Chapter Four: The Demonic Trio

"Ravyn, get up! This is important." I do not like being roused from sleep , but Jareth is in earnest. I push myself up on one elbow and glare at him.

"What?"

"They're coming."

"Who?"

"My brothers. They're terrible, dark angel, terrible. I can't possibly let you stay in the castle."

"Whoa, whoa! Wait just a second! Why do I have to leave the castle?" This is news. I don't want news, I want choices! They can't be that bad.

"Because they hate humans. Any mortal city graced by their presence is destroyed, children drained of life, men slaughtered, and women… well, they are left in such a state that I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving you with them for less than 10 seconds." Jareth's words, probably designed to strike womanly fear, didn't have the least bit effect on me.

"Jareth, I'll stay with you always, so they won't have a chance. Alright?"

"But-"

"Jareth!" This was becoming ridiculous. I was staying, and he can't stop me.

"Oh, very well, woman! I swear, you will be the death of me someday. Get dressed, please, you're driving me mad." I was wearing one of his shirts, a white ruffly thing which unfortunately showed a little too much skin. Oh, well, he could deal with it. I simply slipped on a pair of black shorts.

"You can handle it." I whispered softly. He groaned. I kissed him softly on the cheek, arching my eyebrow provocatively.

"Don't tempt me." With resigned sigh, we left my room and he transported us to the Library. "Any good books?"

"Read these." I threw a copy of "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility" at him.

"Why?"

"Because your little human wench said so, brother." A young man, almost identical to Jareth, with long, coppery red hair walked in, sneering at us. "Who's the girl?"

"This is-"

"My name is Ravyn. Who are you?"

"I am Pyriel, the fire demon. Pleased to meet you, my lady." He admired this girl's spirit. If she was Jareth's pet for this century, she certainly knew who he was, and what he would do to her the first chance given. One look at his older brother's face indicated there would be no chance.

"Nice to meet you too, can we skip the pleasantries, I'm not a lady. Let's get that straight. You're a fire demon? That's interesting. Why are you here?"

"Because," drawled a voice behind Jareth and me, "my two brothers and I wanted to visit our oldest brother."

"And," hissed a voice like a snake's, "to see his new pet." I was not a pet.

"Who on Earth is he talking about Jareth? Because, milord, I am not your pet, or anyone else's."

"That's good, because I didn't consider you to be one."

"Good, now that that's settles, who are you two?" I snapped. Jareth rested a hand on my shoulder.

"I am Venom." The snake-like teenage-looking boy whispered.

"Great. And you?" I asked, pointing.

"Lucifer." I arched an eyebrow. It must be my trademark expression.

"Uh-huh. Right. Well, if you'll excuse me, I was about to read a book. Bye." I sat down with "Jane Eyre" and began to read. I was so absorbed, I didn't notice Lucifer and Pyriel lead him away, distracting him with conversation. I read on, and then a cold, reptilian hand caressed my cheek. I jumped up, panicky. It was Venom. My eyes darted around, searching for Jareth. Where was he?

"He's other wise detained, my lady. Poor little birdy, all alone. Her love has left her to the wolves. A pretty package in satin skin." With that, he lunged at me, knocking me onto the table on my back. Straddling my hips, he pushed my arms above my head, and covered my mouth. "Pretty little bird. What do you taste like?" Opening his mouth slightly, I saw acid green saliva dripping from his teeth. "Tasty little bird, pretty little bird." He bent to kiss me. I shut my eyes, let out a cry, and then he stiffened.

"Venom, little brother, I have an iron blade against your throat. Want to taste that instead?" Slowly, he climbed off, and Jareth threw him into the wall. I sat up, jumped off the table, and slid to the floor with a moan. Jareth walked over, transforming. Wrapping his wings around me, he raged, "Get out of my castle!" Three shadows darted along the floor and glided out the window. That was farewell to the Demonic Trio. Or, so I thought.