Les Gris - TI4

by Heckrotte, Fran

  "I seek information and possibly your help."

  Motioning for her to sit, he then followed suit. Crossing his legs, he leaned back and interlocked his fingers on his lap.

  "It must be very serious for you to bring an uninvited guest into my world," he replied, his voice cooling slightly.

  "Uninvi–"

  Before she could finish, the Child appeared next to her.

  "I told you to wait!" Lilith growled, her voice shaking with anger.

  Intunecat watched the two demonesses, intrigued at the raw energy bouncing around them. Both were forces to be reckoned with, at least in the mortal world. In his, they were powerful, but harmless.

  "I don't have time for manners, Mother."

  "Then you will make it!" Lilith hissed. "You may defy your father and others, but you will find I am neither so tolerant, nor understanding. Now, leave this place or..."

  "Let her speak, Lilith. It must be extremely important for her to come here in such a manner. Sit! Tell me what brings you here, Caelene. It is Caelene, is it not?"

  Doing as she was instructed, the Child's eyes roamed up and down her host. Tall and slender, she could barely make out his features in the darkness. It was disconcerting.

  "You're not what I expected," she observed, leaning forward for a better look.

  "What did you expect?"

  Caelene wasn't sure. She had touched his mind once before when he had guided her out of the Netherworld, but the act had never given her a clear image of its owner. Even now, sitting just a few feet away, his face was shadowed by the darkness and she wondered why she could see the rest of him so clearly and not his features.

  "What I look like serves you no purpose," Intunecat said, startling her. The idea of him reading her thoughts was unnerving. "You seem surprised. Our minds once touched. Now that you are in my world, the link is strong. I caught a few mental images from you when you crossed the barrier."

  "Then you know why I'm here."

  "Yes. You search for Shadows."

  "Shadows? I search for only one shadow; mine."

  "So you say."

  "Why do you say that?"

  "Why come here?" he countered. "This is the land of darkness, not shadows. Besides, nothing exists in this world that I don't know about."

  "Even you, Intunecat, don't know everything. No one knows everything."

  Intunecat thought about the black balls. The Child was right. He didn't know everything.

  "Perhaps, but I do know this. What you seek isn't here. I know what comes and goes in my realm."

  "Then do you know where else I can look?"

  The dark spirit bowed his head and stared at his hands. It was true the Child wasn't his responsibility but his fondness for Lilith tugged at his conscience. Blood was blood. Reaching a decision, he looked first at Caelene, then focused his gaze on Lilith's face.

  "If I help your child, there will be a price to pay."

  Lilith nodded. There was always a price to pay, even amongst friends. That was life.

  The Child glanced at her mother's face and then at the shadowy image of Intunecat. To be in debt to anyone was an unpleasant thought. Being in debt to these two made her skin crawl for they had the power to collect what was owed.

  "Do I have any say in this?" she asked sarcastically.

  "No!" Lilith replied, her voice only hinting at the anger she was feeling. She was still furious Caelene had so blatantly ignored her initial order to stay behind. "You came to me asking for help. You disobeyed my order to stay behind, and you arrogantly entered Intunecat's world without being invited. Already, you are indebted to us. I recommend you not make your situation any worse by being stupid."

  The harshness of the reprimand not only stunned Caelene but was a warning for her to tread softly – for now. If she was going to get their help, she needed a more submissive attitude. It didn't make her happy but she had no choice at the moment.

  "I'm yours to command," she replied, bowing her head submissively.

  Amused, Intunecat made eye contact with Lilith, expecting to see a softening as she stared at the top of her daughter's head. Instead he was surprised. Her black eyes blazed, reflecting the full fury of the fires of Underworld. Arching an eyebrow, he held her gaze until the flames cooled and then nodded his approval. This wasn't the time or place for anger.

  "What do you recommend?" Lilith asked, acknowledging Intunecat's nod with a slight smile.

  "For a start, I must know everything that Caelene can remember since her arrival."

  Turning to the Child, he waited for her to begin.

  "What do you mean by everything?" she asked, hesitantly. Her plans to de-throne Dis had begun. If Lilith knew about them, she would surely inform her father.

  "I'm not interested in your personal life or plans. Those I already know and they are of no interest to me."

  Caelene shifted uncomfortably and glanced nervously at Lilith. Her mother's face remained expressionless, giving away nothing of her own thoughts.

  "Alright. Ever since I escaped from the Netherworld, I have felt..." The Child hesitated, searching for the right word. "Incomplete. At first I thought it was just the aftereffects of being away for so long and that it would soon pass. It hasn't and each day I feel myself disappearing."

  "Disappearing?"

  "Yes. It's as if I am losing myself. I don't know how else to explain it."

  Caelene went on to explain what Nybbas had told her. Neither Lilith nor Intunecat interrupted her. When she had finished, an eerie silence settled across the realm as if waiting for its master to speak.

  * * *

  Intunecat had long been aware of the Shadow People and their fear of a demon that was rumored to wander the darkness in search of their essence. He had always thought this particular demon may have been the product of overactive minds. It was even possible that they had sensed Intunecat's presence whenever he wandered through the mortal world and attributed their losses to him. Since they were immune to his influence, he tended to ignore them. Perhaps that had been a mistake.

  Lilith and Caelene watched Intunecat's motionless figure. Both understood the need to remain quiet while the Dark One contemplated the situation. For Lilith, patience was easy. She had learned long ago that it paid off. Caelene, however, was different. Having been locked in the Netherworld for so long, she now wanted instant gratification. Shifting impatiently, she glanced at her mother and instantly recognized the smoldering anger in Lilith's gaze. Ignoring Lilith's orders could cost her dearly once her problem was resolved. Caelene would deal with the unspoken promise when the time came.

  Aware of the tension between the two demonesses, Intunecat pretended to clear his throat.

  "I have come across Shadow People from time to time, although I have only a limited knowledge of their ways. Let me investigate this further. If I find something of value, I'll let you know," he promised.

  As much as she wanted to, Caelene knew better than to push him or Lilith any further; that he was willing to help would have to suffice. Standing, she thanked him and vanished.

  "Her manners are atrocious," Lilith said, shaking her head.

  "She's young," Intunecat replied, sympathetically.

  "Not that young!" Lilith wasn't willing to dismiss her daughter's actions so easily. "But she'll learn."

  The veiled threat didn't escape Intunecat but he decided to ignore it. Whatever Lilith had in mind was between her and her daughter.

  "I'll leave that up to you," Intunecat said. "Come with me, now. We have much to do and very little time." Beckoning her to follow him, he stood and melted into the darkness that surrounded them. Lilith followed his essence until he reappeared near an iridescent black obelisk.

  "It's my looking glass," he explained. "I can see anything I want with it."

  "Anything?" Lilith asked.

  Intunecat gave Lilith an exasperated look.

  "Almost anything. Apparently there are things I've overlooked recently." Turning back to the shi
ny object, he waved his hand once in front of it. Immediately, images flashed across the surface like a movie in fast forward. Occasionally, he would stop the action and carefully study the events taking place. After several seconds, flicking his wrist, he continued scrutinizing the ebony screen.

  Lilith watched both him and the images flashing across the obelisk. Although she was able to catch each image, it was difficult to interpret what was actually happening. Patiently, she waited quietly to see for what Intunecat was looking.

  CHAPTER 11

  The Shadow Demon

  ITS WORLD WAS BLACK beyond black, glistening with an unimaginable darkness. The inhabitants wandered aimlessly, helplessly lost in the emptiness of nothing. Although there were hundreds of thousands of them, each suffered an unbearable loneliness. They could neither touch nor see nor feel anything around them as they moved through the still blackness, and It enjoyed their misery.

  "Yes, my children," It whispered, deriving great satisfaction from the sudden stillness as all movement ceased. They waited and endured the long silence, knowing that to do otherwise would only increase their captor's pleasure and prolong their own suffering. The laughter that followed rang of smugness and glee.

  "Good! You're learning. Please me and you will be rewarded. I can be benevolent when I'm happy."

  As if to prove Its words true, a light shown in the darkness, illuminating all of the inhabitants. For a split second, each felt a moment of joy and hope, then found it quickly snatched away as they were once again plunged into an abysmal void, absent of light. To be given the one thing they craved the most and then have it vanish so abruptly created a depression and loneliness so profound many were willing to do anything to get the light back... and that was what pleased the Shadow Demon the most. It had the power to inflict great psychological pain on its subjects so easily, and It thrived on their suffering. The problem was like an addiction. It needed more and more captives to sustain its own happiness. There were never enough inhabitants in Shadowland.

  * * *

  Summoning forth one of its denizens, It waited impatiently.

  "What took you so long?" It demanded, although only a fraction of a second had passed.

  "Forgive me, master. I came as quickly as possible."

  "Next time, come faster," ordered the Shadow Demon, aware that it was impossible for the servant to move faster, but enjoying the fear emanating from the pitiful creature.

  "Yes, master. I beg your mercy and forgiveness. I am your most loyal servant."

  "I have told you before not to call me master. I am no male."

  "Forgive me, mas..." The servant swallowed nervously. "I'm your faithful servant."

  "I hope so! Betray me, and I will be extremely displeased, and you know what happens when I'm unhappy."

  "Ye... yes," the Shadow replied. Once, the demon had demonstrated its power by destroying ten thousand Les Gris souls with a flick of its hand. It was an act of pure indifference, leaving the survivors feeling both impotent and devastated. The residual energies of their lost companions floated around them like the radiation from a nuclear explosion. It was their own dark Chernobyl, a constant reminder of the power of their captor. The Shadow Demon laughed gleefully, well aware of what its servant was probably thinking. It was quite pleased.

  "As a reward for your faithful service, I've chosen you to perform a special duty for me."

  "Anything!"

  The servant's eagerness was gratifying.

  "Yes, I know. I'm taking you with me to another realm. I have need of more subjects. You will help me capture them."

  The demon could almost smell the suppressed excitement as the Shadow anticipated returning home.

  "Don't think you can escape me once you're there. There's no place you can hide that I won't find you. The darkness is my ally and there is always darkness."

  "No, no, I would never betray you, mast..."

  The Shadow Demon smiled at the obsequious tone.

  "You're very wise. It would be your last act. Enough talk. There is a particular Shadow that has eluded me for a long time. I must have it and the time is now ripe. Then we can gather others from the mortal world."

  "We aren't going there now?"

  The disappointment in its servant's voice was so pained, the Shadow Demon actually shivered from pure joy.

  "Do you dare to question me?" It growled, wanting to inflict more misery, and was instantly rewarded by waves of fear.

  "No, no."

  "I thought not. What are you called?" It could never be bothered trying to remember its servants' names... and why should it? They were far too inferior to be given such consideration.

  "I am Rumex."

  Without saying another word, It grabbed its servant and left Shadowland in search of its prey.

  CHAPTER 12

  The Society

  SYLVIE WAS RUNNING late but wasn't too worried. The others knew her job made her schedule unpredictable. Being the departmental supervisor in charge of Quality Control meant putting in overtime occasionally if work was backing up or if a serious problem arose.

  Today had been one of those days. One of the company's employees decided to jump from a fourth story window just after the lunch break. It had devastated everyone. Thelma had worked in Quality Control for almost twelve years and was well-liked. Lately, though, several close acquaintances had noticed a change in her.

  Normally, Thelma was very outgoing. She loved to tease her associates about being lazy but was the first to offer them assistance if they needed it. Then, as if overnight, she grew sullen and reclusive. If someone asked if she was okay, she'd mutter something under her breath and move away. It was only after talking to her fellow workers that Sylvie understood the seriousness of the woman's illness. The tragedy of it was had she known of Thelma's problem sooner, she might have been able to save her.

  Rushing through the revolving door, she darted toward the stairwell and hurried down into the basement of the apartment complex.

  "Why anyone would want to live here is beyond me," she muttered, tapping a sequential series of knocks on the door at the far end of the hall. "Then again, I guess if you're blind, it doesn't make any difference."

  When Belle opened the door, she smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Glancing down the hall over her shoulder, she waited a few seconds, then stepped inside and shut the door.

  "Hey Belle, how are you doing?" Sylvie asked, taking her hand and leading her toward the living room.

  "Really, Sylvie, I do know how to get around in my own apartment," Belle said and chuckled softly. "I'm doing fine, thanks. I take it you still haven't talked Angie into coming to these meetings."

  "Naw! She still thinks she's a non-believer but Lumiere said Soleil is working on her. By the way, how's Lunara?"

  "Still keeping me out of trouble."

  "Yeah, right. More likely getting you into it."

  "Be nice."

  "I'm always nice. So who's here tonight?"

  "Randi and Cheryl. Mallory called this morning to say she may not make it. We also have a new member, Thomas."

  "Thomas?"

  "A recent convert. I'll tell you about him later. Randi thinks he'll do better if he and his life partner are able to interact with the rest of us."

  "And Lighthra is okay with this?"

  "Actually it was her idea."

  Entering the living room, Sylvie greeted the two women and glanced curiously at the young man sitting quietly in the corner.

  "Hey Randi, hey Cheryl, how goes it?" Sylvie asked, walking over to give each a kiss on the cheek.

  "Doing fine," Cheryl replied.

  "That goes for me too," Randi agreed. "This is Thomas," she added, waving toward their newest member.

  "Hi Thomas. Nice to meet you."

  Thomas nodded his head but refused to make eye contact.

  "Don't worry about him. He's not used to being around people. Beamon's been more or less guiding him most of his life."

 
Sylvie frowned. It didn't sound like Thomas and his life partner were in sync. That could prove dangerous to everyone if the two were unstable.

  It was necessary, Lumiere explained. Beamon realized at an early age that they were de-syncing and Thomas was developing some psychological issues. He had to take control of Thomas before something terrible happened.

  So Beamon is the dominant in their joining. I thought life partners had to be equal to be stable, Sylvie replied.