The Broken Halo

The Voice and the Second Claw sat opposite Simon.

The low table stood between them, with the trays they had carried into the chamber resting near one edge. None of them touched the water or cups.

The Second Claw crossed one leg over the other and rested an arm against the chair.

”You said we have a great deal to discuss.”

Her golden eyes remained on Simon’s face.

”Start.”

Simon leaned back slightly.

”I want to assist with Crownless Dawn.”

The Voice’s brows rose before immediately drawing together into a frown. Meanwhile, the Second Claw showed less surprise.

”Assist?” she repeated. ”That sounds suspiciously close to joining us.”

”I have no interest in joining Black Banner.”

Simon’s answer came without hesitation.

”I will assist with Crownless Dawn whenever the task benefits me. If it does not, you can find another demon.”

The Voice released a quiet scoff.

”You speak as though we lack demons.”

”You do not lack demons.”

Simon glanced toward her.

”You lack talented demons who can enter Black Horn, change their faces freely, survive your failed operations, and recover what your own people lose.”

The Voice’s lips tightened, and the Second Claw raised one hand before she could respond.

”What exactly do you believe Crownless Dawn is?”

Her playful expression had faded and only seriousness remained.

Simon did not answer immediately.

He had no intention of revealing every conclusion he had reached after reading the Eastern Warden’s letter, knowing more about Velmora City and the Darkness Kingdom, and his experiences ever since he entered Velmora.

”The Darkness Kingdom and Black Horn are creating a road to Earth,” he finally said. ”The road is currently unstable, expensive, and controlled by demons your Eastern Faction cannot command.”

Neither demoness interrupted him.

”Your faction placed long-term assets inside different parts of Velmora’s military preparations. The Seven Nails.”

A slight change appeared in the Voice’s eyes. Simon noticed it, but he didn’t mention it and merely continued.

”When the official road stabilises, Crownless Dawn will use the Chrysalis, the Nails, and whatever your people have hidden inside the preparations to copy its structure.”

His fingers tapped once against the armrest.

”You intend to create another road. One controlled by the Eastern Faction rather than Black Horn, Velmora, or the demons overseeing the city and kingdom’s invasion.”

The chamber became quiet.

”The three cases are part of that process,” Simon added. ”The road’s bones as you like to call them.. are the materials needed to make the Chrysalis copy the original road at a faster rater and to make it sturdier so that it can last long enough for you guys to accomplish everything you want to accomplish.”

The Second Claw stared at him for several seconds, then she shook her head with a tinge of coldness and anger in her eyes.

”That incompetent bastard.”

The curse left her softly, but the disgust beneath it was unmistakable.

”A Warden carrying information about the Nails, the Chrysalis, and the road in one letter deserved what happened to him. I can’t believe we allowed such an incompetent bastard to be a Warden.”

The Voice looked toward her master.

”He was not supposed to keep it after reading it.”

”That makes him both incompetent and disobedient,” The Second Claw scoffed.

The Second Claw returned her attention to Simon.

”I can see that you understand the broad purpose, but why do I feel like you’re keeping more of what you know to yourself.”

Simon smiled faintly.

”Well... Is there any point in telling you everything I know. Just assume that I know enough to either help your operation or destroy it.”

The Voice’s eyes glinted with coldness, but the Second Claw tilted her head slightly.

”Then why help?”

Simon raised one hand and pointed at the single horn on the right side of his head.

”I have a history with the Two-Horned Winged Demons.”

The Voice’s gaze moved to his horn.

”What history?”

”One that does not concern either of you.”

Simon lowered his hand.

”It is old, minor, and inconsequential compared to Crownless Dawn. Do not bother searching for it. You will find nothing useful.”

His expression became colder.

”But it is a debt I have kept burning in my heart for a long time. Your road gives me an opportunity to collect it.”

The Second Claw studied him.

”You expect me to believe revenge is your only reason?”

”No.”

Simon was honest enough to make the Voice narrow her eyes.

”I also expect to gain something from the road, the invasion, and the chaos that follows.”

A slight smile returned to the Second Claw’s face.

”At least that answer sounds like you.”

The Voice leaned forward slightly with narrowed eyes.

”And how are we supposed to trust you?”

Simon looked at her.

”How am I supposed to trust either of you too?”

The Voice’s left eye could not help but twitch at Simon’s words.

Simon gestured between them.

”You can expose my identity as Blackmoon. You can tell Korran that the Outsider sneaked into the Black Horn Office, caused chaos in it, killed the Fifth Needle, interfered with the convoy assignment, and recovered the road’s bones.”

He paused.

”I can also expose your faces, the Murmur Bone, the command seal, the letter, the Seven Nails, the Chrysalis, and Crownless Dawn.”

The Second Claw’s eyes narrowed slightly.

”You believe knowing our faces and operation makes us equal?”

”No.”

Simon’s response was immediate.

”You possess the advantage. Your information network reaches Black Horn and Velmora’s guards. You have cells, spies, influence, and demons whose identities I do not know.”

He smiled.

”But an advantage is not the same as safety.”

The Second Claw watched him quietly.

”You act as if you’re powerless. What of the powerful family or master Korran believes may stand behind you?”

Simon said nothing, and he merely smiled.

The silence lasted long enough for the Voice to become visibly irritated.

The Second Claw, however, understood that Simon had no intention of correcting whatever conclusion they formed.

Eventually, they both came to an agreement that was not built on trust but necessity and usefulness.

Simon would not join Black Banner or accept a permanent rank within the Eastern Faction. He would remain an independent collaborator and could accept or reject any future task before an agreement was made just like he had been doing.

Once he accepted a task, however, he could not deliberately sabotage it to help Black Horn or sell the same information to Black Horn.

Every assignment would have a separate price.

The Voice would remain his primary contact through the Murmur Bone. Wardens, Needles, and other rebels could not command him merely because they belonged to the Eastern Faction.

In return, Simon would not reveal the Voice, the Second Claw, or Crownless Dawn while their arrangement remained intact.

The Eastern Faction would keep the connection between Blackmoon and the Outsider secret. It would also avoid interfering with Simon’s position around Black Horn unless his actions directly endangered Crownless Dawn.

Sonya and Akaza would also not be targeted merely because they associated with him.

”If they act against the operation, that protection ends,” the Voice said firmly.

”Then I will make sure they do not.”

Neither side promised loyalty.

Neither offered complete information.

They agreed only that usefulness would be answered with payment, betrayal would end every protection, and no task existed until both sides accepted its terms.

The Second Claw leaned back once the final condition was settled, and her golden eyes remained on Simon.

”You would be given an oath artifact after this meeting. I did not expect this, so I didn’t bring one with me.”

Simon nodded. ”No problem at all.”

She extended one hand across the table.

”Now give us the road’s bones.”