The grand hall of the palace was empty now—no courtiers, no guards, no attendants. Just Raven's group, sprawled across plush sofas like they owned the place.
Well, in a sense, they did.
The only one not sitting was Velric.
The new self-appointed king knelt in the center of the polished marble floor, hands raised straight above his head like a child being punished. Sweat dripped down his brow, but he dared not lower his arms.
"Hey, yo, my man," drawled Omni, Raven's sword, its tattooed form glowing faintly on Raven's hand. "You know you look like one of those scarecrows farmers put up in fields, right? Damn, all you missin' is a bird on your head."
As if on cue, Nibbles scampered across Alex's shoulder, leapt, and perched atop Velric's head.
The squirrel struck a regal pose, tail high.
Alex pumped his fist. "BEHOLD! The Royal Mount for the Demon Sniffer!"
