The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) (2 page)

Chapter Three

Aelek looked down at his newborn daughter, a half smile stuck on his
pale white face. 

“She is beautiful,” he said, glancing up at his wife Lucia.  “Like her mother.”

He handed the cloth swaddled infant back to his wife.  She reclined in the bed, the baby cradled in her arms. 

“You are happy this day,” she said, her eyes shining with pride.

“Many good things have come to pass my dear,” he said, taking a seat next to the bed.  There was a moment of hesitation in his response, and Lucia knew he had not come only to see their new baby.

“So you have received news?” She inquired, her gaze falling to the baby in her arms.  She lifted a finger to the newborn’s hand and tiny clawed fingers instantly wrapped around it. 

“Very good news,” Aelek said, standing once more and walking to the other side of the room.  He paced back towards the bed, pride beaming in his crimson eyes.  “Sami is dead.”

“Well that is very good,” Lucia said, her eyes not even glancing up from her daughter.

“Lucia,” Aelek said, finally getting her attention.  “It is time.”

Her face fell.  She knew this day was coming.  Or at least she had been told it would come.  Deep down she had prayed that it wouldn’t.  But she had always been told that it would. 

“Must we,” she sighed softly, looking once more down at the baby.  “You are more powerful than them now.  You do not have to…”

“Lucia,” Aelek cut in, his voice harsh, “Do not speak in such a way.  You know what they have done for me.  What they have done for us.”

“I know,” she said, “I just…”

“Me too,” he sighed
, pushing a long strand of black hair behind his shoulder.  He couldn’t be mad at her.  This wasn’t something he wanted to do either, but it was necessary.  He owed the Magi everything, and he could not deny them what he had already promised.  “But we do not have a choice.  This is the right thing.”

#

The newborn squirmed in the bony hand of a Magi.  In the pale light of a half moon, they had gathered, heavy black cloaks hiding their hideously deformed faces.  The toll for centuries of practicing the darker arts of magic.  The Magi were not creatures of this world, but they had made do, struggled, and survived after the near annihilation of their kind.   There were but a few of them left, and they had dwelt quietly in Maracov for many centuries, waiting for the right time.  That time was nearing.

The baby screamed, her tiny face turning red, as she was laid on a cold square slab of marble. 
Her bare legs kicked absently as her hands reached in the empty air.  The Magi gathered around the marble altar, chanting taking over the silence of the night.  The clouds swirled together overhead in a dark mass.  Lightning flashed, thunder cracked loudly in the empty field.  The gleam of a solid gold dagger flashed in the moonlight.  The baby fell silent as her tiny throat was slit.

A temporary link between the worlds split the empty night air.  The Magi instantly felt the human’s aura. And it was incredibly strong. 
Not all humans were born with an aura, and those that were, weren’t terribly powerful.  Even further, very few ever learned how to master it and use the power behind it.  But there was one that could.  It had been many centuries since they had felt that particular aura.  Many centuries they had waited, and hoped for that special person to be born. 

They followed the scent of the aura to a two story house on a quiet dead end street.  A heavy silence hung in the air, only broken by the occasional chirp of a cricket.  Upstairs, a woman slept peacefully in her bed.   It was not the person the Magi were searching for, but it was someone very close. 

Tamaya’s
chocolate eyes snapped open, when a hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams.  Her balled fists struck her attacker anyway they could, but it was useless.  The creature was incredibly strong.  He released his hand, and for a brief moment her scream rang out.  Grasping the woman’s tongue, the Chief Magi easily ripped it from her mouth.  Anguish flashed across Tamaya’s face. 

He leaned in very close to the woman,
who was slowly choking on her own blood.

“We have come for the child,” h
e hissed, as the wide eyed woman beneath him began to convulse uncontrollably.

Chapter Four

Alex
andra’s sleep addled mind barely registered the doorbell ringing.  She sat up on the couch rubbing her eyes, still mildly paralyzed from being so suddenly awoken.  She glanced over at Sam who was still asleep on the couch. The doorbell rang again.  Alex reached over and nudged Sam.

“Hey,
someone’s at the door,” she said, yawning.

Sam took a minute to rub the sleep from his eyes and got up from the couch when the doorbel
l rang out yet again.  He disappeared in the direction of the front door.

“Alex,
” Sam said almost in a whisper when he returned a short moment later. “It’s for you.”

“For me? Who is it?”
Her eyebrows furrowed.

She
had a sinking feeling in her gut, and when she stepped passed the opened door, she found two police officers standing there.

“Ma’am, are you Alex
andra Bastien?” The taller of the two men asked her, his voice soft.

“Yes, is everything ok?” Alex said, glancing from one and then
to the other officer.

“Was your legal guardian a Mrs. Tamaya
Chavis?” The same man asked ignoring her question. 

Ale
x looked back and forth between the officers.

“Yes, why? What happen
ed? Is everything ok?” She asked, her voice raising a couple octaves.

The officer’s looked at ea
ch other, hesitating to answer.

“A
bout an hour ago a 911 call came in to the station from a neighbor that had heard a scream,” the officer started, “Tamaya Chavis was found shortly after….”

Alex felt numb.  The blood drained from her face and a chill rushed over her.  A thick lump had formed in her throat that she couldn’t swallow.  S
he could hear what the officer was saying it just wasn’t registering.  Her mind simply wouldn’t let it. She didn’t even notice she was falling, until she felt Sam’s arms around her, catching her from falling. As she heard the officer finish telling her that someone had broken in to their home and murdered her Aunt Tamy, she let out a scream.

The next few days were a blur
to Alex. Sam’s family had taken care of the funeral arrangements, and after the service, Alex met with the lawyer in charge of her Aunts’ will.  There was only one thing that had been left to Alex.  The man handed her a small brown package and after expressing his deepest condolences, left the room.  Alex tore at the paper wrapping of the package, revealing a carved solid silver box.  An off white envelope was taped to the top of the box.  Alex opened the envelope and tried to hold back her tears as she read the letter inside.

My Dear Alexandra,

If you are reading this, then something very

bad has happened, and I am no longer there to guide you.

I had hoped that this day would never come.

You must know, you are special. More special than you can imagine.

I wish I could tell you more, but I’m sure

you will figure it all out. Remember

that we are all governed by our destiny, but that destiny is of our

own making. I love you, my beautiful Lexi.

Aunt Tamy

Alex put the letter down and, picking up the rectangular box, opened the lid.  Set gently into the deep blue velvet that lined the box was a small dagger.  Alexandra ran her fingers over the hilt.  It was absolutely dazzling.  It was solid gold, and the handle was inlaid with a peculiar red stone.  Alexandra’s brows knit together.  Why would her Aunt Tamy leave her a dagger?

Chapter Five

Balthazar was
only one hundred and fifty, much younger than the typical Demon Lord.  He was on the cusp of manhood and while no one doubted that he would one day be as powerful as his father, he was not yet so. 

He stood in the Grand Hall of the palace, staring silently at the throne where his father
would sit and hold court.  His face was a motionless mask, but underneath it a storm of emotion raged.  His father, the great and powerful Lord Sultan Sami, had reigned for over four hundred years.  He should have reigned for another two.  But he died a pitiful death and Balthazar would make those responsible pay dearly.   

Balthazar
may not have reached his potential as a demon, but he would not stand idly by and watch while would be usurpers vied for his throne.  But he would do more than just secure his birthright.  His father may have been powerful, and well respected, but he had grown too passive in his old age.  Not only would Balthazar succeed his father, but he would surpass him.  He was going to expand his kingdom.  And the Kingdom of Asur would be the first to fall. 

Balthazar would never bow down to Lord Krishna as his father had.  He lacked the power to take him on at the moment, but that would soon change.

“Prince Balthazar,” Darius called as he came up behind the young demon, “You summoned me?”

“Convene my father’s council,
” Balthazar said, eyes still locked on the gilded dais the royal cushions were set upon.  Without waiting for a response he stalked out of the room.

The most coveted position in the kingdom was that of the Divan.  It was his responsibility to carry out the orders and will of the Lord Sultan.  Darius was a very stern man, short and balding, that cared nothing for
frivolous luxuries.  Despite being a remarkably studious man, his clothes were often disheveled and entirely out of fashion.  He cared only about the kingdom, and serving his Lord Sultan to the best of his abilities

There were three men
, Darius being one, and one woman on the Lord Sultan’s Council.    The eldest member of the council was a war hardened, crotchety old man by the name of Baal Arash.  His duty was to the general security of the kingdom.

“The boy is too young to claim the throne,”
Baal said, watching the other’s for their reactions. 

“What do you propose we do, give the crown to you?” Darius
asked, peeking up at him through bushy raised brows. He knew what the old man was thinking. Baal would seize power for himself if given the chance.  Darius would not let that happen.  He had been the right hand of Sultan Sami, and had a direct hand in rearing the princes of the kingdom.  Balthazar was young, but he was powerful and had been raised from the moment of birth to take this position.  It was his birthright.

The
heavy wooden double doors to the council chambers opened. Balthazar entered the room dressed in a white silk tunic, a pair of white pants that fitted at the calf and ballooned comfortably around his thighs, and a simple pair of white leather sandals on his feet.  White was a color reserved for royalty, and only the Lord Sultan was allowed to dress entirely in white. Balthazar was sending a very clear message. He settled himself cross legged on the thick pile of cushions at the head of the low table.  He took a moment to inspect the council members.

“Baa
l,” he began, his eyes narrowing onto the old demon, “You were responsible for the security in this kingdom; your ineptitude has caused us all to suffer greatly.”

“Prince Balthazar,” Baal said, after he recovered from his momentary shock, “I would like to know what authority you have to even convene this council. You are a prince, and not yet the Lord Sultan.”

“I am Lord Sultan Balthazar as of the moment my father was murdered in his bed, under your watch,” he bit out, his face a placid mask “If you dare to disrespect me again, I will have your head removed from your body.  You are dismissed from your position.  Be thankful I am allowing you to keep your life.”

Baal remained frozen
on his cushion, not believing what had happened.  He looked to the other council members, but they avoided his gaze.  Finally, he rose from his seat and stalked out of the room.  This was not over.

“Summon Tavi,” Balth
azar said to the Divan, “He is to replace Baal as Lord Adviser.” 

Tavi was a half-
brother of Balthazar.  His mother was a concubine of Sultan Sami, and because of this status he would never be eligible for the throne.  They were half-brothers, and had shared many tutors as they grew up.

“My Lord,” Arastoo spoke up, “I feel I must bring up an issue of dire importance.”

Arastoo Delshad was
a lanky demon that had a knack for dressing with flare.  He was also the Lord Enchanter, and very good at what he did.  Magic could be an incredibly powerful force, and even though Arastoo had no physical strength, his abilities with magic were enough to elevate him to nobility. 

“You must ho
ld a Taj Festival. Until then, you are not officially Lord Sultan,” Arastoo said.

“I a
m aware of that,” Balthazar replied, “I will entrust the details to you.”

“Of course,
My Lord,” Arastoo replied a toothy grin on his face, “I will plan for it to commence two moons hence.  It will be a grand affair, worthy of your house.”

“That is no
t good enough,” Balthazar said, “Two weeks.”

“Two weeks, My Lord?” Arastoo’s face fell.  To orchestrate and execute a festival of that magnitude in
such little time would be quite a feat. “That is not nearly enough time.”

“Do as I say,” Balthazar said
, his voice holding a chill that sent a shiver down Arastoo’s spine.

“Of course, My Lord,” he said as he shrunk back into his cushion.

  The only woman on the council was the Khaja, Adira Parastu.  It was extremely rare for a woman to hold such a position.  Her chief duty was the overseeing of all the palace staff, organizing them to ensure that the palace ran smoothly. She did a good job, but the real reason she held the position was Sultan Sami’s personal affections toward the Lady.  Adira had been his wet nurse and nanny as he grew up.  She was old now, with peppered hair and one look easily showed her exhaustion. 

“Lady Adira,” Balthazar said
, “You are in your older years now, with a daughter in the palace harem, is that correct?”

“Yes your Majesty, my family was honored with my daughter’s induction as a concubine to Sultan Sami,” she replied humbly.

“If you would so desire, you may resign your position on the council and take a new position as the Lady of the Harem. You will reside in the harem, and oversee the concubines and wives of my father.”

Lady Adira was speechless. This was a great honor, no one but the most beautiful of women, or most noble,
lived in the harem.  She was neither, but she would relish the opportunity to be so close to her daughter.

“My Lord, you honor me greatly.  I will do my best to ensure that the ladies of your father are well looked after.”

Tavi quietly entered the room, the Divan following closely behind him, and they both settled into their cushions at the table. 

“My Lord Balthazar,
” Tavi spoke up, “I am deeply honored by your generosity.”

“It is not generosity, Tavi. I am confident that no one is better suited for the po
sition,” Balthazar replied as he reached into a pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment, tossing it onto the table.

“There was
a crudely drawn map of the Palace found,” Balthazar said, looking directly at Tavi.

“So we have a traitor,” Tavi replied, picking up the paper
.  He lifted it to his nose, and took a deep inhale.  His eyes narrowed as he recognized the faint scent that remained on the parchment.

“An Asuri assassin,” Balthazar said, confirming his brother’s already evident suspicions.
“I expect you to find out who helped him.”

“Of course
,” Tavi said, pausing, “I would like to personally secure our borders.”

“As I suspected you would,
” Balthazar replied.