meant to use.”

The Voice became quiet.

Simon continued.

”The cases will remain somewhere their signals cannot escape until I confirm that both of you followed the agreement. I will then place them inside a disposable spatial ring. The ring will go directly into your isolation box.”

That reduced the amount of time Korran’s trackers could reveal the meeting point, and the Voice understood immediately.

”You truly studied his trap.”

”Of course. Better than you rebels did.”

Her breathing sharpened, but she refused to take the bait.

”The Second Claw said I should ask what you expect to receive when we meet?”

Simon’s eyes flickered with a surprised light.

”The meeting is part of my new payment.”

”Only part?”

”Anything else will depend on what I see and what the Second Claw has to say.”

A long silence followed, then the Voice spoke with a quiet warning.

”If the ring is empty, or if this is an attempt to lead Black Horn to us, there will be nowhere in the Darkness Kingdom you can hide.”

Simon calmly leaned back against the bed.

”If you break the agreement, the road’s bones will disappear somewhere even you cannot reach.”

Neither added anything after that.

The crimson lines faded, and the connection ended.

The terms were settled and two nights later, Simon would finally stand before the Voice and the Second Claw.

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[A/N: Read the author’s note below. It’s VERY VERY IMPORTANT!]