I had returned to my room, but sleep was not on the agenda. I wanted to know why I had seen that man twice in my dreams. I pulled the teleportation crystal out of my bag, thinking of Thoth as I closed my eyes. The air shifted and the smell of stale windless air filled my nose.
I looked up to him, his still body was like a statue. "Thoth?"
The stones rubbed together as he moved. "You came sooner than I had expected."
"I was not sure how soon was too soon, but I kept thinking about you, so I came by."
"I am touched." He wiped a non-existent tear away. He laid his head on his arms at the edge. I climbed up next to his face, leaning against him.
I told him what happened after I left, and he confirmed another Demon had been down there, but he was not worth the time to reveal himself. I laughed and went into what I was up to after I woke up. The things I had learned and the new things I could do. I then told him about the dreams I had of Derkila without revealing the name, as well as scenery.
"Sounds like Derkila's castle, and he did have a younger sister. Though she passed away just before he came to Babyls. He talked about how it was not fair, and that it all would be different if she were not born of a half human half demon." My hunch was right.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, the combination is ruff on the offspring. Those who survived were more violent like I had stated before. Evil cycles became more prevalent as humans are more impulsive. He had a hate for humans for sullying the demon's race and blood with their genetics as well as use for word magic. Derkila eradicated humans and stopped wars with just his body.
When the smoke cleared, he and Naberius Somya implemented a border patrol to keep them out and send them back if they ever were to cross. His hope was that the ranking system would weed out the impure demons enough to create a stable demonic world with less sickness.
The redder the blood, the closer to human the demon is, and the weaker, frailer they are. Heart problems, cancer, and other human issues are prominent among them. Demons used to have thick dark red, almost black blood. They never had sickness, or any ailments and lived long fruitful lives."
I had heard that name before, that was why the two were painted together and hanging in Narnia's castle. Sickness and weakness, Kerio came to mind, he was supposed to be a sickly and weak demon. He was unable to move past the rank of Bet and was only at Bet because he had a brain.
"Wow, this world has such a rich history."
He smiled and nodded. "It does, and I know it all."
"I will never doubt your statement."
Thoth had spoken about how demons are mixed nowadays. I did not know how mixed. The blood had something to do with it, and Derkila was supposedly able to use blood magic. What if he was the last pure demon, accounting to his size and power it was possible.
I could only assume his hatred for humans was accounted for by what happens to the mixed children. His sister being the root of it all. Why did he not hate her though? She was half and half, weak and sickly. He could very easily kill her and move on with his life.
"I see, well I do have to get back before they notice I am gone."
If Thoth did not know much of his sister, then she really was insignificant to this world. His only knowledge of her was from a he said standpoint. Should I care about this or leave it be. I got up, teleporting back to the room Narnia had given me.
"What a neat trick." I flinched, looking up to Narnia.
"You know, it can be frowned upon to be in a Ladies room at night."
"Just where did you go off too? Do you normally sneak around?"
"I wasn't sneaking, I have permission to go wherever I want."
"You are in my care; the servants assigned to you came in to check, and you were nowhere to be found. If you must go somewhere at least give notification."
"I was gone maybe thirty minutes; do you have someone watching me around the clock. I had questions, you did not have the answers. I went home for a moment, fed Zve, and came back."
He clicked his tongue, getting closer. "Get some sleep, we will be testing your skills tomorrow." He pinched a nerve in my neck, and the world grew black.
The sun was bright, even in the shade the heat felt unbearable. Housekeepers fanned me, but I was still sweating. Tea and cookies were laid out on the table, and I was proud of the spread. I spent the morning putting it all together. The Gazebo was massive, all the chairs too big for me.
"Violetta, when they asked me to come to the garden, I thought you might have been hurt. What's all this?" Derkila sat across from me, his size made more since in this gazebo than me.
"You always do things for me, and I wanted to do something for you. I made all this myself." I poured a large cup for him, and it lifted from the table to his hands.
"Thank you." He sipped the tea.
"I have something for you."
"This is more than enough to make me happy."
"Nonsense." I pushed a small box towards him, my arms were short, but he reached closer for me.
He opened the box. "Earrings?" He held one up by the gold loop.
"No silly. Here, I'll help you." I got up, my body feeling like it weighed a ton.
He picked me up, setting me in his lap. "Carful, I could have gotten up."
I tapped him on the chest, taking one of the red tassels from the box. "I am fine. Let me see your horn." He leaned his head down towards me and I lopped it around his horn. "Like this."
"I like it, do you mind doing the other side." He turned his head and tilted his horn down, and I looped the second around. "Now, I will never take them off." He rubbed the top of my head.
"Derkila, why are you wasting time here with her?" Our heads turned; another female Demon slightly taller than he stood in the archway.
"I was walking by and decided to take a break where tea and cookies were laid out."
"You need to get back to training, don't sullying your time with her. Go, now."
"Yes mother." He stood with me in his arms.
"Leave the bastard child behind." Tears streamed down my cheeks.
"Deri, I am scared." I held tightly to him.
"Why, so you can scold a child who has done no wrong because she is not yours? Father will hear about this." He started walking away.
"You cannot protect a mix blooded child forever. Her human mother didn't even survive the birth."
"I will never forgive you until you change."
"Me? We have kept our bloodline pure, never mingling with light blood's. Regardless of if they are half mixed with us."
Deri tightened his arms around me, as he walked down the path. "It is not your fault for how you were born. You smile and laugh regardless of your stature and the hardships your life has shown you. I hope you never lose that smile."
"You better always smile and enjoy life; I know I won't be here much longer."
"Don't talk like that, you'll live to be an adult." But in my heart, I knew I would not.
"My Lady, wake up." I was nudged and swatted the hand away.
"A little longer Opera, I'm tired."
I was nudged again. "Sorry my Lady, Narnia told me to wake you for breakfast." How should I play this, cute and sleepy or suddenly awake and frantic.
"Narnia." I jolted up. "Food." Make them even, though I was more excited for breakfast.
The housekeeper giggled a little in her throat. "He said you should wear this, as you are to be training. She held up a basic black halter top and pants. I touched my ears, checking for my suppressants. He had remembered to have someone remove them and replace them with the earplugs.
I rubbed my neck, what did he do to me to make me sleep that hard? I felt rested, but not at the same time. The mana felt restored, but mentally I was exhausted. I changed on my own and pulled my hair back half up. Hopefully breakfast will be better than dinner last night.
While I like that Kalego was realizing. The anger of him turning against me was there, and I was not the most forgiving person. I had more leniency to Eli then everyone else combined. I should forgive him, but the look of disgust on his face was imprinted on my mind.
That dream last night was another thing, I felt a little mental fatigue from it. Another possible memory or was I finally going crazy. That was three now, one for each time I slept. One happy, one sad, another I was happy but also afraid of that woman.
A bastard child, which would fall under the category: insignificant. There may be no record of her anywhere. The more I saw the more I wanted to know these two, but they were memories that did not line up. Violetta gave him the red tassels in the third dream, but in the second he had them already.
Derkila talked about forgiveness, but only if his mother changed. Kalego had changed, should I extend that forgiveness to him? Why was my mind all over the place with him.
With all three he was there, so he had to have played a big role in her life, and her to him. He cried in the second dream. I pulled out a notebook, writing everything I could remember from each dream. While I did not know why it mattered, I knew it would in the future.
"My Lady, we should not be late."
"Two more minutes." I finished up the last dream, writing in detail all the words spoken.
"It's been three."
"Done. Let's go." They were already sitting at the table, all the eyes on me. I did not think I was that late. "Apologies if I kept you waiting."
Narnia gestured to the seat. "No, not at all. Please sit." The housekeeper pulled my chair out and scooted it in for me, all servants were excused to leave.
"Did you sleep well?" I looked at Narnia.
"I did." The dream was in my mind vividly, replaying over and over. "I am curious about something. This is open to anyone to answer, but do you think it is possible to live another life? Like you have a past life and then you live again in another time."
Questioning looks were exchanged around the table. Mostly between Kalego and Balam.
"If I may," I looked at Balam. "It is unknown, but there are claims and reports of demons who have claimed to have lived twice. Knowing certain details that others would not otherwise know. Sudden interest in afterlife?"
"Sort of, the spell depicted soul swapping. That was what started the string of thought. What if you move to another body when you die? One day, one year, or even a thousand years after you die. Who monitors this, how old are they? Is it based on how you lived? Can you remember a past life, how can you try?"
"Where you soul searching last night?"
I shrugged. "Something like that. It was fruitful, but it only led to more questions. Anyways, what training will I be doing today."
Narnia put a stone down on the table, which was mine. "This will be something you can do, even if I am away. I am also curious why you carry this around."
I picked it up. "It lets me teleport to places. It was a gift; it only works for me."
"There is no magic in this stone, it's just a big quart's gem."
"It works, it's what I use to get to places quickly, but I must have been there or see the location I want to go. I'll show you." I teleported behind Kalego, than crossed the room, and back to my seat.
"Right, this will not be allowed as you move around the halls. If want to be stealthy you will need a lot more than muffling your sound. Smell, sight, sound, touch; you must mask them all simultaneously. Here, this mask will complete the outfit. Put it over your nose and mouth and you will vanish."
He set up seven buttons in plain sight around his home all numbered one through six and I would have to tap them in the right order. The sequence would change if I finished the task or if I were caught. The last one would always be in his office, which would be my reset area. He supplied me with a map, but this would be taken after the first round.
"One more thing. May I see your wrist?"
"Uh, sure." He placed a cuff on my wrist.
"This is to ensure you are treated fairly. This will only go off when someone has found you and clicks the button within three feet. Anything more than that will not count. Housekeepers, servants, and now Kalego and Balam will all have one.
Oh, another thing, if you are caught a shock will be sent to the bracelet, intensity will increase every time you are caught. I have the key. Here is the first sequence of numbers."
Three, five, four, six, two and one. He handed me a spray bottle; it was like the one Raim used to cover my scent after we had festivities. No smell, no sound, and disappear. Last thing is to not touch anything. I finished breakfast, left the table and raised my mask. Outside the room I sprayed myself.
This was up and down the hallways and on different levels. I followed the map, taking in the scenery. I had to memorize as much as I could, and then remember where they were the next time. A housecleaner turned the corner, and I pressed up against the wall, placing a sound barrier. She hummed to herself, passing by.
I never felt so anxious to not be caught. Maintaining the barrier, I continued down the hall and up the stairs. First stop was button three somewhere down this hall. Every door was closed, I looked both ways before entering the room. Several rooms later, I found what I was looking for in a library.
A remote the size of half my palm, with a small button laid on the table. It glowed with the number three on top. I pressed it and the light went out. Simple enough. I looked around the shelves, the doors opened and closed. Footsteps approached from behind. I slinked away to a new isle.
A man was looking for book, his board expression as he read the titles. Dressed in black pants and button up shirt. His vest had a black background, embroidered heavily with a deep red pattern. A tie around his neck matching the embroidery. His black hair pulled into a neat bun, red horns curved down and back.
He pushed his glasses up and picked up a book and walked away. He walked to the front of the library, and he looked down at the number three button. Then around the room. Shoot, was there another exit? He shrugged, then snapped his fingers. What was he doing?
He sat down in front of the button, reading. I looked at the map. An exit was on the second floor. What was that snap about; did he already know I was here? I was not about to expose myself to find out. Later when this is over.
I watched him over the banister, he turned the pages silently, writing things down. I wondered what his job was here, I turned. The door up top opened, and Kalego came through. He shut it behind, Looking all around the second level.
He took steps around the tables, growing closer. A loud noise came from one of the book isles, and he diverted his attention to downstairs. When he was down the steps, I snuck out the door. That was much too close for comfort. He knew the order of the numbers; he must be hunting.
This little fox just slinked away. Five was not far off, I left the door open. Tapped the button, then left as fast as I could, closing the door. Housekeepers came from the left and I walked there way. They peeked in the room, and gasped. They looked around, but they shrugged.
Five was a study on the third floor close to the library. Four was the kitchen, six was out in the garden. Two, the music room, last to find was one. I passed the painting of Derkila and Somya. I looked both ways, then tiled the painting a hair to see if anyone would notice and fix it.
One was in the grand entry way, all places located. I picked it up, flipping it over in my hands. Such a simple game to play. Setting it down, I made my way to Narnia's study. The only room not marked with a dot on the map. I would have to find this one on my own.
I listened to every room; no sound giving anything away. A lady pushed a cart with tea and cookies on top. That looked like it might lead to somewhere. I walked next to her, she opened the door with her magic, and I slipped in the second it was wide enough for me to squeeze through.
I turned sharply to the left to allow her to enter without hitting me. She was sure to close the door directly behind her. "Where should I leave it, Lord Narnia?"
"The table is fine." He spoke without looking up. The button was on his chest, over his heart.
"You think she will be here soon?"
"If she were smart, she would have looked at all the rooms along the way. Unfortunately, she is probably back tracking at this point. She flew through the test without reading between the lines."
I was personally offended. I investigated the rooms, but this woman led me here. I walked around his desk, hitting the button on his chest with force. His hand snatched my wrist, and I was yanked down and around. Landing in his lap. His hand pulled the mask down.
"Suppose I was wrong." He rubbed his chest. "I deserved that one."
"Just so we are clear, I looked. Walking next to her the whole way here. Servants don't bring servants tea and cookies on a cart, you're the only one not playing."
"Oh, my. I will go now. Enjoy Lady Violetta." She bowed, leaving the room.
"You can let me go now. This was a little much for a reaction."
"Are you sure? You broke this one." He let the crumpled button fall on the desk in pieces.
I looked down and huff laughed. "Did it hurt?"
"A little. My courting partner is so violent and mean."
I poked his chest. "Keep that in mind. I meant what I said."
He let go. "The tea was for you, not me. Enjoy the refreshment's and start again."
I was able to get up, and I had some tea, and a cookie. Narnia took the map and gave me a new list of numbers. Doing them out of order will restart my progress. I flew through them once more. Coming in the balcony doorway, tapping the button that now rested on the desk, lowering my mask.
"You learned as well as I. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks."
"I am not that old."
"According to Kalego you are." I chuckled, sitting on the couch, and pouring some tea.
"I am a young Seventy-three."
I choked on my tea, whipping my face. "I'm sorry."
He sighed. "It is not that old, I am in my prime. Kalego Is Sixty-one."
I choked again. "I'll by you a walker. I'm only twenty-seven."
He blinked. "How long do humans live?"
"Seventy's, if they are lucky. Some do not make it that long, dying earlier like in the forties, fifties, and sixties. More sickly humans can die as young day one."
"That is rather unfortunate length of time."
"It is, what is really dumb, is retirement is set at sixty-five. You work until you die, and there is no time to really live."
"No more human talk, they sound like trash. Lilith was around fifty-nine or sixty, stick to that age if you wish to blend in better."
"Do you have a favorite color?"
"Black, and you?"
"Emerald, chartreuse, teal, and seafoam green. Mostly shades of green, but not the ones that look muddy. Something about it is calming to me." He gave me a new pattern. This time the button would be more hidden and out of sight.
I was in and out, but every time I hit a button there seemed to be a swarm of people coming to where I was. Weaving in and out of them was difficult. I had to either move faster or find a hiding place in each spot. I almost did not escape the library. It was like a flood of drones.