Chapter Seven
Eyes openly stared at the standing Dark Prince. The shadows had fully cleared, allowing them their first view of the Dark Prince. He had creamy ivory skin, dark gold locks with streaks of brimstone red. His bright yellow-greeneyes crinkled at the edges as they gleamed with hunger, watching them closely. His predatory aura was emphasisedwith his stealthy grace as he strolled towards them, forcing his smoky grey clothing to ripple against his lithe form.
But it was the charcoal black, red trimmed cloak that really caught their attention. It flowed from his shoulders and around his back, moving ofits own accord. To them, if they hadn't known it was a cloak, they would have thought the man really had wings. And then something caused them to all jump back in sudden fear. A set of fangs had been flashed at them in an eerie smile, furthering their suspicions thatsomething unhuman holding them captive.
"You're not human!" Ron blinked. For the first time it wasn't he who uttered something stupidly obvious. For the first time since knowing her, Ron couldn't believe it was Hermione who uttered such a phrase. For the first time he actually had a thought. They had already knew about him not being human. After all, the man did say something about being of Fallen Angel's blood.
Daemon laughed heartily, his chuckles evident in his tone as he eyed the shocked gazes directed towards the insolent girl, "But of course not, child." Hermione openly glared at the title, "This is Hell. Nothing human can survive its deadly paths. Mortals are weak, not able to stomach the hellish torture I approve."
For the first time since she arrived, Hermione lost her composure, whimpering as she shuffled away a few steps. "W-what are you!"
"I am an Angelic Demon. The very first but surely not the last if father has his way. Father was a Fallen Angel. My mother a Demon, a passing fancy to father's lecherous desires. Oh, father loved seducing innocent maidens and immortal beauties. But he had to also satisfy the carnal delights of pain and torture, fatal cravings to such creatures he would seduce. Therefore, he would turn his fatal attentions to the demons created in Hell."
"You seduced Professor Snape! You're no better than Voldemort or your father!"
A pale hand flashed through the air, striking the rebellious Hermione. Her head snapped to one side as she crashed to the floor. Theleft side of her face exploded in fiery pain, tears blurring her vision as blood trickled from her nose. She held a trembling hand to her face, staring up from her fallen position as Ron cried out in concern, hurrying to her side. "Hermione!"
Daemon snarled, as he lowered himself to her eye-level, uncaring ofthe worried redhead's presence. "As you mortals are fond of saying, 'three strikes and you're out.' You try my patience one too many times, child. So far, I have been willing to allow you to repent. But you have failed each time. I do not go back on my word, child. You shall see."
Ron helped a trembling witch to her feet as Albus spoke to her softly, "We have been lucky, Ms. Granger." She could only nod.
"Ah, my Dragons. Come." Daemon allowed his attentions to be distracted for the moment.
Draco sneered at his rivals, "Found the floor appealing, Mudblood?"
"Now, now, my Silvery One. Hold your tongue. I would hate to lose such..." Daemon paused as he searched for the right word, "sarcastic beauty."
Ron snickered behind his hand, sneering at the blushing blond, "Sounds like the snake's been consorting with daddy's Masters."
Draco flushed brighter, "Shut it, Weasel!"
"Down, Silvery One. Come. Aide your father." Ron swallowed as Daemon's deadly glare turned upon him, forcing him to remember Hermione was already on the man's torture list. "As you put it, consorting with me can be seen as an honor. But I have my life-mate. I have no need for others. Nor do my followers consort with Masters they do not belong to. I'd hold my tongue, boy, unless you wish to be holding it."
"Forgive them. Rivalries can be astounding between schoolmates."
Daemon's glare deepened as he faced the Headmaster, not liking the cheerful tone. "How well I know. I was in your school. So many students turning against a select few. And no one to protect them. You turned your back when one almost died."
Albus froze, swallowing hard, losing all cheerfulness before the stares of his fellow Order members. "I..."
"Don't. You wanted to protect a werewolf. In doing so, you allowed the possible death of an innocent to pass in order to preserve a wolf." Remus flinched as the Dark Prince continued to berate Albus, "My Faithful One did not know that Severus was not a true follower, even if he was marked by the so-called Dark Lord. But your wolf would have been safe. After all, he was the mate of my Faithful. I would have taken him to live here."
Quietly, Albus tried to rectify the past, "We didn't know."
"No. You didn't. You only saw what you wanted. Nothing else mattered. Not if it wasn't part of your vision."
