Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  One of the reasons he hated Alexander was that he outranked him because he was born to a Noble Family, not just any, but to the clan of First Families: those who made Demon World what it was today. They had forged the rules that every citizen must abide by, whether they liked it or not.

  It was not unheard of for a Noble to have a friend in a lesser clan, though most of the First Families would describe a connection with a lesser clan as an acquaintance. They knew that those clans would appreciate them for even deigning to talk to them; they bestowed their benevolence by acknowledging their very presence.

  No wonder Driskell loved to hunt them and cut them down to size. He considered himself a champion of the lesser clans, daring them to break the rules, to see if by some miracle they could go undetected beneath his radar. He would dearly love to confer his own benevolence onto them in the Noble Court, or if he was a really good demon, in Prima Stella: the court of courts. The last one, where no other judgment but guilt and death would be pronounced. A demon could dream... he thought malevolently.

  Alexander could see a dark aura pervade Driskell, whose eyes turned midnight black, and he could have sworn he could see stars shining in them like daggers glinting in moonlight. It frankly scared the life out of Alexander, who felt as if he had just aged by a decade. This was bad, what had gotten into him? He had been smiling only a minute ago.

  Maybe Driskell’s dangerous reputation was also partly to do with his split personality: affable one moment; psychotic the next, it was frightening just how quickly he switched. I wonder which Driskell I’ll be talking to. Alexander could have kicked himself, because in the next instant that malevolent look was turned in his direction.

  Driskell laughed maniacally at Alexander’s weary expression. He finally looks as if he’s about to break, I was worried I was losing my touch there. That’s better, he thought, and the moment that he had been waiting for had arrived. ‘Alexander, our guest is just outside. Should I invite her in?’ He knew his emphasis was not lost, and swiping open his phone, he made the call, ‘Bring the prisoner in.’

  The officer placed a restraining hand on Rowanne, just as she was about to push open the doors. ‘Just wait a moment, please. The detective has kindly asked if you could give him a few minutes to finish up with what he is doing, and he apologises most profusely.’

  Rowanne didn’t mind as it gave her time to compose herself as she felt goosebumps all along her arms. She felt sick with anticipation for what was to come.

  Maybe it was the fact that she knew that Alexander was right on the other side of the door. She felt nervous at the thought of seeing him again; he seemed to have that effect on her, every time. Even though technically she’d only met him twice, she felt as if she’d known him a lot longer. Hmm... strange. This was nothing compared to the fear and anger she felt at having to face detective Driskell again.

  Here was one man who really got under her skin, and from the short period that she had been in his company, led her to form the opinion that he was one dangerous individual. He should in no way be called a police officer, not after what he did to her.

  Moreover, there was the question of what Driskell may or may not have done to Lady Enid for her to have an aversion to him. It went beyond two colleagues not getting along. And that was the other point, they were also acquaintances; how far and to what degree, Rowanne did not as yet fully understand.

  It was hard for Rowanne to know whom she could trust. She felt like her world view had been considerably altered this past week: no one appeared to be who they claimed.

  However, she had to remind herself that the only comfort she got was from work; at least, she knew the people there, and had built up a good rapport with them.

  There were so many unanswered questions, and she would meticulously go through them back at her apartment later. She needed knowledge on her side to work out what was happening.

  The guard nodded for her to go in, ‘I will wait here, Ms Knight.’

  Rowanne squared her shoulders and, taking a deep breath, pushed open the doors. She stood in the poorly lit entrance like a dark phantom. For Rowanne though, it was perfect - being in the shadows gave her a great view of the pub.

  Rowanne’s heart sped up the moment she spied Alexander, sitting with his back to her at a table towards the back of the pub. She also noticed with dismay that detective Driskell unfortunately occupied the same table, and that he was facing the entrance. As soon as she stepped into the light, he’d instantly see her.

  Alexander imperceptibly shivered the moment Rowanne had entered. He did not have to physically see her to know she was in his vicinity; they were linked now, after all. Her power sang to him, every time. Actually, more so when they were in close proximity to each other.

  He could pick up on Rowanne’s emotional state if she was in distress, and their link became stronger if either one of them was in danger. And now it vibrated violently - Alexander could almost feel the indigo sparks shooting in warning that they were in dire peril. Rowanne would probably feel anxious, but wouldn’t know the cause of it; after all, the link worked both ways.

  Rowanne walked sedately towards the back table, her head held high. The beginnings of a plan formed in her mind with each step she took towards the two men. One of whom she could tolerate, barely; the other she despised.

  Thanks a lot, Rowanne, thought Alexander, you put that beautifully. Honestly, she never changed, she was considerate and unremitting in her abhorrence of him. Or maybe I’m giving her too much credit, and it’s the idiot before me she hates, in which case, I thoroughly applaud her good judgement.

  Driskell looked Rowanne straight in the eyes as soon as she stepped forward. He smiled sweetly up at her, taunting. ‘Ms Knight, please join us here,’ he asked, indicating the chair at the head of the table which would place her squarely between the two men.

  Rowanne would not fall for it, she would not give into this man; she would play this game her way. She noticed that the pub was completely empty except for the bartender, who was discreetly polishing cups and putting bottles away. He had not acknowledged her as she had passed the bar. Maybe he too feared Driskell, and that’s why he studiously avoided making eye contact, never mind the pleasantries.

  Both men got up, but it was Driskell who felt it his solemn duty to make the introductions. ‘Alexander, may I introduce you to Ms Knight, who works at Whitehall Court newspaper, and is here today at my special request to help answer questions regarding the investigation into the incident that took place at her office.’

  Rowanne and Alexander made short eye contact as they shook hands. She smiled at him and he returned a non committal nod of the head by way of a response. She then faced detective Driskell and shook his hand, whilst keeping her expression neutral.

  ‘Chief Inspector Driskell, may I ask why Mr Black is here today?’

  Rowanne finally permitted herself to smile sweetly up at him, and it only broadened at the look of utter astonishment and triumph that lit up the detective’s face; he thought that she had just slipped up. She pulled back the chair and sat down, waiting patiently for the men to join her.

  After Alexander had recovered from the shock, he quickly rearranged his features into a firm expression. ‘Ms Knight, I thought you’d be at home working on the next assignment.’ He would leave it up to Rowanne, and trust and support her judgment in handling Driskell. The best he could do was match her confidence, and hopefully somehow they’d pull through.

  ‘That was the plan. But I forgot to mention that I did have an appointment at the police station,’ and Rowanne paused at detective Driskell’s perplexed expression. She pulled out a seat, indicating he should join them at the table (instead of foolishly standing). Driskell sullenly accepted and sat down. Rowanne continued, ‘Where was I? Oh yes, after which I was supposed to report back to my editor Eileen. However, it’s far too late for that now,’ she said accusingly in Driskell’s direction.

  ‘For that I am sincerely sorry, Ms Knight. I kn
ow that half of your day has been wasted.’ Driskell tried to appear earnest, he had to change tactics fast, if he was to get anywhere. Ms Knight was more formidable than he had at first thought.

  He would not be deterred from his questions, he must have the answers at any cost. ‘In what capacity do you know Mr Black?’ asked Driskell.

  The table at which they sat had a light directly above, not to mention the Victorian lights on the glass panels, this meant it was so well lit as to almost be blinding, so there was nowhere to hide. Squinting slightly, Rowanne answered smoothly, ‘He is a colleague of mine from work.’ She didn’t feel the need to elaborate, which she could tell caused a fair amount of annoyance to Driskell. That’s all you’ll get, you conniving piece of work.

  Well done, Rowanne, thought Alexander, nearly sputtering at her last admission. He had to keep his face in check, when really all he wanted to do was laugh out loud. It had never even occurred to him that Rowanne would take on Driskell.

  When he had imagined this scenario, Alexander had seen it unfolding quite differently. Never in his darkest joy had he expected for her to be so bold. He was quietly proud of her.

  Rowanne had diligently avoided making eye contact with Alexander unless it was necessary: she did not want him to be the undoing of her, or vice versa. However, with Driskell’s attention diverted to his phone, it afforded Rowanne the chance to silently communicate with Alexander. She looked him dead in the eyes, pleading for him to trust in her, that she would not let them down this time, there were to be no more repeats of the apartment. Rowanne felt more in control of herself, for now, and would not succumb to useless emotions, but rather accept them and deal with them at her own pace; privately, and not in public.

  Alexander heard every word, and his admiration for her grew even more. Not useless, he thought. Emotions were never that, you needed to feel something as a human, as a demon, whatever you were, otherwise, what was the point? Alexander softened his features minutely, only for a second, before returning to his facade.

  Rowanne could not put into words what it had meant to her, for Alexander to acknowledge and support her. She was grateful he had completely understood, and she had not even known that he had this softer side to him. I wonder how long it will last? And she could have sworn that just now, someone had whispered, ‘not useless’ in her mind. She was probably just imagining it.

  Alexander rolled his eyes and snorted, which caused Driskell and Rowanne to look up sharply in his direction. Honestly, thought Alexander, and just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head dismissively. He thought that he understood Rowanne well, but in the next instant she would fling an insult at him, disproving his ludicrous theory! It was disconcerting to say the least, as he wearily looked at her.

  Driskell looked up from his phone and noticed the disgusted look on Alexander’s face as he looked at Rowanne. This is promising - if he doesn’t like this woman as much as I detest her, then I have a chance of making my case stronger and getting this blockhead to actually side with me, leading to Ms Knight’s fall.

  You wish, you pompous pretender, as if I would side with you now. Perhaps once I would have, that and much more... But you have changed old friend.

  Rowanne sensed that each man was caught up in his own world, but she didn’t have the time to wait around; she needed to have this interview end quickly. ‘I really must insist that you speed this up a bit, if you wouldn’t mind, as I do have a lot of work pending.’ This caused Driskell’s eyebrow to rise up, and he looked questioningly at Alexander.

  It was all Alexander could do not to laugh. He just nodded his head in approval, and smiled. You haven’t seen the half of it... he thought, bemused.

  Driskell looked bewildered at Rowanne for a moment, before continuing with his questions, ‘Well, in that case, Ms Knight, let’s by all means, continue. Do you have evidence that proves Mr Black works with you?’ and turning towards Alexander, he said, ‘Mr Black, I will need someone to substantiate this-’

  The doors banged open, startling everyone. Driskell was the fastest to react, and got up. He noticed a tall woman with raven black hair, in a grey dress that matched the steel of her eyes, who came striding in, and, he bemusedly noticed, had one of his soldiers practically hanging off her arm as he tried in vain to stop her.

  ‘Excuse me, madam, but I must insist that you stop right there,’ said Driskell commandingly. All of which was lost on the woman, he noticed, as she looked disdainfully in his direction.

  Rowanne was speechless, Eileen looked like an Amazonian goddess, who would not be deterred from her mission, especially by a mere man. This is fantastic. But how had she known that I would be here?

  Women seemed to band together like warriors whenever they supported each other, observed Alexander. Unfortunately for Driskell it could not have come at a worse time, as he pitifully asserted his somewhat limited authority. I had thought that Rowanne was bad enough, I guess I need to get to know Eileen better... laughed Alexander silently.

  Watching Alexander admire Eileen brought on a strange feeling in Rowanne: It’s probably disgust or loathing. Were all men the same, she wondered.

  From behind Eileen stepped out Amanda, who intrinsically peeled off, finger by finger, the officer’s grip on her manager’s arm. ‘Excuse me, but you would do well to mind your manners. May I also remind you, as you have failed to grasp my earlier meaning, that if there is the slightest scratch on Ms Melville’s arm, then I will personally sue you on her behalf, for excessive force.’

  Driskell felt it his intrinsic duty to step in and salvage this altogether peculiar situation that was starting to get out of hand. One human he could deal with, but three were problematic: he could not afford to even attempt to control their minds. The good old fashioned form of communication was called for here.

  Putting on his most charming smile, he walked towards the woman next to... What had her name been? Ah, Eileen. He coolly noticed her tall frame and shocking mane of golden hair that framed her steely dark blue eyes. This woman gave of the vibe of being perilous, but what was it about her, that he was not seeing…?

  Amanda looked distastefully at the oaf who was looking her over. Please! Never in a million years would I look in your direction. She really wished that he would stop staring.

  Driskell caught himself looking too long at the woman, and brusquely got on with finding out who the hell she was. ‘Madam, I would appreciate it if you would unhand my officer.’

  Amanda looked at her perfectly manicured talons for a second before deigning to release him, which caused the guard to lose his balance and stumble before the two women, so that he ended up on his hands and knees. He managed to stop himself from falling completely flat on his face (thereby, humiliatingly prostrating himself before them).

  Alexander and Rowanne burst out laughing, no longer able to hide their delight at the whole circus that was unfolding. They looked sharply at each other, and this just caused them to laugh harder, and Rowanne unconsciously grabbed Alexander’s arm in camaraderie.

  Alexander took a quick intake of breath, as he hastily removed her hand from his arm, but this was all lost on Rowanne. He separated them in time, just as Driskell turned around to face them angrily at having his investigation turn into a shamble.

  Looking Alexander in the eye, he silently mouthed, ‘I will deal with you two personally, later.’

  Damn, thought Alexander, just when I thought things were beginning to look up! What was that I said about emotions earlier on... he thought ironically, as the smile faded from his face.

  Driskell turned back towards the woman who had dared to attack his guard, thereby embarrassing him also. A slight red tinged his cheeks, and his eyes were practically shooting sparks as he glared at her.

  Amanda noticed his demeanour change from mild to manic in under a minute. His shocking red hair, she absently noticed, matched the blush that now spread across his cheeks, making his green eyes, that were presently locked onto her, all the more vibrant.
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br />   It was her turn to be slightly uncomfortable as she looked down at the poor man on the ground. She lent him a hand, which he grudgingly accepted. No doubt he would probably have slapped it away, had his boss and other people not been around.

  Nevertheless, she put it aside and helped him up, and there was a moment of shock on the officer’s face as she easily lifted him in one go, not even breaking a sweat. He continued to steadily look at her with suspicion. Crap, thought Amanda, she forgot how strong she was sometimes.

  Driskell had noticed this, as well as everyone else in the room.

  Rowanne quickly got up and walked towards Amanda. She stood shoulder to shoulder with her, sensing that she now needed someone to rescue her.

  ‘Chief Inspector Driskell, may I introduce you to my fellow colleague and gym buddy, Amanda Eghan.’

  Amanda gave Rowanne a grateful look before turning back and putting her hand forward to shake Driskell’s.

  Driskell grudgingly shook her hand, which was soft to the touch, and her eyes were steadily trained on him. What does she think I’m going to do? She’s like a coiled cat, waiting to pounce. He’d thought that he was the most neurotic person he knew; she made him look like a relatively sane person - and that was hard to do!

  ‘Ah-hum, if you don’t mind, I would like my hand back now...’ Amanda thought it her duty to wake up Sleeping Beauty here. God, how long is he going to stand there and stare, she wondered, finding it slightly disconcerting.

  He just looked at her uncomprehendingly, what did she say? He looked down, he was still holding on, somewhat forcefully, to the woman’s hand. Dawning comprehension came upon him very slowly, and just as he was about to release it, the woman beat him to it by pulling her hand out sharply from his grasp.

  Driskell felt completely humiliated, again! Three times in one night, that had to be a record. Women! They were definitely bad for his reputation, and they paved the descent into hell for him, he thought half-heartedly. Still, he smiled broadly at her, enjoying her dismay. He was Driskell, after all (plus he felt like a total idiot).