“What happened there?” Rafe asked.
Yara released a shaky breath. “I’m afraid I am responsible for that.”
My eyes popped. “You?”
“I went directly there from Faerie. I was trying to devise a plan before I revealed my return. I waited too long and word got out. My father and his army came searching for me.”
“Why would they do that to those innocent demons?” I asked.
“As a message to the rest of the realm,” Yara said. “My father rules with a firm hand. He blamed everyone in the village for failing to report my safe return. He felt that they hadn’t shown appropriate loyalty to the crown. He put a dagger through the head of the village chief.”
Rafe frowned. “Yet he spared you?”
“I told him that I was afraid that he didn’t want to see me,” Yara said. “That he would have taken my absence as self-imposed exile rather than imprisonment.”
“Well,” I said, “it did start out that way.” Yara had left the Nether with other greater demons when the king began exerting too much power. They’d ended up trapped in Faerie for many years until Rafe, Liesel, and I arrived and devised a plan to send them home.
“I needed my father to believe that I was contrite,” she said. “That I had seen the error of my ways.”
“Seems like it worked,” Rafe said. “You’re here in the palace.”
Her face grew solemn. “Nothing has come without a price. I now work from within the palace walls to stay his hand. He seems more willing to listen to me now.”
I swallowed hard. “And my father?”
“Not here at present, I’m afraid,” she said. “He’s been sent to other parts of the realm to calm tensions there. I’d told you about factions forming.” She shook her head in sorrow. “They’ve only grown worse since my departure.”
“Did you tell him about me?” I asked.
“I haven’t had the chance,” Yara said. “If you would like me to, I will.”
I nodded. “I think he should know about me.”
“Only if I can keep it secret from the rest of the palace,” Yara said. “Otherwise you will be hunted by my father’s assassins, of that I am certain.”
“So what’s your plan now?” Rafe asked. “Work to overthrow your father right under his roof?”
“I am hoping to appeal to his better nature,” she said.
“If the village is any indication,” I said, “he doesn’t have a better nature.”
She pursed her lips. “That is my worry. He has become what all demons are said to be. A pity that his greatness has become so tarnished by fear and greed.”
I looked down at the ground and noticed a trail of ants along the concrete and on the nearby bench. I shifted my feet and tried not to step on any.
“I think you have an infestation,” I said. “Maybe they’re partial to the roses.”
“These are no mere ants,” Yara explained. “They were once greater demons like us. Their misdeeds altered them into the creatures you see now.”
I stared at the tiny moving creatures below. “What kind of misdeeds turn you into demon ants?” I asked.
“They disobeyed the king,” Yara said.
“In that case, they received a better fate than the demons we met in the decimated village,” Rafe said.
“Do not be so certain,” Yara said. “These creatures are considered the lowest of the low. Their souls are trapped within and here they must remain.”
“Better than death,” I said.
Yara arched a gray eyebrow. “You presume much, child.”
I fell silent.
“Many demons are still on the wheel of reincarnation,” Yara said. “Their goal is to earn their way off the wheel. To do the work that’s required so they may enjoy a final death.”
“What about half demons?” I asked. “Does that mean only half of us gets reincarnated?” I paused. “I feel like there’s a joke in there somewhere.”
“You are also on the wheel,” Yara said. “Though you may not have been demonspawn in your previous iterations.”
“How do we know if we’re still being reincarnated so that we can earn our way off?” I asked.
“You are a young soul,” Yara said. “You have many trips around the circle yet to come.”
“How can you tell?” I asked.
Yara observed me and I saw the warmth reflected in her gray eyes. “We all have our skills, Cassia. This is one of mine.”
“What happens if these guys earn their way off the wheel?” I asked. And how did they earn anything in ant form?
“They won’t be restored to their demon forms,” Yara warned.
“Then what will happen to them?” Rafe asked.
“Freedom,” she said. “Liberation. The chance to move on forever from the hell they’ve been trapped in.”
“What if they’d rather remain ants than nothing at all?” I asked.
Yara glanced down at the procession of ants. “Trust me, Cassia. There is none among them that prefers that fate.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Come, come. You are most welcome in the guest wing,” Du said. After enjoying a snack with Yara, the chamberlain insisted on showing us to our rooms. “The king’s only request is that you avoid the south wing. No one is permitted entry there except the king himself.”
“We’re grateful for the king’s hospitality,” I said.
We climbed a set of rocky, uneven steps and followed him down a long hall. He stopped in front of the first chamber on the left.
“You should have everything you need here,” he said. “If you find yourself lacking anything at all, you need only ask by ringing this bell.” He motioned to a gold bell on the nightstand.
“Where is Rafe’s room?” I asked.
“In the adjoining room,” Du said. “There’s a connecting door between them.”
“Perfect, thank you so much,” I said.
Rafe disappeared down the hall with Du and reappeared in my room a few minutes later via the adjoining door.
“Well, that’s handy for sneaking,” he said with a sly grin.
“And why are we sneaking?” I asked. “This isn’t the academy.”
He kissed me. “No, thank the gods. I probably wouldn’t be allowed to breathe the same air as you under the Elders’ watchful eyes.”
I laughed. “Don’t be so hard on them, especially the ones you haven’t even met yet.”
His arms encircled my waist. “I like that you used the word yet.”
“I’m worried about Yara,” I said.
“I’m more worried about us,” he replied. “Now that we’re guests, we need to operate at the king’s speed. Who knows when we’ll get our chance to ask about Luke?”
“Yara knows the urgency of the situation,” I said. “I know the king will see us soon.”
I migrated to the end table and picked up a book filled with unfamiliar symbols and descriptions. I flipped it open to the middle and tried to interpret the page.
“This seems like complete gibberish,” I said.
A knock on the door interrupted us and a servant poked his horned head into the room. “The king requests your presence in the throne room.”
“Now?” I asked.
“Generally when the king makes a request, he means now.” The servant maintained a neutral expression.
I set aside the book. “Do I need to bring anything?” Instinctively, I thought of the sword still sheathed on my back.
When Rafe started forward, the servant held up a hand. “The king only asked for the lady.”
Rafe seemed uncomfortable with the request, but there was nothing to do except comply.
“It will be okay,” I said, and blew him a kiss.
I followed the servant down two flights of stairs and we passed through a gallery overloaded with portraits of demons past. The largest one in the center of the wall made me shudder. I had no doubt this was an image of the current king. His hair was the color of midnight and hi
s lip was curled in a cruel smile. He sat astride an enormous woolly beast with curved tusks that reminded me of a mammoth from the human history books in the library. The eyes told me this was no mammoth. They glowed a fiery orange and the beast wore battle armor that matched the king’s. The king gripped a heavy mace in one hand and a rope in the other.
The servant stopped and turned when he realized I’d paused. “I see you’re admiring the king upon his trusty steed. You’re not alone in that, miss. Many stop to gaze upon such an impressive sight.”
Impressive wasn’t the word I would’ve used, but I thought it best not to argue.
“Why does he have a lasso?” I asked. I pictured him trying to catch the shades that attempted to flee their fate like a cowboy in a rodeo.
“Oh, that isn’t a lasso, miss. That’s a noose.” He turned to continue through the gallery and I stayed close to his heels. I wouldn’t want to get left behind and encounter any ‘trusty steeds.’
My palms began to sweat as we reached the throne room. The name was far humbler than its appearance suggested. I’d imagined a dark and dingy room where the king presided over the greater demons and passed judgment on the dead. A somber place. The throne room was far from somber. The ceiling sparkled with dots of white light and the floor was as smooth as glass. The silver throne glittered on a raised platform made of the blackest marble. Atop the throne sat the king himself, imposing in a black and silver robe with a thick fur collar. Around his neck he wore a garland of bones and in his hand was a black and silver staff with a blue star on the handle. His coppery eyes seemed to stare into my very soul. In some ways, he seemed younger than his daughter and I wondered whether Yara’s years in Faerie had negatively impacted her. Faerie was known as a place where time slowed, but maybe not for demons.
Du waited in a shadowy corner of the throne room. “Your Majesty, may I present Cassia?” Du bowed and I followed suit, sure to keep my head down because I was afraid to look into those eyes again.
“You may rise, Cassia.” The king remained seated. “I have been so intrigued by you ever since Yara told me what happened in Faerie. I am in your debt for sending my child back to me. It doesn’t matter how old your children get, they are still your flesh and blood.”
“It was the right thing to do,” I said, lifting my gaze. Two winged monkeys sat perfectly still on either side of the throne. For a brief moment, I thought they were statues. Their dark brindle bodies nearly blended with the marble platform. The monkeys watched me with interest. “They didn’t deserve to be trapped in Faerie and hunted like lesser creatures.”
“Certainly not. It has taken all my resolve not to march on Faerie myself for such an egregious act. Yara says you are in need of a favor. Given the favor you did for me, it would be my pleasure to help you.”
Inwardly, I sighed with relief. “I understand you’re in charge of deciding the fate of any shades that pass through the Nether.”
“One of my many duties, yes,” the king said. It was hard to believe this demon was the same ruthless ruler that decimated the village in such a spectacularly cruel fashion. His royal appearance aside, he seemed almost…normal.
“The king has appointed times for judgment,” Du interjected. “In fact, he has an incoming shade now.”
The king slapped his hands on the arms of the throne. “What a perfect opportunity. Would you like to observe the proceedings?”
A lump formed in my throat. It seemed awful to witness someone’s judgment. It wasn’t entertainment, at least not to me. I turned at the sound of footsteps. A shade entered the room, accompanied by two guards. The demon seemed to be made of flesh and bone, except for the fact that he shimmered as he walked, a subtle sign of his transparency.
“Jareld, son of Nepp and Glacia.” The king’s voice seemed an octave deeper than when he addressed me. “The time for judgment has arrived.”
The shade wept and dropped to his knees. “Mercy, I beg you. I didn’t mean…”
The monkeys hooted and hollered.
“Silence,” the king said. “This is my time to speak.”
I was horrified to see that the shade’s mouth had disappeared.
The king rose to his feet. “Du, please deliver our shade’s record.”
The chamberlain cleared his throat. “Jareld’s fate is to return to the wheel, Your Majesty. He has not yet earned his release.”
The shade whipped toward Du. “What does that mean? Will it be eternal damnation?”
“That depends on your definition,” the king said. “You shall return to a new life and the chance to redeem yourself once again.”
The shade blinked. “You mean I return to my life? To my family?”
“No, Jareld,” said the king. “A new life.” He flicked his fingers and the shade dissipated. The chamberlain scribbled a note in his ledger.
“Where did he go?” I asked.
“To start another journey,” the king replied. His mouth twitched. “This time as a dung beetle.”
“There’s a shade named Luke Grant…He might still be awaiting judgment,” I said.
Du flipped through his notes. “Yes, indeed. I have him scheduled for two days from now.”
“Would it be possible for me to speak with him now, before you…judge him?”
“You came all the way here from the mortal realm to ask questions of a shade in my custody?” The king leaned forward. “What could be so important to have prompted such a journey?”
I told the king about the gray market and mentioned the book that listed the names of other demon hybrids. I omitted any reference to the academy.
“He was selling his own kind?” The king seemed appalled by this, which I found fascinating considering what he was willing to do to his own subjects. Demons were as complex as humans, it seemed.
“Children,” I emphasized.
“On behalf of my daughter, I grant you this favor,” the king said. “Bring us the shade of Luke Grant.”
“Already on his way, Your Majesty,” Du said.
Luke’s shade shuffled into the throne room a minute later. He took one look at me and balked. “You are the reason I’m here!”
“I think you’ll find you are the reason you’re here,” I said.
“This young lady has questions for you,” the king said. “I command you to answer them.”
Luke raised his chin. “I have no incentive to speak with you.” He turned to the guards. “Take me back.”
“Ingrate!” the king boomed, and the monkeys howled.
“I can offer you leniency,” I said. The words tumbled from my mouth before I could stop them. I glanced at the king, who nodded. He didn’t look pleased with Luke’s attitude.
“What degree of leniency?” Luke asked.
He was so despicable, I hated to give him any wiggle room whatsoever, but I had no choice. He was the key and this would be my only chance to unlock his secrets.
“You won’t return as a dung beetle,” I blurted.
The king chuckled. “He was earmarked for something worse, but you’re on the right track.”
Luke visibly swallowed. “I want to come back as a demon again. Those are my terms.”
The king’s eyes turned to slits. “Let’s not get too greedy, shade. This is my domain. I have the final authority here.”
Luke’s jaw tightened. “I come back as a demon or I’m not answering any questions. The truth will die with me.”
I couldn’t let that happen. I implored the king with a desperate look.
“I will allow you to return as a demon this time,” the king said. “But you must work to improve yourself in the next life or you will not be pleased with your ride on the wheel after that.”
Luke squared his shoulders, appearing pleased with the outcome of his negotiation. I hated that he had such a crucial bargaining chip. I’d never met anyone more despicable.
“Tell me who hired you to steal the book,” I said.
“One of the nephilim,” Luke said. “A
Watcher by the name of Jessup.”
I reeled. “You’re lying.” I realized my hands were trembling and pressed them against my sides in an effort to still them.
“Shades cannot lie,” the king said. “Honesty is one of the consequences of death.”
I gaped at Luke. “Jessup sought you out?”
Luke nodded. “He’d been assigned to find someone capable of sourcing the book and delivering it to him.”
“Did he say why?” I asked. “What did he intend to do with it?”
Luke sneered. “The success of my business hinged on confidentiality. I didn’t ask questions unless they directly pertained to the task at hand.”
“And you outsourced the job to Mephisto?” I asked.
“It’s my usual way,” Luke said. “I try to maintain at least one layer between the job and me. A cushion, if you will, much like the mortal realm between here and Dominion.” Luke grinned at the king. “You understand, don’t you, Your Majesty?”
I didn’t like to be reminded of the king’s alleged plans for expansion. It made me feel guilty for aligning myself with him now. On the other hand, I wasn’t really on his side. I just needed him to grant me this favor.
“How much did the Watcher pay you?” I asked.
“A tidy sum of gold coins,” Luke said. “Not that they’re much good to me now. A pity.”
“If he paid you to steal the book, then why did you still have it?”
“I fully planned to hand it over, until I realized what a gold mine I possessed if I could only open the blasted thing.” Luke addressed the king. “It was an ideal addition to my growing empire. A list of young demonspawn and their abilities already catalogued.” He tilted his head upward, as though imagining the possibilities. “The sky’s the limit.”
“Good thing you weren’t able to open it,” I said.
“The best wards I’ve ever come across,” Luke admitted. “I tried the most powerful witches and wizards I knew. No one could access the contents of the book. That’s why I kept it with me. I knew that eventually, if I was patient, I’d find someone who could.”
“And what did you tell the Watcher?”
Demonspawn Academy: Trial Two Page 16