The view in front of him faded, replaced by one from his past as he cast his mind back. He had been fond of the view from his suite of rooms. It had been steep and craggy and intimidating— which is one reason that his clan’s founder had chosen that location in the beginning, as it was easy to defend— but Michael recalled exploring it whenever he could, finding hidden caverns and treasures and creating his own secret lair in one. The jagged, shallow-seeming cleft in the rock face had perfectly disguised the large cavern inside, glittering minerals reflecting the light back in hypnotizing ripples. He’d managed to hide a fair number of his books and food inside, and had even set up a study table, and enough cushions to create a cozy hideaway for when he wanted to remain undisturbed by the constant churn of talk and politics of his family, or on a rare occasion preferred to hide briefly from a rival rather than fight. The supplies he had stashed away there had come in very handy when he’d had to escape his brother’s plotting.
He had loved it, the peace of the deep silence in that cavern. Even with the soundproofing he’d had installed in his several apartments the presence of the constant noise of the Human Realm made itself felt if not heard. Maybe it was time to find a new place to go, someplace hidden away where he could take his books and again find some of that peace. But then there was May to consider now. He’d sworn an oath, after all, and received something valuable in return. Well, Paula was right in that his lifespan was much longer than May’s. Assuming that he wasn’t killed by Temple enforcers in the next few days anyway, he could fulfill his duty there and see her peacefully into old age and her rest, then move on after that. Michael moved to find a seat on a lounge by a table and sighed himself into its trendy cushions.
He did rather miss some things about the clan, he thought to himself as he sipped his drink and watched one boat hoisting its sails to catch the wind and tilt dramatically in acknowledgment of its natural power. He hadn’t had to try so hard just to puzzle out what motivated those that surrounded him, for one thing; it was exhausting trying to understand humans. Why would they work so hard to make their own lives so difficult? May was an excellent example. He understood that she was off balance, having lost the two members of her team that had kept her physically safe in battles, but she had Michael now to fill that role. Why she should starve herself and hide he simply couldn’t comprehend. Paula had tried to explain it, telling him that they had been more than just team mates to May, they had been like family. Like brothers, Paula had said. But that only confused him further— his own brothers had worked together only when it had suited them, and had never been particularly friendly to one another. He knew objectively, of course, that humans viewed these things differently, but that didn’t make it easier for him to understand. Indeed, the last thing James had done in this life had been to address him as ‘Brother’ and the way James said the word had sounded like an honor being bestowed. Michael frowned slightly, considering that. He hadn’t mentioned it to Lee when they had gone over the details of that night. Why had he felt the need to keep that detail to himself, he wondered.
“Mr. Gilbert. From the lady.” Melissa winked as she set down a fresh drink in front of Michael and indicated a beautiful, petite woman at the bar, and he was shaken to realize how deep in his own thoughts he had been. She perched lightly on a stool, the heel of one shoe hooked on the metal ring that ran around its legs in order to show off the slim ankle under the cut of her dark jeans. She reached for the drink that the bartender was sliding over to her before turning to look back at him, showing off the toned muscles of her back and arms before standing. The woman wasn’t doing a terribly good job of disguising her intentions, at least, and to him she may as well have not been wearing a disguise at all the way she freely used her power as she went. Anyone with reasonable training could tell that this woman was powerful and very dangerous, and the fact that Michael hadn’t even noticed her return to the building shook him badly. For the first time in decades he was not entirely sure of himself. She smiled at him in a friendly way, and brushed her short black hair behind her ear as she made her way over to his table.
She was very attractive as a human, Michael admitted, and wondered what her true face looked like. Small— she was perhaps eye level with his chest— but with a power in her compact form that flowed easily and she carried it with confidence in her dark eyes. This woman knew well her own abilities and was willing to use every advantage she had. He couldn’t truthfully say that he wasn’t interested in her next move, and now that he was aware of her, he kept himself alert. He had an idea of the method she intended to use, but was reluctant to make plan based on a guess after failing so badly at watching for her.
“I didn’t expect to find another of us here. I find it rather fun to play at being human, don’t you? But it does get exhausting.” She sat down and smiled at him again.
“I was just thinking something along those lines. What brings you here?” he asked, sipping the scotch. The shadows had grown long enough that the patio lights flicked on, bright enough to light the way but dim enough to create intimacy for the small groups of seating, bathing them both in an amber tone and making the river view feel darker. Michael wondered how long he’d been there for it to have gotten so late. It seems he had been waiting for some time.
“It’s better for my experiments. Less fuss if something goes wrong here in the Human Realm.” She pouted slightly. “And it hasn’t been going very well for the past few days I’m afraid, so I needed to take a break. Imagine my surprise when I felt a familiar pull of home from this place as I walked by! I just had to come in and investigate, and I’m rather glad I did. My name is Belit.” She smiled up at him again. Michael nodded back at her, knowing her sort very well. She was clearly placing him in the upper ranks, and was intent on making an ally by any means necessary.
“I am called Michael.” He replied. He wasn’t entirely sure he wanted Belit to know where he had come from or why he was here. Certainly not before he determined what her own goals were.
“I know who you are. I was still quite young when you left, but I do remember it, Gibil.” Her eyes glittered, knowing she’d surprised him. Michael blinked down at her, his own eyes narrowing slightly. He was startled not only that she knew of him but that she would still try to cultivate him. And the sound of his own name spoken aloud had been a shock. He found it felt very strange to be addressed by it after so long, as if it belonged to someone else. Belit clearly enjoyed her advantage at knowing his secret, and leaned over to put her hand on his arm. “I will come straight to the point. I could use some help, Gibil. My project isn’t going very well right now, and my idiot human pet has become quite useless to me. You have no doubt noticed the events the other day, my poor hounds being destroyed like that. Those horrible Temple humans slaughtered my poor darlings, and now I need to make sure my last remaining pack can reach adulthood.” She looked up into his eyes, almost pleading.
“And what would my help do for you?” He asked, staring down at her elfin face. He wondered again what she truly looked like, without the glamour they both had to wear to blend in. No doubt she was considered quite a beauty in the clan, he was sure the delicacy of her features was genuine at least, and imagined what her brown hair would look like falling over her more demonic skin. Females tended to show much paler tones than the male demons; what shade would she be when the glamour fell away? She was being deliberately alluring, and they both knew it, but… Michael tried to think of the last time he had been so openly desired and failed to recall it. There weren’t many female demons looking for companionship in the human realm that he was aware of, and he had always felt it safer to avoid entanglements with humans.
“You could help me keep my hounds safe. That idiot human can’t control them, but he’s good for menial tasks. You could be someone I can count on, someone I can trust when I can’t be there.”
“And why would I consider it? What you ask sounds tedious at best.” He may be badly out of practice in dealing with his ow
n kind, but he knew that she wouldn’t try to ask without having something of value to trade, and he doubted she was relying solely on the allure of her favors.
“It isn’t simply about work. It’s lonely to be so far from home, amongst such alien creatures.” She unknowingly echoed his own thoughts and pressed closer to him. “I would truly enjoy your company. Also, I should tell you that Uruk is dead, did you know? A few years ago now, when his plots failed in a spectacular and public manner, he and his cronies were destroyed. You were always so much more intelligent than he was. He was sure that you were plotting against his faction and simply struck first. Fortunately they are no longer a concern and when my project has reached fulfillment, I can bring you back to our clan, in glory. I am sure that your mother would have wished to see you restored to your place. She was killed in Uruk’s last attempts, though nobody was able to discover how it was done or who had done it.” Something in his eyes flickered as he watched her talk. Belit was watching him closely and leaned forward again.
“And in this glory we would both benefit, I take it?” Michael watched the feline smile spread across her face again.
“Things have been difficult since the fight that killed Uruk. He tried to lead a coup against your father, and many of our leaders died in the fight, and then more afterwords, in the punishments. Their replacements are still weak and your father would be glad of a son that had not been involved in all that to bring strong leadership to the clan. If I could return with you we would both be celebrated. And besides that, we are both young. I am sure we could get along very well in the meantime.” She reached over the small table between them and ran her hand up his arm, clear in her meaning.
Michael sat back in the chair, carefully keeping his face blank, and watched the lights drift past as boats continued to travel along the river. Belit was right, with Uruk and his supporters dead he could return finally. His father would likely react exactly as she had predicted. After a century he could perhaps return to his clan and the place of his birth. It was a strange concept for him. In the space of an hour he had gone from almost mourning a place he would never see again to being offered a chance to return to it. He wondered if any of his things were still in that cavern. It was entirely possible.
“Well, Gibil? You will help me, won’t you?” Belit leaned over to him again, to purr up into his ear. He drew his brows together slightly and glanced down at her.
“You know I have now lived for some time here in the Human Realm. I am not certain how well I would play these games again.” He said after another moment. It was the truth; his mother had often said that the wisest demons played this game using nothing but the truth. Belit sat back and nodded thoughtfully.
“I can tell that you are different, somehow. I don’t know what it is that is different, but there is something. Perhaps you have become too accustomed to your humanish face?” She teased. “Consider it, then. You will see how advantageous this is for us both. What would be the downside? You would return home in glory, I would be the one who returned you to the clan and glory would also be mine. All without a struggle of any sort. And I would even be willing to share some of the profit from my hounds. They are glorious creatures, you should see them! The largest hounds ever known! I must only keep my pack safe till they reach maturity and I can take them back with me. Every demon will want one, and only the most prestigious and wealthy will be able to have one!” Belit crowed.
“I admit that I am intrigued by this project of yours, and your offer sounds tempting.” He stood, bowing over her hand as he unwrapped it from his arm. “I will indeed consider what you have said. I am certain that we will see each other again soon to discuss it further.” She stood as well and smiled up at him, looking small and fragile and enticing.
“The thought of our partnership thrills me. I can hardly wait until our next meeting.”
He knew that she watched him leave the balcony and then walk off into the night a moment later. He made sure that he strolled calmly away to turn the nearest corner out of Belit’s sight, wrapping his power tight about himself to leave almost no trail and ignoring the inferno that seemed to be consuming his left shoulder.
As soon as Belit returned to her chambers, she nearly danced around her worktable, setting about brewing the potion she knew would help her cement Gibil’s attentions. Not that she doubted her own personal charms, but it never hurt to have a back up plan. Indeed, it was only good policy. And she thought it odd that he declined to use his own name when she approached. He gave her the name he used to hide amongst these nasty human creatures, and even seemed slightly uncomfortable when she had addressed him properly. Most likely he was simply out of the habit. It had been over a century, after all, and one does grow used to things after that much time.
Now, what would the proper dosage be for this potion? It was important to get it right. Gibil was tall and fit, she thought happily. Taller than she remembered, and powerful. She thrilled to have had that much power, so close, and then when he turned that corner and all but vanished… She shivered in delight. Such perfect control! She hadn’t expected that he would be so… delicious. It wouldn’t have mattered what he was like so long as she could return triumphantly with him, but as it turned she would enjoy every moment with him. Perhaps she would encourage him to try to take his father’s place instead of merely serving him. She could likely persuade him even to share the throne with her! She laughed out loud at the thought.
But she must focus. This was a delicate procedure. She had to account for his mass— she was already at a disadvantage there from having to guess— but too much would make him sleep, and sleep was the last thing she wanted him to do when he found her again. She simply wanted the insurance of this potion. To tip the scale in her favor, not put him to sleep. She made a small adjustment to the equipment to set the flask down over a power center to cure for a few minutes, and turned to set out the other things she had prepared.
She set out a decanter on the small table. He liked this drink, she had noticed, and had procured a bottle on her way back to her chambers. She wanted to be ready for him to arrive at any time, but was constrained slightly by the circumstances of her current quarters. Having no servants other than that nearly worthless male made everything so difficult. Belit sighed, forcing patience on herself. Not much longer now, she reminded herself. She simply needed to wait until Gibil sought her out.
When he had left her at the tavern she had tried to follow him again, but he was cagey, and had wrapped himself to leave no trail of power to follow. He also left behind several layers of misdirection spells that had left her hopelessly lost. So instead she had laid a trail for him to follow when he was ready, and she had no doubt he would follow it eventually. She had been very deliberate when she had finally found him, mentioning his mother. The one demon she knew he would wish to see again above all others. Letting it slip casually that she had been killed had almost certainly lit the flame of vengeance in him. She retrieved her flask and poured the now clear liquid into a small vial that could be easily concealed in her hand.
A sound from the main warehouse attracted her attention and she strode through the door onto a catwalk balcony to glare out into the dimly lit room. The hounds were moving restlessly in their cages, waiting to be fed. The worthless human she had brought to do the unpleasant tasks for her was huddled over a backpack at the far end of the building.
“What are you doing? Feed them!” She screeched at him, satisfied to see him jump in surprise.
“I’m just going now to get the damned goats.” He hollered back, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Something about him made her wary. If her hounds weren’t fed soon these ones would try to escape as well and she would have to start over from the beginning. She didn’t think she could stand being forced to live in this wretched realm much longer. Especially now that she was so close.
Though she supposed she could always seek comfort and solace from Gibil. That would be something at least, and no doubt he was e
ven more familiar than she was with how useless and wretched humans were at even the simplest tasks. It could almost be worth it, and with his power and skill, and her hard earned knowledge of the breeding process, it would proceed much faster the next time. Still, when the wretched human slunk out of the warehouse door, she followed him, her instincts telling her it would be a better use of her time.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Paula stood at the information desk and handed Lee and May each a list of call numbers to go track down and turning back to the librarian to discuss access to a more valuable tome kept in special storage. May had always loved libraries, and Temple libraries were the best in her opinion. Full of interesting bits of knowledge recorded patiently it all now waited for her to find! May hurried off, almost feeling like she was back in school, soothed slightly by the familiar smells of paper and dust and scholarship. The section of the library she headed to wasn’t included in most libraries outside the Temple- most books on this subject would no doubt be filed under ‘mythology,’ if they had them at all. The general public rarely thought of the Demon Realm, and when they did they thought of the small demon beasts that was mostly what any Priestess had to deal with. May realized that it was not very surprising that the previous teams to encounter the monster hounds had been so badly beaten. Not many living teams had any experience with that sort of fight.
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