Free Demon Lost by Connie Suttle Page A

actually.
    With the good, there was bad, too, as someone attempted to take Delvin's small purse of coins he'd brought with him. As fast as the thief had lifted the purse, I had it back in my hand. It wasn't the first time I'd done something like that—we'd had shady kitchen workers while I was growing up. They didn't last long—it was the one thing Edan actually listened to me on.
    "Reah, I might have cast a finding spell, but you saved me the trouble," Delvin pocketed the small bag. I just shrugged at him. Bel put his hand on top of my head and ruffled my hair, declining to comment. At least I wasn't shrinking from his touch, now.
    "Come on, Reah, let's get in the hot water." The military station had baths, just as the outpost did. Bel was coaxing me, now.
    "But I don't know who'll be there," I complained, my voice petulant.
    "Then you'll never have to see these people again," Delvin chuckled.
    "And the odds are good that no demons will come bursting through the door," Bel bumped my shoulder.
    "Fine," I muttered. Hot water did sound good—it was late now and the trip, coupled with wandering around the city had worn me out. If I fell asleep, maybe Bel or Delvin would keep my head above water so I wouldn't drown.
    This pool was three times as large as anything the outpost could offer, and there were people—men and women—already there when we arrived. Delvin was half undressed by the time we reached the bench and the clothing hooks hanging over it. "Reah, you'll be jumping in alone if you don't hurry up," Bel laughed and shrugged out of his shirt. Hurriedly I removed my clothing, hanging it on a hook quickly and grabbing a towel right behind Bel.
    Yes, you could tell that Bel and Delvin got plenty of exercise. I'm not sure I'd ever looked that closely at the male form before. Mostly from the back, still—I couldn't bring myself to glance at the lower front. I swallowed a squeal as Delvin put his hands under my arms and dropped me into the water. He and Bel slipped in on either side. I noticed a couple kissing not far away and was determined not to look in that direction again.
    Later, when I was about to fall asleep and Delvin and Bel were talking about getting out of the pool, the whispers started. A new party had come in, so of course we turned slightly to see who it might be. "That's the Prince Royal," Bel whispered close to my ear. The Prince wasn't as tall as Delvin, had dark hair and eyes and was dressed in robes of a deep red silk, I think. He was accompanied by four guards and three women. The prince and the women undressed to climb into the water; the guards stood near the edge of the pool watching over their charges.
    "Ready to leave?" Bel asked quietly. I'd started shaking the moment he'd identified the Prince. Nodding, I allowed Delvin to help me out of the pool. We pulled our towels around us and walked quietly toward the pegs holding our clothes. I never looked at the Prince or any of his party the whole time I dressed and Bel and Delvin walked beside me on our way out of the bathhouse.
    * * *
    "I have no idea why the Prince Royal would come to the military baths," Bel paced inside Aris' room later. "And he didn't take his eyes off Reah even once after we got out to dress."
    "Her hair color is unusual. Perhaps that's what he noticed," Aris attempted to calm Bel. "His wives were with him. That should slow him down a bit."
    It was Bel's turn to growl, although he couldn't do half as well as Commander Aris when he was angry. "At least we're leaving in a day and a half. Surely he won't come looking for her."
    "He won't." Aris sounded sure of himself. Bel wasn't so sure but didn't disagree with his superior.
    * * *
    "How many did you lose during the attack?" Commander Aris was having lunch with the Prince Royal and the High Commander. Aris sipped his wine before answering the Prince's question.
    "Six, with another twenty-seven wounded. Four of those were women," Aris replied.
    "You didn't have them fighting as