Chapter 19

  Fury’s discussion was a full-scale analysis of the situation Raven had reported—so thorough and precise that the United Nations delegates were left stunned, as if he himself had been present at the scene.

  Which, in truth, he had—he had blown their heads off with his own hands.

  For more than three hours, Fury and The Raven exchanged information in front of representatives from the four human kingdoms, mapping connections between the Snowhaven rebels and the Shadow race.

  Fury proposed to the assembly that the situation might be more complex than it appeared, as he believed even Snowhaven’s rebels didn’t know which humans were real and which were Shadows.

  Like he had told Raven:

  “They have bodies that feel like a mixture of solid matter and air. They’re not intangible, but they can adapt to survive in any environment—freezing ice or arid desert.”

  He spoke only what was necessary.

  “There are many ways to deal with them, but once you encounter one, you must kill it immediately. They are not a species you can trust. If you let them escape, they will relocate, and they will return to breed again. You wouldn’t want your efforts to be wasted.”

  “And what can we do?”

  “The method I’ve used works… but not here.”

  The assembly stirred.

  “Why can’t you say it?”

  “Look at the person sitting next to you.”

  They turned their heads.

  “Do you think you truly know them?”

  He turned to Mathema’s side.

  “And you? How many people in your delegation do you trust?”

  “Ahem… what my brother means is…” Everton’s voice cut in, “there may be Shadows listening to us right now. And we wouldn’t want them to know.”

  “But this is the United Nations!”

  “So?”

  Nora caught another side of Fury as he pressed the Velmount representative with that one word.

  “The United Nations—so what? I don’t trust this system.”

  Somehow, her stomach tightened.

  If a human had said that, it would have sounded arrogant, maybe even insulting. But coming from a different race altogether… it was something else entirely.

  “I will discuss this only in private negotiations, to prevent any leaks.”

  Everton smirked; President Fofana scowled. She saw his reasoning as little more than an invitation: If you want to know, pay for it. Who would give that for free?

  “Before the next round of closed-door talks between Diablo and Snowhaven, we will open the floor for questions,” Fury said. “Does anyone have any?”

  It wasn’t just aimed at the national delegations but also the reporters seated at the back.

  “Only questions relevant to the topic.”

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  If he were President Fofana or Donald Trump, hands might have shot up. But when you were about to address a demon who could make your head explode with a flick of his fingers, asking the wrong thing could be fatal.

  Eventually, one brave human spoke—the Zentinel delegation.

  “Prince Fury, since your country possesses Shadow technology capable of detecting infiltrators among us… does that mean the Diablo also possess the technology to disguise yourselves as us?”

  Nora’s eyes widened.

  Everyone knew the Diablo had wiped out the Shadows and taken their magical engineering technology. If they had come to help, it meant they must at least know the methods other races could use to mimic humans—methods they could then detect.

  Silence filled the hall. All eyes fixed on the giant demon.

  A “yes” would be an admission of sending Diablo spies into human lands.

  A “no” would make no sense at all.

  But Fury was unfazed.

  “Is that a relevant question, Senator?”

  A shiver ran down every human’s spine. Even Nora felt the pressure—like a silent, controlled fury aimed directly at the Zentinel senator. She couldn’t shake the sense that provoking his anger would carry a devastating cost.

  Fury continued, calm but unwavering.

  “But I will answer you, for clarity.”

  He glanced at the human audience.

  “You ask if we can become human. I ask you—must a priest become a demon to kill one? Must a hound become a hare to hunt it? Must a royal physician fall ill before treating disease?”

  The hall went still. Some exchanged glances; others swallowed hard.

  “Understanding the science of creation does not mean we will use it. If, in theory, such technology exists, I affirm before this assembly that it will not be used for invasion—only for defense. We are the Shadows’ enemies as much as you are, and we approach humans with truth… unlike them.”

  He met every gaze without a flicker of doubt. He wasn’t lying—but he wasn’t telling the full truth either.

  Well answered… it seems your diplomacy has improved, your highness, thought The Raven, one of the few who knew the truth.

  Fury couldn’t flatly deny it. Any falsehood would be recorded, and every word and gesture of this meeting was documented by expert scribes from all five kingdoms—rotating every thirty minutes—ensuring identical transcripts across all nations. These records had been kept for centuries and could be used against the Diablo if needed.

  Then came a new voice—a young woman’s, pale hands resting on the table. Nora Ophilis.

  “Do you think the beasts in our lands could be a threat to the Shadows, your highness?”

  Gasps rippled through the hall at her boldness. She was supposed to be the quiet princess, watching the adults talk.

  Some whispered: That’s the dragon-slaying Princess Nora… She ignored it.

  “Some beasts can smell them. They can be hunted like any of you.”

  Nora blinked. He’d never told her that before.

  Fury looked to Everton, who made a zipping gesture over his lips. Fury turned back.

  “We will reveal details tomorrow. But I like your question—I’ll remember your name.”

  Every head turned to Nora. Even her own Snowhaven delegation stared.

  “Then next will be the closed session. I hope we can reach an agreement with you.”

  Day Two’s meeting ended.

  The Diablo delegation departed, and the air in the chamber lightened instantly.

  As delegations trickled out, some still deep in discussion, Paul, one of Snowhaven’s senior advisors, approached with other high officials.

  “Princess Nora… where did you find the courage for that?”

  “I only asked because he said we could, didn’t he?”

  They exchanged glances—true enough.

  “Thing is, Princess,” Paul said carefully, “we don’t know what they think of you. They might see you as a threat.”

  “Yes, we should err on the side of caution. You mustn’t stand out too much,” another added. Even at home, there were those who wanted her dead.

  “Not to mention that greeting earlier… perhaps you weren’t old enough to witness what those demons have done.”

  To avoid further fuss, Nora only replied, “Alright. I’ll be careful.”

  “Good… tomorrow we’ll meet them again, but I’d rather you remain quiet,” Paul said.

  At that moment, Empress Ophilis XIV walked past with The Raven and her entourage. Nora stepped aside and bowed, as did Paul and the others.

  Her mother paused briefly, meeting her eyes.

  “Looks like he’s taken a liking to you.”

  “…Mother.”

  Something in her tone was different. Nora could sense her mother’s approval.

  The Empress moved on. The Raven gave her a quick sideways glance before following.

  Mr.Fury, you’re kinder than you think.

  You haven’t seen my other side, kid.

  The words Fury had once said to her resurfaced in her mind.

  She turned to Paul.

  “Paul.”

  “Yes, Princess?”

  “Prince Fury doesn’t seem like a power-hungry tyrant… so why are we so afraid of him?”