Devdan Manor (12 page)

“I don’t remember your name.”

“Kephas Devdan.”

Something was wrong. Why did the air smell so sweet?

The world was a cluster of vivid colors. The tree leaves were red. The grass, a bright green. Those types of colors only existed in paintings. The demons world wasn’t ugly. It wasn’t this breathtaking.

“Where?”

“Relax Cyl. We’re here.”

Uryl, Ryse and Nuall appeared from behind him. Valent, Ozais and Tahir appeared beside Kephas.

He must be laying on the fox.

Were they still in the demon world? He had read about images being so beautiful they brought demons to tears. Cyl had dismissed that as romantic nonsense. It wasn’t a myth. He felt life everywhere. The scent relaxed his mind and body. It wanted him to think of only pleasurable things. It wanted him to feel nothing but comfort. Cyl had to push it away.

He couldn’t relax.

Florescent flowers of different shapes and sizes lived around them. The stems moved, pushing the petals towards them like animals curious of the strangers. The trees were full of fruit. They smelled delicious. Crystals loomed behind this glorious landscape. They were in the forest outside of Mortaus. How was that possible?

The grass rustled. A hoard of round orange fruit walked to them. One stopped beside Cyl. A demon no taller than his shoe held the fruit.

Demons weren’t that friendly. He needed it to leave. It wouldn’t unless Cyl accepted the fruit. He did. They all did.

He shouldn’t eat it. He didn’t know what was inside it. His mouth dried. He still tasted the disgusting bar on his tongue. He hadn’t eaten anything except bread, dried meat and fruit in what felt like forever.

“We must try it,” Valent said.

She bit into the fruit. It splashed across her face and clothes.

Cyl bit into his own. The flavors danced. Delicious couldn’t convey how amazing this fruit tasted. He could eat it all day every day and never get tired of it.

“What happened?” Cyl asked spilling juice down his shirt.

Ryse curled beside him. Gripping the fruit with both hands, she buried her face into it. She was so adorable.

“The mansion vanished shortly after you passed out. We found ourselves here,” Uryl said, “as for your arm. That thing was angry. You took its arm so it cut yours off.”

“But, it can be re-attached.”

Uryl shook his head. “You limb died when it was severed. We could probably get you a new one. Your power probably won’t like it.”

Cyl shrugged. He should be more worried about his missing limb. He couldn’t bring himself to care.

“Where are we?”

“Back home,” Nuall said.

“Can’t be. The forest never looked like this.”

She pointed to the crystals in the distance. “We are home. The world is different. Nicer. While exploring the area, I ran into a group of halims. They hate demons that look human, yet they greeted me like I was an old friend. Our senses have returned. I smelled nothing but good intentions from them. They loved me. What is wrong with them?”

Cyl sat up. The halims were a vicious race. They slaughtered demons for fun. They would never be allowed to roam the forest this close to Mortaus. The protective spells would’ve destroyed them.

“I believe this is the first stage of those things take-over of this world,” Tahir said. “We cannot rest in this pleasant world. I fear it will become ugly soon enough.”

Why couldn’t those monsters have rolled through the land killing everything in their path? Why couldn’t they turn the demons’ world into a wasteland? Hiding danger under such alluring scenes was despicable. They fixed the demon world just so they could destroy it. They were giving them a taste a paradise to make the destruction Cyl knew was coming so much more unbearable.

“How is he, Kephas?” Tahir asked. “I would like to explore the city and we need a place to examine their powers.”

Kephas nodded. “I have done what I could for Cyl. His power should do the rest. I smell the Ancient power inside you. It is strong. We need to determine how it got in there. I believe that is the key to saving ourselves once the creatures show their true intentions for this world.”

The fox shifted behind him. It pushed. Cyl put his hand on its back. Ryse stood. With its help, Cyl got to his feet.

The ground shifted. He rested on the animal. Why wouldn’t the world stop spinning?

“Anas has taken a liking to you. He has never bonded with anyone so quickly,” Tahir said.

Cyl noted the hint of admiration in his voice. Cyl bowed his head. His face heated.

Ozais groaned. “I didn’t get my blood. Still, I want to thank you for stopping me.” He stretched his arms towards the sun. “It has been years since I felt warm. My skin is eating this up.” Frowning, he dropped his arms and shook his head. “What am I saying? Must be this weird air. Can we move on before I start hugging you? This land is disturbing. It’s making me feel nice inside.”

Uryl hooked one arm around Ryse and dropped her onto Anas. The fox didn’t mind. Ryse face brightened. His sister was going to be beautiful when she grew up. Cyl would make sure she reached maturity.

Mortaus’ gates were opened. Hordes of demons freely passed through without producing papers. Uniformed guards patrolled. Most of time, they simply stopped others for a friendly conversation. The air was different here. Freer. Demons’ faces held real smiles.

Through pieces of conversation, Cyl learned the demon world had a new king and queen. Apparently, this was a good thing. Had they forgotten the wars and executions that ended the Royal Era?

How long had they been trapped in the Devdan’s mansion?

Mom pushed her way through the crowd. Her face flushed with excitement. She beamed when her eyes landed on them. Sticking out her hand, she pushed demons out of her way. She ran to them. She threw her arms around Cyl’s neck. He stiffened. As a child, he yearned for Mom and Dad’s affection. Now, the thought of their eyes on him turned his stomach. She needed to let him go before he killed her.

She released him and went for Ryse. Uryl lifted her off Anas before Mom could touch her.

Mom smile and nodded. “I didn’t think you would forgive me so easily. We’ve treated you terribly. I’m sorry. Our new rulers made me realize how foolish I have been. I’m glad you’ve returned. We can be a real family now.”

Cyl had no desire to be a real family. What he wanted to do was gut this thing and find his real mother.

She turned to Nuall. “You parents have been looking for you. They will be happy to see you.”

Cyl gripped Nuall hands. If they separated, he had the strange feeling they’d never see each other again. She needed to stay with them. Nuall’s hand shivered. Maybe it was his hand. He couldn’t tell. Small tremors rolled through his body. Ryse tucked her head into Uryl shoulder and whimpered.

Mom patted Ryse back. Uryl jerk out of her reach. He locked her with a hate-filled glare.

Mom’s smile didn’t falter.

“Don’t worry. We have plenty of time. You will see. We can be a real family.”

Nuall tightened her hold on Cyl’s hand almost breaking his fingers. Out of everything that happened, why was this having such a potent effect on him. Felt like ice had possessed his soul.

A hand was on his back. He jumped.

“Don’t worry,” Valent said. “We will figure this out. We owe your our lives. We will make sure you remain safe.”

Mom’s face darkened. Finally, a hint of his real mother. Her smile returned even brighter.

“Devdans, I didn’t see you there.” Her voice dripped with false niceness. “Any friends of my children are welcome in our home.”

This king and queen must’ve fed the world a false story about the Devdans. Mom wasn’t the only one eying the Devdans with open disdain.

Tahir sighed. “I am too old for games.”

Valent stepped forward and bowed. “Thank you for your hospitality. I am sorry for troubling you. Your children are beautiful even by demon standards. I see they received such a rare gift from you. You must be a descendant of the kings and queens of old.”

Mom’s face redden. Valent hadn’t needed to flatter her. Mom was plain. Everyone knew it.

“You have a remarkable way with words Ms. Devdan.”

“Please, call me Valent.”

No wonder Kephas called her Lady.

The two females walked off.

“I’m surprised she didn’t burst into flames,” Ozais whispered as they followed. “A lie like that should at least turn her tongue to ash. Your mother has to be the most unexceptional demon in history. Even her power tastes bland.”

Ozais and Valent knew how to lighten the mood. Nuall shook her hand out of Cyl’s.

“You will come home with me later,” Nuall eyed Kephas, “You too.”

“Tahir would be better. I’m not as good with pretty words.”

“I don‘t feel like being nice,” Tahir grumbled. “I feel like destroying every crystal in this place. This land is only pretty from afar.”

Tahir was in a terrible mood.

Nuall grinned. “I think I will have you join us instead.

Tahir lifted his eyebrow. “Why does a child think she can order me around?”

Nuall shrugged. She pulled ahead of them.

A stone statue almost as tall as the surrounding buildings blocked their path. Colored waters shot up around its feet. Laughing children danced in and out of the fountain. Older demons stopped and bowed their heads.

No.

Cyl stepped back. Shielding his eyes from the suns, he examined the statue.

This wasn’t possible. It matched the one that used to be in the chamber under the Devdan’s house.

“Those statues were broken beyond repair,” Cyl said.

“Yes,” Nuall said.

“Could this be a different statue?”

“No.”

Cyl needed more than a one word answer. He needed an explanation. It smelled like the Devdan house. The stone had the same glass sheen to it. The face, armor and weapon were the same. Who commanded those stone demons? They were carved to resemble the Devdans. From the matching scowls on Valent, Tahir and Kephas’ faces, they despised those statues.

Mom walked to it and prayed.

The statue’s head turn.

Nuall groaned. “Not again.”

They could leave. They didn’t have to wait to see when the head would stop turning. Cyl told his body to move. It didn’t listen.

The head looked down. The eyes snapped open.

Felt like slimy worms were dancing under his skin.

The eyes were made of a black and white glassy material. The black marble in the middle rolled as the head bowed.

They weren’t the only demons in the square. The statue couldn’t be staring at them. Cyl stepped the right. The marble eyes followed him. Tahir walked to his left. The black eyes snapped onto him.

Ryse whimpered. She tightened her grip on Uryl’s neck. Cyl wanted to hide behind someone too. He was too old to do something so childish. His bones shivered. The eyes had rooted him to the ground. He couldn’t turn away. Somehow, those two black marbles bore into each of them at the same time. The lids narrowed and the mouth stretched into smile that also touched its ears. Mom walked away. The statue ignored her.

“Walk,” Nuall demanded.

Her strong voice broke the spell. His limbs worked. They walked.

The sound of stone rubbing against stone.

The head followed them.

Those glee filled eyes stayed on their backs as they headed for Mom and Dad’s house.

Enjoy this world now. One day, we will destroy everything.

Nuall wrapped her arms around herself. Anas stuck close to his side. His fur was Cyl’s only warmth. The world had gotten colder. The suns were still burning in the sky. Why did everything seem darker?