Demon World

by Balvir Bhullar

  Leaning towards her only inches from her face, Driskell asked softly, ‘Do you really want me to answer that? I’d be happy to oblige your request...’

  Amanda sat back, still not breaking eye contact, and crossed her arms. ‘Well, go ahead...’

  ‘Frankly, I find you perplexing and infuriating to a large degree. Wilful. Shall I go on?’ he asked with a small smile, thoroughly enjoying the shade of beetroot that now inflamed her cheeks. He could almost see the sparks fly like daggers - probably aimed at his heart. Honestly, she was so easy to rile, he mused.

  Amanda thumped him in the arm in response to the idiotic remark.

  ‘Do you feel better?’ asked Driskell patiently.

  ‘I’m getting there...’ replied Amanda archly.

  CHAPTER 29

  ‘Thanks,’ replied Rowanne, as she gratefully accepted the handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. ‘What should we do? We can’t exactly go looking for her.’ For the past half hour, she had tried focusing in on Lillian to call her back, but to no avail.

  Alexander started to pace restlessly. A sense of trepidation hung in the air, though he could not place his finger on precisely what it could be. He did not want to worry Rowanne, but he had felt power resonate throughout the room, as if it was sent by a higher level demon searching for something... or someone.

  Though, it was not the only thing that was bothering him: he had felt a headache come on the moment he had stepped back into Demon World with Rowanne. Although he had not mentioned it, putting it down to his human half, now it was becoming more and more relentless. The pain began to hammer at his mind, and he was finding it difficult for the first time to formulate his thoughts; he’d never encountered these problems as a full demon.

  Rowanne watched Alexander’s brow furrow in concentration, and didn’t like the fact that he was on edge. It disturbed her the way his eyes would furtively look around the room. What was he searching for? ‘Alexander, I have a weird feeling about this room. I think it’s time we left.’

  ‘I agree with you. Let’s go now while we still can,’ said Alexander. Concentrating on Rowanne’s voice seemed to help him to focus.

  She didn’t need to think twice as she quickly buttoned up her coat and wrapped her scarf around the bottom half of her face so that only her eyes could be seen.

  Alexander went to the door and, turning around, he motioned for Rowanne to stay where she was for the moment. Taking a quick peek, he found the corridor was empty, and urged her forward. ‘Stay behind me,’ he whispered.

  ‘Where is the safest place for us to be right now?’ asked Rowanne.

  ‘Let’s make our way towards the royal tomb, or I should say the Morning Star family’s tomb. We will stay there for a couple of hours and try to formulate a plan,’ he replied.

  Suddenly he began to shake as his vision faded in and out. He jerkily turned around to her as her eyes widened in horror.

  ‘Don’t worry, it’s noth-’

  ‘Alexander!’ screamed Rowanne, catching him as he fell. Thank God she had demon strength. He was a tall man; the human side of her might have buckled under his weight.

  Rowanne pulled him back into the room and gently lowered him to the floor, then reaching up she closed and locked the door behind them.

  ‘Alexander, can you hear me?’ she asked in a panicked voice. Though there was no response, she was relieved by the reassuring rise and fall of his chest. Her heart had nearly stopped when he’d collapsed. She had thought he was having a heart attack, from the look of intense pain that had flashed across his face, and the way he’d seized up on the spot.

  Perhaps he had pushed himself too far by portaling into this world as a half demon. God knows that she had found it extremely uncomfortable each time that she had stepped into a portal, especially when travelling to Demon World; that’s when it really took a toll on her.

  Rowanne felt his forehead - it was hot to the touch and covered in a thin sheen of perspiration. She went into a room she assumed would be the kitchen (it was) and finding a cloth, ran it under the tap and wrung it out before coming back to Alexander. She knelt on the floor beside him, gently dabbing at his forehead.

  ‘Come on, get up. This is not the time to be sleeping,’ she said, shaking him gently, hoping for a response. His eyes moved rapidly as if he really were dreaming. I wonder what he’s thinking of, it doesn’t seem to be good... His lips were curled into a snarl, as if whatever he saw had him on edge.

  Come back, Alexander, thought Rowanne. We have so much to do, and I can’t do it alone. I won’t. Not without you. She did not even know where to begin, let alone how to navigate her way around the castle without walking straight into the first guard she’d undoubtedly stumble across. All she could do was wait patiently by his side.

  Alexander began to thrash about, his arms flailing dangerously. Rowanne quickly scooted back on her heel out of harm’s way. Suddenly he went stiff, and she observed a green mist form above his body coiling around him. It changed to a darker shade of green before turning a disturbing shade of black.

  The net seemed to tighten around him until he was cocooned within the energy, then to Rowanne’s dread it seeped into his body, leaving behind no trace to indicate that it had ever been there.

  Heart pounding, Rowanne cautiously approached him. ‘Alexander?’ she called softly - for some reason she thought it best to whisper. The air in the room sizzled, and there was a deep quiet that she mistrusted; the calm before the storm...

  Alexander slowly opened his eyes and blinked a couple of times before the room came back into focus, and the first thing he noticed was Rowanne’s anxious face hovering above him.

  ‘What happened?’ he asked, dazed and confused. How had he ended up on the floor?

  ‘Thank God you’ve come back to me... I mean you’ve come awake. You had me slightly worried there,’ said Rowanne tenderly, her heart slowly calming.

  Alexander tilted his head up and smiled as Rowanne scooted closer, and gently lifted his head resting it on her lap. ‘Thanks. It’s nice to know you were only slightly worried,’ he said roguishly, and raised an eyebrow at her. He had not missed a single thing she’d said, even if his senses were only gradually coming back to him.

  That’s just great. I wonder exactly how much he heard... ‘I told you that you had exerted yourself too much. You’re a human now. Well half, anyway,’ she amended, at his less than pleased expression. ‘You need to rest more as well as eat more, especially with the amount of energy you use. If a human were to attempt even half of what you have done, they’d burn out. I’m amazed you didn’t collapse sooner,’ said Rowanne, gently chiding.

  She really knows how to take care of a sick man, thought Alexander, amused by her ministrations. He attempted to get himself up, but fell back at the first attempt.

  ‘Rowanne, I think I may need your help?’ It was not easy asking for help, especially with a name like his! He had to at least attempt to live up to it.

  ‘I thought you’d never ask,’ replied Rowanne wryly.

  She lifted Alexander up easily as he put an arm around her shoulders for support. She put her arm around his waist supporting his weight, and together they slowly made their way to the chaise lounge, where she helped him to sit.

  ‘Can you get me some water, please?’ he asked. His throat felt parched, and Rowanne obligingly went to the kitchen.

  Alexander felt a spasm start within him as he began to convulse. A headache suddenly came on strongly, and slowly, painfully his mind began to shut itself down from the pain. In less than a minute it was over and his eyes closed.

  Rowanne came back and discovered Alexander slumped on the lounge. She ran in and hastily placed the cup down, causing the water to slosh. She helped him to sit up as she supported him.

  Alexander opened his eyes. They felt wrong... Something was off. He looked at Rowanne, there were tears in her eyes, but he could tell she was trying to be strong for him. ‘I think it’s what you humans call a migraine,’ he
said gruffly, his voice sounding strange to his own ears.

  ‘I see you really are experiencing the side effects of being human,’ said Rowanne, a brittle smile upon her face.

  ‘I’m fifty percent certain that we will make it out of here, but you will have to help me to walk. Now don’t look at me like that, we can’t stay here either. Be practical,’ said Alexander sternly.

  Rowanne was taken aback with his harsh tone; it sounded nothing like him, but then, she reasoned, he had just collapsed twice. It would be enough to fray anyone’s nerves; especially a proud man like Alexander.

  She helped him to stand, and placed her arm around his waist; he in turn put his arm around her shoulders. Once she was satisfied that she could support his weight, they began to shuffle towards the door. It would be a miracle at this rate if they weren’t caught.

  Alexander unlocked the door with his free hand, and looked at the woman before him unsympathetically. Well, it was about time that she helped him; he could not count the number of times that he’d helped her. Too many.

  Rowanne felt a cold shiver run down her spine, as she felt Alexander’s cold merciless sapphire eyes bore into her. What was going on? She didn’t like this one single bit, but nevertheless managed a warm smile in return which only seemed to compound the situation, as he grinned at her baring his teeth.

  He looked menacing instead of sincere, and Rowanne’s guard automatically went up. She could not afford to trust this world. After all, she’d been warned of the duplicitous nature of the demons here, especially the Nobles.

  However, she could not bring herself to place Alexander into that category, even if he was a Noble. Whatever was going on with him, she’d put it down to temporary insanity brought on by stress, and the fact that he was becoming more human by the minute.

  Alexander’s eyes hurt as he felt a veil descend upon them. Rowanne was looking at him oddly. Had he said something inappropriate? He could not see her too clearly, and stopped smiling as it didn’t seem to be helping the situation.

  Rowanne’s heart began to beat fast as she looked deep into his inky black eyes, which were ringed in a blackish green colour. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that they had changed. There was no point in worrying him until she could understand what was happening to him.

  ‘I think it’s safe to proceed,’ she said, after waiting a few moments and ascertaining that nobody else was around in this part of the building.

  She proceeded cautiously along the corridor, her heart literally in her mouth. However, she pushed down her fear, or attempted to, by reminding herself that Alexander now depended on her; she had to keep a level head for both their sakes.

  ‘I’m coming,’ replied Alexander, as if Rowanne had just asked him a question.

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ asked Rowanne, still focused ahead.

  ‘Nothing. I didn’t say anything,’ replied Alexander. He was confused, he didn’t recognise where he was.

  Rowanne listened intently at the final door, and edged it open slowly to reveal an empty stone staircase. The whole place felt cold to her, or maybe castles just gave off that feeling, being open, airy places in the worst sense; you’d freeze if you weren’t careful.

  ‘Listen, you stay here while I run down to check whether it’s safe. Here, let me help you,’ she said, helping him to sit on the top step.

  Rowanne left him as she quickly descended the stairs. Taking a deep breath she was about to open the door when she felt a hand on her shoulder...

  ‘Alexander?’ she asked carefully. Technically he shouldn’t be behind her, he could barely walk unaided.

  ‘Well, that quite depends on who answers the door...’ whispered the voice behind her insidiously.

  Rowanne’s blood ran cold as she spun around to face the threat, only to be met with Alexander’s slumped figure on the top step as he looked at her questioningly.

  ‘Were you just behind me?’ she asked, watching carefully for his response.

  ‘Rowanne, if I had managed to walk down the steps alone, then I would hardly need your help to walk, now would I? And for that matter, why the hell would I walk back up? Are you alright, you didn’t bump your head by any chance?’ asked Alexander, worried for her. She was behaving peculiarly.

  He seemed to sound more like himself. Maybe I’m imagining things... The sooner I get out of this hell hole the better.

  Rowanne slowly opened the last door that stood between them and the dangers of the palace. She took a cursory glance and was rewarded with a cold blast of wintery air that blew her hair back, and filled her mouth with snow for good measure. She struggled with the door barely managing to close it as the diabolical winds pushed back. She slumped against the door trying to catch her breath.

  She trudged back up the stairs to Alexander and collapsed beside him as she tried to get her motivation back. Thankfully his eyes had returned to their normal colour. ‘Listen, it will be hard going. The wind is going to pummel us, but since you insist that we should continue, I’m with you, against my better judgment. Don’t worry, I think my little side effect will help,’ she winked, smiling impishly.

  Rowanne easily hoisted him to his feet. I think I could carry him if I wanted to... she mused. Focusing her mind seemed to make utilising her demon strength that much easier instead of pondering how to accomplish the task ahead.

  Alexander smiled at the look of wonder on Rowanne’s face. See, being a half demon is not so bad, he thought.

  Rowanne cautiously descended the stairs with Alexander, who leaned against her for support, his other hand on the stone wall to steady himself.

  ‘Ready?’ she asked.

  ‘As ready as we’ll ever be, Knight,’ replied Alexander cryptically.

  Rowanne looked at him oddly before stepping out into the winter storm and closing the door behind them. ‘Which way now?’ she asked, for there were multiple avenues before them.

  Knight... thought Alexander. Why is that name so familiar? Oh, it belongs to you, he thought, looking at the woman beside him. She was asking him something... He tried to focus on what she was saying, but the strange buzzing sound in his head was making it difficult, splitting his attention. Focus. Well, he was endeavouring to.

  ‘Pardon? I could not quite make it out above the roar of the winds,’ said Alexander. That sounded quite plausible to his ears. Yes, it was an exceptional answer, he thought manically, as he nodded and smiled at her.

  Rowanne tried not to gasp as his eyes changed back to a blackish green colour. He looked wild and out of control. She didn’t like the way he was smiling like a Cheshire cat and how he continually bobbed his head up and down like an automaton.

  ‘Which way do we go?’ shouted Rowanne this time. They were in no danger of being heard above this din.

  ‘Just follow my lead,’ he replied, and tugging on her arm, he guided her towards the back wall of the castle. ‘We will follow this wall to the outskirts, and from there we will make our way over to the tombs.’

  Rowanne and Alexander slowly made their way as the snow fell heavily, coating them in flakes that, while geometrically beautiful, were nonetheless damn cold as they melted into her coat weighing it down. She could barely breathe, and adjusted her scarf which constantly slipped, and once more her mouth was covered. She used her arm as a shield - after all, she needed to be able to see, even if her vision was limited.

  They stubbornly trudged through the snow while mercilessly being pushed back by the winds. Alexander stumbled on a couple of occasions and would have fallen if Rowanne had not been there to steady him; by now she was supporting most of his weight. At times, he lost consciousness, and God alone knows how she dragged him forward, hoping against hope that they were going in the right direction.

  It felt as if they had been walking for quite some time before Alexander abruptly pulled her towards a large building. It seemed quite grand from what she could tell, though it was hard to make out any distinguishing features. She looked to him for confirmation, and he n
odded decisively.

  He led her to the front door, and took a quick furtive look around, before ushering her in ahead of him.

  It was dark inside, and Rowanne nearly jumped out of her skin as the door banged shut behind her. She quickly looked around, straining to hear whether they’d captured anyone’s attention. ‘Alexander, quietly,’ she whispered furiously.

  Alexander got out his phone and with a swipe of his finger, he had a torch which provided them with much needed light.

  ‘Point it down, you’re blinding me! I can’t see anything. Thanks a lot! By the way, are you purposely trying to get us caught?’ Rowanne gestured angrily at the large hall and staircase; anybody could be wondering those corridors.

  ‘Relax, you worry too much. It’s just through here,’ he indicated a large set of metal gates adjacent to the door they had just come through.

  It looked foreboding to Rowanne. There was a stone passageway behind the wrought iron gates that seemed to descend further on. Where did it lead? To a subterranean world...? I really don’t want to go down there, she thought, as her Ancient Mythology lessons flashed through her mind. Okay, now I’m really losing it.

  ‘Rowanne, we really need to move before one of the guards passes this way. Mark my words, we probably have less than a minute, if that,’ said Alexander impatiently.

  ‘I could not agree more. However, I don’t know whether it’s escaped your notice, but the gates are locked. So unless you can pull a Houdini, we are going to have to find a set of keys — and fast,’ said Rowanne, equally annoyed; she was not stalling for fun.

  They heard a sound coming from the back of the large hall, almost like a door closing. Rowanne looked at Alexander in alarm as he quickly put the light out and covered her mouth with his hand before she could speak.

  ‘Listen carefully, you have to make your way towards the staircase. Be as quiet as possible, and wait for me at the top,’ whispered Alexander against her ear. He felt her shaking her head in protest at leaving him alone, to face whoever was coming rapidly in their direction. He shook her angrily, ‘We don’t have any more time left. I will only slow you down. Now go!’ he shoved her away from him.