Interlude: From Within

I ran as fast as my legs would carry me. Footsteps of the man who killed Zach and Abby thundered behind me, getting closer and closer.

I ran and weaved and ducked through burning buildings. Fire bloomed around me, turning the broken homes red. Shattered windows glared at me with jagged, twisted smiles. The walls leaned in and the flames closed in and the footsteps finally reached me and—

I woke up with a start.

My heart raced in my chest and my pulse thundered in my ears. I unclenched my hands which I’d unconsciously balled into fists under the sheets. I hadn’t had that nightmare since my days in the academy. Most days, my nightmares were from the Ordian Civil War.

The ceiling I stared up at was unfamiliar and I could feel my limbs had mostly been healed, but I was sore to the point of pain all over. I could ignore that. I started to think about the demon who claimed to be my sister. My sister. No one living would make that claim.

“Good. You’re awake,” a deep voice I recognized said from my bedside.

“High Inquisitor Mordwell.” I turned to face the old bastard and kept my face neutral. “I didn’t think you the type to sit by someone’s bedside.” I shoved the thoughts of last night down and away.

“I’m not, Paladin Miller.” Mordwell allowed himself a small smile.

Fake. I knew his smile was fake. I had to stay strong, and keep up this charade just a little longer. Just a little longer and years of work would pay off. Finley may have gotten away from me when he ‘escaped’ the Church’s death conviction. I wouldn’t let the net around Mordwell stay nearly so loose.

“Shall I give you my report?” My thoughts clicked in place like a fast, well-built clock. In the span of a second, I’d regained my composure.

“You shall,” Mordwell answered, staring hard into my eyes. He’d find nothing that way.

“Very well.” I nodded. “Shall I begin when you notified us of Yothariel’s proximity?”

Mordwell nodded back, his eyes not leaving mine. “That would be prudent, Paladin Miller.”

“Understood, High Inquisitor.” I nodded again, unable to bow in my current position.

From the top and with practiced ease, I began my false report.

A/N: Short post today! I really like the way this came out, short as it is. Volume 2 starts with the next post at the normal time.