Daniel Taylor and the Scepter of Power

by Monica Davis

  Why was her father helping her? Was it because he felt something for her, or just out of pure self-interest? Marla sensed no emotion from him. Obron had sealed off his mind.

  The holes in her cheek closed and stopped burning. Marla suddenly felt hale and hearty.

  When Obron took his hands away, she sat up.

  Mike beamed at her, but Marla couldn’t stop staring at her father. Had the Oracle been wrong? Was she not about to die, after all?

  Soon you will leave this life … That’s what the Oracle had prophesized to Ilaria.

  Marla was confused. So many thoughts were swirling through her mind. “Why did you do that?” Her pulse drummed in her temples. Her father had actually saved her!

  “I might still need you,” Obron replied coolly.

  Of course — how could she have imagined that he might feel anything like fatherly love for her.

  Mike handed her the black sweater that she had been lying on. She hastily pulled it on and fell into Mike’s arms.

  “I was so worried about you,” Mike whispered.

  “And I about you.” Marla sighed in relief.

  Metistakles was dead; she could scarcely believe it. “I love you,” she whispered, kissing Mike on the lips.

  A derisive snort echoed through the room. “History repeats itself,” Obron said. “A watcher, just like your mother!”

  Marla was taken aback. Obron could sense that Mike was a watcher, even though he possessed no magical abilities? She herself had never sensed anything! But she wasn’t nearly as strong and powerful as other demons.

  Obron pulled Mike away from her. “I won’t tolerate a watcher in our midst!”

  “Please, father!” Marla stepped protectively in front of Mike. “I’ll take him to the surface! He has no magic that can hurt you!”

  “Everything that he has heard and seen down here, or that he has learned from you — it’s too much! He works for the Guild, our sworn enemies!”

  “I-I don’t know anything,” Mike stammered, “and I’m no one! In the Guild’s eyes, I barely exist!”

  Obron pushed Marla aside and grabbed Mike by the collar. “You’re lying!”

  Marla’s heart was breaking. “Father, please! Let him go!”

  Mike pressed his hands to his head, and Marla knew that Obron was forcibly looking for information in his mind. The demon suddenly let go of him, a smile softening his stern features. Marla had never seen Obron smile this way!

  “Hmmm … Why didn’t you just say right away that you were on our side?”

  “What?” Marla didn’t understand anything anymore. “What are you talking about, Father?”

  “For all intents and purposes, your human friend is working for Xandros.”

  Her chest tightened. Whatever Obron had seen in Mike’s mind — it must have been the truth. Marla cursed her underdeveloped abilities. She could communicate mentally, but she couldn’t delve any deeper into people’s heads. For other demons, she acted merely as a sort of transmitter. They had first penetrated Silvan’s mind through her consciousness.

  Obron circled Mike like a wolf with does its prey. “Your beloved boyfriend is the nephew of a high-ranking Guild member who has defected. He entrusted Mike with an important task, even though he possesses almost no magic.”

  “Almost?” Mike spoke up. “So I do have powers?”

  Obron grinned. “Just one. It’s sleeping deep within you.”

  Marla swallowed hard; she felt dizzy. “Is that true, Mike? You’re working for …”

  He didn’t look her in the eyes as he nodded.

  It felt as though she had been struck by lightning. She supposed should be happy that Mike was somehow on her side, but instead the betrayal hit her like a poisoned arrow. She shook her head sadly.

  Obron’s laughter was triumphant. “They’ve been looking for Carpenter and the scepter for a long time. But not for themselves — no, for Xandros. Many years ago, he promised them great power if they tracked down Carpenter and the scepter. Their leader and all his followers are our allies.”

  Marla found that she had nothing to say. She felt stupid and deceived as never before. The young man she loved was a traitor?

  Obron loosened his grip on Mike’s collar. “I’ll let you live, human, if you help me.”

  He eagerly nodded. “Of course! I can help you get the scepter. I know what Carpenter’s planning to do.”

  Obron snorted, amused. “Yes, I saw that in your mind.” His eyes darkened. “That’s also how I know that you actually want the scepter for yourself!”

  “Mike!” Marla cried in horror.

  Staring at her, he shook his head slightly. Was he denying it?

  Was she unconscious and just dreaming all this? Her reality suddenly seemed so horribly distorted. She wanted to cry, she wanted to die — and she found herself almost as paralyzed as she had been before, in Metistakles’ grip.

  Obron smiled slyly at her. “Not the man of your dreams after all, daughter? But I like him.” He turned back to Mike. “You want validation, don’t you? From your parents and from your boss. That’s why you want to deliver up Carpenter and the scepter.”

  Marla sighed. Now she understood. Mike didn’t want power; he wanted respect.

  “If you cooperate with me,” Obron continued, “I can make sure that you get more recognition. I will promise to activate your dormant power. In addition, I will free the human girl and … you can have Marla.”

  “Father!” Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. As always, she was just a pawn in the games of others, pushed back and forth at their whims. She didn’t want to be a means to an end any longer, and certainly not a trophy! Mike’s betrayal burned hotter than fire in her chest.

  Obron ignored her and went on talking to Mike. “Carpenter and Silvan are here. Xandros has sensed their presence right away. Unfortunately, thanks to the eye of Horus, we demons cannot locate them exactly.”

  Mike took a step forward. “But I can see them!”

  Smiling, Obron clapped him on the shoulder. “Then let’s not waste any more time.” He turned to Marla and took her by the chin. “I knew you’d turn out to be useful — the union with your mother wasn’t a complete disaster after all!”

  Marla took a deep, tremulous breath and pushed his hand away. He had no heart. But Carpenter did — he loved her like a daughter, she had felt that with certainty. He would never allow anything to happen to her.

  As though he had read her mind, Obron shook his head and turned away. “Let’s go!” he called to Mike.

  “Mike …” she whispered. “Please don’t do this.”

  He looked at her, downcast, and mouthed words that Marla didn’t quite understand, but she imagined they might have been “Trust me”. Then he turned and walked away.

  She forced back her tears. It was all just lies. Marla couldn’t trust anyone anymore. She would have never guessed who Mike really was. Everyone was just playing a game. That was why he had been so obsessed with following James and Silvan! Was there anyone here who didn’t want the scepter?

  Her head bowed in misery, she did the only thing she knew how to do — run along after others, this time Obron and Mike.

  “How are we going to get into the hall?” James whispered.

  Daniel stood close to him near the large double doors, hidden under the amulet’s protective shield that rendered them invisible to demons.

  “At some point, someone will have to go in or out,” replied Daniel quietly. He eyed the door’s thousands of swarming black snakes skeptically. He was afraid that they would sense him and morph into a living model of his face, as they always did when someone wished to enter the great hall. A few snakes flicked out their tongues in his direction, so he pulled his father back a few steps.

  When they heard voices, they pressed themselves up against the wall. It was Sirina and Antheus. Daniel recognized the demoness immediately by her green outfit and Antheus by his height.

  Would this be an opportunity to get into the ha
ll?

  “Lover, wait,” Sirina said, taking Antheus by the hand.

  He shook her hand off. “Oh, so now I’m your lover!”

  Daniel held his breath; the two had stopped just a few steps away from him and his father.

  “I was blind. I knew how much you wanted me. I was just dazzled by Silvan’s charisma.” Sirina played innocently with a lock of her hair and then stretched her arms over the tall demon, catlike. “But the feelings he showed that day!” She shuddered in an exaggerated fashion so that her red hair flew about wildly. “Pathetic! I should have realized that he was far too human to be useful to us. You, on the other hand, are cold and truly powerful. I didn’t see it until it was almost too late. Forgive me!” She threw herself at his feet and clung to them. She looked up at him submissively. “In the future, I’ll do everything you ask of me, my lord.”

  Antheus raised an eyebrow. “Everything?”

  She nodded obediently, and Daniel inwardly chuckled. Could such a powerful demon really be taken in by this?

  The answer was apparently yes, as he pulled Sirina up by her fire-red hair, pressed her against the wall with his body, and aggressively kissed her.

  She moaned shamelessly and wrapped her legs around Antheus.

  “Here, lover?” Daniel heard her say between gasps.

  Antheus nodded and hitched up his robe. His naked legs came into view. Daniel had always been curious about what the high lords wore under their robes, but he hadn’t wanted to find out this way!

  He was filled with disgust. Hopefully they wouldn’t have to witness the two coupling!

  Luckily, the demons’ passion was short-lived, as more footsteps could be heard approaching the great hall.

  Antheus let Sirina go at once, and she hurriedly straightened her dress.

  Upon glimpsing the newcomers, James tensed up, and Daniel was shocked. His blood ran cold as he saw Obron, followed by Mike and Marla. Daniel had thought they were already safely out of the underworld!

  “Is there any news?” Obron’s voice echoed through the tunnel.

  Antheus shook his head. “We were about to enter the hall and report to Xandros.” Eyes narrowed, he examined first Obron, then Mike and Marla. “What’s happened? I’ve lost all connection with Metistakles.”

  “He’s dead,” replied Obron coolly.

  Dead? Daniel gasped. Had Marla killed him? That meant that they would have one fewer demon to fight — although the odds were still stacked against them. Just defeating Xandros represented an insurmountable challenge.

  “I had to eliminate him,” Obron said. “The idiot wanted to kill Marla. We need her now more urgently than ever.”

  What would they need his sister for?

  Of course — she was also a descendant of the woman who had created the scepter!

  Marla hung her head. She looked grievously sad and was covered in blood from head to toe. Mike, in contrast, was a pure bundle of nerves. He was constantly running a hand through his hair or wiping his palms dry on his trousers. He looked in their direction a few times, but he didn’t let on that he had seen them.

  Obron looked over toward them, and Daniel held his breath. The demon frowned and narrowed his eyes, but then Mike distracted him. “Maybe they’re already in the hall?”

  “Impossible,” Obron said. “We should go in and ask the Overlord for guidance.”

  “With the human?” From Sirina’s displeasure, it was obvious that she had never been permitted to enter the hall. Apparently she was to be allowed in for the first time as Antheus’ consort. She was standing near the snake door, fidgeting and shifting her weight from one leg to the other.

  “He’ll be useful to us,” Obron replied curtly, positioning himself in front of the door. “He can see Silvan and Carpenter despite the amulet.”

  With a soft hissing sound, the black snakes shifted into the form of Obron’s face. His large nose was clearly recognizable. The mighty double doors swung silently open, and everyone entered. Just before the doors closed, Daniel and James scurried in behind them.

  The doors closed with a quiet click. They were inside! Daniel’s heart nearly leapt into his throat. Although no one could create a portal into the hall, there was always the possibility of making one out from it. That gave them a little security.

  He looked around, past the others, who were walking toward the other end of the hall. There, illuminated by the light of several torches, Xandros sat on his throne. As always, he was dressed in a black robe, with the hood pulled low over his face.

  Vanessa was huddled at his feet, a chain around her neck like a dog. Xandros had looped the leash around his hand. It was no ordinary chain, but rather a magical restraint that glowed with a dark-green light.

  Vanessa looked up and opened her mouth. No sound emerged. Her eyelids were red, her dress was dirty, and there was a cut on her shoulder. What had they done to her?

  Daniel seethed, and his fingertips prickled. It took great effort not to hurl a fireball at Xandros. Daniel wanted to run over to Vanessa, but James held him back.

  Remembering how he always thought of Xandros as the emperor from Star Wars, he again felt like he was in a Star Wars film — except that this time Xandros was Jabba the Hutt and Vanessa was Princess Leia.

  Naturally, Vanessa could see them. She opened her mouth and stared at them as they entered the hall after the demons and Mike. Daniel hastily shook his head, put a finger to his lips, and then placed his hand over his eyes.

  Vanessa understood. She looked away quickly, but it was too late. Xandros’ fingers dug into the armrests of his throne, and he pulled Vanessa closer to him with the leash.

  “They’re here!”

  Obron, Antheus, and Sirina immediately spun around.

  “Where are they, lord?” Obron cried, keeping an eye on Vanessa. She made an effort to stare in the opposite direction.

  “I can sense their proximity,” Xandros said. “But I can’t see them.”

  Obron grabbed Mike by the arm. “Where are they?”

  “I-I …” Mike looked around and caught sight of them.

  Daniel and James quickly ducked behind a thick column. “What’s the plan?” Daniel mouthed.

  “I can’t see them!” Mike cried as Obron forced him to his knees.

  James and Daniel remained hidden, but Daniel’s sharp eyes found a reflection in the smooth, black marble wall. He saw Obron pressing his hands to Mike’s temples. The demon closed his eyes. “Look around!” he commanded Mike.

  This was evidently a painful process. Daniel heard him gasp. Straining, Mike opened his eyes wider.

  Obron guided his head, turning Mike in all directions. Luckily, it was so dark behind their column that they cast no reflections on the wall.

  “Damn it, he really doesn’t see them!” Obron yelled, letting go of Mike. He collapsed to the floor and remained there, lying on his side. Marla crouched down next to him. She seemed upset — she was biting her fingernails and looking around furtively.

  Goose bumps crept over the back of Daniel’s neck as he heard Xandros laugh. “He’ll show himself!”

  Vanessa suddenly screamed.

  Daniel rushed out from behind the pillar. James just barely managed to stay at his heels in order to stay in the protective circle.

  Xandros had stood up and was walking to the center of the hall. Daniel had never seen the Overlord get up from his throne before. He was tall, at least half a head taller than his son Antheus. Xandros pulled so hard on the leash that Vanessa was jerked forward. She scrabbled at her neck, choking for air.

  Daniel could no longer control himself; his rage knew no bounds. He gathered all his negative emotions and created a football-sized energy sphere in his hand. For an instant, he marveled at his own strength — and then he threw the sphere at Xandros.

  It fizzled out in the air a meter in front of the demon. “Look at that!” Xandros laughed so loudly and shrilly that the walls of the great hall vibrated.

  “Daniel,” James h
issed, pulling him to one side.

  Daniel was trembling. Damn it, he might have hit Vanessa, or Xandros might have used her as a shield!

  “I can feel your hate,” Xandros called, “your fear, and your confusion.” He strode through the hall, pulling Vanessa along behind him. She followed him, silently crying.

  “Hate is good, Silvan! It makes you one of us. You still have the choice! If you decide to fight against me, your human friend will be the first to die!”

  The others were standing together in a group, raptly watching the events unfold. At least they weren’t attacking. It almost seemed to Daniel that they were waiting for something.

  “Show yourself!” The voice of the Overlord echoed through the rock dome.

  Daniel didn’t move. What should he do? He had no chance against Xandros. He could only think of one weapon that could stop the powerful demon, and that was the scepter!

  Should he pretend to defect to the other side?

  No, Xandros would see through that ploy right away. The high lords were gifted mind-readers; he couldn’t deceive them. The way things looked, they had lost.

  Daniel saw Marla helping Mike to stand up. The two of them positioned themselves behind Antheus, Obron, and Sirina, as though they might be safer there. A ridiculous idea.

  Xandros pulled Vanessa to him and ran his hand over her bare shoulder. His claws left a bloody trail running down her arm.

  Screaming, Vanessa tried to break away from Xandros, who was holding her by the shoulder with his other hand.

  Vanessa! Daniel twisted in James’ firm grip. The Overlord had actually hurt her! He had to go to her, help her, comfort her! Daniel could see how frightened she was. She had wrapped one protective arm around her trembling body; with her other hand, she was trying to tear off the chain around her neck. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. What had they done to her?