Chapter 11

Sleep went uneasy. No matter what I tried, I just couldn't seem to get rid of my dreams. It got worse when I actually imagined something poking me and calling my name. Though it didn't take long for me to realise that something was really poking me. Opening my eyes sleepily I could see a faint yellow glow.

"About time you got up. I've been trying for a long time kiddo."

At the tone of that raspy voice, my sleepiness is gone and I can see a strange and greyish thing sitting on my chest. I don't know what it is, but it looks familiar. Big horns and even bigger ears. Tons of earrings, a silly grin and those yellow flames. I can't help myself. I scream. Immediately two little claws grab my mouth.

"Shh, you want to alarm every guard in town?"

I can feel my eyes going wider than ever. It…just…talked. I have to be dreaming, this isn't real. But as the claws put a slight pressure on my mouth I have to face reality. It looks at me with those creepy eyes.

"I'm going to let go now, but you have to promise not to scream…All right?"

Before I can nod, heavy footsteps are coming towards the door. Speaking a strange language the thing looks distressed. He glares at me and growls one thing before disappearing in thin air.

"I'm not here do you understand? One word about me and you're a goner."

A knock at my door and Creton's worried voice. Without waiting for an answer he enters my room. I look at him, hoping it's a normal expression and not the one of shock and horror I've been wearing ever since I noticed the thing on my bed. Strangely enough, even though it's gone, I can still feel its weight on my chest.

"Are you ok? I heard you scream."

"I'm fine, just a nightmare."

Instead of leaving he enters and closes the door. Why won't he leave? Why is he sitting on my bed? He's putting his hand on my forehead and I can feel the strange weight on my chest move towards my legs. Maybe this is just a really realistic dream. One where invisible things are walking on me and Creton actually cares.

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

I really wish I could say no, but something stops me. Maybe, just maybe if I tell him about the nightmare I had earlier, he'll tell me what really happened. In faint hope I tell him about the voices and the pain. But all I get out of him is a look of pity. He knows more, I know he does. Frustrated I ask him why I'm kept in the dark for the hundredth time that day. He looks at the door, obviously thinking hard. I hope it hurts.

"Benjamin forbade me to tell you anything. He's coming here tomorrow. To discuss things with you. I assume he wanted to be the one to tell you everything."

"But why can't you tell me in advance? To soften the blow?"

"As much as I'd like to, I think it's for the best if you speak to Benjamin tomorrow. Good night."

Aargh, if there is ever a prize for 'best avoider of a subject' in the world it would go to Creton. If I knew how I would've cursed him then and there. But as soon as he leaves the thing appears again. Startled I try hard to suppress the scream that's ready in my throat. It seems pleased that I don't make a sound.

"Look kiddo, I'm not here to hurt you. As much as I hate it, I was assigned to you. The name's Pagrin."

"Wow, wait, what?"

The thing…Pagrin sighs. It seems like he really hated whatever he was doing.

"I'm Pagrin, an imp." Seeing my confusion the…imp…sighs even harder. "Oh boy, they couldn't have sent me to someone more intelligent?" I hear him mutter under his breath as he rubs one hand through his hair. Well at least I think it's hair.

"To put it in easy language, I'm a demon from the netherworld. A small, unappreciated, demon that has to do all the dirty jobs without getting anything back for it. You get it or is it still too hard?"

I shake my head. Something told me this thing was bitter and very easy to upset.

"Good. At least we got that over with. Just like every other imp that makes the oath we get sent to the human world to guide, help and serve new children of the shadow. This means you. Do you understand?"

I nod, though slightly annoyed that he still treats me as a child.

"Do you have any other questions kiddo?"

"Eum, yes…How did you know where or who I was? How do you know that I'm a servant of the shadow? How come you can talk? Why aren't your flames burning the sheets?"

The imp holds out his little claws and orders me to slow down. I couldn't help it. I mean, how would anyone else react when they suddenly have a self-proclaimed imp in their bedroom saying they are now their servant?

"One, the netherworld knows everything about their children. I know because your aura has been tainted, not to mention the scars on your hands and the fact that you went into a warlock lair and both sides lived. I can talk because I'm a demon, believe it or not. And I'm not burning anything because I don't want to. Anything else?"

"What do you mean my aura is tainted?"

"Must've been pretty bad if you don't remember anything. Look here kiddo; everyone has a chance of getting their aura tainted. But the netherworld only notices those who have the traits to become warlocks. Because their aura has always been a little darker than the average mage, warrior or priest. Having your aura tainted means your body becomes more adaptable to shadow. I'm not saying untainted mages can't become warlocks, but they have a harder time casting at first. At least until their body has gotten used to it."

"So, you're stuck with me now?"

"Yup kiddo, well, at least until you die. And believe me when I say the life expectation of a known warlock is very low."

"Well, that's comforting."

"Hey, I'm here to help and guide you, not to comfort."

"I'm not known yet, so you don't have to stick with me."

"Sorry kiddo no can do. Once an imp is sent to the human world, they can only be sent away by their masters."

"Ok…how do I do that?"

"You can't. You're just a rookie; it'll take you at least a week before you can even curse someone properly."

"I can curse someone?" Score. Maybe this warlock business was not so bad after all. Well besides the whole low life expectation and having an imp follow you around the entire time thing.

"Yes, and don't worry kiddo, as long as you're not known as a warlock you wont see me out in public, though I'll be with you all the time."

"How?"

"I just do my little trick."

And before he had even finished his sentence he had disappeared again. Though I could feel the weight on my chest. I couldn't help but be creeped out. How was I going to know for sure this Pagrin wouldn't be invisible and watching me when I was changing clothes or going to the bathroom? He must've seen my look change to horror because he laughed creepily.

"Don't worry; you'll be able to see me in a day or so. Just a lot more see through and you'll be the only one."

Without warning Creton entered the room. It scared the living hell out of me. Thank god Pagrin was hidden or the poor thing wouldn't have lived.

"Who are you talking to?"

"I was probably muttering in my sleep."

"With two voices?" Shit…I can't risk him finding out about the demon.

"Eum…I do voices?"

He looks unconvinced, but I guess his need of sleep wins over the urge to question me. All he does is grunt and tell me to go to sleep. Benjamin would be here first thing in the morning.

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Ouch, I'd hate to wake up and find an imp in my bed. I know warlocks don't just 'get' their imp. They need to get this book out of a camp with 3 bandits. I remember sneaking through it while another guy was killing the bandits hehe. Boy was that a long time ago.

Well, Benjamin's going to have a little chat with our little warlock. But not just bout the whole 'finding her in the woods molested' thing, but also about all the bling bling her parents left her. Let's just hope she can stay awake during his speech and Pagrin hidden for the two paladins.

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