Aeva’s Challenge – II

A tale of angels, demons and dragons…

For a moment there was shocked silence, then the Fighters turned as one entity and looked at the slight grey-clad figure. She opened her robe and dropped it to the floor before turning her back and sliding her undervest down to expose her shoulder blades and the deep irregular scars where her father’s obsidian knife had sawn away her wings.
To her surprise, the largest of the Fighters stepped forward and picked up her robe – settling it about her body with huge, but almost unimaginably gentle hands. He turned her to face him, and bent the knee.
“Ego sum servus tuus.”
The other Fighters followed suit, bending the knee and vowing themselves to Aeva’s service. Until only one was left. Holding himself aloof. His mouth was set in a thin line and his eyes glittered with anger.
Aeva looked at him.
“I am the creature of one Master. I will not swear servitude to any other.”
“Very well then, you are discharged from this detail.”
He glared at her. “You do not have the authority to dismiss me.”
“I do. And I just have.”
The Fighter made to grab her, and she laughed before grasping the hand that would have compelled her obedience if it could. She adjusted her grip and the male’s face grew pale under his blue skin. Aeva squeezed a little tighter and he fell to the floor in obvious agony. Letting go of his hand she looked down into his face.
“I truly am an Invigilator, you fool. Disrespect me at your peril.”
She turned her back and his hand came out, quick as a snake. He grabbed her ankle and made to twist the foot. Aeva sighed and put one slender finger on his head. He fell unconscious. She looked at the band of Fighters.
“Who leads?”
The giant who had replaced her robe took half a pace forwards and bowed his head as if awaiting punishment.
“I command this detail, my lady. I would apologise for that one.”
“Pfft. A creature of my father’s, no doubt, and of little account. There is no blame. But. Can you vouch for the rest of your detail?”
“I can. I would trust them with my life.”
“Would you trust them with my life?”
They faced each other in the Chamber of the Guardians, a slender female figure with the shaven head of an Invigilator and the perfectly aristocratic features of a high-caste demon, and a hugely muscled Fighter whose square-jawed face spoke of integrity alongside strength. Ironic grey eyes locked with compassionate brown and Aeva smiled.
“I guess you would at that. Now perhaps you would be kind enough to tell me what duty my beloved parent set upon you before he sent you here.”
“None, lady. My Fighters and I were simply sent here. The only unusual thing was the inclusion of an extra body. Him.” The big male indicated the unconscious figure with a jerk of his chin.
Aeva grimaced. “Lord Lucifer. Would you be kind enough to look in that one’s head?”
Before the dark lord had chance to even come close to the unconscious Fighter, another of their number spoke.
“It does not serve our Master that one. I have seen it before and it is a creature of the demoness Ishta.”
After he spoke, the silence in the chamber was such that it scraped against the nerve endings. Aeva broke that silence, although she could hear the strain in her own voice she said that which needed saying.
“The female to whom my father gifted my wings.”
In an instant she found herself surrounded by a ring of steel and corded muscle.
“Abomination.”
Voice after voice around the Chamber of Guardians took up the refrain and The Guardians hissed as Lucifer eyed them all bleakly. He seemed to be fighting some sort of internal battle as all sorts of lumps, bumps and eruptions were happening under his gleaming golden skin. Then he bulked his shoulders dangerously and made a hooking motion with his left hand. For a second, nothing happened, then a portal opened in the insubstantial air and a screaming, fighting, swearing creature was pulled through onto the Chamber floor. She, for the creature was a demoness, sat up. She happened to be facing away from her Master who had so abruptly summoned her.
“Who dares touch a creature of The Dark Lord?” The voice was harsh and truculent.
Lucifer said nothing, but his eyes must have been burning holes in her back, as she turned around slowly. When she realised where she was some of her bluster left her.
“Dark Lord.” Now her voice was honeyed and dripped sensuality.
Aeva laughed, and the demoness’ head snapped around as if it was on a spring.
“You,” she hissed and bunched her muscles to spring.
“Sile (be still),” Aeva spoke quietly, but with the full authority of her status and the demoness stopped moving.
Lucifer frowned, but the Inquisitor was not to be intimidated.
“She lives, Dark Lord. Considering that which she bears on her back I would be within my rights to stop her breath.”
“If those are indeed your wings, you do have that right.”
“Oh yes. Those are the wings stolen from my body. I feel them call.”
“Don’t listen to her Dear My Lord. She is just a jealous half-blood who nobody wants.”
Lucifer looked at his creature for a moment before reaching out a hand. The stiff figure of the demoness slid across the floor to where her master stood. He put a hand on her forehead and she seemed to shrink into herself. It took but a moment for a Lucifer to read her memories and when he had made himself cognisant of the facts he slapped the demoness across her face. She screamed a high and tearing scream so he slapped her again.
“Deceit is not permissible. You lied to me. And I indulged you because it amused me so to do. It no longer suits my purpose.” The female cringed and Lucifer laughed at her fears. “Belphegor,” he called, “attend your master.”
The bang and smell of sulphur were as nothing compared to the hulking bestiality of the creature who stood in the centre of the place staring adoringly at his master from muddy yellow eyes. Lucifer smiled and the creature bent the knee.
“Belphegor, you have long been wishful of taking a mate have you not?”
“I have.” The demon’s voice was thick with unrequited lusts and the love of pain. It scraped on Aeva’s nerves like talons on a chalkboard, but she knew when to keep her mouth shut and this truly was one of those times.
Lucifer smiled, but it was a smile that spoke of agony and degradation. He pointed a finger at Ishta. “Behold your mate. You may do with her as you will. Except that you may not kill her.”

Aeva’s Challenge by Jane Jago will continue next week