Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  ‘Don’t you dare do anything stupid. I’m warning you, Alexander. You do not understand the horror a parent goes through, as well as the guilt and pain, when losing their child. Your parents are my dearest friends and I’ve always held them in high regard; one of the best families in our world, in my opinion. Don’t you dare tell any of the other Nobles; they’d use this knowledge to further their ambition at our expense.’

  Though Alexander felt cold and numb, he had nevertheless heard every word she had said clearly. He coughed to clear his throat, and said gruffly, ‘Don’t you mean life.’ Lady Enid nodded her head in agreement to this truth.

  Carefully detangling himself, he tried to bend down on his knee to pay the respect due to his Queen, but before he could even reach the ground, he felt himself being hoisted back onto the sofa by her Ladyship.

  Alexander smiled ruefully at her for his momentary loss of control, but he needn’t have feared, as she dismissed it.

  ‘I do not stand on ceremony when it is not necessary. This is not the Court, it is your home. And there are no Nobles to enforce the proper conduct and obeisance due to the First Families.’

  Alexander raised an eyebrow in astonishment and amusement at what Lady Enid thought of the pompous circus, otherwise known as the Nobles. Especially those of the First Families who got a tad murderous if they thought that they had not received the proper respect due to them as befitted their status.

  ‘Alexander, may I remind you that we both belong to that elite ‘circus’ as you so eloquently put it. And in future, guard your thoughts well, my dear boy.’

  ‘I knew there was a reason I liked you,’ he quipped.

  ‘Let us get back to the task at hand. I have made a special request to an ally of ours, who I am certain you will be pleased to see again after so long.’ Lady Enid’s eyes sparkled, as she fondly had a certain person in mind.

  ‘I see,’ said Alexander. ‘And when can I expect her?’ he smiled slowly at Lady Enid, finally receiving some good news for a change.

  ‘She will come down tomorrow. And I want you to brief her on the newspaper. She will be well placed there to help us guard Rowanne, as well as helping us with the investigation. She was very keen to help. Well, you know her nature.’

  ‘You hold a high opinion of her. I agree with you, she has been such a blessing to your family...’ Alexander approached the subject cautiously not wanting to offend this bravest of women.

  Lady Enid patted Alexander on the shoulder and looked at him with weary eyes, barely managing to keep her own emotions in check. ‘Yes... Well, that was a long time ago, and she was truly a blessing, I would have broken, otherwise,’ she admitted honestly; not easy for a person in her position. Especially as she was surrounded by vultures who’d love to pick at her wounds, rather than have an ounce of sympathy.

  No, she could never afford to break down in front of the Nobles. She must portray and play the part of the steely Queen of the First Family; heartless, no emotion and ruling with her head (instead of in conjunction with her heart). I played my part well, she thought bitterly. Too well. She’d viciously encased her heart in steel, so that she could be of some use to these two young people.

  Alexander held her hand gently, just sitting quietly. He could not even begin to imagine how she still functioned after all she’d been through.

  Lady Enid smiled, as she thought of the extrovert way in which the Black Rose Clan conducted themselves; and Alexander was no exception. Good luck to you Rowanne. He’s a handful; you’ll definitely need it, once the smoke clears...

  ‘Well, she’s managed to get herself into another fine mess. I see that doesn’t surprise you,’ said Alexander.

  ‘I suspected that Rowanne would encounter some hurdles...’ said Lady Enid kindly in response.

  Alexander rose to his feet. ‘Can I offer you some tea, my lady?’

  ‘Yes, thank you. We have much to discuss and plan for.’

  Alexander went to the kitchen and quickly prepared a strong spice tea to keep them awake and energised. He needed his brain to function at the optimal level. He brought in the two cups and placed them on the table.

  Lady Enid took the cup between her hands and felt grateful for the warmth. ‘What happened, then?’ she asked, getting straight to the point. ‘I have to get back soon, many engagements on my time, as you know,’ she finished solemnly.

  ‘Driskell?’ asked Alexander.

  ‘Amongst others,’ replied Lady Enid disgustedly.

  ‘I really thought that I was getting somewhere with Rowanne.’ Gaining her trust bit by slow agonising bit! ‘She was finally opening up to me. And believe it or not, she wasn’t intimidated in the slightest on seeing a ghost-’

  ‘Ghost?’ asked Lady Enid, and wondered whether he was referring to the entity who haunted Rowanne and resided within her.

  Alexander studied Lady Enid - she didn’t appear to be surprised by his news. He continued cautiously, ‘Rowanne was haunted by a spirit, and my last encounter with it was violent. It has been growing powerful, and has now managed to break free.’

  Lady Enid calmly drank her tea. ‘But how is that possible? And how is Rowanne?’ she asked uneasily.

  Alexander got the answer that he had suspected all along. ‘When did you encounter the entity?’ he asked seriously, his demeanour changing.

  ‘I see I have no choice but to tell you the truth considering how much you already know. It was when I first encountered Rowanne at the Noble Court. Driskell had brought her in for questioning.’ Lady Enid knew that sharing this information was dangerous, but she felt that she was on the same side as the young demon before her.

  It said a lot for him, that he gave up his eternity for a human span of time. There were a select few whom Lady Enid trusted: Alexander was amongst them.

  Honesty was needed, if they hoped to get Rowanne back from the entity’s grasp. ‘I’ll tell you everything I know, and I expect the same courtesy in return,’ said Lady Enid.

  Alexander nodded in agreement, with a look of determination.

  ‘From my encounters with the entity, whom I strongly suspect as coming from our world, I had no reason to think that it posed a threat to Rowanne. On the contrary, the entity had stepped in whenever it perceived a threat to her.’

  ‘That is the same pattern of behaviour that I have observed. The entity thought that I was a threat and dealt with me accordingly. I managed to ward off most of the attacks, but it was not without effort on my part. I fear the power it’s now amassed without the confines of a host to keep it in check,’ said Alexander.

  ‘We are in trouble if the spirit was once a member of a First Family; there is no knowing the power it can wield. But do not lose heart, it has not harmed her thus far. Please continue with your account.’

  ‘The entity separated itself from Rowanne and...’ How could even he begin to approach the subject with Lady Enid, it would destroy her.

  ‘Why have you gone quiet? What is it that you cannot tell me?’ she asked angrily, not liking the look of sympathy on his face.

  ‘It’s L... L... L...’ Alexander felt a sharp force take over his mind and control his tongue, so that he could not utter the entity’s name without his teeth clamming down sharply on his tongue, and blood welled up as he tried valiantly, but to no avail.

  ‘Alexander, stop. This is dark magic, do not utter its name for it may well be the last thing you ever say. This proves beyond doubt that it’s one of us. Now we just have to narrow the field a bit. I will find out who it is, I swear on my honour.’

  Alexander gratefully accepted the tissue she handed to him, and wiped his mouth, the blood smeared across his pale cheek. He tested his mouth and began again gingerly, ‘The entity wished to tell Rowanne the truth of that night. I tried to stop her, but she took Rowanne with her, and the portal closed. I could not go after them, it was aligned to their frequency alone.’

  ‘In a way, it would be good for Rowanne to finally know everything. I do not think she’d bl
ame you, if that is what weighs on your mind. On the contrary, I think she’d be grateful,’ said Lady Enid.

  ‘To be a half demon, to have her world changed beyond recognition with a truth she must now bear... I’m not so sure. I know she’s strong, but this may be beyond her.’

  ‘I think you lack faith more in yourself than you do in her. And before you start protesting,’ she said, holding up a hand, ‘I have seen what she is capable of as you like to put it, and she has in my opinion, passed. Give her time to come to terms with the truth, she may need to be alone for a while. Focus on the investigation, that is the best way in which you can help her.’

  Alexander reluctantly agreed with Lady Enid. If this was all he could offer, so be it. ‘Just send me the details of where to pick her up, and I’ll brief her on the way to work. Though, I am surprised that she actually left Demon World to come and perform this menial duty. No offence intended, my lady.’

  Lady Enid laughed as she acknowledged what he alluded to. ‘I was taken aback myself. I did not ever picture her as leaving our world, even for a short duration. But then, she has always been the reliable sort; in the best sense, of course,’ she spoke with pride.

  Lady Enid’s phone rang, and she replied with a swift text before looking at Alexander.

  ‘I’m afraid they need me back there. So, I will be going, take care. I’ll be in touch and let you know if I come up with any ideas as to how to help Rowanne. And I still feel that we should not fear the worst.’ Lady Enid opened a portal behind her, and she waved once to Alexander before stepping through. It closed abruptly behind her.

  Alexander had much to do. He went to the bathroom and opened the first aid box, cleaned his wounds, and wrapped a fresh bandage around each hand. He could not summon up demon energy at this juncture to heal himself, later, perhaps. He was bone weary, and his soul felt bruised and battered.

  Switching off the lights, he went into his bedroom. He looked into the ornately carved, black mahogany mirror, and his tired gaze reflected back at him. He undid the top three buttons of his shirt, and felt as if he could now breathe. He threw himself onto his bed, and flipped a master switch immediately plunging the whole apartment into darkness, before succumbing to the sleep of the dead himself.

  CHAPTER 18

  The vortex spewed Rowanne out, and she landed in a bedroom. Though she was disorientated, she nevertheless managed to catch herself on the four poster bed, subsequently having a cushy landing.

  ‘Where am I?’ asked Rowanne, looking around at the palatial surroundings; this room would not have looked out of place in Buckingham Palace, it oozed opulence.

  ‘It’s not bad, is it? This, my dear Rowanne, is my bedroom.’ Lillian gestured at the long damask gold curtains and the golden gilded mirror on the wall, as well as the other lavish furnishings.

  ‘All this is yours? Who were you, royalty of some sort?’ asked Rowanne quickly without taking a breath.

  ‘You ask a lot of questions,’ said Lillian, finding them extremely tedious. ‘Yes. You could say that my family is The Royal Family.’

  ‘So, you are related to the Queen... But I’ve never heard of you,’ said Rowanne excitedly. She could not believe her luck to have been possessed all this time by a royal - this was definitely a story to tell the kids one day. Well, when she eventually had kids. Perhaps Lillian had decided to keep a low profile by staying out of the media spotlight.

  Lillian floated onto the bed sedately, and regally propped herself against the pillows with Rowanne resting by her feet.

  Rowanne took one look at where she was sitting and quickly scooted up the bed to sit beside Lillian, who was gesturing to the space beside her. I am not beneath anyone — I am their equal, thought Rowanne.

  ‘I am glad to see you finally know where you belong!’ laughed Lillian, and nodded in approval.

  ‘You know... you’re a lot nicer outside my head than you were within!’ said Rowanne derisively.

  Lillian turned towards her, leaning on one elbow, a thoughtful look on her face. ‘Well, I was confined to a cell, no pun intended, within your mind. I got a little cranky. It’s bad enough not having space enough to form my own thoughts, let alone listening to yours, day in and day out.’

  Rowanne blushed furiously. ‘You heard all my thoughts...?! Can you stop doing that, it’s very disconcerting; half of what I think I don’t take seriously, and it’s mostly nonsense, anyway.’ Rowanne was dismayed to think that Lillian probably knew her whole life story at this point - not that it was particularly interesting. The poor thing was probably bored.

  ‘I was bored to tears, actually. Why haven’t you done anything interesting with your life, like gone on some wild adventures or fallen in love? If your life were a film, and please don’t take any offence to what I’m about to say, I’d skip it, or watch it as a cure for insomnia,’ and she looked at Rowanne with a pained expression.

  ‘I can really hate you, sometimes,’ said Rowanne, annoyed with Lillian. It’s not like I asked her to share my mind, anyway. Why couldn’t she have possessed a celebrity, instead; then she’d be living the high life! After a moment, she asked, ‘I suppose your life was filled with excitement?’

  ‘As a matter of fact, I am glad you asked. It was almost a fairytale; there was romance and sword fighting-’ she paused at Rowanne’s dubious look, and continued, ‘I was referring to my hobby. All of the women and men are trained in various fighting styles. It’s common practice where I come from, and it forms an integral part of our upbringing.’

  Rowanne found it fascinating, if a little vague; but it was up to Lillian to give a fuller account, whenever she was ready. ‘It seems like an interesting place, perhaps you could tell me more about it. For instance, where did you study?’

  ‘You wouldn’t have heard of it, the DW Academic Institute of The First Family, most people know it as the Morning Star Academy. It’s one of the finest and unrivalled, as far as I’m concerned. There are lesser institutions, but think of it in this way, if you had a choice between Oxford and Cambridge University and... which one would you choose?’ asked Lillian archly.

  ‘You’re a bit of a snob. I didn’t go to either of those universities, and I am pleased to say that it had no adverse effect on me. And before you ask, I am not going to tell you where I studied, it doesn’t define me in any way,’ replied Rowanne.

  ‘I suppose I am a snob; it comes with the territory...’ she agreed unashamedly. ‘All of the children belonging to the First Families are spoiled rotten. I am a picnic compared to some of the others, but I’ll let you find that out on your own... if you ever have the misfortune of meeting them,’ Lillian said sweetly, not in the least offended. ‘I suspect your university wasn’t too shabby, it’s probably world renowned...’ she was amused by Rowanne’s transparent expression.

  Rowanne smiled broadly, shaking her head in mock disgust. Lillian was just being herself; she didn’t mean any malice. And strangely, she felt a kinship with her.

  ‘I knew, Ms Knight, that you’d eventually come around to my way of thinking. One of the adverse effects of being in my company, for too long,’ mocked Lillian.

  ‘I think you’ll find that I choose to put up with you,’ retorted Rowanne.

  Lillian got up and walked around the bedroom of her childhood; revisiting the past in each corner that held bittersweet memories for her. Her mood dampened, and she became sombre as she observed that the room had not been changed at all since she was last here.

  Rowanne came up behind Lillian. ‘It’s being here, again... It’s bringing back the past,’ she said astutely.

  Lillian turned to Rowanne, her expression crestfallen. ‘Nothing has been changed. Almost like it’s been frozen in time; a monument to the person I used to be.’

  Rowanne didn’t know what to say, and wisely chose to listen instead.

  ‘Do you know, the last time I saw this bedroom was the last night of my life,’ Lillian had been about to say ‘immortal’ but caught herself at the last second.


  ‘One thing puzzles me: I have heard of supernatural activity where the entity has been able to hurl heavy things as if they weigh nothing more than a feather-’ Rowanne paused, and realised that she might inadvertently have caused offence to Lillian, whose eyebrow shot up as she looked at her drolly. Oh, she thinks I’m talking about Alexander. But that hadn’t even crossed my mind. ‘Sorry. But I really wasn’t thinking of you,’ she said sheepishly. ‘What I’m trying to say is, that I have never heard of an account where the ghost could transport a person to another location...’ said Rowanne pointedly as she steadily watched Lillian, wondering what explanation she’d give.

  ‘Rowanne, I barely knew what I was capable of when I was alive, let alone what my possibilities are as one of the dead. Believe me when I say that I am just as in the dark as you are. You’re one of the bravest humans I’ve ever met,’ she said, smiling affectionately.

  Rowanne didn’t know whether to believe it, there was still a lingering doubt in her mind; Lillian was holding something back, she was sure of it. Something monumental, and for some reason Lillian felt that she could not trust her, yet. I’m not sure if I want to know, thought Rowanne apprehensively, but maintained an air of calm.

  Lillian studied Rowanne closely. You have to accept the truth one day. How long can any of us run away? No. Sometimes, we have to stand and face what we fear.

  ‘Are you sure we can be here?’ asked Rowanne, hastily changing the subject.

  ‘I brought you here because this is the last place they’d think to look. They’re probably on their way to your apartment.’

  ‘Who are they?’ asked Rowanne, thinking of the only person it could be.

  ‘Alexander and company, of course,’ replied Lillian, looking sharply at Rowanne.

  ‘You can be vague, sometimes.’ If not most of the time. ‘Can’t you elaborate? Do you have an aversion to sharing what you know?’ asked Rowanne.

  Lillian smiled mischievously, and chose to reply in Rowanne’s mind, Let me share with you what I picked up in a certain impertinent human’s mind, one day while I languished. Or, killed time to be more precise.