Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  Just like that, her mind shuts down anything it cannot explain. It’s a shame. I placed too high an expectation on her, thought the entity, but strangely relieved at not having to explain everything at present.

  I am about to tell you something, don’t ponder on it too much, rather use the knowledge to your advantage, said the entity.

  Fine, continue. Rowanne was impatient - the sooner this was over, the sooner she could get back home.

  You are being taken to The Salisbury pub, there you will meet detective Driskell. But you will also encounter your colleague Mr Black. Now, Alexander will not be expecting you to turn up, as far as he is concerned, you are still at the police station. I can sense that you desperately have questions, but we do not have time on our hands, and we have nearly reached our destination. Detective Driskell has purposely arranged this meeting to observe the interaction between you and Mr Black. So, it is imperative that you act natural, and give out the least amount of information possible without arousing his suspicion. Believe me when I say that both your lives depend on this meeting going well, said the entity.

  Looking out the window, Rowanne could see the sky had lightened to a dull yellowish tinge; dawn was only a couple of hours away.

  The car suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The officer in the driver’s seat lowered his window, and the officers on either side of Rowanne immediately became alert, like guard dogs awaiting their instructions. ‘You two follow me. Ms Knight, pleased remain seated, this will only take a moment,’ said the soldier in the driver’s seat.

  All three soldiers left, and Rowanne was alone in the car, but not for long as the door opened, and Lady Enid got into the seat next to her. ‘Listen, Rowanne, I am afraid the plan’s changed. I cannot accompany you to the pub, something’s come up that needs my urgent attention, but fear not I will come back for you.’ She could see the sudden panic set into Rowanne, who had been quietly confident, assuming that Lady Enid would be at her side. What would she do now? Grabbing Rowanne’s shoulders, Lady Enid said, ‘Look at me, Rowanne. Don’t you dare break down on me now. You can do this, I have complete faith in you. You just have to trust yourself to get out of this situation.’

  ‘You’re right, this is embarrassing. I will try to be more level headed. I honestly think it’s down to exhaustion. Please go, you shouldn’t delay your business. However, promise me that you will come back, there are some things we need to discuss,’ said Rowanne.

  ‘I will, you have my word.’ She wondered what Rowanne wanted to discuss, maybe she had remembered something. Taking Rowanne’s hand she squeezed it, the only outward display of affection that she could get away with in a car that was surrounded by her men.

  As soon as Lady Enid had left, the soldiers got back in and continued driving. Rowanne wondered whether they would question her as to what Lady Enid had said, but thankfully they remained silent.

  In no time at all, they had reached the pub. As she got out, Rowanne felt a chill in the night air, but not just from the cold, and her stomach coiled uneasily. This is it, she thought.

  She took a deep breath as an officer led her to the entrance. She had her head down, and her hair wisped around her like a dark halo as she passed beneath the cherubs, who judged all who passed before them. Cold, sightless eyes watched as she was about to enter. Rowanne had to pass the test, or the scales would unbalance, and the sword would literally plunge down.

  CHAPTER 12

  Alexander felt the waves of unease coming from the other side of the doors. He fervently hoped that Driskell was not an empath, otherwise the game was up. Calm down, Rowanne. It will be alright, he mentally willed for her to be at peace.

  He sensed the moment she was about to enter. Unfortunately, so did Driskell, who looked at him poignantly before continuing, ‘You did not answer my question.’

  Alexander forced himself to tear his eyes away from the door, and instead face Driskell head on. It was proving harder than he had thought it would be. It was mentally draining him to have his mind split between the man before him and the woman at his back.

  ‘You seem nervous, Alexander. What is it? Tell your old friend here all about it,’ Driskell smiled condescendingly, taking delight in his friend’s discomfort.

  I can think of something better to call him than friend, he thought absurdly. Focus Alexander, this is not helping. If I ever have the chance, I think I will settle some scores with my old beloved friend, he thought disgustedly. Why was it so hard for him to focus? He saw the flash of green tinge Driskell’s eyes, and he just knew he was being toyed with. You manipulative piece of... How dare he try to use those cheap mind tricks on me. Well, at least he’d gained the knowledge of another power that Driskell possessed.

  Alexander’s own eyes bled to green as his magic surfaced and wove a net around him shielding him from Driskell’s power. Instantly, Alexander felt as if cool water had been poured on his head, and a gentle glacial breeze circled him, ready to cut down to size any ego lest it become too great.

  Driskell nodded his appreciation at Alexander’s ability. But also laughed coldly at how slow Alexander had been to understand that he was being manipulated. ‘I was just getting started, as well. You’ve spoilt my entertainment.’

  That was Driskell for you, he’d no sooner praise you than cut you down in the same breath. Time to get myself back on track and stop acting like a complete fool, thought Alexander wearily.

  Alexander could not afford to waste any more time. His eyes returned to their normal sapphire tinged with grey, but they still blazed a not so subtle hint of violence towards Driskell, should it come to that.

  Driskell’s eyes burned equally fiercely in answer to the threat, and they too began to bleed to grey at the edges. He could not believe this blatant invitation to violence. Drop the gauntlet, I beg you to you imbecile, he was more than ready to kick Alexander’s sorry behind.

  However, there were still many hours in which to leisurely enjoy the outcome of the drama that was about to unfold, maybe even explode. No need to rush to the end just yet.

  Driskell reigned in his power and smiled, cautiously assessing his friend. Why do I keep calling him that? He is my... in fact, I’m not sure what he is to me. He was caught off guard by Alexander’s next words.

  ‘I am ready to continue answering your questions. And if you don’t mind, I want to proceed as quickly as possible. I do have many demands on my time, as you must be aware of, being a law enforcement officer yourself.’

  Driskell raised his eyebrow in consternation at the situation that seemed to be going out of his control. What happened to the scared Alexander of a few moments ago? Why was he now so eager to answer his questions, when before he had seemed unwilling. There was definitely something going on, and he wondered as to what it might be.

  Glad to see the smirk wiped off Driskell’s face, Alexander sat straighter in his chair, using his height to intimidate his opponent, which in Driskell’s case was pointless as nothing much riled him.

  Alexander stuck to the truth as much as possible, so when Driskell would undoubtedly cross-check all he had to say, he would not be ‘found wanting.’

  He began his linear truth; ‘I was in London last Thursday, you can check that with the Noble Court. They sent me to patrol the Westminster area, because there were energy signatures of rogue demons on the loose.’

  Driskell had his hands steepled together and nodded for Alexander to continue, whilst making a mental note of everything he said.

  ‘I was on the trail of Shadow men, who attacked me as soon as I was within their vicinity. I managed to overpower one of them. Unfortunately, and you know how I hate to admit this, but his friend gave me the slip.’

  Driskell laughed at Alexander’s inability in not being able to subdue more than one opponent. Noticing the glare Alexander was directing towards him only made him laugh harder.

  ‘Where did the actual incident take place? No one has informed me yet on the finer details, there is much I don’t know abo
ut this incident. However, maybe we can piece together what actually happened if we both work on this case.’ Alexander tried to look both professional and sincere, hoping he could slowly try to gain Driskell’s trust. Better to be on the side of the Devil, if only for show. It would buy him time, and direct attention away from him.

  Driskell was taken aback with Alexander’s declaration; he desperately wanted to believe in his old friend, but there was that nagging uncertainty in the back of his mind at this sudden turnaround. Still, if he worked with Alexander, then at least he could always keep an eye on him. And maybe he could be useful in solving this case... hopefully not to his detriment.

  ‘Are you sure, Alexander? Think carefully. If you agree, then I take you at your word. But mark my words, there will be no going back. I will demand your full cooperation, and you will be answerable to me. Do I make myself clear?’ he asked severely, putting the full force of his meaning into his eyes, as he looked unswervingly at Alexander.

  Alexander knew that this would be an iron clad deal, he was almost giving away a piece of his soul. Actually, I’ve already done that. How much more of myself, do I have to lose? He wondered what Driskell would order him to do, and whether he’d be able to do it and live with himself. He gave the matter serious consideration. Driskell interrupted his macabre train of thought.

  ‘Listen, do not give me your answer now, but think on it. I am a reasonable man, but let me make it clear, I will not wait forever. Either way, you will bear the consequences of your decision,’ said Driskell.

  If indeed it turned out that Alexander was involved, then nothing could save him. He would face the full might of Demon World law - and it would be headed by Driskell himself. This could mean the end for Alexander, especially if evidence was found against him. He would be sent straight to the Noble Court, and seldom did anyone return if they were found guilty.

  This case worried Driskell. It might be more than he had first initially thought: from being a simple demon attack on a human, it could harbour something much worse. His intuition told him that not all was as it seemed. All of the players had yet to come onto the board and reveal their positions. No, for now, they watched as the pawns made their move before bringing out their elite arsenal.

  Driskell did not enjoy being a pawn, pushed around at the beck and call of the Nobles. One of the reasons why he became Enforcer was to hold the Nobles to account; a momentous and thankless task. The First Families were akin to the Kings and Queens on the chess board, all other families of lesser nobility became their right hand men and women. I wonder where I fit in... he thought, and laughed darkly.

  Alexander kept his face neutral as he thought, I’d definitely place you as the dark knight. Perhaps, dark horse would be more appropriate. Driskell definitely had a chip on his shoulder, growing bigger by the day.

  The more that he observed of his friend, the more he questioned his true nature. Was he the monster that everybody painted him out to be? He was hiding something: his personality seemed to hover between camaraderie and enmity when it came to Alexander. Maybe he was biding his time, and in due course when the time was right, and he had gathered all the evidence, then he would probably make his move.

  Driskell broke Alexander out of his thoughts. ‘The incident took place at the former government building that is in Westminster, along the Victoria Embankment,’ looking at Alexander’s vacant expression, he continued indignantly, ‘Whitehall Court.’

  ‘I’m not familiar with the streets of London, though I understand that the borough of Westminster is no small area,’ replied Alexander.

  ‘I need you to be more accurate. Stop being vague, where exactly did you patrol? I want details!’ Driskell pointedly looked at Alexander, hammering home the point that he would not settle for less.

  On the contrary, Alexander understood perfectly and brought up an image of Westminster to mind so that he could account for his whereabouts. His mind quickly processed a map of the area.

  ‘I was patrolling on the edge of St James Park, and I chased a demon across Birdcage Walk. I managed to subdue him down a side road, but cannot account for his friend who got away. Will this do, or do you require further details?’ Alexander asked sarcastically, feigning boredom with the whole situation.

  Driskell brought up his phone, and went online to bring up a map of the area to substantiate Alexander’s story. Demon help him if he was lying. According to the map, Alexander would have been 0.6 miles away from the incident.

  This placed him in a tricky situation, because Alexander had not been directly near Whitehall Court, however he had been within a short walking distance to it. He thought hard; the building was along the river, and Alexander would have been at the edge of the park, so he would not have known that a commotion had occurred. He also factored in that the building was actually hidden behind gardens. No, a person would have to be on the road directly before Whitehall Gardens, or one of the side roads on either side of the building, to have seen the incident.

  ‘Alexander, I believe it is your lucky day, as I can see that your position places you outside of the incident area.’ However, he was not inclined to dismiss him so easily.

  Driskell did not let demons go easily, nor did he like loose ends. Only when he had thoroughly cross examined everything, and had the pure facts before him, would he deign to release poor Alexander, who judging by that contemptuous look, didn’t seem to care either way.

  Hmm, I wonder, innocent or guilty? Innocent or guilty... he imagined a sword swinging in a wide arc above Alexander: for now it hovered, but only time would tell if it would fell his old adversary.

  Alexander remained outwardly calm, but internally he was in a panic, especially after the bizarre look that had come into Driskell’s eyes. He didn’t like the way his eyes moved from side to side, like some kind of macabre pendulum; once they came to a stop, they would spell doom on whomever they landed. Also, the fact that he had heard only some of Driskell’s thoughts didn’t help matters, but he had got the general idea.

  Being telepathic was not straightforward. Alexander sometimes heard the whole part of what someone was thinking, but at other times he got a fragmented picture. The information he received all depended on the individual that he was probing. Humans, as a general rule, were the easiest, but you got the odd one, now and again, who could shield their thoughts; whether it be conscious, or unconscious.

  Demons on the other hand, were in a completely different league, out of the exosphere as one might say. There was a hierarchy of demons, each with their own unique set of talents (powers) common to their group or family. Some of them even possessed a unique power as yet undefined, and not in the sphere of common knowledge. This was what made demons especially dangerous.

  Alexander knew that he was not really safe; he may be out of the danger zone for now, but he was skating on thin ice. All Driskell needed was one link to chain Alexander to Rowanne, and that was it, The End...

  Life for Alexander had once been carefree, but now he felt as if he walked along a cliff edge, never truly feeling safe. And he felt angrier these days, because he was so unsure of himself and others. He did not know who he could trust. Maybe it was not just a peril that demons felt, perhaps humans felt it too. After all, humans could lie just as well as demons.

  The only thing he had in his world was loyalty: to his cause, and he wanted to trust those he had pledged fealty to, and it goes without saying to his world. That is a joke, he thought, look at where I am now; at a crossroads, living between two worlds.

  He had to tone down his anger, otherwise it would shimmer in a haze around him. Damn it, he thought, why am I so transparent with my emotions at the wrong time? Perhaps it was a hazard of being in the Black Rose Clan; they felt things intensely, passionately, whether it be love or hate. His clan did not shy away from living to the fullest, nor were they quiet in their beliefs. They practised openly what they preached - no one would ever dare to call them hypocrites.

  However, Alexander ha
d to painfully pull away from what was so natural to him and shield like his life depended on it, which it did. He would deal with his errant emotions later. He did not blame himself, he just accepted what was, for now.

  He could not afford to think of his new status. Driskell was the last person in Demon World who he wanted knowing about what had occurred between Rowanne and himself, leading to a change in their genetic makeup. You’re dead, dead, his mind cried at him, echoing back like a forlorn ghost.

  ‘Is that all? If so, I need to leave, with your permission, of course. I am a busy man, as you know,’ he smiled sweetly at Driskell, while his treacherous heart beat a crescendo.

  Driskell smiled broadly, ‘Why the hurry, Alexander? There is someone very special that I want you to meet.’ He studied Alexander carefully for any signs that he knew to whom he was referring.

  Alexander looked at Driskell, his eyebrows raised questioningly. He did not seem unduly fazed by this, he was the epitome of calm.

  This caused Driskell to pause, and reconsider the situation. It had all appeared to be going in his favour, but now he was not so sure of himself, and he felt some of his bravado slip. In his mind he had planned it to perfection. All the signs so far, together with the evidence he had collected, led directly to Alexander’s involvement.

  Though, Driskell had to admit that Alexander did have an explanation for his being in Westminster last Thursday. Now, if it turned out that Alexander had no connection to Ms Knight, then he was truly in danger of losing two of his main leads in the case. He would have to completely start afresh. He could not afford the indignation of the Noble Court; how they’d laugh him out of his position.

  Driskell belonged to the Dark Lake Clan, which ranked below the First Families. This meant that he had no one powerful to back him, should he come to any difficulty within Demon World. He damned those Nobles and their archaic rules that gave the First Families so much power over the rest of them; the unfortunates, that belonged to lesser clans.