Heretics book 3 - The Apocryphile Press

Richard and when he spoke, his voice was without any trace
of warmth. “That is a lie, priest. Be careful. I have some
acquaintance with lies, and dominion over those who tell
them.”
Richard swallowed and felt a trickle of sweat run down
his back, despite the cold. He knew there was love in the
world for even this prince of darkness, but he also knew that
the demon wielded terrible power. Richard spoke evenly.
“You are right, of course, your majesty. I have an implied
covenant with the magicians. But this one,” he pointed to
Dane. “This one is not under my protection.”
The demon looked at Larch and Charybdis, not liking the
reduction of his menu, but somehow knowing that Richard
had spoken the truth.
:: 73 ::
THE KINGDOM :: 353
The dark prince bowed low, and stretched a bony hand
toward Dane’s face. Richard noticed drool trailing from
Kat’s open mouth as she watched the demon. As soon as the
demon’s fingers touched the man’s face, his skin turned from
flushed red to an ashen blue. “Shhhh, it’s okay,” the demon
said with almost sincere tenderness. “No one will ever, ever
hurt you again. I promise. I am your savior, and I have come
to deliver you. Everything is going to be all right. Your suffering
is finally at an end....” A ghostly ball of dark blue light
shone in the prince’s hand as he raised it to his mouth. In a
moment the blue light was gone, enveloped, even devoured,
by the crowned demon.
Nourished by the rich man’s soul, Articiphus drew up to
his full height and faced Richard. “You are still in possession
of the ring?”