Les Gris - TI4

by Heckrotte, Fran

  "I know, but I never understood why she called my mom and told her those lies about us – not that I wasn't thinking about you that way. I mean, your kisses were driving me nuts."

  "Aunt Jenny was a miserable person. If I hadn't hated her so much, I'd have felt sorry for her. I was glad when she died."

  "Me too! I can't believe Mom actually thought sending me to a convent for six months would straighten me out. If she only knew what I learned there."

  Sylvie and Angie laughed. Sister Charlene had given Sylvie quite an education.

  "Yeah. I have to admit you definitely learned a few skills that even I had never heard of."

  "Well now, that's saying a lot."

  Again they laughed. Angie had spent almost two years as a ward of the state because of her aunt. Jenny had called the police, claiming her niece had run away from home. Pretending concern, she told the officers, and later the judge, that Angie might be suicidal like her mother. Jenny pleaded for them to help her beloved niece. Being a minor, Angie stood no chance against the accusations and was sent to the state youth center for sixteen months for rehabilitation. During her incarceration, she discovered a whole new world of bad girls and how to be one herself. When she finally was released on her eighteenth birthday, she knew more about the female anatomy than most gynecologists. She had also discovered that her aunt had robbed her trust account of almost eighty thousand dollars, making it impossible for her to go to college. As things turned out, getting a job at a large factory specializing in electronic equipment was the best thing that could have happened to her. In less than five years, she was a unit supervisor. Two years later, she was promoted to Quality Control and transferred to the corporate home office. Her supervisor was none other than Sylvie. They reconnected almost instantly and had been together ever since.

  Snuggling closer, Sylvie nuzzled Angie's neck contentedly. Whatever hardships they had endured, the rewards far outweighed the pain.

  Angie glanced down at the head resting on her shoulder and lightly ruffled the dark blonde hair. A slight movement on the wall caught her attention, and she glanced toward the shadows. For a second she thought she saw them shift on their own as if they were readjusting their positions to get more comfortable... much like she and Sylvie had done a few minutes earlier. Blinking several times, she shook her head and then dismissed it.

  Damn, I'm getting as bad as Sylvie, she thought. Closing her eyes, she moved Sylvie's head off her shoulder and onto a pillow, then rolled on her side. Careful not to bump Sylvie's injured shoulder, she snuggled against her lover until they lay spooned together. Kissing the back of Sylvie's neck, Angie settled into a quiet slumber, sensing her partner was already asleep. Neither had turned the light off.

  * * *

  The two Shadows waited patiently for their human counterparts to fall asleep. Once they were assured they wouldn't be noticed, they hugged each other gleefully.

  Playtime, Angie's Shadow, Soleil, whooped, jumping up.

  Your human is so serious. Why are you two so different? asked Lumiere, reaching out to touch the soft darkness of her Shadow-partner.

  I balance her!

  Has she always been this way? I mean before we met.

  Yes, but she's better now. There was a time when I thought I had lost her, Soleil said, reaching out to stroke her life partner's hair. Sylvie's Shadow shuddered. Losing one's life partner was the worst thing that could happen to a Shadow. No, no! I don't mean detachment. I meant mentally. When her mother died, she blamed herself, Soleil said, feeling Lumiere's reaction.

  Why?

  It's a human thing.

  How sad, but why would Angie blame herself? Lumiere stared at Angie's sleeping form as Soleil continued running her shadowy fingers through the soft hair.

  Humans are strange that way. They take on burdens that aren't theirs to bear. This one wasn't hers but there wasn't any way for her to know that. Her mother and her life partner were out of sync but too close. Colleen was depressed and thought she was going crazy when she heard voices. It was only her life partner trying to help her. I tried to warn Luce but she wouldn't listen. Afterward all I could do was focus on Angie and hope I wasn't repeating Luce's mistake. Fortunately, you and Sylvie came into our lives.

  Lumiere snuggled closer to Soleil before responding to her Shadow-partner's comment.

  I felt your pain and wondered what was causing it. My human has always been close to me. She picked up on my thoughts and was curious too. When she saw Angie, she was immediately drawn to her essence, just as I was to yours. We both wanted so badly to soothe your pain.

  You did. Angie's a great person... very compatible with your life partner – like us, Soleil said.

  That is so true! Speaking of us, are we going to talk all night or take advantage of the nightlight they left on?

  Like you really need to ask? By the way, you realize that was intentional.

  Yeah, Angie may not admit it, but she's beginning to believe in us. Next thing you know, she'll be talking to us like Sylvie.

  Soleil laughed at the thought. She seriously doubted Angie would ever truly believe in the Les Gris.

  I doubt that. Besides, they couldn't afford the electric bills if they left the lights on all night, every night.

  And we'd never get any rest!

  Giggling, Lumiere and Soleil began wrestling playfully and then collapsed against each other. Slowly, they explored each other’s darkness, savoring the intimacy of a touch that only Shadows could truly appreciate; and then, because even Shadows have limited energy reserves, they snuggled together and slept.

  CHAPTER 8

  The Child

  THE STREETS WERE dark and mostly vacant. Occasionally, someone would walk by and glance at the small group of people huddled under the streetlight on the corner. They were a strange looking gathering. Three men surrounded a woman who was talking to them in a low voice. From all appearances, she seemed to be reprimanding them. Heads bobbing up and down vigorously, small whimpers could be heard through the stillness of the night. One passerby stopped, his curiosity and libido aroused by the woman's unusual looks. With flaming red hair and deep, copper-colored skin, she stood barely five feet tall. A black tank top showed enough cleavage to be enticing, but fell short of being indecent. Silver capri slacks displayed a sleek trim figure with long legs, slim ankles and cloven-hoofed feet. The man blinked several times and rubbed his eyes. When he glanced back down, he saw neatly trimmed toenails peeking out of the end of silver sandals.

  "I must be more tired than I thought," he mumbled and walked away scratching his head. "Too bad. I bet she's a good fuck!" Had he looked back, he would have seen several pairs of bright red eyes staring coldly at his departing figure. Jack Henry had just won the trip of a lifetime and his journey was about to begin.

  Nodding her head in his direction, the woman directed the short, balding man to her right to follow him.

  "You know what to do – and Dagon, make sure Soulkeeper knows he's mine."

  "Yes, mistress," Dagon replied and bowed slightly. Rubbing his hands together gleefully, he trotted after the human. The demon hadn't taken a mortal soul in over two hundred years. If he was lucky, the Child would let him have it after she tired of her newest plaything.

  "I should be the one to take him," grumbled Paymon and then flinched at the icy glare burning into his own protected core.

  Demons didn't have souls. Instead their inner being held a core of energy fueled by the fires of the Underworld. As long as those fires burned, the demons were relatively safe from other demons. They weren't, however, completely immune, especially to those in the upper hierarchy of the demon world. The more powerful the demon, the more pain it could inflict on subordinates. Immortality didn't guarantee a pain-free existence.

  Dis, their Underlord and sovereign ruler, showed little interest in the day-to-day lives of the inhabitants. As long as everyone obeyed his rules, he allowed them to go about their business undisturbed, leaving the order and discipli
ne to his commanders. Few dared to anger or alienate the Elite of Hell.

  Still, although they considered themselves immortal, many demons had disappeared over the millennium. Some were lost in the Great Battle with Dis' Twin while others simply vanished. Few dwelled on this fact. Demons didn't want to think about their weaknesses.

  "I have a more important job for you," the woman replied. Her voice was whispery soft but cold and emotionless. Paymon nodded obediently. The third demon remained silent. It wasn't wise to interrupt the Child. As the daughter of Dis and Lilith, she was more powerful than all the lesser demons of the Underworld and most of the Elite. Some thought she might one day displace her sire and become supreme ruler of their realm.

  "I am looking for something... something special."

  "Name it, mistress, and we will find it," Paymon promised, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Staying in the good graces of the Child would ensure his protection from other demons.

  The Child stood quietly for a few seconds as if trying to make up her mind about something. She knew what she was about to say could possibly jeopardize her position with her followers. Being ambitious, demons were normally opportunists, switching loyalties whenever it benefited them. It didn't mean that all demons suffered this affliction. Many understood the true meaning of loyalty, especially those of the higher castes. Loyalty created order, and order provided unlimited resources and power. The Child understood this. She was next in line to ascend the throne, should her father die. Even though he had sired many demons, none of them were as powerful or as intelligent as she. Unfortunately, Dis was immortal. Not even his Twin, the master of the Overworld, had the power to destroy him. Still, all things had a weakness. If the Child could discover her sire's, she might be able to bring about his fall or demise, not that she was eager to have Dis killed. Condemning him to the Netherworld, like he had done to her, would be a fitting punishment.

  The demoness shook her head, banishing those thoughts for the moment. Until she recovered what she had lost, she wouldn't be able to hold her own loyal demons for long.

  "Mistress?" Paymon whined, nervously.

  The Child stared into the beady red eyes of her servant. Bright orange and black flames danced frantically up and down, a sign of his nervousness.

  "Are you afraid of me, Paymon?"

  Paymon swallowed. To deny it would be foolish. The Child knew what he was feeling. She was of The Blood, which gave her powers he could only dream of. Lying would make her distrust him more, and Paymon needed to be trusted. It was his only way to move up to a higher caste. She was the one hope he had to improve his status amongst the other demons.

  "Ye... yes," he stammered.

  "Good! You should be! I will destroy you if you ever betray me."

  The calmly spoken words made him shiver. Swallowing, he nodded.

  "But, follow me, obey me and serve me faithfully and I will give you power and status. You will be an Elite amongst the highest of our order."

  "I am yours to command, mistress. Tell me what you need."

  "I need my Shadow." It was said so matter-of-factly – no emotion, no embellishments.

  Paymon blinked.

  "You... your shadow?"

  Glancing down, he noticed the gray distorted image that spread faintly across the sidewalk beneath the streetlight.

  "There is your shadow," he said, pointing at the concrete slab.

  The Child laughed. Although pleasant, he shivered again.

  "That is nothing! Merely an illusion."

  "I... I don't understand, mistress."

  "No doubt! That is nothing more than a shell of my shadow. I am missing its essence. I must find it."

  Paymon was confused. Was she losing it? Had her time in the Netherworld driven her insane?

  "No, I'm not insane," the Child replied, answering his unspoken thoughts.

  Paymon blanched, afraid she had read his thoughts.

  "And no, I'm not reading your thoughts," she added. "You're very transparent. Now, we've wasted enough time. Listen carefully and you'll understand. Shadows are more than just the result of objects blocking light. They are live energy dependent on light and their host. The two complete each other. Without both parts joined, each becomes significantly less than the whole."

  "How do you know this?" Paymon asked, his curiosity overriding his fear.

  Normally, she would have rebuked him for questioning her about anything, but the demoness understood how absurd her explanation sounded. Even she had found it difficult to accept. Had she not felt its essence waiting for her at the moment she transitioned from the Netherworld to the Underworld, and then ripped away, she wouldn't have believed it. Too excited at being released from her prison, the Child ignored the empty feeling that assailed her. Only later did she realize that something was horribly wrong. By then it was too late. Her Les Gris, her Shadow, was gone.

  * * *

  I never even knew you existed, she thought, remembering back to that moment. I assumed it was a mortal thing. She had learned of the Les Gris while trapped in the Netherworld. Through the invisible barrier that separated her prison from freedom, she had grown aware of them and their importance. The knowledge could give her an edge over demons and humans if she were able to escape. Unfortunately, what she once considered a weakness in others was now threatening her own existence even more. She was slowly losing her sanity.

  "What happened to your shadow?" the third demon asked timidly, and then flinched when she glared at him angrily. He had been quietly listening, not wanting to interrupt the Child, but his curiosity got the better of him too.

  The demoness reigned in the unreasonable anger as she turned to stare at Nybbas. Although a minor demon, he was a master of dreams and visions. This made him a valuable asset in her arsenal. With some coaxing, she would be able to use his abilities to affect mortal and demon or anything that dreamed.

  Even Father dreams, she thought, refocusing on her ultimate goal. But I'll worry about that later. I need to solve my present problem. The little demon eyed her nervously, hoping he hadn't angered his mistress.

  "It's alright, Nybbas," the Child said, calming her growing madness. "It was somehow stolen as I re-entered the Underworld. I need to find out what happened."

  "Maybe it's just lost," Paymon offered. "We can look for it. You want we should start looking?"

  "It's not lost. Shadows don't just get lost. At least not mine. It was stolen," the Child replied. The coldness in her voice warned him not to push her too far. Swallowing nervously, Paymon decided to try another suggestion.

  "You think a mortal took it?" The thought that such a thing could happen was disturbing to Paymon. Humans were supposed to be weak.

  "I don't know, but I doubt it. I know of no mortal this powerful. It's something else."

  "What else could it be?"

  Before she could answer, Nybbas hissed loudly. The demoness and Paymon turned in unison to stare at the normally timid minion.

  "Me sor... sorry, mistress," he squeaked, terrified he had angered her.

  "I'm not angry, Nybbas. Have you thought of something?"

  Nodding his head rapidly, he looked around to see if anyone might be listening. Satisfied, he leaned close to her ear and whispered.

  "Me see things sometimes. Others, they think me crazy but me not crazy."

  "No, you're not crazy. I know you have special gifts. What have you seen?"

  Moving physically closer, he again checked his surroundings and clicked his tongue nervously.

  "Darkness! Me see darkness."

  "Darkness? I don't understand."

  "Kobal. He once high demon. Now he nothing. Crazy. Laugh all time. Happy dance. Demons no happy dance."

  "What does that have to do with darkness?"

  "Don't mind him, mistress. He's always been a little off," Paymon said, disgustedly.

  "Me not off. I see darkness surround Kobal one night. Like invisible cloud but I see it. Kobal never same."

 
The Child wasn't sure what to think about Nybbas' revelation. As a master of visions and dreams, it was possible he suffered a form of dementia or at least lost touch with reality on occasion. Still, much of what he saw was real.

  "What do you mean by invisible cloud?"

  "Me see cloud but it not there. Think it not real but it real alrighty. It surround Kobal. Kobal not see but Kobal change after. Kobal laugh at everything. No take serious anything. Happy, happy. Feet dance all the time. Invisible cloud steal his essence."

  The demoness wasn't sure whether or not to believe the small minion. If what he had seen was real, then it could be what had happened to her.