So first, sorry this took so long. Got super distracted on my vacation.
Enjoy!
Trees of the forest snapped and cracked as fissures split the earth around them. Darkness incarnate swirled and crashed against the wood and oak as the dark being migrated deeper into the forestry. Unnatural whispers and hisses escaped the being, but the meaning was lost in the ancient tongue they spoke in. It approached a clearing and once inside the ringlet of now splintered trees, the darkness collected every last strand of writhing shadow and cocooned around the large form. After a short moment, the shell split and revealed the form of the demon Cain, or at least a figure that somewhat resembled him.
Legs bleeding of shadow lifted the demon several feet taller into the air and his white mane swirled and stirred as if alive. Two large horns saturated in the same shadow at his feet split the writhing hair and oozed dark vapor like mist that surrounded the demon. Red now stained the demon's entire eye and the large eyes watched as a claw like hand protruded from him.
Tendrils formed from the miasma of shadow and slashed the claw to ribbons, making the demon grunt. Blood began to pour from the demon's claw and fell into an unseen mold, revealing Cain's star like emblem beneath his feet.
"Lara, I summon thee. I ask that you come at once."
The symbol glowed in the dim moonlight and wind brushed against the demon's body, but the breeze brushed against dead space as it didn't stir any aspect of Cain. His hair continued its restless writhing and the vapor ignored the wind completely by sticking to its host. The forest grew even more silent, making the sound of leaves rustling about as loud as someone beating a blanket like mad. Cain growled and several shadow stained tendrils manifested to lash out at the trees overhanging him. Branches scattered the area and some resting wildlife squeaked and chirped in surprise, the little creatures making haste to vacate the area.
"BLOOD OF MY BLOOD, COME LARA!"
The silence stretched on.
The ground began to tremble as the demon growled, his red irises looking back at the faint outline of the estate, and jagged serrated teeth framed a grin.
"Women… this is why I have no time for them."
Stretching the limbs out back in front of him, he dug them into the air and ripped open a purple hued portal. A distorted image of flames and smog danced within the void and Cain sighed.
"Oh what now…" After one last glance at the estate, the demon stepped forward into the ember colored abyss.
Waves of scorching heat raked against the demon's flesh as flames surrounded him. What were once walls made of black stone now where piles of ash and debris. A patch of roofing crumbled as Cain began to chuckle, the sound echoing in an unnatural way as no walls contained the sound. He bent then and picked up a bundle of platinum that was done up in an aquamarine bow. Crimson stained the tips of the severed length of hair and Cain sighed, the sound almost pleasurable.
"What is a game without its challenges?" Cain brought the strands to his nose and confirmed his suspicion.
"Well, that would explain why she did not come... Now what did you do, Lara?"
Fire continued to crackle around him and floor bowed with pressure. Cain narrowed his eyes, watching the flame. This heat, it burned much hotter than the occasional flame the demon manipulated and there was only one who could render obsidian to ash. Where Cain was a demon of shadow, there was one that was the essence of heat and flame and only he could create such an intense fire.
Lucifer, the oldest and current first lord of hell.
"I suppose introductions are still in order, I never did declare my victory…" Shadows gathered around the demon's distorted feet and Cain sighed "Nevertheless, he owes me a new home for what he has done to mine."
Dim candlelight lit up the small room and the gentle light colored two forms sprawled out upon a small cot in the back corner. Pale skin peaked beneath a thick sheet as the two bodies stirred, a hand moving to caress the expand of flesh. A hiss sounded and another hand slammed down on the exploring limb.
"You said you were only going to look at it" Isabel's voice snapped, pushing the hand away from her exposed stomach. The man chuckled and his silver hair tumbled down, brushing against her flesh.
"Did I? I believe there have been many misunderstandings this night…" Issac tapped the emblem at her stomach and grinned "so it's a curse?"
"Yes, by what Lara said. It takes the course of three months to take effect, but signs start to show after the first month. It is then that I have agreed for Lara to come and collect me so she may experiment on treating me. That is why…" Isabel glared at the hand that continued to venture up her abdomen and she pinched the top of his hand "you need to focus. One month Issac."
Issac sighed and sat back in the cot, bringing a hand to rake through his hair "you knock at my door at the witching hour with an expression of helplessness and then crawl into my bed. Surely you can understand my disappointment."
"I do, but I don't care. Two completely different things."
The two glared at each other.
"Well, as it seems I cannot convince you otherwise, what is your plan."
Isabel finally smiled then and sat up, the blankets falling to pool around her stomach. She reached up then and ran a finger against Issac's jaw line.
"First, who hired you to investigate me?"
Issac's eyes widened and her smile deepened "oh, no denial?"
He sighed and grabbed her hand to move the contained limb to his mouth to brush his lips against her fingers.
"How long have you known?"
She didn't skip a beat "when you asked me for a job. I could tell you had ulterior motives, just wasn't sure exactly what at that point, but as the days passed and you seemed less and less worried about your previous contracts, I put that into perspective. If you weren't neglecting your job, then I could understand your carelessness."
He looked up over her fingers "are you going to have your pet eat me now?"
Isabel's eyes glimmered as emotion swam in her violet depths "he was never my pet, but a tool as I am to him. The end is nearing and I plan to make it a grand finale and I cannot obtain such a grand performance without your aid, Issac. So tell me, who was it?"
He maneuvered their hands so he could trap her fingers within his "so confident you are, Miss Crane. You have exposed all your cards. Did you ever consider that I might run off with you?"
She looked down at their hands and she shrugged.
"I've nothing to lose either way, but if Cain were to return only to find his long awaited prize executed, he may not let you have the estate and all of its profits."
Issac barked a laugh and he shook his head "you are so entertaining, I bet you prepped yourself for this little conversation."
Her cheeks flushed then and she looked away "you still haven't told me who hired you."
"If I don't tell you, are you going to pout?"
"I don't pout."
"I beg to differ."
"Are you going to help me or not?" Isabel snapped, her irritation rising. Issac bit his lip, evident he was holding back laughter.
"I think I would prefer to watch you pout."
He broke into laughter as Isabel pushed against him in order to leave the bed. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, shuddering out of amusment "it was-" a serious of giggles interrupted him before he was able to continue "-it was an order issued by the crown."
She stopped and looked over her shoulder "and those orders were?"
He sighed and allowed air into his lungs "sit back down, I'll cooperate."
She narrowed her eyes and Issac patted the space next to him. With an annoyed sound, she returned to the bed.
"On with it."
"My orders were simple, investigate Isabel Crane. Your success intrigued the king, and he is quite eager to have you within arms reach." The man grew sober "I was also instructed to use my better judgment if Crane Fashion should continue as well…"
Small hands glided against the man's chest and he watched with interest as Isabel circled his bicep.
"Oh, but good sir I have obtained such success with my own two hands, surely there is no crime in that?" A smile lined the lady's mouth as she looked up at him then, her eyes rich purple "but if his sire would want a tailor such as myself within the castle walls, who would I be to decline such an offer."
Issac's flirtatious demeanor returned as he went to grab the hand moving down his forearm "then I shall bring you to him at once." As he was about to grab the hand, she dodged and lifted herself from the bed, escaping him.
"I believe I have an old suit of Cain's that you'll fit almost perfectly. Wait here." She opened the door without hesitation and Issac laughed again, but the sound was more frustrated than merry.
"I will take you from him one day, you're far too amusing to waste on the likes of him."
Isabel smiled and her features reflected genuine delight "I'll hold you to that, Issac."
"My king, I apologize, but he would not listen!" A woman with the body of a serpent burst into a bedchamber and slithered over to a now parted couple. The two were laying on a bed near the back wall and a man looked over at the creature as crimson hair fell down his bare back.
"This better be good."
"Your palace is immaculate, I must say" The darkness in the room multiplied as shadows collected at the door frame and leaked in strand by strand. Red eyes formed in the center of the build up and met the gaze of the red headed man. "I suppose I will take it to replace my own, since all that remains of mine is ash."
A smile split the man's mouth and he turned to fully face the darkness "welcome to my palace, new lord of hell and how are you enjoying your sixth throne?"
The darkness swirled until white peaks manifested into Cain's normal choppy mane and soon he was back to his fully glamoured self. He walked forward, eyeing the decor "what would possess you to decorate with the color brown?"
Unnatural black eyes narrowed, but the smile still remained on the man's face "it is ember brown, it is a rich color that I enjoy. If it displeases you, then you may redecorate my estate at a later date. However, right now, I've a job for you."
Cain barked a laugh "you destroy my manor and are requesting favors of me?"
Black eyes considered Cain for several minutes before turning to the lady curled around him "Daeva, I will send for you later."
"Perhaps a later date" the woman sat up and leaned over to kiss the man's cheek. He grinned and cupped her face to offer one in return before she stood to leave. White eyes met Cain's next, and it was such an odd sight that he could only focus on the bright irises, regardless of the tempting flesh beneath them. Then, within a blink of his eyes, the woman vanished.
"Now then, without further distraction, perhaps we can sit down and have a proper conversation in the study? I will meet you there after I make myself more presentable" The man rose from the bed stark naked and walked over to a joining room, fire sparking to life around him before entering.
Cain growled and followed the man "Lucifer, I do not have time to play your ridiculous games!"
Lucifer paused at the doorway, fire swirling around him and he turned to glare at Cain with eyes stained black.
"Then I suggest you make time, Cain; as you have managed, in your short time of enthronement, to violate our code."
Cain snarled then, slashing his hand "I am of demon blood, I abide by no such code or foundation. Our race survives on power and manipulation-"
"I will NOT listen to your ignorant prattle, child of Baal." Fire shot from Lucifer's body and surrounded Cain within an instant. The shadow demon roared in pain and sank to his knees within the blazing inferno.
"We will talk, and we talk today."
To be continued.
See you all next chapter!
Thank you for the review, Azure, as always! :D