The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) (21 page)

Chapter Three

“You’re late,” her boss, a stern woman in her mid-twenties, said with a scowl as Zoe hurried behind the counter of the coffee shop she had worked at since moving to the city.

“You’ve gotta stop it, girl” she said, “I need you here, when I need you here.”

“Sorry,” Zoe said, shaking her head. She thought of a million excuses, but they both knew the reason she was late. She had spent the morning finishing her book. At least she had tried to. She had read the words on the page, but none of them sank in. Her mind was too occupied with the night before. Since leaving the hot spring in a dripping cold rush she had felt eyes on her. She hadn’t been able to shake the feeling.

“Zoe,” she heard a familiar voice shout from across the café.  She looked up to see a beautiful brunette waving excitedly at her. It was Katherine, her only friend.

Zoe wasn’t a sociable person.  And she liked it that way.  Too many friendships tended to impede on her reading.  But Kat was different, had been from the start. Making friends was second nature to Kat, and she never judged Zoe for her personal quirks, nor for her impoverished status. But most importantly, she never questioned Zoe’s past.

Katherine rushed over with a steaming latte in one hand, dodging the small tables that littered the café. She was so beautiful that it sometimes made Zoe jealous, with her silky hair that shone in the sunlight, curled perfectly, and bounced with every step.  Her green eyes fit her light complexion and narrow face perfectly, and were always lit with her glowing optimism. 

“How’ve ya been?” Kat said, her already wide smile spreading further. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“Good,” Zoe said, her bedraggled appearance and tired eyes betraying her lie.

“Bull honky,” Kat said, giving her a disapproving glare from across the counter.  “You look awful.”

“Well don’t sugar coat it,” Zoe said with a roll of her eyes as she wrapped an apron around her waist and tied the strings into a floppy bow.

“You look like you haven’t slept in days,” Kat said, her shoulders slumped as her genuine care for her friend shone through her large eyes. 

“I haven’t been sleeping too well,” Zoe said with a shrug. 

Zoe thought about the night before. More specifically about the man that had helped her. Except he wasn’t a man, Zoe knew that. But what was he? The answer itched in the back of her mind, but she refused to scratch at it. Instead she just pushed the thought away. But the eyes remained on her, from somewhere unseen.

“Honey,” Kat said, a tilt in her neck as she shook her head, “you have to take care of yourself.  How else are you gonna find a man?”

“Preferably on someone else’s’ time,” her boss interjected as she plunked a small but heavy box on the back counter. She motioned for Zoe to open the box and stock its contents.

“Thanks,” Zoe said, grabbing the scissors and turning to the box, “but no thanks.”

They had run through this conversation a thousand times. Kat just couldn’t seem to understand that she didn’t want to meet anyone. She was perfectly content with the way things were, and she had no desire to change anything. Kat always had a new guy, most often rich and always handsome. And that was just fine with Zoe. It suited Kat.

“Anyway,” Kat said, perking up a little. “I came to talk, you got a little time.”

“Is it really that important?” Zoe asked, gesturing to the line of customers forming behind her friend. “Can it wait till I get off?”

“No,” Kat said with a short shake of her head.

“Fine,” Zoe said, “Just scootch over and let me get these orders.”

Zoe knew how Kat was. She wouldn’t leave Zoe alone until she heard what she had to say. Even at the risk of losing the one job that had taken a chance and hired her when she first moved to the city.

“There was an attack,” Kat said, sliding over and letting a customer up to the counter, continuing to talk as he began to order. “in the park outside the city.  The one you go to.”

“So,” Zoe said, her answer rushed. She paused a moment to appear cool and wrote the man’s order on a tall white cup. The last thing she wanted to do was let anyone know she was involved with that.

“It’s dangerous to go there,” Kat said. Zoe could feel the argument bubbling up between them. It happened often. Kat would try to baby Zoe and she would need to be set straight. Zoe would never allow anyone to tell her what to do, ever again. This was not the first time the subject of the hot spring had come up.

“It’s dangerous to walk down the street,” Zoe said, her lips tight and her words short.

“That could have been you!” Kat shouted, drawing the attention of the café patrons. Zoe didn’t answer. She took the order of the next customer, writing it on the cup and setting it in line with the others, waiting to be filled.

“Whatever,” Kat said. She threw her hands helplessly into the air. “I just wish you would come stay with me.”

“I’m fine,” Zoe said shaking her head, “but thanks.”

She refused to depend on someone else. She had fought to gain the freedom she had, and she would work and earn everything that she needed. Nobody would ever control her life again.

“Fine,” Kat said. She let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. “Then will you find somewhere else to go? Please?”

“Maybe,” Zoe said, releasing her own heavy breath. She pushed away the anger she felt. It wasn’t Kat’s fault. She was only trying to help. Zoe knew that. Maybe one day she could share her past with Kat. Then her friend would understand. But today wouldn’t be that day.

“Please, Zoe,” Kat said. Her voice pleaded and Zoe felt guilty. She knew Kat was only concerned for her. “You can always come over just to shower. No questions asked.”

Zoe became once more very aware of the eyes that had been watching her all day.  She couldn’t see them, couldn’t pick them out from the crowd.  But she knew they were there.  She could feel them locked onto her. 

“Alright,” Zoe said with a sigh.  “I won’t go back there, I promise.”

Chapter Four

“Lord Paris,” Riyad said, holding his arms out for an embrace, “where have you been all week?”

Riyad was an ancient demon, but he didn’t look a day older than Paris. He was one of two Council Lords that ruled as a three part system with a Grand Elder that held supreme authority. The Council handled the day to day activities of ruling demon society, but the Grand Elder was the force behind the Council’s authority.

Paris embraced the older demon, though he made no move to answer the question. He couldn’t answer the question. All he could think about all week was that girl. There was something different about her and he had to know what it was. He had been trailing her for the better part of the week, after following her home from the hot spring. His work had fallen by the wayside, but he certainly couldn’t tell his mentor that

“Chasing down a lucrative contract,” Jackson said in a thick southern accent, coming up beside the pair as he waved a piece of paper. “Well, I must admit, I was a little afraid he wouldn’t close on this one.”

“Nonsense,” Riyad gave Jackson barely more than a passing glance. “There isn’t a human alive that could resist Paris’ charms.”

“Nor a demon,” Jackson said, with a little flourish of his hand. Paris could feel Riyad turn even more rigid than he normally was.

The room suddenly grew cold. The air turned thick and hard to breath. Paris turned his attention to a corner in the room where a pair of figures appeared. They were Hunters. Their white-blue eyes stared, unblinking, from a mouthless face. Hunters always went in pairs. From the day they are born until their death, they remained inseparable. Sharing a single mind between them, they communicated seamlessly, without needing a word. If they were here, it meant someone was in trouble. For a split second, panic hit Paris. Had they found out what he had been doing?

“Business calls,” Riyad said to Paris with a pat on the shoulder, staunchly ignoring Jackson. There was a smirk of enjoyment on Riyad’s face, a twinkle in his eyes. “You should pop in and watch this.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Riyad disappeared, the Hunters going with him. Paris relaxed. They weren’t here for him. Some other unfortunate soul was to be dragged before the court and found guilty of whatever infraction he had committed. Paris prepared to follow Riyad, but a hand on his elbow stopped him. He turned to look back at Jackson.

“A word before you go, Paris?” Jackson said, looking at him with a cocked brow.

“What is it?” Paris said. He already knew what Jackson was going to ask. His sudden preoccupation would not go unnoticed, and most certainly not by Jackson.

“Where
have
you been all week?” Jackson asked. There was an accusatory glare in his eyes that Paris didn’t like.

“Like you said,” Paris spoke softly, his voice deep. His words carried a subtle threat not to continue. “I was closing a contract.”

“Well, see…that’s the thing,” Jackson said, shaking off the glare. He lifted the contract, his finger pointing to the date written on it.

“You just gave this to me yesterday,” Jackson said, his voice dipping to a low whisper. “What you been doing for the last three days now, Paris?”

Paris should have known better. Jackson was thorough. Too thorough not to notice the discrepancy in the dates. But he hadn’t thought about that when he followed the girl home from the hot spring. He knew now that he should have just left without another thought towards her. But he hadn’t. His curiosity got the best of him and after watching her for a few days, he was beginning to realize he might be addicted to her.

“Celebrating,” Paris said. His voice was flat and his eyes avoided Jackson’s.

“Without me?” Jackson said, his brows twitching together. “We always celebrate together.”

Paris could hear the rising inflection in his voice. The last thing he needed at the moment was an angry business partner. He had to cover.

“I did not think you would be interested in joining me,” Paris said, a tilt in his neck. “I employed some…particular entertainment.”

“Well, that’s never stopped us before,” Jackson said, a smile creeping onto his face as he caught Paris’ meaning. He leaned back, his words growing louder. “Three full days, eh? Lucky ladies. As always, I’m envious.”

Paris gave a shrug, playing up the charade and his dominant male status. It wasn’t unusual for Paris to enjoy the services of paid company, and it was an easy lie to sell.

“I should go,” Paris said. He had to get to the courtroom before the session began.

Jackson nodded and stepped back, giving him room to leave. He couldn’t follow Paris into the room where the proceedings were held. Only members of the royal court were allowed to attend, and the room was warded against any unauthorized entry.

“This court is now in session,” Riyad said, banging a gavel on his raised desk just as Paris appeared in the room. The demons of the court found a seat and quickly hushed themselves. Paris found his usual spot, on the front row all the way to the left. Here he had a good view of the entire courtroom. Seats like this were coveted, and although no seat was reserved, everyone knew to leave this spot for Paris. The seats next to his were often filled with eager young nobles, anxious to bend his ear. It wasn’t everyday that a demon was tried for a crime, and the courtroom was packed with nobles, excited for the chance to see the outcome.

“Bring in the defendant,” Riyad said, with his hands folded casually in front of him as he leaned away. The same Hunter pair that Paris had seen earlier appeared with an ankle chained demon between them. They dragged the bound demon up to the pulpit, barely giving him a chance to walk on his own. The unfortunate soul shook violently and tried to scream past his dirty cloth gag, shaking his head.

“Master Easton,” Riyad said, reading the demon’s calling name from the page in front of him, “You have been accused of the crime of fraternizing. It comes with a maximum penalty of death. How do you plead?”

One of the Hunters removed the tattered rag from his mouth. The demon immediately began to preach his innocence, but Riyad raised a hand to quiet him.

“That court will not take a testimony at this time,” Riyad said with boredom in his voice. “I will hear the evidence against you, and I will make a ruling accordingly. All the court wishes to know is how you plea.”

“My Lord,” a strong feminine voice rang out in the courtroom before the demon could answer. The courtiers gasped as a beautiful red haired demon made a late arrival.

“Lady Athena,” Riyad said, leaning back in his chair with an annoyed sigh as she appeared in the room, “You wish to challenge these proceedings?”

“You know I do, your Lordship,” she said with a self-satisfied smirk and a bend at the waist.

“That is a surprise,” Riyad said, almost under his breath. “You may continue, but make it quick.”

Athena turned to the demon defendant and gave him a reassuring nod.

“I would ask the court for a continuance,” she said. Riyad sighed heavily and Paris knew that she had already lost her case. Athena was a good advocate, just too often an advocate for the wrong side. Paris had always respected her for sticking by her own sense of moral justice, even when it went against social conventions. Riyad had little more than contempt for her.

“That is not possible,” Riyad said. “We will continue—“

“It is the law,” Athena said, interrupting him to the shocked gasps of the courtroom. Riyad’s stare grew even colder than it naturally was. Paris grew uncomfortable for Athena. Riyad was not the demon to anger.

“My client is entitled to a continuance under the—“

“The report I received states that your client openly engaged in interactions with a human on matters not directly pertaining to business,” Riyad said, reading off the paper on his desk.

“At this time, my client will not dispute that,” Athena said. “We only wish to postpone this hearing until both Councl Lords may be present.”

“Under the circumstances, that is not an option,” Riyad said.

“But my Lord,” Athena said, confusion settling on her well groomed brow, “that is a right my client is entitled to.”

“Not under the current circumstances,” Riyad said.

“Your Lordship,” Athena said, her voice rising and her her words trailing out quickly. “It cannot possibly be a fair trial without Lord Mateo—“

“Mateo is away,” Riyad said, his voice firm and angry as he banged the gavel on his desk, “and he is not scheduled to return for some time. We will deal with this matter in his absence.”

His words were bitter, and few besides Paris knew why. The Grand Elder was passing. A new one would need to be chosen and the two Council Lords were at odds as to who that should be.

“I have heard enough,” Riyad said. “If you cannot offer a plea, then I will have to find you guilty by default. We cannot suffer even the slightest infraction of this type. Due to the heinous nature of your crimes, I have no choice but to sentence you to death, to be carried out immediately.”

Before another word could be spoken, Riyad stood. The defendant began to shriek in pain as his body expanded. Riyad’s power ripped the demon into pieces before another breath was taken, splattering the room and everyone in it with blood and chunks of flesh. The message was clear and it hit Paris more than anyone else in the room. He could never see that human girl again, and only hope that his actions would never come to light.

If you enjoyed this preview, you can find the rest of the story here:

The Blood Calls