Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  Lady Enid silently laughed at this courageous young human. She was quick to suppress her mirth at the pained expression on Rowanne’s face.

  ‘After all, it’s not every day that you get drugged at a police station by a strange looking detective, who could possibly be a model, and then taken to a court of all places, to be interrogated in place of an interview. I should just mention that I willingly came down to the police station, and imagined events going differently. I think that about covers it.’ Rowanne felt angry as it finally dawned on her what she had been put through.

  ‘Incredible. I think you have covered everything. One thing eludes me; what is a model?’

  Rowanne ignored the latter. ‘All I know is that I think I will have to continue the interview with Driskell, am I right?’

  ‘I’m afraid so. But where it will take place, I cannot say.’ For Rowanne’s sake, Lady Enid hoped and prayed that it would be back in her world at the police station, preferably in the presence of human police officers; in that sense Rowanne would have a modicum of safety.

  ‘I don’t quite understand what you’re saying? Where exactly am I being held?’ At least if she knew that, then it would be a start. Perhaps Lady Enid could explain how and why she came to be here.

  ‘What I mean to say is, that you were brought down from the police station because the detective felt that you had an extra connection to the case. And for your own safety, you were moved to investigation headquarters, but I am not permitted to elaborate further on this at this juncture.’

  Rowanne didn’t believe it, there must have been more to it than that. She decided to confront Lady Enid head on, and wouldn’t settle for anything less than the truth. ‘Lady Enid, do you know what my profession is?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘I am a journalist, and as such it is my duty to find and present the truth. I’m well accustomed, you might say, to the subtle nuances of a person’s character that tell me very clearly when they are being less than honest.’

  Lady Enid was impressed with Rowanne, and had to admit that she would have made a fine enforcer in their world; had she been born a demon. What a loss to their world. She wondered how to tell Rowanne the truth without telling her the whole truth, and possibly shattering her fragile mind. Finally she decided upon subtly weaving the truth in a way that would be acceptable to her mind, for now, and eventually help her to accept the complete reality later on. ‘Are you sure you’re ready for what I have to say? Think about it. Once we begin, there is no going back for either of us,’ she looked pointedly at Rowanne.

  Rowanne thought about it, and sensed that she was going to be told things that perhaps she might not be ready to hear, but she could no longer live in ignorance. She needed the facts to go forward, only then could she deal with the whole situation. ‘I think it’s best, that you tell me everything, before he comes back.’ They both knew to whom she referred.

  Lady Enid began, ‘Do you know of the incident that occurred outside of your place of work?’

  Rowanne swallowed before nodding, now was the time to stay calm. And how much did she really know of this Lady Enid? She could be working with Driskell. ‘The police informed us that a security officer in our building had gone missing.’

  ‘Were you well acquainted with the officer in question?’ asked Lady Enid.

  ‘Everybody in the office knew Thomas. He was a friendly man, always taking the time to get to know people.’

  ‘Do you know what happened to him?’ Lady Enid asked without judgement.

  Rowanne wondered how much information she should reveal. More to the point, she did not actually know what had happened to Thomas. However, she suspected that she might be indirectly involved, because she had been in the office all night, but was still unable to recount anything from that period; it was a blur. ‘The truth of the matter is, Lady Enid, that I worked late into the night on which Thomas went missing. I fell asleep, and cannot for the life of me recall anything else that may have occurred. That’s about it, really.’

  ‘I believe you, Rowanne. It strikes me as odd that you were brought down to this court for information that is hardly any use to the case.’

  ‘That’s why I could not understand why I came to be here. I’m sorry that I do not have anything further of any significance to add. I wish that I could have helped more.’

  ‘I will pass on what you have said to detective Driskell. Hopefully, he will release you without further delay,’ said Lady Enid.

  ‘Do I stay here, or can I go to a waiting area?’ Rowanne asked, feeling somewhat relieved, after giving her statement. When they finally let me leave, I’ll call up Alexander to come and get me. Funny, that he should enter my thoughts when he’s the last man I’d accept help from. Although, Rowanne began to think that she’d need all the allies she could get, if she were to escape this case unscathed. Something was definitely off about this investigation. The police had not released the full details, how much worse could it be? She needed help to get to the bottom of it; Alexander could prove useful, and of course, she would have to talk to Eileen at some point.

  Lady Enid brought Rowanne back into the present. ‘I’m afraid you will have to wait here until detective Driskell formally releases you.’

  ‘Well, I hope this won’t take long as I’ve got to get back to work,’ and see a doctor, she thought.

  There was more than a little wrong with her; since Thomas’s disappearance, she had not really been sleeping well, and then there were the unexplained gaps in her memory.

  Rowanne felt certain that something had occurred in that office, but she could not quite grasp it. The familiar headache began to rear its ugly volatile head. That was the other thing that concerned her: whenever she tried to recollect, she had to stop before the pain got out of control, in case it rendered her unconscious again. By now she knew what to look out for, and pulling her thoughts in a different direction felt exactly like the equivalent of walking over hot coals.

  ‘I want you to keep acting docile - if Driskell thinks that you are harmless, then chances are he will let you go,’ said Lady Enid.

  ‘Was I that obvious? I thought I did a remarkably good job! Anyway, the first half was real enough.’

  ‘Do not worry about it now. I too have the unique gift of reading people, which I fervently hope that our good detective does not also possess,’ said Lady Enid solemnly.

  ‘I won’t be quick in dismissing the detective. He strikes me as being extremely intelligent, and he knows more than he lets on.’ Rowanne felt that there was a mystery behind the man of ice, but she would rather not be the one to solve it. To be in that man’s world could be dangerous, and in the end prove fatal. Where the hell am I getting this from? I’m not the melodramatic type. Focus Rowanne, she told herself.

  The situation was bad: kidnapped of all things, by a supposed police detective. What kind of police station would allow this to happen? Maybe some kind of rogue operation was operating beneath their notice. Rowanne felt as if she was being held in some kind of closed court where the normal rules did not apply. What had she gotten herself mixed up in?

  CHAPTER 10

  My whole life is a complete mess, what the hell have I gotten into? thought Alexander as he started the car up and pulled out of the police station car park. Wearily he looked at the time illuminated on the dashboard: an hour left till midnight. The stars seemed to be at their most fierce, as if they too were gearing up for a battle - or so it appeared to him.

  He hoped it would be more of the verbal nature, and that it would not become so desperate as to resort to swords. He needed to remain calm if he had any chance in hell of saving Rowanne.

  Funny, I think about that woman a lot more these days, he thought in disgust. She’s like a thorn in my side; always ready to trip me up in both worlds, without even knowing it. If she ever regains her memory, then I will let her know exactly what she has done to me... and he laughed rather unconvincingly.

  In no time at all and with hardly a
ny traffic to hold him up, Alexander soon found himself on the road leading to the pub. A thousand thoughts flew in his mind, like dark ravens flapping their wings heralding an omen. Though he could not grasp a single one. ‘Rowanne, I’m coming...’ his voice sounded ominous.

  He would have liked more time to prepare, but this was not to be the case. He’d need his wits about him when confronting his old friend. For that was what they once were, and he’d have to keep that in mind when talking to the fool. He needed to keep his temper, and find out exactly where Rowanne was being kept. Somehow, he would get her back from Demon World.

  He sensed that in this present moment, Rowanne was safe. There was also a nagging doubt that all was not right with her, but he could not pinpoint what it was. Maybe the entity was troubling her? Some, if not all, Nobles treated humans contemptuously, and he wondered which Nobles she’d had the misfortune of encountering. Hold on, he thought.

  It had turned colder as he pulled into the side road next to The Salisbury pub. Alexander switched off the engine and sat in the darkness that followed, though his sapphire eyes burned brightly in the rear view mirror. He debated whether he should go in alone or get reinforcements. However, that would only draw more attention, as well as undermine his position.

  Alexander squared his shoulders, and his eyes changed to gray with a ring of steel encasing his irises as he mentally and physically prepared for the confrontation. He once more became Alexander the fierce, the untouchable, as he went to meet his old friend and adversary; hard to decide between the two these days. Somewhere, between love and hate, that is where our friendship lies. He pushed open the door passing beneath the grace of the cherubs adoring the exterior of the pub. Grace, he thought sarcastically.

  As soon as Alexander entered, he zoned in on his old friend Driskell, seated in the far back corner of the pub with glass partitions on either side. Good, at least it would afford them some privacy. Driskell was quietly finishing his pint, not bothering to look up and even acknowledge his presence.

  Keep it together, do not let him ruffle your wings, thought Alexander as he walked with purpose, whilst trying to formulate a plan. He sullenly sat opposite Driskell, and put as much disdain into his expression as possible.

  Driskell, on the other hand, finished his pint slowly, taunting Alexander. He found it highly amusing to witness the other man’s discomfort. It had been an age since he’d had anything to laugh about. He could feel Alexander seething, and he oh so slowly raised his eyes to his old friend, using the term loosely to acknowledge his presence. And because he could not resist, he gave him a mock salute with his glass.

  ‘Alexander, dear friend,’ he said, not bothering to stand up and shake hands - he was not particularly in the mood to be civil, the pretence of it wore him down. Driskell’s eyes sparkled roguishly, and his fiercely red hair was secured back by a leather tie. ‘I didn’t even notice that you had come in. I was absorbed in...’ and indicated his glass with an incline of the head.

  Alexander silently counted to ten, before answering, ‘Is that so? Dear friend, a word of advice, do not be so engrossed in a thing as to have your attention diverted, even for a second. It could prove your undoing. Besides, what would you have done had I been the enemy?’

  Driskell cocked his head to one side, studying Alexander through his glass, his reflection somewhat distorted. Just like our friendship, he thought. ‘If you had been the enemy...’ Driskell left it open, even though he didn’t have the answer presently.

  Alexander was at a loss for how to proceed, his friend’s words weighing heavily. It was true that many people hated and feared Driskell. It was hard for him to accept this new Driskell, and reconcile him with the man he had been before. ‘I think perhaps drinking does not sit well with you. It seems to impede your somewhat diminished powers. Wait a minute,’ he added hastily, when Driskell raised his eyebrow in question as to where this suicidal dialogue would lead to. I might as well fully test the waters, thought a reckless Alexander. ‘I was actually being polite, because we all know that families after the First, have less than valuable ‘gifts’ to begin with... So, in concern for you, I thought it my rightful duty to help you maintain what little dwindling power you still possess,’ Alexander added sweetly with a concerned smile on his face. He waited a heartbeat, and held his breath in anticipation. I’ve probably signed my death warrant with my stupidity. But what happened next scared the life out of him, and froze him to his core.

  Driskell started to laugh heartily. He looked at Alexander, who seemed taken aback by it all, and who consequently was gearing up ready to fight if need be. He could almost read his thoughts, he’s probably wondering whether this is a precursor to a duel. Alexander’s eyes flashed from sapphire to gray, and this just made Driskell laugh harder. The poor man doesn’t know whether to remain calm, or fight.

  Driskell got up lightning fast in one fluid motion, knocking back his chair, and strode around to Alexander, pulling him up off his chair, forcing him to stand.

  Alexander met Driskell head on, and was about to pull out his sword when he felt Driskell’s arms going around him. Could it be that Driskell was hugging him, instead of pulling him apart piece by piece, as he had expected? He could go along with this, and raised his own arms up in an embrace of equal measure. After all, it didn’t hurt to remind your enemy of your own strength, just in case.

  ‘It has been too long. You’re different, you’re now more like your father than that brash youth at the academy,’ said Driskell.

  ‘I could say the same of you. You seem to have acquired titles, though I must admit, I wonder if they become you.’

  Driskell smiled at him, ‘Well, the titles help to keep people in check,’ and with that, he sat back down.

  Alexander took a gamble, ‘Some of them are quite fearsome, are they not?’ he asked, pushing Driskell, wanting to know how far he could trust his former friend. People changed, he knew that...

  Driskell looked at Alexander with a sardonic look, ‘I suppose, you mean: Dewain the Dark or Driskell the Ruthless... Have I missed any out? I’m sure I have. There are so many that it’s hard to keep track, especially at the rate at which I’m acquiring them.’

  ‘What about, Enforcer of the Noble Court?’ asked Alexander, as he studied Driskell.

  There was a slight twitch in the side of Driskell’s face, and he stiffened momentarily, but in the next instant he behaved as if it had never happened. He composed himself with some difficulty which did not go unobserved by Alexander. Curse him. ‘That’s one of my favourites, and I take pride in that particular one,’ he said in a light voice.

  Alexander noticed Driskell’s manic expression as he had uttered those words. What the hell is going on? he wondered. I thought he’d be thrilled to destroy Nobles, especially those from the First Families; which was why his name had become synonymous with death. The demons of his world feared the man sitting before him, there was a danger that seemed to permeate the very air he breathed.

  This all went back, he feared, to the infamous case at the Noble Court which in itself was shrouded in mystery, and he wondered what might have happened back then. Alexander knew that it had not been an ordinary case, but ‘The Case’ that had made Driskell. So, why was his friend acting so strangely? I think I will do some investigating of my own, and who knows what I may find...

  Driskell didn’t like the way in which Alexander was studying him: as if he were plotting and planning. I wish I had the power of the First Families, it would come in extremely useful right now. He suspected that Lady Enid had a few hidden talents, one of which was telepathy. He too possessed this gift, but his was not nearly as strong as hers; that was to be expected when you were a lesser Noble, and not a descendent of a First Family.

  How much could Alexander do? he wondered. Let it go. Some things are best laid to rest dear friend, he thought. His eyes were a glacial emerald that could cut a person, if they dared to get close to him. Unacceptable! he thought violently.

 
‘It seems as if we have come to an impasse,’ laughed Alexander, trying to lighten the mood.

  ‘I think it would be wise to move on, do you not agree? After all, let’s not forget why we came to be here at this time,’ said Driskell.

  ‘Quite. And on that salient point, why am I here?’

  Driskell had a cruel expression on his face. It made no difference to him, how this fool chose to interpret his command. ‘Thank you for gracing me with your presence,’ he said bitterly. Somewhat too long, and too late, he thought with a burning hatred.

  The day of reckoning was not today: it could wait. His focus was Ms Knight. He found it remarkable how he could switch off his feelings like that; it scared him, how natural it had become. Perhaps, I am truly the monster they say I have become.

  With a stern look, Driskell continued with his investigation. ‘You are here, Mr Black, because I require your cooperation in an investigation I am conducting.’ He looked pointedly at Alexander, but if his words had any effect on his friend, he could not immediately tell. Give it time, he thought. He might still crack.

  Having to remain outwardly calm in front of Driskell was not without effort and it required intense concentration. ‘How can I be of service to you?’ asked Alexander.

  Driskell waited a few moments, letting the unbearable silence stretch before he finally deigned to continue.

  Alexander had felt each minute like nails being dragged down a chalkboard. Imbecile, he’s doing this on purpose. If Driskell didn’t say something soon to fill the void, he thought he might break out in a sweat; tantamount to signing both his and Rowanne’s death warrants.

  Driskell continued at his leisurely pace, enjoying how smoothly everything was going. ‘It involves the demon/human altercation that happened in central London. You may be aware of it. If I’m not mistaken, you were patrolling that immediate area last Thursday night, is this correct?’