How she knew I had made plans to abandon her, I don't know. I laid awake for hours after she had finally slept just trying to pinpoint how she had found out. I'd never tell her, but she's smarter than I realized. Beneath her playful, innocent exterior is a very intuitive and powerful demon wearing the flesh of an alluring woman.
"Are you sure you aren't going to tell her? Last chance. You could just go explain yourself-"
"No. It's better this way." Alexavier snorts in disbelief.
"Fine, don't take my advice. You should know by now that you have zero tact. You're making a mistake. My loyalty lies in my half sister, so don't expect me to cover you. I'll play dumb and let you suffer her wrath."
"I owe her no explanation."
"Technically, asshole, you owe her your life. From my understanding Yeomorah was about to gut you. In theory, you should have died."
"I was handling my own thank you."
"Then HOW did she die? Did you just let him kill her?" I flinch. I killed her, but I am not about to reveal that to him. So far nobody has taken Sera seriously when she mentioned it, only Nomias knows that Seraphine talks the truth. The others blame her fading mind at the time.
"She flung herself at him in attack and he got her. Foolish mistake really, her own fault."
All is silent for a while as we travel farther from grandfather's home. From Sera. Who was awake but didn't respond to me. I could read her mind though, and it haunts me as I try to bar it from my mind. No. No, I won't. We'll be gone. She plans to leave me, just as she thinks I'm leaving her. She took my abrasive behavior and mixed signals as a sign of parting. Her emotions were all over the place.
"Alexavier?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think that I've destroyed my chances?"
"I believe you had done that a long time ago. Whatever fuckery you pulled last night, just iced the cake. I might not be an incubus, and be able to read minds and emotions as you can, but I could feel her fury through the house. However you handled the situation, failed. You should have just told her. I've spent ebough time in the human world now to know that humans place huge value on abstract morals like trust, honesty, appreciation. Those women on the talk shows claim you cannot have love or a relationship without trust. I believe she trusts Yeomorah as much as you now. You might he number two on her shit list, a fitting number really." I growl and shake my head in frustration. I'll kill him long before we ever reach Ezekiel.
"She knows to trust me. I've housed her, feed her, bought her things-"
"And lied, manipulated, withheld information, cheated, abused, threatened and basically blackmailed. Not a valid point. Obedience and trust are two entirely different things. All you had is fearful obedience. She fell in line only because of fear of harm to herself or others, not because she trusts you to care for her. She doesn't depend on you, because there's no trust. She complies enough to stay alive while she works out the kinks herself, because she knows you'll let her down. She expects it. Yesterday, she was acting strangely and kept sneaking into Nomias's library. She also was caught trying to get the servants to bring her random things. She couldn't figure out your plan, so I suspect that she's working up something of her own. She's resourceful."
"Do you think she will be there when we return? I am trying to do what's best here, for all three of us." He sighs.
"I'm not going to lie, I doubt it. She might have, had you explained to her that you were doing this for her and the baby to be a family." I rub my temples. I'm sick of having my failures repeated to me. I'm aware that I complicated everything.
"Here we go." The portal has finally opened up on the far side of the room.
I quickly walk through behind Alexavier as I watch the room vanish behind me. We are now in the other realm. I do not often go here, preferring to stay in the world of mortals close to my food sources. This realm is dominated by the supernatural, the humans that you find here have been dragged her against their will by their master, or other entities and were auctioned or bartered for. You have beings here who rely on blood, energy, souls. You have beings here are mythical of the other world. The daytime here is like being stuck in twilight, lost of fog and dew and various shades of grey color the sky. Even the plants are slightly darker tinged or diluted in color.
We travel hours until we find roads. Cobblestone roads carve out trails and three legged horses pull carriages of demons around. Spirits roam aimlessly, and other converse outside shanty buildings and Victorian style homes. All in all, this is preferable to Hell or Purgatory. Purgatory being the least stimulating, an incubus could die from the boredom there.
Several screams can be heard deeper into the alternative town. We watch as several women are torn out of a large cage on the back of a carriage, and hauled into building that resembles what once might've been a church. Demons watch from their spots in the streets with heightened interests, some drooling with excitement from hearing the wails. A succubus lazily strolls into the building behind the women, no doubt eager to try to steal precious energy from the frightened women inside. Alexavier shudders with disdain as we stride past.
"I should have stopped to feed." I smirk, enjoying the discomfort he displays. I stride closer and pat his back mockingly, absorbing all that unease without his noticing. He brushes me off, and speeds up. Nephilim are known for impressive speed, physical strength and stature. Rumor has it that they were once giants. I never cared enough to study, I figured that had God rejected them so should we. It insults me to realize I'm actually exerting great efforts to keep up.
"Your metabolism working yet? I hope you burn off that energy you thought to swipe." I want to be angry, but I find myself grinning.
"I see where Sera's impish nature comes from." This makes Alexavier puff his chest.
"It's a family trait. Mother is quite a prankster herself and Ezekiel, despite his violent nature, is also very frisky. He also loves to trick people. You best stay sharp when dealing with him. I can't promise he'll cut you any favors even with me present."
"Fantastic." I grumble.
"Noxodius? Hey." I blink to focus and look over to find Akexavier inches from my face. I startle. "You feeling well? You got spacey again and red eyed but you didn't do anything."
"Damn it. That's what happens when I'm possessed. I can't recall any of it, but I seen the red eyes in Seraphine's memories so I know what I look like. He seems to be most interactive with Seraphine. He has not used me to bother anybody else."
"Do you have any idea why?"
"All he said was the 'she's interesting' speech he gave infront of all of us. He's said nothing else really that is an indicator. I've concluded that it's her relationship to me and the child that has him proding at her." Another hour at least has passed before he speaks again.
"If you don't mind me asking, what is your relationship to Sera and how did you meet her?"
"Our relationship is obvious, we were lovers. We met...well...we didn't exactly meet. I stalked her the entirety of a day and followed her home. She sensed me occassionally, but paid no mind. She lived as a human."
"And?"
"I liked her, so I materialized inside her apartment and she freaked. Then she accepted I was real so I took her to my home to live the next day. Long story short."
"Creepy. I met her for the first time after you had fought, she was jogging the highway and when she looked up I knew her eyes. So much like ours. So I stopped and managed to give her a ride to Barima's home. I wanted to tell her who I was, but I didn't want to upset her." We finally reach a huge palace, outside the strange city. It's quite theatrical and elaborate, in its stark white and golden trim it glows among the dusky realm. I take note of the guard's positions as we near, but Alexavier never falters as he approaches the giant gate.
"Alexavier, majesty. A moment and I will raise the gate for you and your guest." He bows his head and Alexavier dips his head in quick nod.
"Thank you!" The giant gate raises and we pass through the large open door.
Inside the castle, the ceilings are huge. Even my family would cringe at such perverse luxury, save for Narius. The walls are smooth stone, with an artful white wash and giant paints and tapestries fill the walls. White marble tables appear here ssd nd there each adorned with clear vases of white flowers. Lily of the Valleys. Female servants wear thin white gowns that leave little to imagine as they strut through the halls to do their assigned chores, each casting longing glances at me as I grin and raise my chin. A tall, dark woman appears before us. Her beauty is unmistakable as she turns without a word and beckons us to follow her. Her gown floats around her feet as she glides down halls until we finally reach a large golden door at the end of a corridor.
"Allow me to knock to see if his Maj-"
"No need. I'm his grandson. I'm just going to barge in."
"Sir I wouldn't-"
"I would. I shall." Alexavier chuckles as he shoves the heavy door aside.
It was a bad move. Lust and annoyance assualt my senses as Ezekiel rises from the bed into a sitting position. He snaps his fingers and the two women lay at his side, no longer attempting to flee. He raises a furious brow and glares on Alexavier. I stand blankly by the door as I wait to see him destroy Sera's pesky sibling.
"I can attest to the fact that you were not raised like this. You obviously didn't inherit my intellect if you aren't smart enough to learn how to knock on a door. What nonsense have you came to interrupt me with?"
"I came to you bearing wonderful news, and a proposition. You will want to hear this."
"I'm interested. This better be good." He stands to dress and commands the women to remain where they are. He comes out of the room and directs us back down the hall and to a large sitting area with a great view of the woods.
"You may begin." He props his massive legs up on the ottoman and leans arrogantly in the jeweled high back chair.
"First, I'd like to introduce you to my friend Noxodius. He will be helping me. Second, I'd like to tell you that I have found a fitting sacrifice."
"The girl? You found the girl?"
"Yes, but she lacks the power. Noxodius here has found someone better."
"Where is that girl? Why did you not bring her?" I can see how livid he is as his ice eyes narrow.
"It was too risky."
"Explain."
"Seraphine is pregnant. That's not all, but this child is sired by incubi royalty. It will be double royal, uniting Nomias's bloodline and ours." Ezekiel grins and slaps his knee.
"Perfect. That child will work. Wait till she births, steal it, and bring it to me." I grind my teeth and interrupt.
"My son is not to be sacrificed. You'll find him much more valuable to you alive. The sacrifice we have found is none other than Yeomorah. He is more than powerful enough to suffice and destroying such a legend will garner far more bragging rights. I will lay my life on the line to help defeat him alongside you, all I ask in return is the let my lover and child live. You are the only person I know capable of defeating Yeomorah. He has possessed me, and I have seen in premonitions from others how it ends. In those premonitions one I kill my pregnant lover, in another I slaughter my newborn son. The deal I'm proposing benefits us all."
"You more than me. What else do I get for my involvement? Sparing a girl I've never met does little for me. Sparing you doesn't either." I laugh in his face. I had predicted this.
"I have something else for you. You see, Samael has been working for Yeomorah to steal Seraphine and had hand in Ivara's death." Ezekiel snaps up in his seat.
"My daughter is dead?" I nod.
"Her physical body is deceased. She is with Seraphine now in her spirit form. Luckily Yeomorah did not devour her. I wanted to kill Samael myself, but I know that he has wronged you many times and I would not insult you by stealing the honors." The violence rolls off him in waves as I read him. He was deeply disturbed at Ivara's death, being his only daughter this should work in my favor.
"Yes, I need to kill him myself. So Ivara is with her Seraphine. Where are they?" Not so fast.
"You see, if I tell you I risk you murdering my woman and unborn son. I will not risk that. You've yet to agree to any sort of deal." He scoffs.
"Go fuck yourself, Nate. Now. Alexavier, you WILL tell me." He is on his feet and looming over Alexavier, who remains unphased.
"Piss off. Now, if you'll excuse me Nox and I need to go fuck ourselves, per your order. Have fun with that dying thing vastly approaching within this century. Nice knowing you."
"You don't leave until-"
"You dismiss me, yada yada. Now, excuse me so I can go bond with my sister and nephew. While you die here of your own stupidity, I'll be basking in the glory of defeating Yeomorah, and public's awe of this amazing little hybrid child who's the first of it's kind. A double royal. May he warm your 'throne' someday." Alexavier boasts. We reach the door and he winks at me and counts down under his breath. Five. Four. Three. Two...
"Wait! You have a deal! I will agree to this proposal, on one condition. You see, I'm a seasoned man when it comes to deals and betrayals. I want proof that what you say is legitimate and true. You are an incubus, aren't you Nox? Well, show me proof from your mind. Perhaps I cannot do as your kind do, but I can see what you show me through an exchange of energy." I have no other option than to oblige him at this point.
"Deal. I will start by showing you your granddaughter, Seraphine."