Chapter 3. The Proposition

Sophie was panting as she reached the final step of the staircase leading up to the entrance of the castle, she was only relieved that Heen was considerate enough to climb up the staircase by himself. She held onto her stomach, and could not shake of the uneasy feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong, what Sophie did not know, and could barely guess at.

"Good Afternoon Mrs Pendragon," Sophie was greeted by the very same man who had asked for her presence at the castle that morning. "You are late," He commented as he regarded his golden pocket watch with a smirk as if he had suspected such a thing. Sophie looked up at the wall to see it had just gone three, her lips formed a thin line. She was about to argue with him that he was being completely uneasy but before she could even commence her argument one of Lady Suilman's golden haired boys appeared.

"Mrs Pendragon," He said respectfully before bowing lowly, Sophie gave the messenger the best haughty look that she could summon before she turned towards the small boy. "Please follow me," He requested, obliging, Sophie was much relieved to be away from that awful messenger who did not represent a very good image for their king at all. Sophie found herself in a room she had been in once before with the witch of the waste, in the centre lay a single chair the boy indicated for her to sit down at the chair. The baby in her stomach began to kick violently and a violent pain had Sophie sweating as she gladly took the offer of the only chair in the room. The boy disappeared from her sight as Sophie let out a small cry as she silently told herself to keep strong and not Madam Suliman know of her current agony.

"Its normal you should be feeling that pain," It was if the witch had heard Sophie's thoughts as Sophie turned in her chair to see the old witch in her ornate wheel chair with two of her golden boys beside her and Heen at her feet giving Sophie a sorrowful look. Sophie went to speak but instead a strangulated cry left her lips as she lurched forwards grasping her stomach.
"The child you are bout to spawn is not human," Madam Suliman informed her as she rested her head on the palm of her hand.

"W-what?" Sophie gasped confused as she tried to hush the child inside of her, telling it to be strong, that everything was going to be okay.

"Howls heart was stolen by a demon, you didn't think there would be any consequences did you?" Madam Suliman questioned as she gave a mocking laugh, as Sophie's eyes widened as she forced herself up from the chair.

"I don't care what my child is, its mine and Howls," Sophie retorted, her brown eyes showing a strong fire with in them.

"Howl has been keeping secrets from you again," Madam Suliman said with a knowing smile as Sophie straightened herself up, her small hands clenched into fists as she tried to show that she was in no pain. "Your child's going to be born a fully fledged demon," Madam Suliman said her face showing mischief as she waited for Sophie's response.

"It doesn't matter what the child is, it's my child I don't care if its a monster or something horrible, but what I dont understand is what it has to do with you!" Sophie cried out in defence as her hands rested on her stomach defensively.

"Aren't you going to ask why?" Madam Suliman said with a slight tone of boredom in her voice as Sophie frowned, she was two caught up in the moment that she didn't really have time to think of an answer, as she stared at Madam Suliman who she was sure was going to give her an answer, "A boy who swallowed a shooting star, whose heart was taken by a demon was human up until the point his heart was rejoined with him, his heart had become the heart of a demon, Howl is no longer human," She paused as Sophie stilled as she tried to comprehend the words that were escaping Madam Suliman's lips. "A demi demon shall be spawned from you, and if its a female you had best to be rid of it," She informed Sophie coldly, as Sophie stared at her wide eyed in horror as she clasped onto her stomach. "So you best hope it's a boy," Madam Suliman informed her.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Sophie questioned pained as she held onto her stomach like her life depended on it. Madam Suliman regarded Sophie coldly as she rested her staff on her lap and sighed.

"Because that child could be the death of us all," Madam Suliman informed Sophie her eyes showing sadness with in them. "I once believed that demi demons could be the saving of the human race, they are superior beings, but I soon learnt my lesson and have now ended up in a wheel chair, I believed I could control him and as long as he lives and if your child is female the human race doesn't stand a chance, even if your child is male it would be best to kill it, for the sake of humanity," Madam Suliman whispered Sophie stared at the old witch and wondered from what past experience she spoke from, had she two had a child or had she already had an encounter with a demi demon.

"I will protect my child with my life," Sophie replied sternly, her determination shining brightly through her stubborn brown eyes.

"Let me show you, just how powerful that little demi demon is," Madam Suliman said as she wheeled out of the room the little golden boys following. Sophie stood frozen to the spot as she watched all around her as the giant red curtains were pulled up and gigantic light bulbs appeared, her baby began to kick and pain soared through her body crippling her so that she was on her hands and knees just as the lights turned on, Sophie instantly curled into a ball shielding her eyes, as not to far away it sounded as if a group of people were chanting, she dared not look up in risk of hurting her eyes. The baby inside of her was not content and Sophie found herself screaming out as she clutched onto her stomach, the pain growing immensely worse until she felt something snap with in her, as she opened her eyes she saw a golden light emanating out of her chest, the chanting was becoming quieter almost distant, and the bright lights were dulled and the pain in her stomach ceased as she felt warmness sweep over her, she could sense Howl's magic but a magic much more powerful as well emanating through out her soul. Sophie finally understood that this child that she carried was much more powerful than Howl, and could very likely be the end of the world. The lights turned off as the gold light that had been emanating from out of Sophie vanished into thin air, as Madam Suliman returned, while Sophie used the chair beside her to haul herself up into a standing position.

"Do you understand now?" Madam Suliman questioned her, Sophie nodded stiffly.

"I won't let you kill my child, Howl and I can protect this child," Sophie said as strongly as she could and was appalled at how weakly it came out. "Please, please you have to believe me," Sophie found herself crying out as Madam Suliman gave her a soft expression.

"Separating a child from its mother, at birth is one of the cruelest things a person could do,"Madam Suliman said quietly as Sophie was on her hands and knees pleading for Madam Suliman not to go after her child. "I did not bring you here to kill your child," She informed Sophie which instantly had Sophie going quietly as she watched the witch carefully shocked at her previous behaviour when had she become so defensive that she would go to begging? "I came here to offer a proposition," Madam Suliman began as Sophie went to stand up but felt liquid run down her legs as her eyes grew wide as her head snapped up to Madam Suliman. Madam Suliman instantly knew that the little demon was about to arrive and instantly had her henchmen take Sophie out of the room. Madam Suliman watched as the risked the distressed young girl away, before she ordered one of her other little golden boys to take her to her gardens where she looked out the window, before her eyes landed upon her glass ball, her eyes growing large.

"Oh Howl!" She said in a mortified voice as she regarded the scene before her in horror.

Sorry its short, had writers block and was a bit unsure how to to go about this chapter. Hope you like it- can't wait to read your comments. What do you think Madam Suliman saw in the glass ball? Thank you for all your support so far :)

I apologize once more for grammar and spelling errors.