The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) by Raquel Dove Read Free Book Online Page A

only thing she did know was that her body ached and the hot water bubbling up around her felt amazing.  She leaned her head against one of the large rocks that jutted out around the lip of the spring. 
     
    #
     
    Balthazar and Tavi sat down to a meager lunch laid out in Tavi’s tent.  Biting into a strip of dried meat tossed with a honey glaze, Tavi eyed his older brother. 
    “ My Lord, what brings you here?” He asked.  “I am but a day’s march from the palace.”
    “ We have a problem,” Balthazar said, his eyes locking onto Tavi.
    “Baal,” Tavi said, raising an arched brow.  He truly wasn’t surprised.
    “With Hasan,” Balthazar said, as bit into a piece of flat bread smeared with a vegetable paste.  “He is planning to have him Anointed in my stead.”
    “T hat fool,” Tavi spat, shaking his head as he picked another strip of dry smoked meat from the table and tore at it with his fang.
    “We must stop him quickly,” Balthazar said, “Before he has a chance to gain support from any of the nobles.”
    “Can we beat him?” Tavi asked, wiping his hands on a silk napkin. 
    Balthazar leaned away from the table.  His jaw tensed, but he did not speak.  His silence told Tavi everything he wanted to know. 

Chapter Thirteen
     
    “I can walk,” Alexandra said, a pout on her lips as she starred up at Balthazar from on the bed.
    “Your ability to walk is not in question, girl,” Balthazar bit out, “the speed at which you do so is.”
    “Well I don’t care,” Alex fired back, “I don’t want to be carried all day.”
    Balthazar let out a low gr owl of frustration.  He had just met this human, but he was already exhausted of her intolerable defiance.  She walked so slowly it would take days to reach Baal and Hasan. 
    Balthazar reached down, grasping Alexandra’s slender wrist in his massive hand.  His unblinking blue grey eyes locked onto her round face.  He yanked her off the bed, and dragging her out of the tent, pushed her onto the same small liter that she spent the previous day on.  She made a move to protest and stand, but a sharp growl from Balthazar settled her firmly in her place. 
    “ Deal with this unbearable creature,” Balthazar growled at Tavi as he turned and walked back into the tent.
    “You would be w ise not to anger him, girl,” Tavi said, signaling to two demons who promptly came over and prepared to lift the litter.
    “It’s not my fault he’s so touchy,” Alex huffed, crossing her arms, “and stop calling me girl. My name is Alexandra.”
    “Alexandra,” Tavi said, a condescending smirk on his square jaw, “Lord Balthazar is not accustomed to being addressed so disrespectfully.  If you enjoy your head attached to your body, I advise showing him some respect.”
                 
    #
     
    Balthazar settled himself cross-legged into a plush cushion.  Alone in the expansive tent, he closed his eyes, his hands resting casually on his knees.  He took a deep cleansing breath and pushed all thought from his mind.  He would soon be locked in combat with an older, more experienced, more powerful demon.  Baal was chosen by his father for a reason.  He was not one to be trifled with.  He was strong, fast, and ruthless.  The one advantage Balthazar had over Baal was his royal heritage.  He was the first born of a Royal bloodline, and as such his powers ran very deep.  But he was still young, and his abilities had not had time to fully develop.  Hasan may be of that same royal blood, but he was weak.  He was the son of a secondary wife and never learned to properly cultivate what little power he had.  He was merely a tool for Baal to seize power with. 
    Balthazar’s mind wondered to the human that had so fortunately landed in his grasp.  She was the key to achieving ultimate power, if he could only unlock her secrets.  The girl was unbelievably argumentative, and he was sure it would not be an easy task.  He replayed the images of her