Free Blood Debts (The Temple Chronicles Book 2) by Shayne Silvers

thievery. The Hubris! And especially to pass on these stolen goods to an irresponsible wizard like you. Does this have anything to do with the Brimstone smell permeating your business? Have you perhaps already made a deal with a Demon to bring your sweet parents back in exchange for the Armory?”
    Power exploded out of me. An explosion of pure force buffeted the Justices off their feet. One managed to cross his arms in some kind of warding spell and was merely knocked into a table rather than over it, but the rest were blown back into the wall none too peacefully. My outburst had been purely instinctual. “Say that again and I’ll have your head spiked to my front gate. Consequences be damned.” I hissed as Jafar struggled back to his feet. Several other Justices were also scrambling to their feet, gathering power to subdue me. “Enough!” I commanded, slashing all power from the room and tying it in a neat knot within a foot of my person. I didn’t exactly know how I did that, but no one was able to touch their power without getting into my bubble. They stared at me in what appeared to be blank shock, several masks having fallen askew. “That was in no way an intentional attack. Think how you would have responded to be accused of Demon-craft when your parents are not even six months in the grave.” I spoke softly, genuinely, letting them know I was not a loose cannon. “Your boss has a big fucking mouth to dare speak to me so callously, and he deserved much worse than getting his clothes a bit dusty from a fall. I mean no harm to anyone here.” With that, I released my hold on the loose energy of the room. I wasn’t sure I should have been able to do that, but it had apparently been effective.
    “You will pay for that, Temple.” Jafar began.
    “Shut it, old man. I’ve had enough of your wobbling dentures. It’s giving me a headache.”
    Everyone stiffened at that. I had just mocked their boss. Probably not too smart. But after surviving an Angel, his title didn’t impress me much. One of the Justices spoke up, a female. “If what you say is true, how did you just manage to stall eight wizards while so obviously drunk? That is not usual. Despite your rumored strength, we are all battle trained and you just swatted us down like insects. How do you think that looks to us?” She asked politely.
    “Probably like I’m a big fat liar.” I shrugged guiltily. She nodded, holding out a hand to show her point. “But I’m not. I noticed my power surge after my parents’ deaths. Are you implying that it’s not normal for parents to gift their strength to their offspring upon death?”
    “That isn’t even possible .” The woman spluttered, turning to face Jafar with a curious brow. He nodded in agreement with her.
    “Then I truly do not know.” I answered honestly. “Now, if you are demanding I turn over the Armory, go ahead and arrest me. I don’t know how to give you something I don’t have. Next, you are the second person to mention Brimstone. I was led to believe that the whole city reeks of it, but that I specifically smell of it. What would cause this? I have had absolutely no contact with Demons. To be honest, it never even crossed my mind. I never thought to seek out a Demon for an answer when no Demon was involved with my parents or the dragons. If you have any answers, please give them now. Otherwise, I cannot help you.” No one spoke for a long moment.
    “Well, of course you would lie about consorting with Demons. It’s against the law.”
    My gaze froze his scowl. “You told me I already broke a gazillion laws. If that’s true, what’s one more crime when you make it sound like I torture kittens in my spare time? And I already swore on my power that I didn’t consort with Demons.” He merely glared back angrily. I could sense that in no way had I turned the tables. I was still the enemy, and they were eight. I had merely shuffled the deck a bit on a few points. It was a start. “Now,