Book 2: Chapter 115
Heidi
I gasped awake, but there was no reason. It was simply the feel of this place that did that…. Inside the Horned One’s guest room. It almost looked like one I’d find at a friend’s house. I was taken here for a bath that healed my soul completely, though I did not see the Horned One. I wondered was he holding off seeing me. Regardless, I had to get up.
The bed I reluctantly left was pretty plain, but it was really comfortable. I got up and walked around the red walled, black marble floored room. The door was open, and I could see various demons walk past…. I was changed into new clothes, I smelled like lavender, and the female servants that entered were familiar faces. They helped with the healing.
“Good morning, guest of the master.” The trio bowed, talking at the same time. They looked identical, all having black fur and greyish blue horns… though their faces were not human. They had cow heads and human bodies.
The one in the middle spoke up first on her own. “You did a wonderful job. I can confidently say that you are healed spiritually. However, if you wish to heal mentally, you’ll have to work on that.”
“I will, and thank you so much.” I said a little sheepishly, and she smiled.
“It is a pleasure. The master requests you meet him in his garden. Itafriet, the master’s head servant, will lead you.” She bowed one last time before I got up and put my shoes on.
They said nothing, and I was greeted by a servant with slicked black hair. He was lean and tall in build, and he bowed with his slender fingers on his heart.
That demon looked almost human, without a single horn, tail, or hoof in sight if not for the height. “Follow me.” He said floating slowly down black marble floors …. The theme here was red and black. All the walls were painted red, while the floors and trim were black marble.
There were so many rooms being cleaned or decorated, as it looked like some of this place was being renovated. However, I didn’t ask. I felt like it wasn’t my place. I just walked behind him, because I knew he was leading me to the Lord of Night.
The center courtyard was filled with combed black sand. The decorative rocks were boulders of obsidian polished to almost a mirror finish, but there were no plants here like in a usual Zen Garden. And there he sat in the center of it, cross legged in the black sand.
The demons of Gulteer and his mate were also here…. Though they stood at attention. Neither said anything, nor did they acknowledge my presence…. I could bet money that they hated me. Regardless of Rahraam’s choices, I was the one who unbound him.
“Come sit with me.” Offered the Horned One, patting a small space across from himself. I sat in front of him with his two generals behind me. He towered over me since he was his full height…. He looked so serious. “I suppose you wonder what the hell I’m doing, pun intended.” He chuckled.
I could see why he chose to be here. It was calm … but also his presence didn’t crush me… It felt like I could comfortably sit here and speak with him.
“I broke your laws…. It was only fair I be punished.” I mumbled.
“Don’t say what you Think I want to hear.” He said quietly. “I went too far. I see you struggle. I see your lamentation little vessel. I went much too far….” He said almost as if he were apologizing.
“We were the ones who angered you.” I said looking down, and he was silent a moment.
“True as that may be, know that I will personally Fix this… consider it fair compensation. I didn’t know your soul was so badly damaged by my decision… and since I said his punishment would be Your penance, I revoke my ruling on your demon summoning.” He mumbled.
“I thank you, but I do not want to go through that again.” I said respectfully, but he tilted my head up, so I could see his eyes.
“You are afraid this will happen again, but know that it will not. Learn to trust me again. I may be a bad person, but I am a good god to my people.” He said dismissing me. “Nanemous, Zeh’Kahrraam, come.” He commanded. “Wake up, little one.”
------John------
“Say the magic phrase.” Said Eskaal, looking almost excited to see if it would work.
“Don’t kill me!” Screamed the Hunter I caught Just for this. They weren’t all dead it seemed, as he was on my father’s pack border for revenge. Coming alone was stupid. I even contacted the police to officially claim the rights to his body.
I’d done him a favor before my surprise meeting…. I almost felt bad that he had to be Alive for this, that I wouldn’t have picked him if he wasn’t responsible for killing wolves.
“Silence you.” I snarled.
“I will remove your tongue if you continue.” Said Eskaal casually. “Be Grateful you’re needed Alive.”
“I got this.” I said rummaging around for some tape. “You wouldn’t be here if you would have lived your life human.” I grumbled, stopping his speech before he could counter.
Eskaal stomped the ground three times. “Do the spell.” He encouraged.
“…. Horned One… I am not your child, nor do I have your favor…. But I implore you to aid us. The vessel is made and the clay is ready, but we cannot create flesh, and a squirrel’s soul is not enough…” I admitted.
“Boy.” I heard a deep rumble from the earth. “What do you have to offer?” He asked.
“The soul of a Hunter.” I offered.
“A soul for a soul. A fair price.” He growled.
The man disappeared and inside the clay pot, was a red glowing orb. It had black runes on it, and felt…. Like I shouldn’t be near it.
But I couldn’t stop to gawk. The clay sculpture levitated. The deer pelt turned black and shaggy furred…. And the Horned One appeared himself in the circle. He took the clay pot from the speechless Eskaal and placed it in the body of the golem.
“Rise Zahrraam’Zeh, son of Zeh’Kahrraam.” He said stoically. “Lay this vessel on the lap of my little one. Be banished no more.” He said vanishing.
The clay became a small, black rat, one so little it seemed like a baby that would need milk…. And it landed on her chest.
They both slept in my arms, and when I blinked, I was at the front of my room on the Alpha floor…
My phone buzzed as I walked in, but I would look at whatever it said later…. She looked Happy as she slept this time…. The smile at the beginning was blissful, but this one felt like she’d achieved peace….
I kissed her on the forehead, and I let her be. When she wakes in our bed, we would be together, not wherever she was….. She would be hole again. As it was, I could see the Horned One’s mark on its heart and hers, meaning that she’d been restored, and that I Really did technically make her another familiar.
But it was still office hours. I also needed to put a letter in words together for her further defense…. My phone buzzed again, but this time it was a call. It was my old number, and I made my way back to my office, so that she could sleep.
“You’re Welcome.” He said smugly.
“I thank you.” I said rolling my eyes.
“And for Brutus.” He said with a grin in his voice.
“Was that whole thing Your idea?” I said holding a growl. “If she’d have been summoned, they would have assassinated her in her sleep!”
“I wouldn’t have let that happen. I promised I’d help you, and what good would it do if I was the reason she was beheaded? One of the King of Hell’s favorite souls. She’s even stamped by the Horned One; I felt it the moment I summoned her.”
“But Why? Why put me through all This if you had all the solutions?” I growled.
“With her pardoned, she can’t be trailed again. She’s safe from questions sparking about her new demon. I didn’t expect him to show up himself… that’s probably the best clay golem I’ve ever made.” He said as if he were grinning. “Plus, this was Entertaining. I have more information than I know what to Do with.”
“I’m glad I was your plaything.” I said sarcastically.
“No; I was just bored.” He said hanging up.
I figure that isn’t the last of him. He’d probably start texting or ordering what he wants now, but I’d be ok with that. He really did help me, regardless of how he tried playing off that he didn’t Like the company. No matter how smart, as a social creature being an elf; he’d want someone to talk to.
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