Chapter 4
I got out and dried myself and then walked to the closet with the towel around me.
"Just get behind that screen," the little boy informed me. As soon as I did, the screen sprouted many arms that grabbed the towel off me. I yelled and tried to get away, but the arms held me in place. Very quickly very lacy looking red underwear was put on for me and over that a corset that got pulled tight and left me almost breathless. Then a wine-red dress was pulled over my head. Even shoes were pushed onto my feet while other hands grabbed my hair and was doing something with it. More hands kept my head still while makeup got applied. Then suddenly all the hands let go of me and I got pushed out from behind the screen.
"Sorry, she can be a bit rough at times," the mirror apologised. Please come and have a look."
I walked over to the mirror and looked at my reflection. Was that me? My hair was piled on top of my head and had auburn curls cascading down with little jewels in. The wine-red dress left my arms and back exposed and pulled in at the middle to make my bust look bigger than it was. The low cut made me feel self-conscious. It then came out into a wide skirt with lots of little jewels on it that almost covered my feet. The black shoes had heels but were comfortable. I had black satin gloves on that covered my hands and arms up to the elbows. My make-up was done expertly and made my eyes look larger than usual.
"But...this is an outfit for going to a ball!" I objected.
"Well...you are going to a banquet tonight."
"What?!"
"Oh... the master didn't tell you?" the mirror asked, "whenever a demon...takes someone she or he has to be presented to the court so that everyone knows. That way there can be no...misunderstandings."
With "taking someone" she means my pretending to be Rael's, right?
"Master Rael is waiting for you," the brush came hopping in to tell us.
"He is?!"
My hand went to my chest instinctively. I felt too naked.
"You look lovely dear, just smile!" the mirror said. The next moment the carpet pushed me out of the closet. I stumbled and fell right into strong arms.
"Sorry!" I instinctively shouted as I quickly regained my footing and then looked up into Rael's face. He seemed just as surprised as I. He was wearing somewhat regal looking dark blue suit with silver trimmings and his sword was hanging on his hip. His hear was neatly combed and braided. He was looking very civilised, if you ignored the horns and the wings and the tail...
"You...look beautiful," he finally said and offered me his arm. I took his arm, but looked down to hide my embarrassment. Instead of leading me straight out the door that lead into the dimly lit corridor he asked me to wait a moment and disappeared into one of the usually locked rooms. Later he came back with a flat box. He opened it and it revealed a necklace and earrings made of beautiful dark red gemstones.
"I shouldn't," I instinctively said even though I very much wanted to wear it. It looked very expensive.
"Since you...are mine, I am allowed to adorn you aren't I?" he said as he took the necklace out and stood behind me to put it on for me. His hands felt cool and his fingers touched me neck very lightly. Then he gave me the earrings and I put them on.
"Now we can go."
The banquet was held in a hall larger than I've ever seen before. It had many pillars holding up the high roof and rows and rows of tables with all sorts of food spread out on it. A lot of noise could be heard from all the guests. I looked around and very quickly could see that this was a kind of a show-off gathering for the demons. Most demons had a human looking "companion". I noticed that the demons had different skin colours. Some were gold, some red, some white and many shades of grey, but very few as dark as Rael. I wondered if the colours meant anything or was it just a racial thing? Even under demon-kind some were uglier than others. Some had sharp teeth sticking out at weird angles or had strange body shapes. Every companion was very smartly dressed, but somehow I could still see terror in some of their eyes. Some demons were caressing and fondling their "companions" in ways that made me very uncomfortable. I have never been with a man and father couldn't talk to me about the facts of live. He asked me to take out a book on it which I eventually did. The ladies at the library had seemed just as uncomfortable about it and the book was quite vague, leaving me a bit confused. I looked away and tightened my grip on Rael's arm.
"I managed to find out that your father is indeed in the court. I will see if I can arrange for his freedom tonight," Rael whispered into my ear and I nodded. This news helped me relax a little bit, but I soon realised that the room fell silent as we walked pass. Many eyes were staring at us. My hearbeat quickened.
"So, our Rafael finally decided to take a companion?" a voice asked belonging to a red-skinned demon.
"Never thought that day would come!" I head another say.
A purple female demon slowly walked over. She was wearing a very tight and revealing dress and almost leaned against Rael.
"Though, my offer still stands. If you are ready to see what real pleasure is about," she said glaring at me after batting her eyelashes at Rael. I felt myself shrink back a little.
She then walked off swaying her hips seductively. She clearly had a thing for Rael. I hoped we could find my father soon so I could leave this place...
Rael pulled me closer to him.
"Thanks Serena, but I think I've got what I need right here," he said and then kissed me in my neck. I was surprised by the sudden gesture and instinctively pulled away from him.
"Still resisting, I see," another male demon was saying with a laugh, "they are fun when they are like that. Enjoy it as long as you can!"
Oh father...what did I get myself into?
We eventually sat down in our seats. Rael made sure that a human companion sat between me and the next demon. I noticed that some demons took liberties with other companions when their demon weren't looking... I very quickly realised that this place, the demon court, was all about pleasure. From eating and drinking, which they were doing in excessive measure here, to doing things that made me feel embarrassed to be here. The acts were slowly becoming more and more explicit as they got drunk. Rael also drank, but didn't seem to be affected much by the alcohol. He kept his arm around my waist, but didn't do anything else. Some demons became cruel and would order their companions to do cruel things. I shut my eyes and prayed that they would be delivered from evil soon. Then I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Annabelle!"
I opened my eyes quickly and saw my father. He looked shocked to see me here.
"What are you doing here?"
"Father! You're alive! I'm so glad!"
I had jumped up, but could not reach him on the other side of the banquet table. He looked at Rael and then back at me.
"Don't tell me you..."
His words were cut short. A demon smacked him right over the head.
"How dare you leave my side without permission!" the demon hissed. My father quickly bowed his head and apologised to the demon. It hurt to see my father in such a position. His eyes looked at me worryingly as he followed the demon to the other side of the room. I glared at the demon.
"Sit down!" Rael's voice ordered and he pulled me down forcibly. The scene had caused some disturbance, but soon the usual humdrum was back.
"Sorry..." was all I whispered. I kept quiet the rest of the night and drank a bit of the wine that Rael handed me earlier, but didn't eat anything. He didn't leave my side, but he seemed upset with me. Eventually the time came for the demons to depart. I let Rael lead me out and we eventually came to our door. Just then he pushed me against the wall.
"What are you...?" I asked, but his lips silenced the rest of my words. My arms were pinned so I couldn't move. I should be fighting him, but strangely I didn't want to...was it perhaps the wine? He suddenly pulled away.
"Don't draw more attention to yourself than necessary," Rael angrily whispered in my ear, "if one of the greater demons take an interest in you it could cause...problems."
"What do you mean?"
"The way you were glaring at him...those kind of things turns demons on."
"What?! I had no idea..."
"Just stop...resisting."
"Like just now?"
"Yes. That is a major turnoff."
He opened the door and let me in first. Was he trying to teach me? Why did he suddenly kiss me like that? I took off the jewellery and placed it in its box, trying to sort out my feelings about what had happened. I wanted to return it to Rael, but could not find him. Eventually I realised he was in the shower, so I put the box on his side table. There was only one bed in this place. I wonder where I was supposed to sleep? The screen in the closet helped me undress, and the mirror sounded disappointed that my lingerie wasn't put to use. I blushed beet-red just seeing myself in it. Then a short satin night dress with a matching panty was tossed at me.
"I can't wear that!" I objected.
"Sorry, that's all we have," the screen now spoke up in a miffed voice for the first time.
"What do you mean? There are all these rows and rows of railings...surely?"
"I said that's all we have!" the screen shouted, "you are leaving the closet in 10,9,8..."
I could see the carpet winding up.
"Wait! Let me dress first!"
I quickly pulled the satin dress over my head, just in time before the carpet kicked me out of the closet and the doors closed again.
What do I do now?! I desperately looked for something I could cover myself with, but couldn't find anything besides the duvet on the bed... I could hear the shower taps being switched off. What do I do?!
As a last resort I jumped into bed and turned on my side, pretending that I was already sleeping. I heard Rael come closer and pick up the box from his side table and then leave the room. He didn't come back for a while and eventually I really fell asleep.
The next morning I woke up alone. I assumed it was morning, in this place there was no way to tell. I wondered why Rael wasn't in bed? I cautiously got out. This satin dress barely covered my panty, how embarrassing! How could the closet do this to me?! The duvet would be too big and heavy to drag with me. Eventually I tip-toed and searched the other rooms and found Rael sleeping on a couch in the lounge. He had no shirt on, just some slacks. I couldn't help but to steal a peek at him. The wound on his stomach was pretty much healed – unusually fast for a human, but perhaps that was a demon perk? I could see it would leave a scar. His hair was quite a mess, but it didn't make him unattractive. I noticed something I hadn't seen before. On the left side of his neck there was a tattoo of a tree. I wondered what it meant? Was he perhaps under a spell like the pieces of furniture?
I returned to the closet and asked for something to cover myself with. The screen only gave me a satin robe to fold over, about a hand longer than the satin dress. Knowing I'm not going to get any further with them I went to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. I found an apron hanging on a hook and put it on. At least it covered my front up to my knee. I noticed that the ingredients in the fridge and cupboards were normal. So that had to mean that he eats the same food as a human? I fried bacon, mushrooms, tomato and eggs while the toast was doing. As I turned to get the butter from the fridge I realised that Rael was leaning against the doorpost watching me. He was wearing a now badly creased white shirt. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone as if it was put on in a hurry. His hair was still a bit messy – the classic just woke up look. I could see why he was so popular with the demon ladies...
"Good morning!" I said trying to sound cheerful and not too self-conscious at the same time.
"Good morning."
"I wasn't sure what you like so I'm just making a standard breakfast, is that okay?"
"Yes."
He watched me silently while I arranged the food on our plates.
"Shall we eat in the dining room?" I asked.
He nodded and took his plate from me and I followed him there. The table was one of those long ones that seated 10 people. Instead of sitting on the other end I went and sat next to Rael. He looked at me with a surprised expression.
"Sorry, should I sit somewhere else?"
"No, it's fine. I'm just surprised, that's all."
"Why?"
"I thought you didn't like me."
I almost choked.
"What? Why would you say that?"
"You pretended to be asleep last night, didn't you?"
"Oh..." I knew my face was turning red.
"It's...not what you think..."
I was still wearing the apron too. He probably thinks I'm trying to push him away as far as possible while I'm actually just trying to be modest around him. I don't understand my feelings. Who would feel attracted to a demon? Somehow I don't see him as a demon...
"I'm relieved..."
What did he meant by that? We ate our breakfast in silence and then Rael told me that he would go and see the demon who owned my father.
"Do you think he'd be willing to negotiate?" I asked worried.
"Every demon will...at the right price."
I wasn't sure what he meant with that and watched him while he girded his sword to his side. He was just about to leave.
"Wait!"
He paused and looked back at me.
"Please...be careful."
He nodded and closed the door behind him.
