by Monica Davis
He had done it!
“Now, hurl it at this human,” said Metistakles with a devious grin, pointing at a young woman who had just stepped out of a dark corner of the hall. She stared anxiously at the group of robed men.
“Vanessa!” Daniel cried out.
His sphere instantly dissolved. He was about to run to her, but thanks to his supernatural vision, he realized that it wasn’t really her. Vanessa had a tiny mole on her cheek. Even though this girl did not have the mole, she could otherwise have been Nessa’s twin.
Metistakles laughed quietly. “Your reactions betray your true feelings. You’re not really one of us.”
Anger rose within Daniel. He wanted so badly to finally be a part of “something,” to belong somewhere. Metistakles’ words wounded him deeply. But he couldn’t kill a human being!
The girl suddenly flickered.
Wait — that wasn’t a human being, it was just an illusion!
I’ll show them what I’m capable of, Daniel thought, producing a new sphere in no time. He took a deep breath, and then threw the deadly weapon at the girl …
There was only one reason Marla didn’t return to the human world: She had to watch out for Silvan. After all, he was her brother, and she actually did feel close to him somehow. Unbelievable, but true. She blamed it on the blood bond between them. Marla had no allies in the underworld — not even Sirina. She was just a hag who ordered Marla around.
Marla felt less alone since Silvan had entered her life. They really were quite similar. In the upper world, Silvan had been just as alone as she was down here. Marla sat on her bed and shook her head at the thought. Why was she suddenly so sentimental? What was wrong with her? Ever since she met Mike, everything in her head had become a muddled mess. Although she hadn’t seen the young man for an eternity — at least, it seemed that way to her; time functioned differently down here — she still couldn’t get him out of her head. Actually, Mike was reason number two why she would rather stay in her dark hole in the underworld. She would just get more dependent on him otherwise. Even Metistakles had noticed that something was wrong with her. Lucky for her, he was focused on other things and hadn’t been paying her much attention, because she couldn’t get Mike off her mind. However, she had locked away her memories of him in her fairy-tale room, where not even Metistakles could penetrate.
She didn’t understand why she wasn’t allowed to watch Silvan’s training. Fine, she was forbidden to enter the great hall, but she so rarely had a chance to see him. The high lords seemed to be purposefully keeping her away from him. That wasn’t right — she was the one who had tracked Silvan down, after all. The High Council was probably afraid that Marla might learn something.
Marla felt the stone ceilings of the underworld closing in on her. Maybe she should go up one more time?
Vanessa was pedaling so hard that her thighs were cramping up. She biked home as quickly as she could, but not because it was drizzling. She scarcely noticed the raindrops; she was lost in her thoughts — thoughts of Daniel. Vanessa had been at Colleen’s house, but she couldn’t bear being with her friend for very long. That morning, Anne had told her that Danny wasn’t in his bed when she looked in on him before her shift. She had called Peter to ask him whether Daniel was at his house. He had told her that she should talk things over with James Carpenter.
Talk things over … Vanessa had been mulling over Anne’s words ever since. She wanted to go straight to her to find out whether there had been any news. Daniel may have been missing since yesterday, when Vanessa had … Don’t think about it. Vanessa’s stomach tightened as she rode into her garage, put her bike away, and shut the garage door from the inside. She had to know where things stood with Danny!
Her parents’ car wasn’t there; they were out visiting friends. Vanessa wouldn’t have been able to discuss Danny’s “nature” with them anyway. She felt alone. Hopefully Anne would be at home, but not even Anne knew the truth about her son … If only Vanessa had someone to talk to. Even Marla would do, but she hadn’t made an appearance today.
Daniel and Sirina — the image was seared into her brain, and remembering it made her feel even worse. Why did she have to go and fall in love with a demon? Vanessa could hardly believe all the things that had happened to her recently. Her worldview had been completely upended. Maybe it’s all just a crazy dream …
Vanessa’s eyes had gotten used to the darkness of the garage. It was cloudy outside, so almost no light was shining through the little window. The overhead light was broken, and Vanessa had to take care not to trip over anything as she slowly made her way toward the door leading into the house. She hadn’t been afraid of the dark before, but now that she had come face-to-face with Joe Adams and the demons, it made her a little uncomfortable.
A faint scratching behind her set her on high alert. She suddenly had the feeling that she wasn’t alone anymore. Was it a stray cat? Please, please, let it just be a cat!
She stood completely motionless in the middle of the garage as though she were rooted to the spot. Her heart was racing.
“Danny?” she whispered, still not daring to turn around.
“No.”
Oh, God! Vanessa wanted to scream, but the sound was stuck in her throat. That wasn’t Danny’s voice. It was far too deep and raw.
Vanessa could hear the drumming of raindrops on the roof and a faint rustling noise. Preparing herself to see something unspeakably horrible, she spun around on her heel, ready to run away.
In the furthest corner of the garage stood a tall figure. Vanessa could only make out the outlines of his form. Oh, no! Had a demon come to take her into the underworld?
“Wh-what do you want?” she asked, her voice shaking. “Who are you?”
The figure took a step toward her. “Please don’t be afraid. I’m Daniel’s father.”
What? Vanessa had been ready for anything, just not … “J-James Carpenter?”
The tall man nodded and took another step toward her. Now the dim light from the window fell directly on him. Vanessa could make out his face: high cheekbones, a strong chin, and brown hair streaked with grey at the temples. The resemblance to Daniel was striking.
She relaxed immediately. “I thought you were a demon!” she cried out in relief, then bit her lip. The man would think she wasn’t playing with a full deck.
“A demon?” James’ eyes widened. “What do you know about demons?”
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for in my parents’ garage instead!” The whole situation seemed a little fishy. She slowly backed toward the door. Out of the corner of her eye, she searched for something she might be able to use to protect herself. There were garden tools hanging on the wall — a shovel, rakes, and spades.
“I can’t allow the demons to find me, and I wanted to speak with you alone,” Carpenter said. “Listen, Vanessa …”
She gave a start when Daniel’s father said her name, but he just went on talking, as though he were afraid she might run away. “I know that you’re Daniel’s girlfriend. Anne told me that over the telephone — and also that he’s disappeared. Can you tell me anything about it? What do you know about the demons?”
“N-not much,” she stammered.
“Do you know where Daniel is right now?”
Vanessa could hear the concern in his voice. The whole situation was absurd. Daniel’s father knew about the demons. Her normal world had been shattered to pieces.
Wait a moment — of course he knew about the demons! Daniel was a half-demon! Vanessa tried to pull herself together. Might Danny be in trouble — or even in real danger? Maybe she should share what she did know with Daniel’s biological father.
“There was a red-haired demon named Sirina. She wanted to take Daniel with her into the underworld.” Tears blurred her vision, and her voice started failing her. “She said she was supposed to become his wife. I think Daniel went with her.”
“Damn!” Carpenter ran a frantic hand through his hair. �
��I should have known.”
Should have known? Vanessa gasped. That sounded like Danny’s father knew more than her. Based on his reaction, Daniel must really be in a tight spot.
A demon’s life isn’t as bad as I thought. Daniel lay back against his soft pillow, relaxed and comfortable. He was lying on a wide bed fitted with black sheets; it was all his, just like the ornate chamber around it. As the future Overlord, he enjoyed special privileges, but he was most pleased with the progress he was making in mastering his demonic abilities. How long had he been in the underworld? He had lost all sense of time. Sometimes he thought it might be days, other times weeks.
In the meantime, he had not only learned how to create energy spheres with his hands, but also how to make portals, although he still found it difficult to make them lead to the right place.
His reflexes had become incredibly fast — he could flit past other people like a shadow. He felt powerful, invincible, and finally like a real part of a community.
Sirina lay next to him, caressing his chest through his shirt and feeding him grapes. As Daniel — no, Silvan, that was his name now! — had found out, when he became a real demon, he would no longer require human food. Eating would become merely a pleasure, not a necessity. But that meant that he would have to learn to extract energy from negative feelings or even feed on souls. He wasn’t quite ready for that yet.
“Is there any other wish I can fulfill, my lord?” Sirina purred, licking the juice of the grapes from his lips. Silvan submitted to her attentions; he had to get used to it, if he’d be living with this fury for the rest of his days. His stomach tightened.
He felt like a king, but he wasn’t totally comfortable with the idea of leading the masses of hellspawn one day. That would basically mean waging a war on Mom and Vanessa. He was still in his “probationary period.” He had to prove himself worthy to be the future Overlord; to this end, the Council would assign him a task. Daniel had no idea what this might entail, but he wasn’t quite ready yet. He had to hone his skills first.
Daniel thought of Antheus. The powerful demon begrudged Silvan his claim to the throne. Antheus was next in line and was already preparing himself for his future reign when the high lords tracked Daniel down, with Marla’s help.
He saw Marla only rarely; the high lords scarcely gave him time to catch his breath. Daniel would have liked to talk to her. Marla had become uncharacteristically quiet in recent days. Daniel recalled her reaction when she saw Vanessa in Mike’s arms. Did Marla have feelings for him? Was his demonic sister actually capable of romantic emotions? For Blondie?
Nessa … He thought of her often, and every time he did, he could feel a dull ache in his chest. That was the downside to being only half demon: He couldn’t turn off his human emotions. Sirina, the calculating minx, tried everything to distract him; naturally, she snooped through his mind when he was too tired to maintain his mental barriers. She knew what he was obsessing about. Unfortunately, there was no way around it; he had to let her into his mind so that she could show him how to use his powers. But Daniel couldn’t simply forget Vanessa. He wasn’t happy with the way they had parted. I miss her.
Sirina, who was lying halfway astride him, suddenly ran her hand under his shirt. He was still wearing his normal clothes, although that would soon change. High-level demons had to wear strange garments that looked almost like dresses. Grey robes, as if they were monks. Perhaps he could get at least one black one, like the one Xandros had.
“Lover,” Sirina whispered.
His eyes shut tight, Daniel tried to imagine that it was Nessa’s hands that were sliding across his stomach, but the demon’s long fingernails made this difficult.
“Hmmm, you like that, Silvan, isn’t that right?”
Unfortunately, her caresses didn’t leave him cold. Damn it, I’m only a man! he thought desperately as she reached into his trousers. Vanessa had touched him there, but admittedly much more awkwardly than Sirina. The demon knew exactly what to do. Nevertheless, he liked it better with Nessa. Because I love her, not Sirina.
Sirina sat back on top of him and pulled his shirt over his head. Daniel let it happen. For real demons, sex was just one of many pleasures that could sweeten the day when they weren’t out corrupting innocent souls. He had to resign himself to that. There were no romantic feelings at play here; sex was only for gratification. Sirina only wanted to win his favor, to attain power at his side, as his wife, and she’d do anything to insure that future.
But damn it, that just wasn’t right!
A knock at the door saved him from seeing anything more than Sirina’s voluptuous bosom, which she had just released from her corset.
“Curses!” She pushed her breasts down and straightened her dress. Daniel quickly pulled his shirt back on. If someone was looking for him in his private chamber, it could only be one of the high lords. This time, Daniel was more than happy for the interruption. He’d have to come up with a way to keep Sirina away from him in the future. When he was Overlord, he’d decide for himself whether he wanted her for a wife …
“Come in!” Daniel called out when they were both fully clothed.
Marla was sitting cross-legged on the edge of the large fountain in Governor Plaza, staring at the bank in which Mike worked. She had decided to get a little fresh air; she had felt like she was suffocating down in the underworld. At the moment, no one had time for her or anything for her to do. So she had created a portal without visualizing any specific location, and where had she ended up? Near Mike, of course. And if she were already there, she could risk stealing a look at the man who had befuddled her senses, couldn’t she? She told herself that she’d feel better when she discovered that he wasn’t as great as he was in her fantasies.
Yes, but why had she changed into the normal human clothes she had picked out with Vanessa? She had even carefully combed her hair. It fell to her shoulders, long and straight.
Above all, Marla was fascinated by her shoes, as she was used to walking around in heavy boots. Now, she was wearing light sneakers instead. She looked down at her feet, amused, and was shocked to see a polished pair of leather loafers appear next to them. She heard Mike’s surprised voice: “Marla?”
Damn it all, had she actually forgotten to make herself invisible? Marla jumped to her feet and faced Mike. She could smell his aftershave as well as his own irresistible scent, and she could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
Her knees wanted to give way. “Uh … Mike, hello!” Why did she croak like a witch whenever she opened her mouth?
Mike looked just as stunned as she felt.
A few infinitely long seconds later, he closed his mouth, which had been gaping in astonishment. “What are you doing here?”
Yeah, good question. How should she answer him? “I thought I’d take in the sights of Little Peak, as long as I’m here visiting a friend.”
“Of course,” Mike replied, beaming. “You were waiting for me, weren’t you?”
Her face abruptly grew warmer, a strange sensation for her. Her body seemed to have developed an entirely new volition.
“I thought I’d say a brief hello. And now I’ve done that, so …”
“Would you like to have dinner with me?” Mike hastily asked. It was clear that he wasn’t going to let her escape that easily. “Two streets over, there’s a diner that makes excellent hamburgers.”
“Hamburgers?” She hadn’t eaten one of those in ages.
“They serve other things, too.” Mike reddened, reading her tone as disparaging toward that typical American food.
Oh, he was so cute! “Burgers are okay.” Damn it, that was practically a yes! Marla bit her tongue. She’d just go there, eat a hamburger, and immediately take off.
“Cool,” said Mike, grinning broadly. That brought out the dimples in his cheeks, which unfortunately made him even more attractive.
I’m lost, Marla thought as Mike linked arms with her and led her away.
Antheus had come to ta
ke him back to the hall for his next training session. The unusually tall demon, otherwise identical to the other high lords, down to the last hair — well, no, he had no hair, like the rest of the High Council — projected a mental iciness to Daniel that made him shiver.
Obron and Metistakles were already waiting for him. They were standing next to the throne of the Overlord Xandros, his “Grandpa,” as Daniel … Silvan reminded himself with a certain amount of uneasiness. Daniel had tried to find a family resemblance, but he hadn’t yet seen Xandros’ face. Had Marla ever seen him with his hood down? She was his grandchild as well.
Xandros, whose bony fingers were gripping the armrests of his throne, was just barely visible under his spacious hood. Daniel imagined that his eyes were glowing a deep crimson. He could almost feel the heat on his skin. He wanted badly to see what he looked like, but as soon as Daniel raised his eyes to take a closer look, a stabbing pain shot through his mind, so he immediately bowed his head.
Daniel would even have been happy if Sirina were here, just so he wouldn’t have to endure being alone with these eerie underworlders. When he became Overlord, would he have to wear those horrible grey robes — and shave his head? Daniel loved his black hair and didn’t want to lose it.
But there were some advantages to being a demon: As soon as one reached a certain physical and magical “maturity” — usually between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one — the body’s biological processes entered a time loop. Demons aged unbelievably slowly and were practically immortal, although this was only the case when they changed their “diet” and fed exclusively on souls and negative energy. But Daniel could continue to eat normal food when he wanted, he had been told. A life without noodle casserole, hot dogs, and cheesecake wasn’t worth living.
Immortal … and all that power.
That was nothing to sneeze at.
Daniel knew one thing for certain: As soon as he was in charge, many things would change.
