Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  A painful memory was evoked, and Lady Enid was nearly in trouble of drowning in her sorrows. However, with careful and painstaking precision, she pulled herself out of her pit of despair. She noticed the human woman being investigated, and felt an unexpected surge of pity for her. Poor human, what did you do to end up here, of all realms?

  From time to time, humans ended up in one of their lesser courts, if it was an incident connected to Demon World through no fault of their own. This was usually the norm, but not always. If a human was found innocent, then their mind would be wiped of Demon World and false memories implanted; they were the lucky ones.

  However, in cases in which humans out of their own free will chose to connect to Demon World, then the consequences for them were quite severe. There was no coming back for them. The smaller courts would be bypassed altogether, instead they’d be sent to the highest courts of the realm. The first court would judge their fate, as well as investigate anybody connected to them; their punishment would depend on how much they had learnt. This poor girl had ended up in one of the highest courts in the realm: the last one, before the Final Court, or Prima Stella as it was known.

  The less said about Prima Stella, the better. Every demon in the land feared its very name. Anybody that was ever sentenced in that court never came back. There were never any details released, the outcome obscure. Nobody would dare to question the final judgement, as it was known. We as demons know that there are worse things than death... thought Lady Enid.

  The Royal Court, otherwise referred to as the Noble Court, was equally as bad as the latter, but here the Nobles held sway upon matters concerning Demon World, and it was made up of members of the First Families. They only ever came to the proceedings if it was a particularly severe case, otherwise they left it to Lady Enid and their loyal servants. Or servant, I should say, thought Lady Enid, as she watched him towering over his next victim.

  Driskell was about to continue with his questioning when he was interrupted by a nervous looking young man who had just entered the court.

  ‘Sorry, to interrupt you, Sir, but you are urgently needed.’

  Driskell looked as if he could murder the young man for daring to disrupt him.

  ‘Needed urgently, you say? Tell them to wait. How dare you come in when I am in the middle of an investigation.’ He said the last words in a quiet but barbed manner.

  The poor man approached on trembling legs and whispered something to him. Driskell’s expression remained the same: not giving anything away, nor did he feel the need to elaborate on what he had been told. The young man was duly sent out ahead of him.

  Driskell turned around and bowed deeply to Lady Enid, a gravely apologetic look etched on his face.

  ‘Forgive me, my lady, but I have to leave for a short duration as some urgent news has just reached me that requires my utmost attention. As you know, I take my duties very seriously and will never hesitate to fulfil them.’ From a quiet and beseeching look, it had turned into one of ice cold arrogance. He looked deep into Lady Enid’s eyes so that she could see plainly his cruelty. His look made his point and spoke volumes: things left unsaid, and better laid to rest...

  Lady Enid suddenly became rigid, and Driskell smiled, relishing the fact that she understood what he had intended her to know. Turning swiftly around he strode out of the court, and the doors closed quietly on the turmoil that he had once more stirred up.

  Lady Enid felt her violet eyes flare to green, but slowly and reluctantly, she reigned in her power. I would have been content to unleash it on that evil piece of work. However, after careful consideration, she realised that she would have a lot more questions that would need to be answered if she burnt the man to a pile of ash!

  Not to mention, being tried in the Noble court. And these well meaning Nobles would feel it their obligation, and in the best interests of everyone in Demon World, to have a secure reign; not helped by an unbalanced Noble like herself. They would send me straight to Prima Stella, and what a grand reunion that would be!

  Mentally shaking herself out of this downward spiral, Lady Enid slowed her breathing, and felt her eyes return to their natural violet. She sat quietly, watching the human woman.

  Rowanne had been a silent spectator in the duel between the detective and Lady Enid. For some reason, she hated the detective with a passion, and not just because he had drugged her. Which is completely ridiculous, since I’ve only just met him... Being out of the detective’s presence helped her mind become clearer.

  Rowanne felt sorry for Lady Enid, and inexplicably wanted to comfort her. What the hell is happening to me? Where were these feelings coming from? They most certainly were not hers. Suddenly her necklace flared, and she pushed back her chair and stood up.

  Lady Enid quickly took notice of the young woman. ‘What are you doing? Sit down at once!’

  Rowanne broke through the fog that was clouding her mind. ‘It’s not me. I’m not doing this!’ she replied.

  ‘What are you trying to say? Speak clearly!’

  ‘Look, Lady Enid? I’m trying to tell you that I have no control over what my body is doing. And yes, I know that makes me sound like a crazy person.’

  Lady Enid looked at the woman thoughtfully, and after careful consideration decided to help her. She had seen this type of thing before... The woman looked petrified as her body moved sporadically, as if something was trying to control it, but having difficulty in maintaining it. Could it be a case of possession, perhaps? The other possibility to consider was that there could be something wrong with the woman, medically.

  ‘Come here, Ms Knight. Slowly. Slowly, that’s right,’ and at last Rowanne stood before her.

  ‘Please, help me. I’m frightened. I don’t understand what’s happening to me,’ and as soon as Rowanne reached for the hands of Lady Enid, she felt something crack open inside of her. Suddenly, her mind froze and something else took over. Rowanne felt her conscience propelled into a tiny corner of her mind. She tried to scream but it was silent, echoing back to her, as it bounced off the inner walls of her imprisoned mind. Help me, help me, she heard her own voice mocking her.

  Rowanne looked up at Lady Enid, whose eyes blazed green as Rowanne’s necklace started to burn against her.

  I’m sorry, but Rowanne had to leave temporarily. You will now address me.

  Lady Enid was shocked by the transformation. The entity, for lack of a better word, now stood in place of the petrified human. She could hear the voice of the entity within her mind. This new Rowanne seemed possessed of power, and more sure of herself, and there was also a touch of leadership about her. ‘With whom am I speaking?’ asked Lady Enid in an authoritative tone. She was by no means frightened, considering her ancestry; this entity would soon know its place, and that it was dealing with the wrong person.

  For now, let that be a secret, Lady Enid of the Morning Star Clan. I am humbled to be in your presence, once more. It has been too long. The entity laughed, and for some reason it sent a shiver of recognition through Lady Enid, but before she could place where she had heard it before, it was gone, lost and fragmented.

  ‘How do you know me? Answer at once.’ Lady Enid wondered at how the entity knew of her status and clan name. Where could they have met before? It was obvious that whoever, and whatever, it had been did not exist anymore. It was a spectre long passed from the world of the living.

  Look, I don’t have much time, and this poor woman’s body that I am possessing is emotionally on the verge of shattering. I dare not do this many more times, for a mind is a fragile thing, a glass ornament if you will. It has its filaments and sparks of life, but if you put too much pressure on it, it cracks. The filaments lose their connections and the spark dies out, or at the very least exist as a hollow empty replica of its former self, not yet living, but not quite dead.

  Lady Enid was surprised at the entity’s level of awareness and understanding. It was not malevolent, or it was not trying to be on purpose. And from what she could see
so far, nor was it hurting Rowanne in any discernible way.

  ‘Fine. For the moment, I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. I’ll accept that you cannot tell me who you are,’ although she’d find out eventually.

  Thank you. I think in time, you will begin to see why it has to be this way. The entity extended Rowanne’s hand toward Lady Enid. I need you to trust in me enough to save this young woman’s life. Do you think perhaps you could do that for her sake at least?

  Lady Enid found herself inexplicably warming to the young woman. She had a feeling that she could trust the woman, and perhaps even the entity. However, she was no fool; she knew perfectly well that entities could manipulate, and tell you exactly what you wanted to hear. Despite this, she extended her hand in courtesy to the entity.

  Rowanne’s face lit up in a smile, and her eyes held back the unshed tears threatening to spill over. It melted Lady Enid’s heart, and when the young woman encased her hand in her own, she received a shock, like a current passing from the young woman’s hand to her own.

  It felt like déjà vu. Lady Enid almost recognised the power signature. It felt very familiar. It felt right. What’s this... she wondered, awestruck, and for a second her heart soared with a nameless emotion. For a single moment, it had felt lighter.

  I knew I could trust you. Believe me, your faith in me is warranted. I want us to work together in order to save her life.

  After careful consideration, Lady Enid replied, ‘I’m not sure why, but I will help you. And furthermore, you can most certainly put your trust in me, have no fear. However, we must act prudently and quickly before the detective’s return.’

  I perfectly comprehend your meaning, and he is most definitely not to be trusted. I feel his enmity, it radiates off him in waves.

  Lady Enid nodded in accord. ‘Yes, on that salient point we can agree.’

  The entity looked at her thoughtfully. Oh really? why is that? the entity asked quietly.

  Lady Enid could see the entity’s tension reflected in Rowanne’s face. It was almost as if her very answer was incredibly important. She did not know this woman, so why would it matter what she thought? However, after carefully weighing her words, she replied, ‘There was an incident in my life that happened a very long time ago. I lost something very precious I can never get back, and have ever since reconciled in hating Driskell.’ She looked curiously at the entity, and asked, ‘Why do you not rejoice in the good detective’s presence?’

  Suffice to say that I too have had my fair share of run-ins with the dear, and spat the word contemptuously, detective Driskell, and have come out the worst for it, and gestured with her hands to emphasise her present lamentable state, and her plight; having to possess another’s body. This is all that remains of me. He is Dewain by name, as well as by nature.

  ‘I do not think that you belong to the human world. Your knowledge and manner of speaking makes me wonder if you were once a native of our world.’

  You are correct, my lady, replied the entity smiling. There was a flicker of remembrance on the face.

  ‘I have often wondered how it was possible for the demon’s of our world to possess humans. But clearly, the evidence stands before me.’

  The entity laughed bitterly as if at a private joke. However, sobering up, it replied, Some questions, as I have already said, cannot be answered now. But I am surprised that you of all people would ask me this.

  Lady Enid hated it when they (entities) spoke in riddles, but let it go for now as they were running out of time. ‘What exactly should we do to save this young woman’s life?’

  CHAPTER 8

  ‘At precisely what time did the incident occur?’ asked Driskell of the young soldier who had interrupted his investigation, as they stepped out of the portal, and back into the police station.

  ‘Well, Sir, I was patrolling outside the interview room as you had instructed me earlier. I felt a disturbance outside of the room as well as inside it. I’m slightly confused,’ he said vaguely, much to the disgust of Driskell.

  ‘Your confusion does not help me in any way,’ and taking a deep breath, he looked pointedly into the young man’s eyes. ‘Now, think clearly. Where. Exactly. Did. It. Happen?’ he uttered the words slowly as if the man was dim.

  The young man closed his eyes, and felt for any energy signatures that were out of the ordinary. He discounted everybody that should be in the building, including humans; they were not the problem here. Well, not today, anyway.

  He walked back along the same corridor, and entered the interview room with Driskell following closely on his heels. Sighing, he tried to ignore the detective as much as was demonly possible, and instead focused himself wholly to the task ahead. ‘There, Sir,’ and pointed to the two way mirror in the room.

  Driskell immediately ran to the room adjacent to the interview room and, flinging open the doors, found nothing, much to his chagrin.

  The young soldier sedately walked in. ‘Sorry, Sir. I didn’t expect there would be anything to find, especially as there are no security cameras in this section.’

  ‘Yes, well done for stating the obvious. But the station does have cameras placed throughout the building. And there is one I’m particularly interested in,’ and looking heavenward in dismay at the stupidity of the man, he continued, ‘in the reception area! Surely, it must have picked up something.’

  Driskell and the young soldier made their way back to reception. Driskell knew that Ms Knight was not going anywhere in a hurry; not until he was finished with her. As for so-called Lady Enid, well she could just play minder to the human. He entered the backroom behind the reception desk.

  The officer on duty saluted the detective before walking out of the room and leaving him to it. Driskell barely registered the man; after all, he expected no less. For the sake of appearances, for the human, he made a slight acknowledgement. The things I have to do just to pass in the human world, he thought despairingly as he turned on the cameras.

  ‘Let’s start with this evening, perhaps from just before six o’clock. That’s when I was conducting the last interview of the day with Ms Knight. She might in some way be connected to this case.’ His gut instinct was screaming at him that all was not quite right with that one. He was not sure why, but she was not all she appeared to be.

  The brash way in which she had answered his questions had made him suspicious. People under his trance never broke out of it unless he wanted them to. He was the master of it after all. He felt that perhaps she had been feigning.

  However, he was not a hundred percent certain on this point. After all, she could just turn out to be a normal human. Whatever the case may be, he would not let it go; she would be thoroughly cross examined when he got back.

  He thought about bringing her back to the police station, out of the air of the Noble Court. He had his own reasons, after all, and would not be satisfied until he got what he needed; nay, what he wanted.

  ‘Sir, I think you had better take a look at this,’ said the young soldier.

  ‘What is it?’ Driskell asked sharply, mentally shaking himself out of his thoughts. ‘My my. Look at what we have here. Is that who I think it is?’ A decidedly dark look of amusement lit up his face.

  ‘Yes, Sir. That is indeed Alexander Black.’

  ‘What is he doing in London?’ asked Driskell.

  ‘He has been assigned to patrol this area.’

  ‘That’s all very well, but what is he doing escorting my interviewee, Ms Knight?’

  Driskell was suddenly struck with a thought: where have I heard that surname before? For some reason it was on the edge of his subconscious, and he made a mental note to come back to it later; it was likely important. ‘I think it’s time that I had a talk with Mr Black and ascertain precisely why his presence was required here today.’

  ‘The energy signature was definitely one of ours, Sir. I believe it to be a higher level, one of the Nobles perhaps, but it’s hard to get a read on it. I would venture to sa
y it’s more than likely that it could belong to Mr Black. But then again, I cannot be a hundred percent certain.’

  ‘Well done, lad. You have developed your skills well.’ Driskell had an evil smile lighting up his face as he patted him on the back.

  The young soldier looked up, but quickly decided that it was a mistake. He never wanted to get on the wrong side of the detective and his manic smile, which suggested that whatever he was contemplating was not good. He was glad that it was not directed towards him, and quickly looked back down.

  Driskell turned on his mobile and slid open his contacts, scrolling through until he found who he was looking for, and made the call. ‘Good evening, Alexander,’ he said smoothly, knowing that he was going to enjoy this thoroughly.

  Alexander received the shock of his life. He had been waiting in his car at the police station for Rowanne to come back. If she was going to come back... He had no notion of how long it was going to take. Unfortunately, he had not anticipated the added complication of her being taken to his world. But he had known that she might now attract interest from his world; frankly he should have known better.

  He could not even risk going back to find out what was happening to her in case he alerted them (Demon World soldiers) to his presence, thereby putting her in further peril. Foolishly, he had been hoping that they would find nothing and just let her go. How naive, he thought.

  Sometimes, he could be a complete idiot, or optimist as his friends and enemies alike constantly reprimanded him. So what? he thought. Better an eternal optimist who fights and doesn’t accept defeat, than some pessimistic dead guy. Although, paradoxically his chances of living long were rapidly dwindling by the minute.

  Things weren’t looking so good with Driskell calling him. He was the Noble that Alexander had recognised at Rowanne’s interview. He was of high rank, and could literally sit in judgement of any Demon World citizen. Even a Noble could not escape their fate at the Noble Court once they were charged, and especially if Driskell presided over the case.