Long minutes dragged by with the distant sounds of battle reaching them from time to time. Kaspar asked, “Can I safely leave you here?”

Amirantha indicated the dagger in Jim’s hand that was mere inches from his brother’s throat. “I don’t think your being here makes much difference.”

“Good,” said Kaspar as he turned to leave. “From the sound of things, they could use a general up there, or at least one more sword.”

Jim looked at Kaspar, who said, “You stay here. Amirantha might hesitate, but I have no doubt you’ll quickly cut Belasco’s throat if needed.” Jim nodded.

Amirantha was forced to smile. In the months since he had first come to know Kaspar, he had developed a genuine affection for him. Given Kaspar’s reputation Amirantha found it surprising that a former enemy of the Conclave and friend to his dead brother, Sidi, would prove such affable company, but then he knew what Sidi had been capable of, and judged that much of Kaspar’s villainy had been Sidi’s doing. Jim was also someone the Warlock found likable, despite having a hard and cold side to him.

Gulamendis said, “It is done.” To Dahun he said, “To truth are you bound. What reason have you for this possession?”

It was a question shared by all three of the demon experts in the room; possession was rarely employed by the more powerful demons of the Fifth Circle. It was against their nature; why trade a more powerful body for a weaker, more vulnerable one? Disguise was the only possible reason they could think of, but disguise was hardly necessary given the huge conflict above.

Silence was their answer.

After a long minute, Belasco chucked. “Your spell must have worked, elf.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Jim.

“Gulamendis compelled him to tell the truth, but not to answer. His silence tells you he cannot lie to you, so he elects to say nothing.”

Gulamendis looked from Amirantha to Jim to Sandreena, an openly beseeching expression on his face. They all shook their heads.

“What do we do now?” asked Sandreena.

“Come up with a bargain for my brother,” Amirantha opined.

“What do you propose?” asked Belasco.

“Jim could cut your throat and we could deal with the demon when he gets in,” said Sandreena, and her tone left little doubt she considered that a viable option.

Amirantha held up his hand and said, “Last resort.” To his brother he said, “We could banish the demon back to the Fifth Circle?”

“An exorcism?” said Belasco incredulously. “You must be joking.”

“Sandreena is the Mother-Bishop of the Order of the Shield of the Weak,” said the Warlock.

“I think I liked her better when she just wished to bash my head with her mace,” said Belasco. “That would be quick and easy. An exorcism is as likely to get me killed, but a great deal more slowly and painfully.”