Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  Driskell patted her shoulder uneasily; he didn’t know what to think, let alone believe. He had long formed his own theory as to who was responsible, but wisely he did not voice it.

  ‘Lady Enid practically held her head in shame in the maelstrom that followed. Though the exact details of the incident were covered up, the Nobles had the audacity to demand her renunciation of the throne. And how she held herself together, and practically got those Nobles back under her control, is a testament to her leadership.’

  Yes, what a remarkable woman she is... ‘She did everything in her power to keep her family name intact. After all, the First Family could hardly step aside and allow another to rule in their place,’ he said sarcastically.

  ‘You’re right. Lady Enid would do anything to keep the family in power. Their name could never be allowed to tarnish,’ said Evelyn obscurely.

  Amanda had heard enough. For some reason, the portal had not completely closed, there had been a tear in it. Perhaps his power was waning. He isn’t nearly as powerful as he likes to think he is, and just as she was pondering this, the portal finally closed, flinging her sharply through it.

  A few moments later, the portal opened above her car, and remarkably, she was gently deposited into the front seat — drivers side, of course. Show off! she thought. After all, she should not really expect anything less from him. Amanda had a lot to contemplate, but the first thing was getting to Rowanne as quickly as possible.

  CHAPTER 25

  Rowanne began to stir as light flooded through her windows, shining directly onto her face. She made an unintelligible sound of annoyance, and turning her head to block it out, she froze. Her head appeared to be under someone’s elbow...

  Rowanne’s eyes flew open. To her embarrassment, she found herself lying on the couch with her head resting on Alexander’s lap. He must have fallen asleep where he sat. She peered to the side to find his arm resting on her shoulder; this was not what she had expected to find this morning.

  She was in the process of carefully removing his arm when he stirred. She froze and looked up quickly, but thankfully his eyes were still closed. She successfully removed his arm, and started to get up lifting her head an inch at a time, until she was almost in a sitting position.

  Suddenly, to her great annoyance, his arm slammed back down taking her with it, so that she ended up in almost the exact same position that she had started in. He started to stir once more, which promoted her to redouble her efforts to untangle herself. Having at last succeeded, she moved to the opposite end of the couch and closed her eyes feigning sleep.

  ‘Rowanne?’ she heard her name being called softly.

  She slowly and reluctantly peeled open her eyes only to find Alexander practically in her face, towering over her. Oh God, the man did not understand the concept of personal space! There was something iniquitous about the way he looked at her that she did not trust.

  Alexander’s mouth slowly curved up in a smile. ‘Good morning. You’re finally awake.’

  Rowanne got up haphazardly, as he didn’t even have the decency to give her any room by backing up. ‘I’ll put on some tea for us,’ she said awkwardly.

  He finally moved back and relaxed, stretching his long legs out before him. She cringed as he moved his arm around stiffly, and quickly turned her back to him, intending to head into the kitchen; but much to her chagrin, she was not fast enough to block out his idiotic remark.

  ‘Thanks. And by the way, I hope you had a good night’s sleep... My arm, on the other hand, seems to have fallen asleep, but my legs are just fine. Next time, I’ll get you a cushion. Or maybe you were quite content with where you lay...’

  Rowanne’s shoulders stiffened, and his laughter seemed to follow her all the way to the kitchen. What a complete moron! Comfortable my foot! Her neck hurt. Ignoring it all, she put the kettle on.

  Alexander watched Rowanne in the kitchen. He too was perplexed to find himself on her couch when he clearly remembered going to sleep on the opposite couch. Hopefully it was not anything to worry about. He heard ghostly laughter, but, shaking his head, he put it out of his mind. He felt good, rested.

  Steeling herself, Rowanne finally turned around. ‘The water’s heating up, I’ll be back in a moment.’

  She went into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. God! I’m a mess, she thought, looking at her reflection in the mirror; her hair was knotted and tangled. I must look like a cavewoman to him! Taking a quick shower, she set about untangling and blow drying her hair. The funny thing was that her eyes seemed less tired, as if she had finally gotten a decent night’s sleep.

  Rowanne felt slightly self-conscious to head out in a bathrobe, hence she made a beeline for her bedroom, leaving Alexander to deal with the breakfast. She got ready quickly, and had a feeling that it was going to be another long day. She put on a light jumper over her tight fitting but extremely comfortable jeans, and pulled on her boots. Her hair was tied back in a clip and five minutes later, she was done.

  She walked out to the aroma of tea, and was just in time as Alexander brought in the breakfast, laying it out on the living room table. She gave him a warm smile, at which he shrugged nonchalantly, and waited for her to join him.

  Alexander bit into his toast. ‘I’m really concerned about Amanda. She hasn’t contacted you yet, has she?’ he asked.

  Rowanne looked at him, her stomach a tangle of nerves. ‘I’m worried, too. I think she may be in some trouble. She was supposed to get back to me yesterday. I really hope that I’m wrong, but one possibility is that she may still be in Driskell’s company.’

  Alexander looked at her thoughtfully as he drank his tea. ‘I was thinking along the same lines. I suggest you phone her now, find out if she’s alright.’

  Rowanne quickly dialled Amanda’s number. She looked at Alexander, panic clearly etched on her face, as Amanda failed to pick up. ‘This is not looking good,’ she said, and hung up.

  However, Alexander urged her to keep trying.

  ‘Why did I ever allow her to leave with Driskell? If anything happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself...’ She needed to do something, but what?

  ‘Let’s get her,’ said Alexander, lightly laying his hand on her shoulder in support. She smiled at him, vigorously nodding her head in agreement.

  Rowanne was about to get up when there was a knock at the door. She looked at Alexander expectantly - maybe it was Amanda! She rushed to the door, and felt Alexander following closely at her heels. It was maddening to say the least, but he meant well by it.

  And what about you?! Rowanne incensed him constantly, she had the ability to single handedly drive this demon into a crazy man! He snorted as he heard Rowanne correct him telepathically.

  Caveman! Rowanne laughed. She could practically feel the wheels of Alexander’s mind turn as he contemplated on what he’d dearly like to do... She blocked him out as she reached the front door.

  Rowanne flung open the door to find Amanda looking dishevelled. Oh my God! What happened to her... She swept Amanda up in a hug, who responded by flinging her own arms around her.

  ‘Good to see you too, Rowanne. You have no idea how much...’

  Rowanne steered her into the apartment, while Alexander closed the door behind them, locking it for good measure. Sometimes it’s good to have another person around, she thought, feeling reassured by his presence. She walked Amanda over to the sofa, and helped her to sit.

  Alexander brought in a glass of water, as well as a cup of tea, and placed them on the table before Amanda, and sat opposite. ‘How are you?’ he asked gently.

  ‘I was so worried when I couldn’t get in touch with you,’ added Rowanne, still feeling guilty.

  Amanda squeezed her cousin’s arm gently. She thought of Rowanne as more like the sister she had always wanted. Alexander gave her a long and piercing look. He smiled, and nodded imperceptibly. He must know! she thought. He is a fully fledged demon, after all. However, he had not revealed her identity to Rowanne, fo
r which she was extremely grateful. She liked Alexander the better for it, and thought that Rowanne was extraordinarily lucky that he had come into her life.

  The other way around, Alexander replied to Amanda. She looked sharply at him, a smile tugging at her lips.

  ‘Amanda, are you okay? I think you’re going into shock, you’re smiling as if nothing has happened!’ Rowanne was concerned about Amanda’s mental state.

  She looked at Rowanne, ‘I just thought of something, it’s not important. I could do with a nice cup of tea, though. Something to wake my fuddled mind up.’

  Rowanne quickly handed the mug to Amanda, and watched the colour slowly returning to her pale face.

  ‘This is good! Thanks, Rowanne.’

  ‘Don’t thank me, it’s one of Alexander’s concoctions,’ she corrected, and reaching out, absentmindedly squeezed Alexander’s arm in gratitude. And completely missed the smile that lit his face as his eyes sparkled in amusement.

  Amanda was the silent spectator and found the whole situation hilarious. Rowanne certainly was blind! ‘So, he’s made tea for you before?’ she asked innocently.

  It was lost on Rowanne, though, who asked, ‘How did you manage to escape Driskell?’

  Amanda laughed aloud causing Rowanne and Alexander to look at her sharply for signs that she was losing it. I wonder if they’d believe me if I told them that he let me go.

  Amanda debated on where to begin. The last part of the conversation between Lady Blaze and Driskell had been bizarre; she hadn’t fully understood it. How much should she reveal to Rowanne was the question - without revealing Demon World.

  ‘You look like you’re lost in your thoughts, what happened? I’m getting really worried considering how long you’ve been away.’ Rowanne was concerned that perhaps Driskell had hurt Amanda, and that she might be reluctant to talk of it.

  ‘It started with Driskell taking me in for questioning,’ said Amanda.

  ‘I beg your pardon? But what does he have to question you for? After all, you joined the company after Thomas disappeared.’ Rowanne looked at her for any clue, then something clicked. ‘Wait, he took you in because of me, didn’t he?’ Rowanne grabbed Amanda’s arm, trying to literally shake the truth out of her.

  Amanda looked away - Rowanne was not supposed to know.

  Rowanne gently turned Amanda’s head to look at her, ‘I’m so sorry... you’ve got pulled into this because of me.’ Do I end up endangering everyone I meet... she wondered wretchedly. First Alexander and now this young woman whom I consider a friend.

  ‘Rowanne, I chose to go with him, to try and find out what he was up to. I didn’t like the way that he always seemed to be after you,’ said Amanda.

  ‘You know what?’ Rowanne addressed them both, ‘I was exceptionally naive to think that when he said he didn’t need me for the investigation anymore, that it would actually end there. He’s still suspicious of me and I probably head the list of suspects.’ She turned to Amanda, ‘Don’t you dare do anything so reckless ever again! Otherwise, you’ll have to face my wrath, and trust me, I make Driskell look like a picnic.’

  Alexander’s eyebrow was raised in mild amusement. That’s our Rowanne for you, he thought, as Amanda began to laugh.

  ‘Just don’t,’ said Rowanne.

  ‘I didn’t say anything,’ replied Alexander, trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face.

  I’m morphing into the female version of him! I need to get away from him, or pretty soon it’ll be hard to tell where he ends and I begin, thought Rowanne uneasily.

  Don’t be too hard on yourself, I’m just so damn alluring. I have that lasting effect on people, whispered Alexander through Rowanne’s mind.

  Rowanne’s face turned crimson, and Amanda immediately turned to the culprit: Alexander, who had a wicked look on his face as his eyes sparkled teasingly.

  I’ve never seen this side of you before, said Rowanne. And he comes across like a charming gentleman... she thought, amused.

  You’ve only seen one side of me. Stay around long enough and you’ll see that the rest of me is just as- what did you call me? Charming, replied Alexander. He laughed, as Rowanne shied away.

  Amanda coughed politely to interrupt whatever was going on between the two of them; they could have their lovers tryst after she’d gone home. She held back laughter as she watched Alexander reluctantly break away, turning to face her. She could almost imagine him crying in frustration; whereas Rowanne was more subdued. Honestly, they were acting like a pair of squabbling teenagers; ideally, she would have loved to bang their heads together.

  Amanda fretted on how much to reveal: if she revealed her truth, then Driskell could use it to his advantage against Rowanne. No, she could not risk that, instead she’d relay the conversation that she had overheard between Driskell and Lady Blaze.

  Rowanne turned to Amanda, ‘I guess we have to be weary of Driskell. Did you learn anything from him?’

  ‘I heard a conversation between Lady Blaze and him. You remember the woman that helped you when you sprained your ankle?’

  ‘Yes. She seemed... nice. But what was she doing at Driskell’s place, and how does she know him?’ Rowanne had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had at first liked the woman, before she had behaved rudely towards Alexander. There had been something off with her, but she had not been able to put her finger on what it might have been.

  Alexander stiffened imperceptibly at hearing that name. It had not really come as much of a surprise that Evelyn Blaze knew Driskell; after all, they had all grown up together at the palace, and had also trained together at the Academy.

  Evelyn was a fully fledged Demon, and belonged to the Adara Clan: they were third in line to the throne, after his family. They all belonged to the First Families with the exception of Driskell; it was the bane of that man’s life.

  ‘What did they speak of?’ asked Alexander, his eyes weary.

  Rowanne studied Alexander - it was no mystery to her that he knew Driskell. When Evelyn had turned up at the office, it was obvious that she knew him. Rowanne dearly wanted to ask him of his relationship with Evelyn, and whether she was a person who could be trusted, but it sounded ludicrous to her ears. What business of hers was it? No, there was no polite way to bring this awkward conversation up. Rather, she’d have to leave it to Alexander to take the initiative. If he ever did...

  ‘They spoke of Lady Enid? I’m guessing your friend walks in high circles. She must be someone important, then?’ asked Amanda.

  Rowanne suppressed a laugh. Leave it to Amanda to ask the delicate questions. Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll find out everything I need to know.

  Alexander arched an eyebrow in amusement, ‘Before you continue, I’ll just clarify,’ and looking pointedly at Rowanne to her utter mortification, he said unashamedly, ‘Evelyn is more of an acquaintance. Her family is close to mine, as well as to Lady Enid’s,’ he silently laughed, as the colour seeped into her cheeks.

  Rowanne wondered for the first time just how powerful Alexander was in terms of Demon World hierarchy. She had never really questioned him about his family. Well, there was never a reason to, but now... She knew he was a demon and had accepted it. She had never bothered to find out the different types, but if his family were close to Lady Enid, then that meant he was more than just your average demon; there was so much that she didn’t know about him.

  Don’t get a complex about me. If there’s something you want to know, just ask! he whispered in her mind, causing her to look up at him sharply.

  That’s really annoying! replied Rowanne, frustrated. She didn’t think it was possible to be any more embarrassed than she already was, and wished that a hole would open up and swallow her.

  Alexander was at a loss - she truly aggravated him to the extremes. Taking a breath, he replied, Learn to shield your thoughts, then! She was practically flinging her thoughts at his face.

  Rowanne tore her smouldering gaze away from Alexander. A fire had built
within her, and she wanted to... never mind. ‘Sorry, Amanda. You were saying?’

  Amanda could have cut the tension with a scythe. ‘Lady Blaze spoke of Lady Enid losing someone called Lillian-’ she was interrupted by Rowanne.

  ‘What did you just say?’ asked Rowanne. She had the sensation of ice cold water being poured down her back, and her heart began to beat rapidly. She grabbed Amanda, shaking her by the shoulders. Alexander gently pulled her back and held her.

  ‘Rowanne, what’s wrong? You suddenly look pale, you’re scaring me,’ said Amanda, concerned.

  Finally! thought Alexander. Rowanne knows. It was like a spell had broken, and he was now at liberty to talk of Lillian; whereas before she had cast magic to prevent him speaking of her. But thankfully, Amanda was not bound by any such constraint.

  Rowanne was shaking, as she remembered all the times that she’d been possessed by Lillian, and not once had she told her that she was related to Lady Enid. The question was how?

  Rowanne looked at Amanda, weighing her words carefully not wanting to endanger her by revealing too much. ‘There was a time when Driskell took me away for questioning, and I happened to encounter Lady Enid. I think she’s a colleague of his, but it didn’t seem as if she really got along with him.’

  ‘Did she happen to mention the name Lillian?’ asked Amanda, wondering just how much she really knew.

  ‘No, she didn’t mention her, and I’m still not sure how they are connected,’ replied Rowanne. She looked pointedly at Alexander, and said, I think you could probably enlighten me as to what the connection is between them. She didn’t yet wish to discuss it in front of Amanda.

  I think it best if you ask Lillian yourself. I don’t think she’d take it too kindly if I revealed her truth. And you’ve already seen what she can do when she gets mad, he replied.

  ‘What else did Lady Blaze mention?’ asked Rowanne.