Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  Oh that’s just great! thought Alexander, I’ve definitely made an impression on this woman. ‘Alexander the Great’ my foot, he thought. I’ll be laughed out of existence, let alone the Court, if they could only see me now, reduced to this pitiful state. And if that was not enough, he thought, looking fixedly at Rowanne’s back, she thinks, I’m foolish? Me!

  He had always thought of himself as a gentle man, the epitome of calm. I can handle any situation thrown at me, and looking despairingly at Rowanne, who was oblivious to all this, he finished lamely, any situation that is, but this one!

  If I had to lose my soul, all that I am, could it not have been to a more noble, more refined woman? That said, he picked up a biscuit from the plate that Rowanne had just brought in, and began to munch through them methodically like a maniac. I lost it all, he thought mournfully, to this woman? and looked at her suspiciously as he continued to munch his way through half the plate.

  Rowanne sat with a mug in her hand, and started to shake as she tried to suppress her laughter. He really does look like some kind of crazy Cookie Monster, she thought, as he devoured the whole plate. She got up and went to the kitchen to diligently refill it. Sometimes you just need a cup of tea and a biscuit, or biscuits in his case. Maybe he needed a sugar and caffeine hit; a deadly combo. Poor thing, he’s hungry, maybe he can handle it. Rowanne was content to just sit there for a while.

  All too soon the moment of calm had passed; it was time to face the storm. Rowanne reluctantly got up and grabbed her coat and bag. Alexander took the cue and put on his own coat. Together they walked out of the apartment.

  They silently rode down in the lift, neither one saying a thing, each lost in their own thoughts. They walked to Alexander’s car. Rowanne no longer wanted to argue the childish point and acceded to Alexander driving her.

  He looked at her and asked cautiously, ‘Look, I can drop you back as well, if you’d like?’

  After some consideration, she replied thoughtfully, ‘Let’s just see how this turns out, alright? And thanks, I might very well take you up on your offer,’ and gave him her first real smile.

  Her legs were shaking, and she had a fine tremor running through her body; Alexander noticed all this as he walked beside her. He opened the passenger door to let her in. She sat quietly, as he got in and closed his door. He pulled out of the car park, and in no time at all, they were on the main road.

  They drove in silence, Rowanne lost in her thoughts, and Alexander feeling at a loss for what to say; not trusting himself to speak. The last thing we need, is for me to say something stupid, and have her feel even more tense than she is now, especially before the ‘Police Interview,’ he thought ironically.

  CHAPTER 7

  In less than half an hour, they had made it to the police station. Rowanne quickly got out of the car as soon as it had stopped, and proceeded to walk sedately towards the stairs, not bothering to wait for Alexander.

  Alexander could not immediately follow her because of the parking restrictions, and was therefore delayed and highly annoyed at not being by her side. He drove around the back looking for a place to park.

  Keep walking, one foot in front of the other, you’re a confident journalist. The most you have to do is answer a few questions. Relax, you’ll do just fine. With that thought in mind, Rowanne finally looked behind her to see what was keeping Alexander. The sun rapidly began to set, and for a second Alexander was bathed in a fiery glow. Rowanne gasped: she could not see him clearly, he appeared as a silhouette against the infernal backdrop. Darkness descended with each step he took towards her.

  Night was falling, dropping its veil over the sun, stealing its warmth. Rowanne shivered, and wrapped her arms around her bare shoulders to keep out the autumn cold. Alexander finally arrived, holding out her coat which she duly put on. In silence, she proceeded to walk to the building that now appeared to loom over her. Alexander kept pace with her as she entered the station.

  She felt sick as she reached the reception desk, but knew that she had to keep herself together. I am a journalist, am I not? This is what I do, damn it! I could do this much at least - I mean I will.

  Alexander resisted the urge to place his hand on her shoulder, to reassure her. He could feel his hand trembling with the effort not to, but he could not, especially here anyway. Leaning into her gently, he whispered by her ear, ‘Rowanne, I can’t come through with you, but I’ll wait here. I’ve got some work on behalf of Eileen that needs to be done.’ He gave her a warm reassuring smile; the only useful thing he could do for her.

  Rowanne nodded her head, and turned away from him to talk to the officer on the reception desk. However, from the corner of her eye, she noticed Alexander walking away and began to feel his absence. She had to swallow before she could speak.

  ‘Good evening,’ Rowanne spoke confidently.

  The young officer looked up, ‘How may I help you?’

  ‘I’m Ms Knight, and I’m here to see the Detective Chief Inspector for my interview.’

  He checked through the records. ‘Ms Knight, if you’d be so kind as to sign the visitor’s book,’ and as Rowanne hastily scribbled her name, he continued, ‘please, follow me. The Chief Inspector can finally get started, he’s been waiting for you.’

  This sounded slightly ominous to Rowanne, but she mumbled a thank you and followed him down a long stretch of corridor, then through a set of double doors as they proceeded down a set of stairs. After what felt like a couple of flights down, they walked along yet another corridor. Finally, the officer left her waiting outside the interview room while he went in ahead of her. A minute later, he reappeared and ushered her in, then left abruptly, closing the door behind him.

  Rowanne looked around the room nervously. It was poorly lit, most of the light seemed to centre around the middle section. She also spotted the two way mirror behind the table, where the detective occupied one of the two chairs.

  He was a man in his mid twenties. His incredibly long legs were crossed in front of him. He had a toned physique, and his sleeves were rolled up above his elbows showing off his powerfully built arms. Rowanne had to suppress the urge not to stare as the detective had long red hair, and she wondered whether it was his natural colour, or whether he had dyed it.

  He looked up at her, ‘Good evening, Ms Knight. I am Detective Chief Inspector Driskell. Please, take a seat.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she replied, in what she hoped was a composed manner.

  Alexander cloaked himself entirely, so that neither the humans nor demons would be able to detect him. What he had just seen through the two way mirror had sent shock waves through him, and a coldness encased his heart as he continued to watch the chilling scene unfold before his eyes. It was what he’d expected, but he’d hoped it would just stop at the interview stage, but apparently it was about to escalate.

  Damn it! I can’t even get into the room without revealing myself, and the blasted door has a magic seal on it. No human would be able to hear anything that went on in that particular interview room, let alone get into it. Once the doors had closed behind the human officer, that was it, they could not be opened from the outside.

  Forcing himself to look back, Alexander noticed that the room had a fiery glow to it. It was in actual fact a vast chamber with a high ceiling, and the tiny room at the station only occupied the central space, or what was left of the original room. Surrounding the interview room were rows of long tables that were occupied by the law enforcement of his realm. His attention immediately centred on the one Noble surrounded by soldiers, all present as witnesses to the trial of Rowanne, or rather, he hoped, in potentia. He fervently hoped that it wouldn’t go that far.

  He damned the Shadows interest in her, because they, along with the incidents at the office, had no doubt attracted the attention of his people. He pondered as to how much they could know. If they knew everything, then it was all over. It finally sunk into Alexander that not only his life, but also Rowanne’s, could come to a horrific
end.

  There were trials in his world for demons, as well as humans, especially in regards to a human finding out about Demon World. It was a million times worse if a demon actually revealed Demon World to a human of their own volition. The consequences for the latter were unspeakable. Not to mention that Rowanne’s family, as well as his own, and anyone else who could be linked to them, were all in danger.

  What have I done... thought Alexander, suddenly panic stricken. What the hell have I done? and he punched the solid concrete wall next to him so hard that it left an indentation. I will have to fix that, he thought distractedly.

  A cold sweat began to run down his back, and a fine tremor ran through his body as the repercussions of his foolishness now struck him. He pulled himself sharply together. Now was not the time to fall apart. A deadly gray light entered his eyes, and his iris was encased in a blazing green circle. I have to control myself for the both of us, or it’s over right here! thought Alexander. I’m not ready to die. Not today. Let alone, this very moment!

  ‘Ms Knight, would you be so kind as to look at these documents for me?’ asked the detective.

  He has a slightly creepy smile, thought Rowanne.

  Don’t Look. Don’t Look...

  Before Rowanne’s inner voice had the chance to save her, it was too late. She looked, and that was it. She felt as if she were falling forward, and she looked up into the detective’s simmering green eyes and knowing smile once before losing consciousness.

  Alexander cursed as he watched Rowanne being pulled into his world. It had all happened so fast that he had not had the time to react. He helplessly looked on at the now vacant interview room.

  Damn it, I thought it was only an interview. They were supposed to start the initial proceeding in the manner of the human world, and then, and only then, escalate it to his world as a last resort. He wondered what had made them take this drastic step... What if they had found something linking Rowanne to him? Dark thoughts churned in Alexander’s mind as his sapphire eyes started to bleed to a steely gray. He mentally prepared himself for an oncoming battle. Always better to be prepared, after all.

  ‘Members of the realm, I present to you our next case involving a human, Ms Rowanne Knight who was allegedly present in the demon/human altercation that occurred at her office building. This case is delicate and extremely volatile as it involves a human law enforcer and demons coming to a confrontation, resulting in his possible disappearance. The media have unfortunately picked up on this news story, which we can all agree is not in the best interests of our world. More so, because the human police force are personally investigating it, and I will endeavour to ensure that no shred of evidence is left that could endanger our world by bringing it to the attention of the human world.’

  All eyes in the room zeroed in on Rowanne, who suddenly became the centre of attention. Her fate was being debated while she slept.

  Driskell continued, ‘The whereabouts of the security guard are yet to be ascertained, but rest assured that I am personally taking on this case. It will only be a matter of time until I find him, or find what remains of him, and unravel this case.’

  Rowanne awakened, and gradually the room came into focus. She rubbed her eyes, just to make sure, not quite believing what she saw. I’m definitely not in the same room as before, and looking around, she wondered in which part of the police station she had ended up in.

  ‘I’m in a court...? How did I get here?’

  The detective stepped forward and sat opposite her at the table. Rowanne’s inner voice was strangely absent, and she felt alone for the first time. She was instantaneously mesmerised by the green eyes before her, and she sat a little straighter and smiled at the detective. It seemed silly that she had been afraid a minute ago. When she thought about it clearly, it all made perfect sense. Not sure what the sense actually is... she thought, as she shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘Ms Knight, do you know why you are here?’ asked the detective.

  ‘No, but I expect I’m about to find out.’

  ‘That you are,’ he said in a stern voice, no longer smiling; the pretence over now that he was back in his own realm, and in his element.

  ‘You have a nice smile,’ said Rowanne, in her blissfully happy state.

  ‘Really?’ he asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice as he smiled at her, baring his perfectly polished teeth.

  I wonder if he’s got veneers fitted, it’s like his teeth are made of porcelain. What kind of salary is he on? I’m definitely in the wrong profession!

  She noticed something else that supported her theory: his expensive looking clothes. He was dressed in a designer suit, and wore a badge (some kind of insignia possibly, she could not quite tell) over the left side of his jacket, just where his heart might have been. He did not look like your everyday police detective, but someone higher up the ranks.

  His black suit really set off his red hair to good effect, and his green eyes sparkled amid his cold pale skin, she observed. She could tell that he was not too pleased with her. Uh-oh, she thought.

  ‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘When your face isn’t all screwed up like that,’ she continued sweetly, feeling slightly dopey as if she were drunk. She could gauge from the detective’s severe gaze, combined with the glacial look that had come into his eyes, that he would definitely not go easy on her with the questioning.

  Rowanne looked around again to try and get her bearings. The courtroom was vast with wood panelled walls and a high ceiling. There were benches staggered upwards all around her, filled with people, disconcertingly all watching her.

  Every time she spoke, it seemed as if someone would make a note. She could not make out their features, for some reason they were a blur. It took a moment for the sensation to pass and suddenly panic set in.

  As far as she knew, when a person went to the police station for an interview, they were not drugged and then immediately taken to a court to be interrogated whilst only just possessing half of their muddled faculties. She looked up sharply as the detective began to speak again.

  Now was not the time for panic, she rebuked herself severely. Rowanne had no idea why she was brought to this place, or how far it was in relation to the police station in Westminster. Is he really a detective? she wondered suspiciously. She thanked God that whatever they had drugged her with had now worn off. All she had to do now was remain calm and act docile until she knew for certain what was going on.

  Driskell specifically looked up at the people sitting on the top bench apologetically.

  ‘Lady Enid, forgive me, but I think this one,’ inclining his head in Rowanne’s direction, ‘is going to take some time. She’s a bit slow for a human.’

  What a condescending git! thought Rowanne. He does know my profession, right? Ow! That hurts, she thought, moving uncomfortably in the chair without trying to draw attention to herself. Her grandmother’s pendant hidden beneath her dress had given her a small shock.

  It did the trick as her annoyance suddenly vanished. She reminded herself that not losing her head over her ego might just help her. She could use this situation to her advantage. Why had she let herself get worked up? The only explanation she could come up with was being in close proximity to this fool; she didn’t suffer them well.

  Rowanne looked towards the bench that the detective seemed to be addressing, and noticed the woman he had referred to as Lady Enid. She was wearing a long black dress as well as a black veil made of lace. Although it was hard to make out her features, the lace showed a glimpse of her gleaming blonde hair whenever it caught the light.

  Rowanne assumed that Lady Enid must certainly be someone of importance, judging by the crown that she wore. It seemed to be made of silver with some sort of design that she could not really make out.

  Lady Enid looked down upon Driskell as she addressed him. ‘Carry on, Dewain. Take as long as is necessary. Demon World security is of paramount importance. And you would do well to remember that the House of Morning Star takes its
duty and responsibility gravely.’

  ‘Yes, my lady. Forgive me for my impertinence,’ he said mockingly. ‘But I could just move this case back into their world. That is, unless I find a reason for it to be otherwise. In this instance, I have the feeling it could be a false alarm.’

  ‘There are no such things as ‘false alarms’, every case must be thoroughly checked. We must not become complacent, but be ever vigilant of the threat to our already precarious world. I want you to therefore proceed with your questioning.’

  Driskell smiled malevolently and gave a low bow. ‘As you wish, my lady.’

  He turned around with a disgusted look that only Rowanne was privy to.

  I think that I’m in for one hell of a ride here, and secretly smiling, she thought, he doesn’t look too pleased to be told his place, especially in front of other people. I wonder if anyone’s spoken to him like that before. Rowanne felt panic, but mostly at the idea that she might start laughing loudly. What would he do? Would it be classed as a contempt of court?

  Breaking out of her train of thought, she watched as people began to leave, conferring in whispers. The only other person left in the court, apart from the detective and herself, was Lady Enid.

  Driskell waited patiently for the room to empty, not wanting any distractions to his investigation. Looking up, he noticed Lady Enid coming down the stairs. Reaching the lower benches, she seated herself comfortably, and inclined her head that he should resume.

  He needed no prompts, he was eager to get on with it. These days the job was the only thing that took precedence in his life. Many people would call him ruthless to the point of despair. Once you were investigated by Driskell, you entered willingly or not into his realm. And he did not let you leave of your own accord; his permission, nay, his pardon, was necessary.

  Lady Enid sat quietly and shook her head in disgust behind Driskell’s back. She had heard everything, he had thought: one of the perks of being born into the Morning Star Clan; one of many. I agree with everything you’ve just said, you cold hearted parasite. Who but I can attest first hand to everything that everyone connects to your name. Demon Executioner, Judge and Jury, you call yourself. But still I think, my boy, that I hold some authority.