Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  ‘The exact details are murky. Lillian’s mother probably knows more than she’ll ever be allowed to divulge. The point is, they were so impressed with one family in particular, that they were officially invited to stay,’ contributed Alexander.

  Rowanne looked at Lillian’s melancholy expression. ‘Am I right in thinking that this is when the problems began?’ She had only to think of her own situation to know that a demon involved with a human inevitably led to trouble.

  ‘Sometimes trouble can be a good thing... it depends on your perspective,’ said Lillian secretively, a whimsical smile lighting up her eyes.

  ‘I don’t understand. What do you mean?’ asked Rowanne.

  Oh, don’t you? asked Lillian pointedly. She could feel Rowanne’s discomfort, and could almost envision her squirming beneath her inspection. Good. She’s not completely dense, then.

  ‘Rowanne, she’s referring to- now this stays strictly between us. Nobody outside of our circle knew that we had befriended the humans, especially their son. We had included him within our inner sanctum, as you might call it. I didn’t know him all that well. I only ever met him personally on a few occasions, but I liked him well enough. He seemed to me to be a sterling man,’ said Alexander.

  It was Lillian’s turn to feel discomfort, she was reluctant to bring up the next part. ‘He was a good friend to us, even Driskell seemed to take a shine to him. Do you remember, Alexander, before he became the man he now is?’

  He only nodded. He could see the Driskell of old in his mind’s eye: that carefree young soldier. The more he thought on it, he recalled that Driskell had spent a lot of time with Lillian and the human.

  ‘What was his name?’ asked Rowanne. She was captivated by the dark tale, and wondered what it would be like to live in that world, to leave humanity behind and walk amongst the demons; the idea was as terrifying as it was thrilling. Could I do that? Well, I guess that is exactly what I will be doing and soon. Her stomach knotted in fear of the unknown.

  Take care that in leaving humanity behind you don’t also leave behind your humanity, said Lillian sombrely. Rowanne looked at her steadily, and nodded. The spell of Demon World momentarily broken.

  Alexander was about to answer when Lillian interrupted. She wanted to be the only one to speak his name. ‘Elisedd.’

  ‘Nice name. Does it have a meaning?’ asked Rowanne.

  ‘It’s Celtic and refers to one who is kind; he certainly lived up to his name.’

  ‘People spoke well of his family, not just for the skills they brought, but for the way they conducted themselves with a quiet dignity,’ said Alexander fondly.

  ‘Would I be right in assuming that something went wrong, and that his family no longer resides in Demon world?’ asked Rowanne.

  ‘They were banished to earth, all except one...’ said Alexander gravely.

  Rowanne looked towards Lillian, who was hugging herself as if the very memory of that time had left behind a coldness in her.

  Lillian looked at her with a steely expression, but her eyes gave her away; so full of despair and infinite sorrow. ‘Alexander is referring to Elisedd...’ A lump formed in her throat. She felt tears burn behind her eyelids. No! She would not break down, and could do this for her beloved.

  Lillian’s mind relentlessly pulled her back to her youth. Even now, she could picture him: a tall man with sparkling emerald green eyes, looking at her in their usual wicked way, complete with that devil-may-care smile of his; solely for her. If she concentrated really hard, then she could even hear the sound of his laughter... No. Stop it! Stop it, Lillian, she rebuked herself, and covered her face with her hands trying to block out the memories she so longed for; after all, they were the only thing left connecting her to him.

  Rowanne gently pulled Lillian’s hands down and hugged her. She felt the subtle shift in Lillian as she gave herself up temporarily to her care. Rowanne looked at Alexander and they exchanged uneasy glances, both deeply concerned for her wellbeing both physically and mentally.

  Lillian straightened up. Calling on her power she wrapped her heart in an amethyst cocoon, and taking a deep breath she pulled herself together. She was not used to these public displays of emotion. It was hard.

  ‘I formed a friendship with Elisedd, and in the second year of our relationship, somebody informed on us to the Noble Court.’

  ‘It was only a friendship, that is not enough to be sent to the Noble Court for- Oh. I see...’ said Alexander, finally realising the truth.

  He could not believe he had been so blind, it was there right before him; but he had dismissed it as a friendship.

  ‘It was Driskell, wasn’t it? That man can see everything. He has to only look at you to know your innermost secrets,’ said Alexander angrily, at the thought of his former friend and adversary.

  ‘Yes, our friend Driskell,’ replied Lillian bitterly, as an ice cold fury flowed from her to surround everyone in the room. It started to crystallise with jagged sharp points, insensible of whom they were aimed at.

  ‘Lillian!’ warned Alexander. She looked at him with cold piercing violet eyes that seemed to be changing into a steely grey, threatening violence for anyone who got in her way. However, she began to slowly and painfully reel her power in.

  This was bad; they could not afford to have Lillian lose control, especially because of who she was, and the tremendous power she still wielded, even in death. Alexander looked uneasily at Rowanne’s close proximity to her.

  Rowanne studied the woman beside her, who was transformed by circumstances outside of her control. Before her very eyes, Lillian started to change into a monstrously beautiful but deadly entity. Yet, despite this she reached into the ice cold fire (it didn’t burn her at all) and took a hold of her hand, much to Lillian’s astonishment.

  Rowanne’s own power rose, a beautiful deep green that encircled Lillian’s ice cold violet, until the two combined. Rowanne’s necklace flared quietly under her jumper, its own power warmed Lillian, and reached for her heart, where it encountered an impenetrable barrier. So, instead it chose to encase her heart; the warmth would eventually sink in.

  ‘Keep holding onto me, Rowanne. Just until I finish speaking of this,’ it was hard for Lillian to ask for help, it was not something that came naturally to her. ‘Driskell wasn’t the only one, like I said earlier, but he did enforce the rules,’ said Lillian. She wanted to tear him apart with her bare hands, and could feel her emotions violently trying to surface. Only Rowanne’s power somehow kept her from becoming a destructive mindless force, hell bent on revenge. God help anyone if that should happen...

  Thunder rumbled ominously before lightning started to lash out at the city. Lillian’s power thrummed as shockwave after shockwave left her, attacking the city. The rain brought hailstones that pounded down upon the unsuspecting people caught outside.

  Rowanne’s forehead was beaded in perspiration from trying to calm Lillian. She reached for the energy of the crystal, and as she did so, her own eyes started to bleed to a deep amethyst hue. She was puzzled by Alexander’s apprehensive look.

  He watched in sheer wonder as Rowanne started to transform: her hair almost became lighter in tone, and her features became softer. There was something almost bewitching and ephemeral about her. Her very power had absorbed Lillian’s so that a new ultra violet, almost indigo, energy encased them both.

  Alexander had never seen anything like it before. The cerulean light shone fiercely in Rowanne’s eyes; storm clouds seemed to gather in those twin pools. He watched Rowanne’s power leave the room, shooting out and chasing the storm, finally leashing it, and soothing its nature. Though the gray clouds remained, the rain reluctantly subdued to a light drizzle.

  Lillian looked steadily at Rowanne. Who would ever have thought that a half demon could rival me?! she thought, amused but not in the least surprised.

  ‘It had to be someone you knew,’ said Rowanne breathlessly. She felt tired and her heart weighed heavily, like she had just gone t
en rounds in a boxing ring. Alexander seemed to have a ridiculously idiotic expression, and the weird smile just bothered her. There was nothing amusing about this situation; well, not to her, anyway. Lillian was trying to pour her heart out, and here he was smirking as if the whole thing was one big joke. Honestly, she didn’t understand men sometimes.

  ‘I think you could be right, but I honestly can’t think of who it might have been. Any one of the Nobles or lesser demons could be responsible. Whoever it was seized their chance to advance. They used the knowledge wisely by going straight to the Enforcer. They probably worked with others as well, for all we know,’ said Lillian.

  ‘Didn’t your title protect you? Your family is powerful, surely something could have been done to find these people and stop them before they did harm with the information that they possessed,’ said Rowanne.

  Lillian looked at Rowanne, who was in many ways sharp but could also be a little bit naive.

  Alexander stepped in to answer, ‘Rowanne, you have to understand that as powerful as we are and the titles we possess, we are nothing in the face of our law. If we are seen to not uphold the law and deliberately go against it, then we face harsh punishment. Getting rid of a member of the First Family would be seen as a triumph among many, especially those seeking to advance. And especially considering the fact that Lillian is an only child. Then with her out of the way, they would systematically get rid of the other heirs to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming ruler. It would be a lot harder, they would have to make compromises and form alliances to ensure that they had powerful allies to back them, all the while seemingly following the correct procedures.’

  ‘But they’d need evidence, right? They could not just make an allegation that they could not back?’ asked Rowanne.

  ‘It’s all a matter of strategy. They wouldn’t dare face the backlash and severe penalty without solid proof,’ replied Alexander.

  ‘That’s what bothers me. I was watched for almost two years, they would have systematically been gathering information until they could prove that I had formed a relationship with a human,’ said Lillian.

  ‘Relationship?’ asked Rowanne surprised.

  ‘There is a law against humans and demons forming relationships, especially because of the fact that half demons could be born of that union. Imagine the backlash at the court when they discovered their beloved princess had chosen a human above a demon as a partner,’ said Lillian, her anger slowly simmering.

  ‘The First Families and I, as well as the rest of Demon World, never knew the exact details, all that was released was the sad news of your untimely demise. There were rumours but never anything spoken aloud for fear of backlash,’ said Alexander.

  Alexander’s hatred of Driskell grew; he could not believe that their former friend would have walked Lillian to her death. As Enforcer of the law, he would have ultimately acted as executioner. He wanted to kill Driskell if he ever got the chance, but unfortunately, none of them could do it outright, for fear of retribution from the Noble Court. But the day would surely come when they would not be able to protect him; then, he’d have his chance.

  Lillian could almost read the dark thoughts that flittered over Alexander’s face, not to mention the steely determination in his eyes. Get in line, she thought. If there’s any justice in the world, then surely he will face his day of reckoning. Watch out you traitor...

  Lillian looked at the pair of them, ‘I was a princess who chose a human consort, and because I was also an heir, it was unacceptable to them. It was treason. They would never have accepted a human elevated to such a prominent position of power, especially not in Demon World. They would see it as an affront to their power and status. Two things that a demon does not easily forgive or forget. More than one rule was broken... When they found out, you cannot even conceive of the repercussions we faced...’ a hunted look had come into her eyes.

  ‘What was your family’s response?’ asked Rowanne shakily, terrified of the answer.

  ‘Publicly I was disowned in the Noble Court, so that there would be no stain on the other members, and my mother, Lady Enid, could continue as Queen...’ replied Lillian, the memory of it tearing through her, burning her, igniting her anger.

  ‘Lady Enid would have stood by you. I cannot believe that she would have thrown you to the wolves,’ said Rowanne fervently.

  Lillian looked sadly at her, ‘You must understand that it wasn’t an easy choice, and that we, that is my mother and I, discussed it privately. I decided that my mother should make an outward show of renouncing me, so that the rest of my family wouldn’t be implicated, and they’d be spared. Do you understand what I’m saying?’ she asked, as she shook Rowanne, trying to get the point through to her.

  Rowanne gently stopped her. She got it. What would I have done, if I was in her position, to save my family? It could not have been an easy decision for Lady Enid to come to terms with, let alone accept. Lillian had thought of others besides herself. She was a true leader and selfless. What had her crime really been? If it was falling in love with the ‘wrong’ person, then she was sure quite a few have been guilty of that, but it didn’t warrant death. She could not get her head around the barbaric laws of Demon World.

  ‘Elisedd and I accepted the punishment. The sentence, as you can see for yourself, was death; an inconceivably painful slow death. They all stood there watching us... as we burned...’ said Lillian quietly, holding herself still. She refused to think on her words too deeply, because if she did, then she doubted whether Rowanne’s apartment building would still be standing; she didn’t need the deaths of innocent people on her head, as well.

  The agony of watching each other die was something no one, demon or human, should ever have had to face. Above all, she had to block out the pain...

  Rowanne thought she was going to be sick, and watched Alexander’s face drain; he had become pale and deathlike from the shock of what he had just heard.

  Alexander captured Rowanne’s gaze, seeing his horror mirrored in her eyes. I’m so sorry, Rowanne. What the hell have I gotten us into... He didn’t want to think about the implications should his truth be revealed. I would rather die than let anyone lay a finger on Rowanne’s head. Noble Court be damned, he’d take on Prima Stella if it came down to it. He would risk a lot to save the valiant woman opposite him. He had not been able to save Lillian, but he’d be damned if he didn’t save Rowanne.

  Alexander’s energy swirled dangerously around him, and consequently the winds outside began to respond in kind by coming together violently and starting to form a tornado. The sheer size of it was magnificent, and it would reduce the city to ruins, if he chose.

  A dark fury took hold of Alexander and began to transform him into something else... Darkness seemed to leak out of him and swirled around him, almost obscuring him from view, until only his eyes, that burned with rage and an unholy fire, shone through.

  Rowanne was terrified of and for Alexander; he was becoming in every sense the demon that she had read of in books and seen in horror films. ‘Alexander!’ she cried out desperately. However, she could not afford to leave Lillian, for fear that she might unleash her powers again.

  Rowanne was literally caught between two extremely powerful demons, and didn’t have a clue as to what to do.

  Thankfully, Lillian stepped in, ‘Alexander Black, you will cease immediately!’ she said, walking towards him. Her power seemed to lash out at Alexander, almost as if he received a slap in the face. Slowly he came back to his senses - her energy was like ice cold water pouring over him, dampening, if not quite putting out his anger.

  ‘Thanks. I needed that,’ he said, smiling darkly at her - but his sapphire eyes held a storm of impenitence.

  Rowanne had never seen him like this, he almost looked like the Shadow men who’d attacked her. This is Alexander, she reminded herself. I know him...

  Alexander watched the uncertainty flicker in the depths of Rowanne’s eyes. It dawned on him, finally, how he must app
ear to her in this state. He snapped his fingers, and once more became the man she knew. He gave her a penetrating look, uncertain of what he was searching for... hoping for.

  ‘So, it appears you have anger management issues... I don’t think a therapist could help you, especially when you go all Hulk on us,’ said Rowanne.

  He laughed, secretly relieved and amused by the film reference. ‘An unfortunate side effect of our species...’

  ‘That’s nothing! You’d be petrified if you ever got on the wrong side of me!’ teased Rowanne.

  Lillian gave her a small grateful smile, before her features became grim again. ‘Well, it seems the time has come for us to actually make a move. Rowanne, grab anything you might need. I’m not sure how long we will be gone.’

  She knew they’d have to go to Demon World eventually, she just had not expected it to be right at this very moment. She felt nervous and sick. But I’m not ready... Alexander came towards her and pulled her gently to her feet in one go.

  ‘Come on. I’ll help you pack,’ he said to Rowanne, and looked at Lillian, who gave him a quick nod of approval.

  ‘Go ahead, Rowanne. I need time to open the portal, anyway,’ said Lillian.

  Alexander led the way holding Rowanne’s hand. He could feel her reluctance but she didn’t let go.

  ‘I’ll need a suitcase. Wait, will that be too heavy? I don’t quite know how it works,’ said Rowanne.

  ‘Don’t worry. I’ll help you,’ he said, as he grabbed her suitcase down from the top of the wardrobe and placed it open on her bed. He looked around her room contemplating what she’d need.

  Rowanne was uncomfortable for obvious reasons to let Alexander pack for her. ‘Um, would you mind waiting outside? I have a few things to do,’ she said, hoping he’d understand her subtle meaning.

  He smiled roguishly, ‘As you wish. I’ll be outside making arrangements, but I could have been a great asset to you...’ he said slyly, hoping she’d understand his not so subtle meaning.