Demon's Dream (5 page)

She attempted to use her magic and materialize a sword but her abilities were weak. At first, she got nothing. Trying again, she produced a small spark so she knew she wielded something. Again she endeavored, concentrating only to get a rubber ball. Useless! That’s what she was, what her powers were. Stopping, she hid again, trying to protect herself from the creatures who seemed to be looking specifically for her. Although she wanted to stand and fight, her wounds still bled from the beating she had taken when she first arrived.

The area stank of sulfur, a rotten egg smell that churned her stomach. Clarissa wished she could flash on clean clothes but with little magic, almost no magic,
she figured she best stick with the tattered shreds of material that clung to her blood-soaked body than appear in nothing at all.
Again, she heard the Whippers come by, attempting to sense her hidden location. She froze. There were too many of them to fight bare handed and she was already weak from blood loss. As she crouched low, she hoped they wouldn’t see or sense her as she held her breath, watching and waiting. Clarissa could have sworn a voice called to her in her head that sounded like Azamel. Was she imagining it? Did she wish for his help so much that she now heard him speak to her telepathically? She felt like he was there, calling to her. Was it a trick? However, she felt his presence and felt his senses reach out to her. She figured, ‘
what the hell?’
Responding, she hoped it was the right thing to do, “Mel?”

Azamel’s head snapped up as he heard her voice reverberate within his mind. Quieting his thoughts and relaxing his body, he responded mentally to her words, “I’m here. Where are you?”

Clarissa tilted head as she watched the Whippers stop and look around as if sensing her. Even her mental response was soft so as not to attract their attention, “Here? Where here?”

Tracing her soft response, Mel finally managed to get a location on where she was hiding. He materialized behind her, dumbfounded at her condition.

“What the?” Concern knit his face
as he knelt next to her. “What happened? How are we here? Do you even know where we are?”

She pulled him down to a crouch, worriedly looking around to see if the Whippers spotted them. ‘
Gods he is going to kill us both
.’

Putting her finger against her lips in a
shh
motion, she then pointed to the group that paused, snapping their barbed whips in the air, searching for them.

The creatures looked up as if sensing their presence. Mel was unsure if the Whippers saw them or not, since up to this point nobody in here appeared to perceive him. Deciding not to risk it, Azamel stayed low and remained out of their line of vision. He hadn’t tested his powers here but realized he needed to comprehend what he had to fight with. Dislodging a large boulder from a point halfway up the mountain, he watched as it rolled down the slope to crash onto the ground. Using the distraction, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the small cavern to the left of their current hiding spot.

Clarissa allowed him lead her into the cave, still amazed yet unsure if he was a dream until he touched her. Slightly uncertain, after all did she just wish this so much that he was here? Once in the darkened aperture she couldn’t resist knowing.

“How did you find me? Why are you here?
How
are you here? Can you get us out?” Satisfied the Whippers passed by them, Mel turned to her and sat her down on a large boulder, leaning against the dark wall. Kneeling by her side, he lightly gripped her shoulder, allowing a flow of energy into her body- healing her as the power flowed throughout her entire being. Once she was whole, he flashed her into some new clothing.

“I was asleep on the couch and you invaded my dreams. You called out to me. I couldn’t deny your plea. As for how I got here, I honestly don’t know. I can only assume that I subconsciously followed your call and ended up wherever here is.”

Her head hung in shame. “I didn’t call out to you on purpose. I dreamt of you too. I must have called you from within my dreams. I don’t seem to be able to manage my magic here as well as you appear to do. Thank you for healing me and for the clothes.”

Mel touched her shoulder and tried to teleport them out only to have them disappear and reappear in the same spot.

“Mine seem to be mostly intact, well other than getting us out of here that is.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “I’m glad you called.” He gave her an intense look.

Clarissa looked up into his icy, pale blue eyes that suddenly seemed to hold a bit of warmth in them or was she mistaken and just wishful. The profound look he gave her caught her breath. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from his.

“You were right. I’m not prepared for this destiny that has been thrust upon me.” Her eyes searched his for a moment before looking down at his hand still tucked her under her chin.

“I have failed at every turn and now I have no powers or very little here.” She held out the rubber ball. “This was supposed to be a sword.”

The look of utter defeat on her face touched a very cold and foreign part of his heart. Not knowing what else to do, he bent his head and very lightly kissed her soft, slightly parted lips. It was a kiss of comfort and reassurance, wanting her to know that she wasn’t the failure she thought herself to be. After countless moments, he reluctantly lifted his head and spoke in a voice huskier and lower than Mel would have liked or preferred, “You survived and lived to fight another day. I’ll help you. You’re strong and your powers are too. You need focus and train but then that’s an old discussion.” He dragged the back of his fingers down her cheek, needing the contact of her skin.

Raising her eyes to meet his, she couldn’t help notice the look on his face. The softness in his eyes betrayed him while everything else was stoically cold. A gentleness that belied his wanting her to leave him forever once her education was completed.

“I’m sorry for not believing you, for mistrusting you. My visions showed me something different from you. A path you could of chosen and didn’t.”

A loud screech came from within the cave and Clarissa jumped. Looking at the rubber ball, she tried again to flash in a sword only to be rewarded with a piece of red licorice whip candy. Frowning, she took a bite of the crimson candy as she pondered over their predicament.

Mel motioned for her to keep quiet as he masked their presence and hoped it would work. A loud scuffling noise could be heard from deep within the cave, becoming louder as the creature approached. He pushed Clarissa further up on the boulder, climbing up onto it after her. No sooner did they climb up than a huge lizard-like creature came shuffling from within the dark depths. His large tongue flicked in and out of his mouth, his scaly body smelled like a sewer and glistened in the dull light.

When the creature neared to their boulder, he stopped and moved his head around before it continued outside. Mel gazed toward the interior of the cave, attempting to sense more life and wasn’t surprised to find a colony of the creatures. As he ran his hand through his hair, he felt they were truly and utterly fucked.

After the lizard departed, she whispered softly, “What hellish place are we in? How did I get here? Or better yet, how do we get out of here?”

“I have no idea. We seem to be in some sort of hell realm but one I don’t control nor am familiar with. Keep your eyes open. There’re more creatures deep inside. My masking our presence seems to have worked for the moment. Though for how long and on which creatures it will work is still debatable. We need to move from here and fast.”

She looked past him outside the cave. The lizard ambled towards the Whippers. Wondering what they would do, she watched as the Whippers just stood still and let the lizard creature pass. Moving around Mel, she hopped off the boulder and slowly made her way to the mouth of the cave, staying within the shadows. She nibbled at the licorice whip she had conjured as she tried to determine where they would go. Motioning to Mel, she pointed to an out cropping a short distance away. It looked like there might be a building there but whether or not it was safe had yet to be foreseen. However, it couldn’t be any worse than staying here between lizard creatures and Whippers. He looked to where she pointed.

“My powers seem to be working when teleporting within this realm, so it’s worth a try to materialize there.”

Taking her hand, he flashed them to a small over hang on the mountain side behind the small wooden cabin they had noticed. The area would provide sufficient protection while they could get a look of the land from their new position.

“I can’t sense anything but I think we should make sure just to be safe.”

Clarissa felt odd when he flashed her to the rock protrusion and put her hand on the wall alongside to steady herself.

“I would try and materialize infrared binoculars but the way my magic has been in this realm I’m sure I would only get bubble gum or something.”

Closing her eyes she breathed deep, which made her choking and cough.

“Okay, not doing that again anytime soon. All I smelled was rotten eggs.”

“Wait here.”

He transported himself to the cabin in a ghostly shadow form, solidifying when he was satisfied there were no creatures about. Checking the surroundings, he realized it would provide them with a temporary reprieve and immediately returned to her.

“We can use that as shelter, for now at any rate,” he spoke softly as he held his hand out to her.

Putting her hand in his, she felt that electric current run through her and pushed it back. Even fighting for her life she was worried about how her body reacted to him?
‘Great, just great.
’

“I hope the occupants will stay away for a while then.”

Mel closed his hand over hers and flashed them into the one room cabin. It only held the basics but it was shelter and that was what they desperately needed now.

“You need to rest.” He pointed to the large bed in the corner. “I’ll take first watch while I try and figure out where we are.”

The demon judge blasted a fire into the hearth and moved around the cabin to ward it against unwanted guests. It would provide them with enough protection for at least a little while or so he hoped. He gazed back at the Guardian as she grabbed a blanket and threw it in front of the fire, lying down on top of it. It was the first chance she really had to rest in a while and she was going to take advantage of it but she wouldn’t invade someone else’s bed.

“Thank you, Mel.” She watched him under half shut lids, the way his body moved, how his muscles flexed, even when all he did was run his fingers through his hair. Yet she could feel his alertness, his determination. Suddenly, her eyes became too heavy, even with the delectable eye candy in front of her. Yawning, she rolled over. She would never sleep if all she did was watch him. Closing her emerald green orbs, she fell into a fitful sleep.

Mel watched her for a long time before he moved to sit down on a chair by the fire. He dropped his head into his palms and rested for a moment. His senses were wide open, attuned to any and all sounds around them. Scenarios ran though his head as he tried to ascertain where they were and how to get out of this place. Lifting his head, he gazed at his hands. They appeared corporeal, yet he could feel part of his essence absent, missing. Her powers were also unstable in this realm and that hinted at something sinister. He looked over towards her as she twitched slightly in her sleep. Even in repose, she wasn’t at rest. Touching her mind lightly, he knew she was searching for answers in her dreams as she tried to comprehend where she was and how she got here.

Mel leaned over slightly and touched her shoulder as he sent a calm wash through her. She finally calmed down but her rest was short lived. His head snapped up as a noise at the door drew his attention.

‘How did I miss that? I must be slipping
.’

The executioner jumped up and took a fighting stance between her and the intruders. He watched as the knob turned slowly and the door creaked open.

Chapter Five

Clarissa’s ears caught the foreign sound and a feeling washed over her to be prepared for danger. Rolling to her feet, it took a moment to figure out where she was and that Mel was with her. She was no longer alone. He was protecting her, standing in defense of any oncoming attack. Grabbing the poker stick, she felt better knowing she could defend herself and moved to stand alongside him waiting for the creatures to enter.

Azamel held his arm out to keep her back slightly as he tried to materialize a sword, unsure if it would work or not. To his surprise, a sword appeared in his hand just as the door opened to reveal two of the smallest, ugliest goblins he had ever seen. The female carried a basket of produce while berating the male for something or other. The ludicrousness of the scene had Mel laughing and he let the tip of the sword immediately drop to the floor as he rested on the hilt. The female dropped the basket in shock as she spotted them and hid behind the male, fear evident in her eyes. The male’s shocked face mirrored his wife’s as he stopped and quickly shielded her.

Mel held his hand out in a placating manner and spoke in a soft, soothing voice, “My apologies for the intrusion, dear folk. We are but two lone travelers that seek shelter from the creatures roaming this plane. This is my friend, Clarissa, and she was hurt. She needed to recuperate and heal.”

He dropped the sword and pushed it towards them with his foot.

“We are unarmed and will reward you for your hospitality should you be so kind as to provide us with a warm bed for the night.”

Clarissa frowned slightly. Mel was able to produce a sword so easily when all she was able to conjure were rubber balls and licorice. Suddenly, the thought of the candy made her stomach growl audibly and she flushed in embarrassment as she waited for the goblin male to answer. She hoped the goblins would accept the offer made to them and that Mel would continue to have his powers and procure them another sword if they needed one.

The male goblin bowed to them, slightly in fear as he was visibly shaking.

“We are simple peasants, my lord. We have nothing to offer you. Our food is scarce enough for us but if you promise me and my wife no harm we’ll share with you and suggest some place more suitable for your needs.”

He kept his head down, his eyes averted as he spoke while he continued to make sure his wife stayed behind him.

Mel walked over towards them and closed the door behind them. He spoke softly, calmly so as not to make them any more fearful then they already appeared to be, “We mean no harm but we do need help.”

The powerful judge waved his hand and a virtual feast appeared on the table.

“Food we don’t need. There is plenty and your bellies will be full this night. However, we do need shelter and if you can provide us with some information to aid us in leaving this place, you will have my eternal gratitude.”

“He means out of here as in this realm. We’re not sure how we got here or even where we are. So anything that will help us leave, any knowledge or guidance you can give, we would be most grateful.” Clarissa moved to help the woman goblin who was thrilled to see the buffet while she gathered the contents of her basket. “Please help us find a way home.”

Azamel pulled a chair out for the old woman who sat down after a moment’s hesitation. The male joined after an additional few seconds. The allure of a decent meal too much for him to resist, he was willing to trust the two strangers in his home. In a low, deep, gravely voice the goblin spoke, “I’m not sure how much we can tell you but we’ll do what we can. My wife, Baryl, and I welcome you to our home and thank you for this bounty. My name is Bebou.”

Mel moved around to pull out a chair for Clarissa as well and then materialized some wine and goblets before sitting down at the opposite end of the table from Bebou. Speaking with a patience that belied his inner frustration, Mel modulated calmly, “What is this place?”

“This is a realm like no other, my lord. We call it the Zero Realm, where nothing has any value. Not life nor possessions, we just are. The things outside kill to survive and we stay indoors to avoid being murdered. Life here has no beginning and it has no end. To find the exit you must find where it all begins and where it all ends.”

The Guardian rolled eyes and thought, ‘
That is so not helpful.’
She watched Mel and somehow could tell he was just as frustrated, though his stoic appearance and icy pale blue eyes belied any inner turmoil she felt from him. Or was it her own restlessness she was just projecting.

“Do you have any idea where the beginning and end meet?”

“No, fair maiden, we don’t. Legend has it that the path you seek is to the East. Treacherous and long your journey will be. Nobody has ever come back from there in one piece. It is thus a journey we don’t dare take. They say at the end there is a golden gate that you will have to pay a fare to the keeper to enter. That gate will take you out of here to wherever you wish to go.”

Worriedly biting her lower lip, Clarissa gazed at Mel.

“None have ever come back in one piece. Staying here in one piece is not very easy either.”

Her eyes saddened, she got up from the table. She walked back to face the fire, her mind reeling with all the implications.

Azamel frowned as he looked at Clarissa, concerned how this affected her after all she had already gone through. “Thank you for the warning and the information. We shall depart come morning. If you would be so kind as to show us where we may sleep?

“You may take the bed, my lord, my wife and I will sleep in front of the fire.”

“I wouldn’t think of putting you out kind sir. You have housed us and we shall take the space in front of the fire.”

Standing, Mel went over to take Clarissa’s hand as he pulled her down to the ground with him. Her back to his front, his arms encircled her as he whispered in her ear, “Relax, we need to rest.”

She mumbled softly back, “You should not be here. This is my hell. I was sent here, not you. You shouldn’t be trapped with me.”

She starred into the fire as she felt him pressed against her back, his arms holding her tight.

“I’m sorry. Everything I seem to do is wrong. You should be safe in your home, not stuck with me in a world of horror.”

He nuzzled her neck and inhaled her scent, reveling in her closeness. “I vowed to help you, didn’t I? Last time I checked, I’m a grown man capable of not only making my own choices but also living with the consequences of them.”

Turning to look over his shoulder, checking to see the goblins were resting, he moved his hand to turn her head so she faced him. Her lips were very close to his. His warm breath brushed against her delicate skin.

“I have lived more centuries than your mind can deal with and I’m more than capable of keeping myself and my wards safe. Now ssh, you need to rest. We have a long journey ahead.”

Mel dipped his head and kissed her lightly, moaning at her taste as she opened her lips. He let his tongue slip inside her warm mouth. Reluctantly, he pulled back, still maintaining his hold on her. “Sleep, Guardian.”

Her nerve endings roared to life with just a simple kiss and then he told her to sleep. ‘
Oh sure. Just as soon as the fire in my body is doused.’
She turned back towards the fire as her mind raced. She had to make sure he got out of here safe, even if she didn’t. Sure, he vowed to protect and help her but that vow shouldn’t include little jaunts into unknown realms of hell or put his life in such danger. Closing her eyes, she immediately felt the whips flashing across her skin as razor blades cut into her flesh. She snapped her eyes open as her body unconsciously jerked. Well that wasn’t going to work.

Mel felt her twitch. He started to rub her arm up and down in a calm, soothing manner until she settled. Taking in Azamel’s scent, she let it course through her as she tried to conciliate her body and soothe her mind. After several moments, her eyes shut and exhaustion took hold.

Mel realized her breathing had become uniformed and allowed himself to relax into a restful pose he used to regenerate even though he kept his senses wide awake and attuned to his surroundings. The peasants may have sheltered them but his experience had taught him nobody was above suspicion or treachery. All became quiet, even the creatures outside stopped stirring. The stillness, however, was more disconcerting than the subtle noises.

The night passed quietly and the morning light came in against Clarissa’s eyelids. Though embers still glowed, the fire had died. The chill made her shiver slightly. She felt safe in Mel’s arms, relaxed, able to sleep a dreamless slumber once she got past the initial discomfort of being pressed against his body. His scent invaded her every pore, his hot breath against her neck stirred her insides. Slowly opening her eyes, she didn’t move as she tried to awaken her senses to discern what was happening.

Mel felt Clarissa stir slightly. He lifted his head to peer over her, only to notice the goblins still fast asleep. Slowly arising, he stretched his stiff muscles from the night in one position, turning as Bebou suddenly jumped up. Mel offered him a friendly smile.

“Good morning, friend.”

“Good morning, my lord. I know it was a humble bed but I hope you got a good rest.”

“We did, thank you. We don’t wish to abuse your hospitality any longer so we shall be on our way after we break our fast.”

Clairssa rolled over and stretched languidly with her body arched before she moved to stand. “Good day, good people.”

She looked up at Azamel, his hair mussed up on one side. She reached out to smooth it with her fingers not even thinking about it until her eyes met his. Self-consciously she removed her hand and smiled softly, quickly turning away. Needing to use the facilities, she headed to the little area and freshened up. Returning, she discovered the table filled with food again, probably thanks to Mel’s magic. Clarissa sighed softly to see him wield his magic so effortlessly while she had tried just to flash in a hairbrush and was granted a pineapple instead.

“Smells and looks wonderful.”

“Eat your fill. We have a long journey ahead”

Mel bent over in a show of affection and held her close as he whispered in her ear, “I’m not sure how long my powers will work in this realm. We need to make weapons now and take some food with us.” Kissing her lightly, he straightened. “Shall we?”

She looked up into those cold icy pale blue eyes as she nodded. Taking a seat, she grabbed a plate and filled it up. Mel gave her a look as did the goblins.

“What? Wolf here. With an appetite to match.” She smiled and began to eat.

Mel chuckled and sat down, making a show of eating, even though the food couldn’t provide the nourishment he needed. Good thing he fed before they got trapped here or he would be in serious trouble. Once they all broke their fast, he got up and thanked their hosts for the hospitality. Mel materialized a warehouse worth of food which would last a while for their goblin hosts. He then conjured a virtual arsenal of weapons, arming the wolf and himself before they headed out the door.

Clarissa breathed easier being fully equipped and followed Mel out the door after thanking their hosts. Moving quickly to keep up with him as they move further away from the cottage, she broke the silence, “So I was wondering, since you’re a demon and all, do you need blood?”

She kept her focus straight ahead as she walked.

Mel faltered slightly at such a direct question and he stopped to give her an intense look.

“Pray you never find out what I need for nourishment.”

He turned back to the area, staying on full alert, scoping around for any movement.

The blood drained from her face at the warning in his voice and the look in his eyes but she lifted her chin and leaned in despite her being terrified of him at the moment. Her eyes narrowed she swallowed past her fear.

“Pray I don’t have to worry about your ass if you become too weak as a result of a lack of sustenance.” She pivoted and marched on, her heartbeat raced from the encounter. Looking around, her senses were watchful as they walked east towards the mountains. Tilting her head, she stopped. There was a rumbling coming towards them and she looked around quickly for shelter.

“My nourishment doesn’t concern you or my ability to keep you safe.”

Mel’s head whipped up as the cacophony rolled towards them. ‘
Fuck! Would it never end in this place?’

Mel grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the closest boulder. Two of the biggest creatures they had ever seen came charging past them. They resembled rhinos but were the size of dinosaurs. The ground quaked and oscillated as they stampeded past their hiding point. As Clarissa started to move, Mel kept her down.

“Stay still and silent. I’m more concerned with what caused them to stampede than the creatures themselves,” no sooner had the words left his mouth than their pursuers rounded the bend. The thunderous flapping wings belonged to some of the ugliest birds which turned the bend in pursuit of the stampeding beasts that had just passed them. Five birds started to fly by when one turned its monstrous head and looked in their direction. Flapping and hovering like a hummingbird that was a million times larger, it began to move towards them.

Slowly, Clarissa pulled one of the daggers from the hidden inside part of her clothing and readied the weapon. As it moved closer, it let out a screech which caused both of them to cover their ears and her to drop the knife. The bird reached in while Azamel was still bent over from the piercing cacophony, hitting him in the head with his claw and causing Mel to temporarily black out. The large bird grabbed Azamel by the talons and carried him off.