Chapter 56
Weeks passed and the only highlight to Claude's day was the visit from the brothers. Growing up in the cut-throat world of demons, Claude had no idea that siblings would watch out for each other. Not only that, the boys seemed to genuinely enjoy each other's company. Luka in particular would always preface his stories with Alois this and Alois that. Unknowingly, his fascination with them grew and on the rare times that Claude noticed this, he would make excuses for himself.
At the first hint of his strength coming back, Claude immediately made his way down from the attic. Swinging from his web and walking along the rafters, he reached the lower level of the house undetected. Using his sense of smell, he was able to find the boys' bedroom which they shared. Inside, Claude found that although it was lavishly furnished, there was nothing of note about it. He further inspected several other rooms but found nothing amiss. Yet Claude felt a sense of disquiet. He could not pinpoint exactly what raised his guard so whenever the boys left him alone, he would sneak to other parts of the household and listen to the human conversation. What he discovered astonished him. Since they were well-dressed, he assumed that the boys were the young masters of this house when in truth they were a pair of orphans taken in by Earl Trancy.
Upon learning that, Claude once again made an assumption - that the bruises Alois had were from the strict upbringing given to them by the Earl. If that's the case then there's nothing to worry about. It may be harsh but as their surrogate parent, the Earl may discipline them as he sees fit. As long as he doesn't hurt the boys too much, he is within his rights, Claude assured himself. Satisfied that he did all he could for the boys in return for taking care of him, Claude was about to go on his merry way when he remembered the blank look on Alois' face and he hesitated. Perhaps I should dig just a little deeper, it's not like I have somewhere urgent to go to, he convinced himself.
After one of his forays downstairs, Claude returned to the attic and was already suspended in mid-air above his wooden box before he noticed Alois.
Damn I was so used to coming and going as I pleased that I became careless. No matter, he still doesn't suspect what I am, Claude thought to himself.
But to his shock, as soon as he landed in his box Alois spoke "You can stop pretending now. I know your secret."
While Claude sat there dumbfounded, Alois began to chant "Ho heo to runa roteo torel."
Claude felt the stirring of magic, like lightning running through his veins. The room seemed to darken and the air became oppressive.
"I summoned you demon and that is how you ended up here. There's no point in hiding, I saw your true form before you changed into a spider" Alois explained.
Then Claude remembered that as he was crossing between the two worlds, he felt a pull but he was too wounded at the time to pay attention.
Claude was incensed at the thought that a mere human presumed to give him orders. "Why did you summon me?" Calude said, his voice seemed to come from all around them.
Undaunted, the child stood his ground "There's something I need you to do for me. I will pay you in return."
"And what might that be?" the demon inquired silkily, sensing a tempting offer.
At this the child seemed to hesitate. "For now your duty is to protect me."
"Such a vague order. I can't name my price without knowing the full terms of our bargain" the demon said slyly.
"Whatever your price is, I can afford it" the child said, innocently assuming that he would inherit all of the earl's money and that he would have more than enough to tempt a demon. Then a bell rang from somewhere and Alois knew that he had to go. "We'll continue this discussion later."
When the door closed behind him, the demon laughed softly to himself, Ah little human you thought I am now your servant simply because you uttered a few words.
Late that night, Claude was impatiently waiting for Alois to return when he felt an ill omen. There was a faint hint of smoke in the air. Disturbed, he made his way down and decided to check on the boys in their bedroom. What he found there was horrific even for a demon.
One of the bedside lamps lay broken on the floor and the curtains rapidly caught fire. But what took Claude's attention was Luka who lay on the bed, his neck bent at a strange angle, his eyes unseeing. Then a small movement on the floor showed Alois getting up. His shirt was torn and bloody. He had cuts and bruises all over. At his feet, lay the earl's naked body, a shard of the broken lamp imbedded in his chest. With that scene before him, everything clicked into place for Claude. He understood what had happened and he also knew what was coming next.
"Alois we have to get out of here, people are on their way" Claude said. But the urgency in his voice went unheeded. Alois merely stood there staring at Luka, still unable to believe that his little brother was dead.
When the sound of voices could be heard from the bottom of the stairs, Claude returned to his demon form but Alois continued to ignore him. Left with no choice, he took Alois in his arms and broke through the wall. Only then did Alois show any sign of life.
"No! We can't leave Luka behind!" he cried.
Running swiftly over the rooftops, Claude tightened his hold on the distraught boy as he said "He's dead. There's nothing more we can do for him."
