Chapter Two (Pt.2)

Belosh sat brooding on his great throne, his every movement punctuated by a sigh from the black, seemingly sentient seat as it adjusted itself to ensure his comfort. His six-headed familiar lay coiled at his feet, trembling slightly as it raised its corpse-white, corpulent body.

“What vexes my lord?”

The demon lord growled, his eyes narrowing to no more than twin slits of red.

“All I seek is to ease my lord’s anger, nothing more.” The familiar scuttled out of his way as he rose.

No light dared enter the maze-like dwelling of the demon lords, and most especially not in the vast chamber of he who ruled them. Countless, wide-girthed pillars, engraved with multitudinous, twisting serpents supported the low, writhing roof.  Anonymous shapes moved in the shadows; unnatural sounds ebbed and flowed around him; nameless horrors darted further into the dark as if to hide from their dread master.

Belosh ignored them all as he stalked up to the deep, basin-like vessel that sat supported on thick, clawed feet. The clear waters of the scrying pool lay completely motionless. Staring into it, he uttered rough words of command. The serene liquid shuddered before bubbling to life, then gradually cleared to expose that which he wished to see: Leah, enjoying a seemingly carefree ride.

His lips curled back to reveal subtly pointed teeth; nostrils flared as his breathing grew louder. “Why does she still resist me? Why does she keep fighting her darkness?” He gripped the edges of the raised rim; bits crumbled off, the water shivered its agitation.

“The mortal,” said the familiar.

“Yes, the mortal,” echoed the scarlet-hued being. “When I left her with magic I was sure that it would only be a matter of time before she embraced her darkness, and then she would be mine. But instead, she uses it as a test of her honour. She sees it as a victory for herself each time she conquers her dark hunger.”

“My lord could take her anytime he pleases.”

“Do you think me so foolish?”

The familiar writhed backwards, trembling under Belosh’s intense gaze. “No, no, my lord. I only desire to serve–”

“I know I can interfere with her anytime I want, but do you believe that I am willing to pay the price? Do you believe I want to have my powers diminished... to risk placing myself under the degrading scrutiny of my brother? She has to surrender to me of her own free will, to give herself totally to the dark, to revel in her powers... to embrace them completely and so embrace me.” He spiked his hand into the waters, causing them to swirl up in alarm before finally settling to the still clearness of before.

“Tempt her, my lord. Seduce her.”

Belosh raised a brow.

Hesitantly, the familiar slithered closer. “Send one to seduce her, to draw her towards the dark.”

He strolled back to his throne, stroking his chin as he always did when he was deep in thought. He dropped himself onto the seat; it moaned. Reaching down, he gathered the creature onto his lap.

“Have I pleased you, my lord?”

“You know you have,” said Belosh. His long fingers stroked the six heads that wavered before him.

“And my reward?”

Belosh’s laugh rumbled up from deep in his belly. “And how shall I reward you, my precious?” He threw his head back and laughed as the familiar groaned and swayed as if about to lose consciousness. 

*          *          *          *

Clad all in black, the minor demon lord watched from the shadows. He knew better than to interrupt his master in the midst of such obvious pleasure. Watching the tableau, he was aware of his own lust stirring. Frowning, he crossed his arms, shrugging off the shadow-creatures that hovered close by him, groaning as they scavenged off the excess pleasure emanating from their master.

He watched as the familiar shuddered and collapsed. It slid off Belosh’s lap and fell, senseless, to the floor. He watched as his lord stretched languidly and knew, from the look on his face, that his master was basking in the lusty pleasure that echoed back to him from his servants. He knew because, once, he’d been one of those who’d fed off his master’s orgasmic hunger before reflecting it back to Belosh, whose sighs of satisfaction had been enough to satiate them for a while longer.

Waiting until the atmosphere was less charged, he stepped forward. “My lord.”

Belosh’s eyes remained half-closed. “Meraud... my beautiful Meraud.”

The younger demonic being raised a brow, wondering if his master was going to seduce him. Again.

Belosh gestured languidly. “Come closer. I have a duty that only you can perform.”

Keeping his expression neutral, Meraud stepped up to the throne. “Whatever my master wishes.”

He caressed Meraud’s cheek in thoughtful silence. “Remember my pet mortal?”

Meraud’s neutrality vanished as he pulled his lips back. “How could I forget?”

“Still touches a nerve? Even now? Remind me, how long has it been?”

Meraud struggled to keep his eyes from narrowing for he knew Belosh was well aware of the answer. “No more than a heartbeat for us, my lord. But nigh on three years on the mortal plane.”

“And still she bothers you. Even though she has most likely forgotten you.”

“She humiliated me. Rejected me. Why should I forget?”

“That is what I want you for. I want you to put aside your anger, to channel your desire for revenge. Let it simmer, use it instead to feed your resolve. I want you to... seduce her. Break her resolve, weaken her so she surrenders to you, and ultimately to me.”

“No.”

“You defy me?”

“Command another.”

“I am commanding you, Meraud.” Belosh’s voice was soft yet laced with malevolence.

Meraud remained silent, clenching and unclenching his hands.

“Well?”

“I cannot do it.”

A vein throbbing in his thick neck, Belosh sprang to his feet as he gestured, his fingers claw-like before him. “You dare defy me?”

Meraud’s eyes bulged as an invisible force constricted around his neck, lifting him off the ground. Legs kicking against the air, his hands clawed desperately at his throat to free himself. “My lord...” He fought to draw breath. “All. I want... her... humiliation...”

Breathing heavily, Belosh lowered his hand but remained on his feet, towering over Meraud who’d collapsed to his knees. “You want only to disgrace her. Can you not see that is exactly what I am offering you? You will draw her in, make her believe she can be with no one else. When she gives herself to you, body and soul, that will be your chance: the ultimate rejection. And humiliation.”

No longer gasping for breath, but still massaging his throat, Meraud pushed himself to his feet, staring silently into the murky shadows. Avoiding his master’s fiery gaze, he asked, “Will my lord grant me a free hand to act as I see fit?”

“Yes. Only remember that you are not permitted to damage her in any way.”

Straightening up, Meraud promptly bowed low. “I will do as you command, my lord. Forgive my earlier... impertinence. I seek only to serve you.”

“Of course, you do.” Belosh’s derisive tone made a lie of his indulgent smile. “And I am not such a bad master, am I? In serving me, I also grant you the opportunity to have your revenge.” Reaching out, he cupped Meraud’s face in both his hands and pulled him closer.

The young demon knew what was expected of him. And he’d learned his lesson; he knew better than to resist.