The poor fairy turned crimson, as his hand patted down his immaculate attire. “I’m sure we can come up with some sort of an arrangement. Now, can you give me a proper tour of this place, so I can see what we are working with, and while we’re at it, maybe tell everyone to stop trying to eat me?”
I gave my first laugh in what felt like a century. “Sure thing, beetle.”
“Another bug joke. And here I thought you weren’t lame.”
I stood up and walked to the door. “I’m just full of surprises. Now come on, and I’ll show you the different levels of the underworld.”
He fidgeted with his bow tie before nodding. It’d be interesting showing my home off to someone not born of this world. I wondered if he’d be impressed or disgusted. Only time would tell.
The architectural layout of the underworld could be compared to an ant farm or an intricate spider’s web. Sometimes, I actually felt more like the insect caught in the web than the spider, but I was working on remedying that. There were black onyx tunnels zigzagging and intersecting repeatedly. The outer rings were where most of the lowly demons resided. The inner rings were for the more powerful, primordial demons. The closer to the center of each level resided an under lord, and that area became more lavish. The floors went from dirt to different shades of marble. The wealthy and the higher-level demons lived closer to the under lord in charge of that specific area. They handled their level’s problems and then reported back to me weekly on how they were faring. Unfortunately, the under lords were not impressed with my new title and had expressed concerns, although not vocally. At least that was the word on the street. Here recently, they hadn’t been showing up to the weekly meetings. Another thing I needed to fix as soon as I got my shell back.
Tally followed me through the tunnel leading from my chambers.
“It would take us weeks to walk each level, so if you don’t mind, I will teleport us to the different levels.” Without waiting for permission, I gently grabbed the shrink and took him to level one.
After several levels were viewed, I could tell by the disdain on his face he wasn’t impressed with Hell. Trying to see things through his eyes, I had to admit the underworld was a tad depressing. Darkness flowed from every corner. There were torches every eight feet, but it brought no warmth. Instead, when the flame flickered just right, you could see tiny demons slithering along the walls. They were following us, intrigued, but not comfortable enough to announce their presence.
“There are twelve levels and twelve under lords that rule each level under my command. So far, I haven’t found a demon I trust. Call me paranoid, but I believe everyone is currently planning or hoping for my beheading.”
Tally landed on my shoulder. “Maybe you should nuke all twelve of them and start over. A culling, if you will.”
“I could, but I believe that would cause the kind of upset I might not be able to handle. Especially in a human body. I need my shell. Also, aren’t you Mr. Ethical?”
“Yes, but sometimes people can’t be saved. All I sense here is pure evil.”
We walked in silence for a while. I noticed Tally taking it all in. There were several different types of demons in the underworld, but he seemed to strongly dislike what we called the fire demons. Like my uncle and Fobby, they were red with complimentary black horns jutting out of their head. Tally should be afraid of them. My father had been a fire demon, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever emotionally heal from the trauma his rages had put me through. Lucky for me, I took after my mother, who’d been a smoke demon. Most of the demons we passed flared their nostrils at the fairy in aggression, and their horns became straight. Tally’s wings fluttered nervously, as he probably recognized he looked like a tasty little morsel. The smoke demons wore human shells and were less obnoxious in their desires. Then, of course, there were the shadow demons. They were the size of my index finger. Most of them were more tricksters than they were vicious demons. Every demon we passed bowed their head at me, even if their eyes conveyed disrespect. They all took note of the fairy on my shoulder, and that was the best I could do for him. No one would touch him now. Not unless they wanted to dance with death. I could tell by the fairy’s body language he was disgusted with this world, and truth be told maybe I was too, but I was next in line for the throne, and I was born to rule and rule I would.
Chapter Four
Two weeks had gone by, and I thought even the fairy was bored with our sessions. Plus, both of us were feeling the turmoil in the underworld. We knew that any day now my uncle would strike. Honestly, I wasn’t sure why he hadn’t yet. During the past couple of weeks, we’d talked about every sordid detail of my past: my feelings on my abusive, murdering father, and how I felt when I’d watched him murder my pet, my childhood friend, my mother. How the hey did the fairy think I felt? Jeez.
“Have you come to terms with why your father did these horrid things?”
I blew on my nails that I had just finished painting black as I halfway listened to the fairy. “To try and ruin me because he knew I would one day be more powerful than him.”
Tally nodded. “Do you feel like you inadvertently caused your loved one’s death because your dad was trying to get to you?”
“Well, no, I didn’t. Not until you suggested it.” I went to sit in my chair in front of the fire. “What the fox do you want me to say? That it’s my fault my loved ones died? That if I had never loved, then they would still be alive?”
“I just want the truth from you. Whatever that may be.”
I glared at the fairy. “Okay. Maybe I do hold myself accountable for their deaths. But do you know who I hold the most at fault?” Tally shook his head. “My uncle.”
Tally’s eyebrows rose. “Not your father?”
“Oh, sure, he was the one landing the blows but it was my uncle that was pulling the strings. He was never as powerful as my father but he was a hay of a lot smarter. When I was little I would always catch him watching me. Around the age of seven I realized that my father was the fire but it was my uncle that was the gasoline. He would feed on my father’s doubts and fears of always remaining on the throne. It was easy to do considering that every demon around could tell how powerful I was even at an early age. I was also different.”
“Different how?”
I shrugged as if none of this bothered me. “I’m not blood thirsty. I don’t crave death. Don’t get me wrong I’ve never backed away from a fight but I have never craved the battle.”
“You clearly loathe your uncle and don’t get me wrong it’s justified, so why didn’t you kill him? I mean he did have a hand in every death of your loved ones including your mother’s.”
“Because it was him that built the maze. Your soothsayer made me a promise a long time ago to help me with getting my shell back. She told me then not to attack any of the under lords until I had my shell.” I rested my head on the back of the chair. “Now, she’s changed the rules again. I will never be able to exact my revenge.”
“Revenge is not everything.”
I rolled my eyes and almost told him maybe he should pick a different profession. Clearly, he wasn’t getting me. Then we talked more about my feelings. We broached the subject of my brother and how he had planned my death. Did I feel lonely? Ostracized? Well, no shirt, Sherlock. I had no family or friends. At one point, everyone I’d ever been close with either tried to kill me or died. Leaving me alone. I thought it was safe to say loneliness was a companion of mine.
In full on snark, I asked, “Not that I don’t like our little chats, but when do we get to focus on my shell?”
“We’re done,” he said. Tally stacked all his pads together and put them back in his briefcase, and a sickening feeling filled me to the brim. He was leaving. I wouldn’t let him know that somewhere throughout the last couple of weeks I’d grown attached, or that he was literally my first friend since I was six. I would wave him off and not shed a tear. I was good at saying goodbye.
“What do you mean ‘we’re done?�
�� You were supposed to help me retrieve my shell,” I shrieked.
“There’s that nasty temper. You’re also moody and a total smart aleck, but you have potential. There is enough good in you that might tip the scales in our favor.”
“Whoa. What are you talking about? Good will get me killed. It’s like a disease infecting my whole body. I need help with getting rid of my conscience, not talking about my stupid feelings. Feelings are for pansies.” I pumped my fist in the air. “I can say pansy! Hey, yeah. Now, in all seriousness, when are we going to call up creepy soothsayer and ask her for my dang shell?”
Tally’s green eyes twinkled with mischief. “Actually, she got in touch with me yesterday. She was waiting until everything aligned just right. I have been given permission to give you a gift.” He held up a hand. “Before you get all excited, it’s not your shell, but it will get you one step closer to retrieving it. So, go change into something less …” He wrinkled his nose at my all-leather outfit and crown. “… Demon Queen and perhaps find something quieter. Shoot for small, Southern-town attire.”
“I’m sorry. I threw out all of my knitted sweaters and overalls, so leather will have to do, and it’ll be a cold day down here before I remove my crown.” I felt a little bit of excitement and worry over venturing out. “Where are we going? I don’t know about leaving the throne unattended for too long. Everything right now is so unsettled.”
“We will be back before you know it.”
My eyebrows arched. “We?”
The fairy winked at me. “Oh, yes. I have a feeling you will need me to guide you on the right path for some time.”
“What path would that be? Talking about my feelings and being a good person? No, thanks.”
I would never tell Tally the truth … that I was happy I had someone to talk to. Someone who might stay around for a while.
I pulled on my black, high-heeled boots then stuffed a couple of daggers down in them for good measure. “Okay, I’m ready to go. Tell me where to take us.”
The fairy shook his head. “You look like a transvestite hooker.”
I cocked a hip out. “Like a well-paid hooker or one that just barely makes a living?”
He laughed as he gave me the directions to a small place on the outer banks of North Carolina. He was right; I was going to stick out like a sore thumb, but I was never one to turn down a gift.
I took in the little beach house where I had teleported us. This place held my gift? Surely, this was a joke. The house was tiny, but I guess one could say it was cozy, if you were into small homes, warm fires, and the smell of baked apple pie. It was pale blue with white shutters and had an ocean view, but other than that, I couldn’t see the appeal or why there was laughter coming from the inside. I mean, people who craved a homey atmosphere? Phew, such losers.
Tucking away my jealousy, I clambered up the steps.
“Knock on the door before any of the neighbors see us,” the fairy whispered in my ear.
“Don’t want to be caught with a hooker, I take it?” I mumbled, as I rang the doorbell. “You’d never make it as a politician.”
A beautiful brunette opened the door. She had big brown eyes and an all-American look to her. She was probably as sweet as the apple pie I smelled. There was something about her ... she had power, but what I was feeling from her was low-level. I guessed she was a witch. Her mouth dropped open as she looked from me to Tally.
Her voice was like molasses. “Hun, we have visitors.”
A man who appeared in his early twenties came strolling around the corner, wiping his hands on a dishrag. No wonder women across the nation bought all of those home and garden magazines, especially if this was what being domestic looked like. Ring that dishrag, baby. Holy amazeballs. He was six feet plus of pure awesome. His hair was so blond it was almost white, and his eyes were a startling shade of blue. He was magnificent, like right up there with unicorns dancing over rainbows magnificent. Looks aside, he was noteworthy just from the fact that I couldn’t get a read on his power level. He was definitely part of the supernatural club, but how powerful he was, I hadn’t a clue. His easy smile that was more beautiful than a thousand suns dropped as he studied the both of us. I wanted to boo but I contained myself.
His voice was clipped. “Can I help you?”
“May we come in?” Tally asked. The fine specimen started to say no, but Tally cut him off. “It’s important. Ariana sent us.”
There was recognition with the soothsayer’s name. The man’s eyes bounced back and forth between Tally and me before he nodded. “Show them in, Sarah.” His voice expelled no warmth.
The intriguing man and his beautiful girlfriend sat on the couch, as I chose a chair facing them. Tally sat on the arm of my chair.
The man asked, “Why are you here?”
That was a good question. I looked pointedly at Tally, waiting for the answer.
“Austin is your name, correct?” The man gave a terse nod. “Great.” Then he gave me a smile as he pointed at the man. “This is your gift.”
There was a lot of commotion after that sentence, as chaos erupted around us. Sarah started screeching at Austin about big decisions not being discussed as a couple, and how trust and communication was everything in a relationship. I tried not to barf on the wood floor while wondering what in the world was Tally’s game?
Chapter Five
Sarah glared. So much for being sweet as apple pie. She pointed a finger at me. “She looks like a meth head. I mean, are those sores on her arms? And is she even a she?”
Oh wow. I couldn’t believe she was making fun of my human body. Dude! Beggars can’t be choosers. Jeez.
The man shot daggers at me with his eyes while trying to calm down his hysterical girlfriend. “No, that’s a smoke demon. I’m guessing she has taken over some poor soul’s body,” he said, eyes drifting over my body, “because this body doesn’t seem to fit her well.”
Okay, that was it. I had had enough. “Well, first of all, you’d be partially correct, probably on all levels. Except for the girl being a dude thing. This body is for real a girl. And no, she wasn’t some poor soul.” I pointed at Sarah. “Mary, there, is correct. Becky, the body I’m currently housing, was on drugs but not meth in particular. The night she OD’d she left her two small children in some rat-infested apartment just to get her next fix. She would have sold them if she had thought about it or had the right connections. She was within thirty seconds of dying before I jumped into her body.”
Sarah leaned forward in her seat. “It’s Sarah, not Mary.”
“Yeah, so that’s what you got from all of that? The children, did you say? I called protective services and had the kids go stay with a loving grandparent. Trust me they will be better off, but thank you for asking of them. Your concern astounds me.”
Tally gave me thumbs up. What in the hay? He could probably jump in at any time and clear this up, but my suit-wearing shrink had a flare for theatrics.
Sarah was on a roll. She was so pissed her face was beet red. “He is not yours, demon whore!”
That was it. I was going to kill her. “Tally, I command you to let me cuss again. I’m going to need to use a few dirties as I’m creaming her face.”
Tally shook his head. “No.”
“What do you mean, no?” I hit my fist on the chair in frustration. “Son of a benching shirt-hole,” I snarled. “Do you hear that? That sounds utterly ridiculous.” Tally rolled his eyes. “Okay fine, I’ll just have to send her to the underworld with positivity and good thoughts as I’m pummeling her into the ground, but everyone in this room will know what I’m really wanting to say.”
Austin’s didn’t look worried in the least, as his head tilted in confusion. That was strange. He first glanced at Tally and then me. Popping my neck, I slowly started to stand, as Tally flew up and put his tiny body in front of mine, waving his arms.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Everybody settle down.” He straightened his bow tie. “Listen, the Queen of Demon
s has a lot of good qualities, but managing her anger is not one of them. Please be mindful of how you speak to her.”
Well, that grabbed everyone’s attention. The man studied me with interest. “You are the queen?”
“Darn skippy. The one and only. You can bow now, monkeysmukers, and while you’re there—”
“And,” Tally quickly interrupted me, “we are here because you, Austin, can help the queen retrieve her true shell.”
Oh, so this was the guy I had heard rumors about. A couple of months ago, my path had crossed with the soothsayer, and she had said someone named Austin might be able to help me with what my heart desired.
Ugh. Mary was talking again. “Why would he do that?” she scoffed. “To make a demon more powerful? I think not.”
I ignored her as I observed Austin. Could this be who the soothsayer was talking about? I doubted it. Yes, this male was strong, masculine, hot as hades, but he wasn’t radiating power, and if I was going to get my shell back, I needed someone oozing with power.
Tally said, “Austin, I think you’ll find it in your best interest to help the queen because if you do her this favor, she will be indebted to do one for you.”
“Whoa! I think your suspenders are too tight. Don’t put words in my mouth, little man.”
It was Tally’s turn to glare. “Do you want your original form back or not? Think about it. You would never be forced to inhabit another body again.”
He had me at ‘original form’, but I just made a carry-on motion instead. I was a queen and shirt. This was me being blasé about the whole thing.
Austin crossed his arms in front of his body. “And what could I possibly need from a demon?”
Tally smiled like he knew he had already won whatever game it was he played. “The most powerful demon to ever live would help you secure the key.”
The Demon Queen Page 3