The Devil's Masquerade: The Poison

by Jennifer Loren

  When I am done I wrap my arms around her and hold her against my chest. “You’re forgiven, my forever love.” I smile.

  Chapter 10

  Nick

  My mind is not exactly on work these days. Of the time I have left, rather the time Savage has allowed me to have left, I am doing everything I can to take care of business before I must leave it behind. Everything seems to be going smoothly, too smoothly. I haven’t had issues in weeks, and I usually have issues of some kind every hour. When a new man meets Terrence and me for an exchange at customs, I back up, ready to have him torn apart, but the man handles the routine just as if Nolan was handling it himself.

  “Who are you?” I ask.

  “My name is Seth. I am your humble servant as directed to be,” he says, never bothering to look away from the tops of his shoes. I motion for him to continue while Terrence looks my way with a shrug.

  Savage. Damn him. I haven’t heard from Nolan Pickard since … since I ran into Adair at the warehouse. Taking out my phone, I dial quickly and wait through several rings before his voicemail picks up. Pickard is my most nervous informant. He rarely waits for a single ring before answering, and now he lets it go to voicemail? My body begins to tense, but there is nothing more I can do at the moment, so I call Dwayne and have him check it out. Within the hour, Dwayne verifies that Pickard died of a heart attack a few days ago. Savage never leaves any stone unturned and certainly never leaves anyone alive that can verify his existence. Pickard would’ve never said a word; the man was too paranoid to ever say anything. Dwayne says the fear in the man’s expression was so extreme that it was etched deep into the flesh on his face. Savage made a promise to me, and now he has broken it.

  My fears are set aside as I pull up to Savage’s home. Rabbie greets me with a simple nod as I walk up the stairs to the door. There’s apparently no surprise that I am here. Savage’s smile as I walk in the room is unnerving. “Nicholas, joining me for lunch today?”

  “Not exactly. I want to know why you killed Pickard. There was no reason to kill him; he would’ve never talked.”

  “I think you’ll enjoy this lunch today, Nicholas. I had my favorite chef come by and make it special, just for us,” Savage says, ignoring my anger.

  “I don’t want to have lunch. I want what you promised me! You said you would stay away from my business and leave my people alone.”

  Savage sits, sighing, “He was trouble. He knew way too much. I refuse to justify my actions to you, Nicholas. I did what I had to do to protect you and protect our family. I don’t understand why you can’t see that.”

  “Pickard was way too nervous, too scared, to say a word to anyone. He was no threat to us. If you would have talked to me about it beforehand, I could’ve explained that to you.” My strong stance against him does not go over well.

  “I am only going to say this once, so listen to me carefully Nicholas. I take orders from no one. I allow people to live when I want them to live; otherwise, I will deal with them as I see necessary. If they threaten us in any way, they will die. I don’t care who they are or who they are to you. Sit down, Nicholas, have some lunch and relax. Don’t worry about your man, I have already found you another. Seth is a much better servant for you. He will do as asked without question and will gladly slit his own throat before talking to the police.” No matter what I say, he ignores me as if I have no power. And I don’t. I have no power, no leverage against him at all.

  “I don’t know how I can trust you if you don’t involve me in your decision making, especially on decisions that involve my business.” Rabbie continues trying to give me a napkin and urging me to sit. Fed up with the foolishness, I knock him backwards off his feet. “I don’t want to have lunch!”

  Savage stands with anger swirling in his eyes, “Nicholas! For the last time, you sit down and you have lunch, quietly and respectfully. Then, we can discuss business. I do not discuss anything based on demands and anger with anyone.” He motions for me to sit again as he sits. I do so with so much frustration and anger that I am numb to everything around me. Rabbie is back up, touching me up with a napkin and setting up food and drink in front of me like I never touched him, but the rapidly growing knot on his head and the blood on his arm says otherwise. “Eat Nicholas. Don’t waste this great meal because you are angry with me.” I pick up a fork and shove food into my mouth, but feel no better about the situation.

  “So can we talk now?” I ask him after a few bites.

  “Very well,” he sighs, “but I have to say, you are quite exhausting. What is it that you want to discuss?”

  “I want to discuss what you want from me? What is it that you are planning to have me do?”

  “It’s simple. I plan on you taking over the position that your father should have taken years ago, my next in command as most would say. You will be in charge of all that is a part of our family.”

  “And how does my family fit into this plan?” My question seems to catch him off guard. “You can’t possibly think I am going to leave them behind?”

  “Of course not.” He smiles wide. “I welcome dear Kayla and your sons with open arms. They are now as much a part of this family as we are.”

  “And you will leave my people alone? All the people that work for me will be allowed to handle my business with no problems from you or from anyone that works for you?”

  “That works for us, Nicholas. And I guarantee they will have no problems from us for as long as you say they are important to you.”

  I nod, looking him in the eye and choose to believe him. What choice do I have? We discuss more of what my duties will be and how I will be introduced as his grandson, and heir to everything that is Dennis Savage, or Asmodeus, the head devil in disguise. The opportunity will come with responsibilities that sound ridiculous, but from the serious expression on his face, I assume that ridiculousness is real. “So, I am what… a judge of people’s souls?” I laugh.

  “Yes, at least of the ones that are presented to our realm. The rest are judged by others in their own realms. Ours happens to be the most powerful and the most unforgiving.”

  “Wonderful, can’t wait,” I say, rolling my eyes.

  “The sarcasm is not appreciated, Nicholas. You need to take this seriously or risk being challenged by some of the other Lords. Any of them would love to tear our family down and take over. Power is just as desired in our world as it is here.”

  I stop myself from sighing as he eyes me carefully. He seems to be waiting for me to say something, but I have nothing that doesn’t sound sarcastic. Oh, what the hell. “Do I get to call you grandpa?” I laugh, but he doesn’t. I guess not.

  Lunch with Savage was bitter, and I’m beginning to understand what role I am going to be taking on when I join him, a role I am not anxious to have. My only way out of all this is to take him out. So again, I sit in the chair, tethered to this machine, waiting to give the signal for Eddie to release the current. I close my eyes and breathe before lifting my hand, signaling go. I feel as if my skin is going to bleed as my heart thumps and begins to speed. The moment my heart starts to rumble at full-speed, the heat begins to transfer energy past the tips of my fingers, beyond the tips of my toes, and on into my bones where the pain seizes me. When it’s all over, I look up, eyeing my men as they wait to attack me. They are not anxious, but they do as I ask and come at me with full force. Except now, unlike before, no one can get within three feet of me. I need to find a way to help them more. I need to up the power and push my heart even further, giving them a better chance at fighting me.

  When I get home, Brayden demands my attention first, as usual. Even though he resembles his mother, he has similar mannerisms to myself, including speaking only when it’s necessary, which is hardly ever. We thought, at first, it was because he has been so sick. It wasn’t long before I realized that he is only paying attention, taking in everything around him, and understanding things most children more than three times his age don’t understand. While Nicky i
s strong, intelligent, and more than willing to take on anything twice his size, my warrior, Brayden is my silent assassin. Brayden will study your weaknesses first and then use them against you. Tonight, he seems to be a little feverish and wanting just to be held and comforted. Once I give Brayden his desired attention, Nicky is not far behind, nearly vibrating with anticipation to tell me all about his day. “How was your day, my little man?” I say with a smile, knowing that is exactly what he has been waiting for.

  Nicky instantly begins telling me all about what happened at school today: the girls talking to him, some of the boys trying to bully him, and all about how he handled it in the perfect Jayzon manner. “And then Daddy, I just said, you can’t make me do anything. I will only do what I want. Then, they left me alone, and this one boy came up to me and said he wants to be my best friend. And I told him if that’s what he wants, then that’s fine with me. His name is Oscar, he’s funny. He told the teacher that he didn’t have his homework because he thought the teacher was working too hard and should not have to grade his homework too.” Nicky laughs and Brayden follows, seemingly understanding what his brother is trying to say.

  “Wow! That sounds like somebody else’s best friend, or at least something that he would try to pull.” Kayla smirks. I lean back in my chair and smile, refusing to respond. “How is our friend these days?” she asks.

  “Well it sounds like Oscar is doing just fine, Princess.” Her laugh makes me smile wider, and I can’t fight my desire to kiss her. “I just saw him today, he is his usual Eli self.”

  “That bad huh? I thought he was moving?”

  “You know Eli… he changes his mind with the wind most days.”

  “He changed his mind, or did someone or something change his mind?” Kayla asks while the boys play with their food and pretend they are eating more than they are.

  “Boys, stop playing, and eat your food,” I say, ignoring Kayla’s accusation. Thankfully, she drops it, and we move on with our night in the living area as a family, a normal, loving family.

  Nicky drags his game with him as he curls up next to me, and Brayden makes himself comfortable in my lap. Kayla eases in on my other side with a book in hand, and suddenly, I forget who I am and become simply a man. A father. A husband. All that I want to be. Taking in the moment, I smell Kayla’s hair, watch Nicky’s bright eyes as he laughs, and feel the soft, warm beat of Brayden’s heart as he sleeps against my chest. This is who I want to be, what I want forever, to be forever in love.

  All of my enjoyment is quickly ruined when Savage calls. You can’t ignore him as I have found out; he will find a way to get to you. I leave my family and step outside to take the call. “What do you need? You’re interrupting my night, with my family.”

  “Nicholas, I should tell you that I think our warm greetings could be greatly improved. For now, let’s work on introducing you to the right people. I need you to accompany me to a party tomorrow night,” he says.

  “I don’t work for you yet. You said I have time to work on changing over my own business.”

  “It is just a party, Nicholas, not work. I want to show you off to some friends, you’re my grandson. I am proud of you. Allow me a moment of being the proud grandfather? Bring your family, let me show off my great grandson, too.”

  “Great grandsons… with an “s.” I have two sons, remember?”

  “Yes, of course. I misspoke; don’t hold my aged mind against me. Come on Nicholas, allow me the chance to practice being a grandfather for one night. Allow me this, and I will owe you.”

  “You will owe me?” I ask to make it clear.

  “Yes, yes, whatever you want,” he sighs.

  “Fine. Where and what time?”

  “Wonderful!” he exclaims, joyfully. “I will send a car for you at seven,” he says, hanging up almost instantly.

  Savage sent some extravagant jewelry over for Kayla to wear tonight and a car to pick us all up by seven. I hate everything about this, but I go anyway, trying to ease any tension between us and maybe gaining some trust with the old man. For some damn reason, I want him to owe me, not that I fully trust that he would ever honor his word. We go through the night with Brayden in my arms and Nicky holding tight to mine and his mother’s hands. My grandfather, as I am asked to refer to him, introduces me to one odd being after another. I don’t know where these so called people came from, but I hope I don’t have to deal with them much, or at all, in the future.

  “Nicky, come here,” Savage says, holding out his hand to him. Neither Kayla nor I want to let him go; however, he lets us go and walks bravely to Savage, taking his hand. Savage smiles wide and picks him up in his arms. My blood begins to heat up. “And this is my great grandson, Nicky. He is a sure General in the making.” I can barely contain myself when Kayla rests her head against me and Brayden presses his little hand on my face with an innocent giggle. As always, Kayla, calms me.

  “Nice to meet you, sir.” Nicky says, shaking an elderly gentleman’s hand and causing everyone to laugh and enjoy the sweet moment. Even my tough as nails grandfather laughs joyfully, and Rabbie nods with a smile towards him.

  For a brief moment, I feel good; however, the moment passes, and I sense something else coming our way. I grab Nicky and hand him and Brayden to Kayla before stepping in front of them and watching everyone around us flee when two men come running at us with dark-age styled blades. They get no closer than another step once I spot them. Down on their knees, they surrender to death, and I take a deep inhale before exhaling even greater.

  Savage turns towards me with a slight nod. “They were after me Nicholas. I rarely need the help, but thank you for the support.”

  When I turn to Kayla and the boys, she is shielding them from the scene and shaking in fear.

  “Take your family home, Nicholas, I will take care of everything here,” Savage says.

  “Is this what I have to look forward to?” I ask.

  “Is your way of life any easier? There is always someone who wants to cut you down, and even more so when you are the one closer to the top. You know this as well as I. I believe you have battled before for members of your family … have you not?”

  I really don’t want to say anything to him, but I reply anyway. “I have, but nothing like this.”

  “Nothing like what? If someone wants to kill you or your family, does it matter who they are, or where they come from, or even why? I don’t think it does, Nicholas because either way, you are going to do all you can to get them first. Just like you have always done.”

  He stares at me as if he knows every moment of my life and has an argument for anything I might say. One thing I have learned over the years is that some arguments just aren’t worth having with people who don’t care to understand your point of view. “I am taking my family home now,” I say, picking Nicky up and wrapping my arm around Kayla as she carries Brayden and safely leading them to our awaiting car.

  The boys, thankfully, saw nothing and are completely unaware of what happened. They both happily fall asleep in their beds. Kayla, however, saw everything, and falls into my arms in hysterical tears.

  “I’m sorry Nick. I didn’t want you to know how scared I was but …”

  I scoop her up, trying to quiet her cries and kiss her tears away. “No one is ever going to hurt you, Princess. Anyone that tries will have to deal with me. No matter where you are, or what I am doing, I will come running to protect you. I will come running for you whenever you need me. Just call my name.” I lay her down next to me and wrap my arms around her, promising, to my death, to protect her and our sons.

  Chapter 11

  Nick

  After last night, I feel as though I have no choice but to do everything in my power to become stronger. I sit in my father’s chair with the power moved up by ten, not something that anyone else is happy with, but I don’t care what they want. I have to be able to protect my family to the best of my abilities, and I am determined to have those abilities heightened as fa
st as possible.

  “Eddie, now,” I say, waiting as he silently argues with me. “Now Eddie!” He curses me, but finally does as I ask. The steel pain shooting through me is hard to take without screaming, and before long, I can do nothing but scream. Ryan runs at me in fear, but I fight his attempts to release me until he finally curses at me and stomps away. Once it’s over, I demand them to come at me. “Don’t hesitate, force me to recover!” Brady slams me backwards and Bo strikes me hard before Dwayne comes at me and grabs me by the collar. He holds me up, ready to slam me on the ground. Hitting the ground hard, I grimace, trying to move before Dwayne can strike me again, but I have nothing left to keep him from doing it.

  “Stop! Put him down, Dwayne. Nick, are you out of your damn mind!” Elijah screams before grabbing my shirt and shaking me. “Stop this now Nick! There has to be another way.”

  “There isn’t Eli.” I choke out at him.

  “How do you know? How do you know there isn’t an answer somewhere? Have you been through everything? Have you studied Savage completely, talked to everyone that could possibly have information to help?” I have nothing to say, not that I have any energy to say it even if I did. “You know you haven’t! You ran straight for the one answer you had. You haven’t checked every solution. I know you are short on time, but you do still have time.”

  “Do I Eli? Do I still have time to protect my family? How do you know? Because Savage says he is giving me a numbered amount of days? Since when is he to be trusted?” I ask, but he has no response.

  “Nick, do you even know what the chair is for, what its purpose is at all? All this information and your Dad never said why. He never explained why he built it? You say it is to make you stronger. Okay, I can see that, but make you stronger for what? For Savage? Or for something else? Maybe it is for something else, and these attempts to push yourself are for nothing. Maybe you have already surpassed what you need? You say your strength is coming from this machine, but I think you are getting stronger just by practicing, just by learning to focus. I don’t know why you need this machine. You don’t need to torture yourself in order to accomplish what you want,” Elijah emphasizes, looking down and into my eyes for the first time in a long time. I am too exhausted to argue with him, so I simply close my eyes and shake my head. “You spent a long time denying who you are Nick. It is only just now that you are facing it head on, so of course you are getting stronger.”