Page 42 of Dancing With Demons
“King Asmodeus,” Piper says, bowing low again. The Hooded One seems pleased with her sudden manners compared to their last meeting- as pleased as a faceless figure beneath a hood can seem, I suppose.
“Show me what you can do,” he demands, his tone somewhat bored. I’m surprised by the Hooded One’s lack of interrogation, but perhaps his disinterest in quizzing Piper is a good thing. It could mean he’s grown bored of pursuing Piper for her powers, and all of this will be over soon.
Eth’tak and I bow our heads and back away from Piper, giving her space for her demonstration. As soon as Eth’tak and I are a respectable distance away, Piper begins the routine we’ve practiced tirelessly.
One second, she’s standing in the center of the room- the next, she’s stepping out of the shadows behind one of the zonak at the door. The zonak barely has time to jump at her sudden proximity before she’s gone again, back at the foot of the dais. She repeats this a few times, moving between realms to different parts of the room only to disappear into shadow once again, until her point is proven.
Piper reappears in the center of the throne room, and with a dramatic flourish of her hands, conjures a whispering wind that picks up around her feet, the edge of her dress pulling this way and that. A tornado begins to take shape in the center of the room, its maelstrom winds contained to the center of the throne room, the tapestries on the walls undisturbed despite the mammoth tempest undulating before us.
Piper allows the tornado to linger for a second before it begins to solidify from the bottom up until it is no longer a living force of nature, but a beautifully rendered marble statue, detailed beyond all imagining.
With a clench of her fist, the marble crumbles into a fine sand, and is blown away in a phantom breeze. Piper turns back toward the Hooded One, who is leaning forward in his throne, and bows again.
“Impressive,” the Hooded One murmurs as he looks Piper over, the pleasure in his voice sending cold dread sliding down my spine.
“I think your abilities warrant a true test of skill, girl. Bring out some fodder for her to fight,” he snaps at the zonak by the door, who scurries out after a hasty bow. Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m stepping forward, dropping to a knee before the Hooded One my mouth moving faster than my mind.
“Surely you don’t mean to have her fight a demon, Hooded One,” I say as differentially as I know how. The temperature in the room drops several degrees, and everything seems to go stiller than would be natural.
“You dare question me?” he hisses from the top of the dais. My blood turns to ice at his tone- many demons have been killed for far less, but the idea of Piper facing a demon to satisfy some sick whim keeps me from backing down entirely.
“Of course not, My King,” I murmur to the ground, “I only ask out of concern. She is yet untried against an opponent.”
“Your failure as a teacher does not warrant coddling on my part,” he responds, his tone nothing but ice. I nod, returning to my feet and backing away from the dais, unable to meet Eth’tak or Piper’s eyes.
No matter what, if Piper is in danger, I won’t stand idly by- even if it means my death.
20
Ulstrath
Iroar as I strike the opponent in front of me, ducking under one blow thrown at me and slamming my open palm into the ribs of another. With a swipe of my legs, three opponents are down, and it takes me two more blows and a dodge to take down the other two.
I throw my hands up, grinning widely as I spin around to look at the other demons gathered. Time and time again I’ve proven how well I can fight. I’m growing well known for my skills, and when I spot a soz’garoth lingering at the edge of the ring, I think that it’s finally reached some of the more influential demons.
“Ulstrath!” The demon announces as I stride toward him. “Your presence is required in the throne room immediately.” Then, he turns and leaves as I freeze, his words hitting me hard.
I had hoped for so long…but I never thought this day would come.
Maybe Tolmond did this for me.
The thought comes unbidden, but then I realize that he could have. He’s been slowly coming around to me, and we’ve started to get along. Or at least I think we have. Or maybe Piper pushed him to advocate for me.
With my head held high, I throw a smirk over my shoulder at the other demons watching and strut out of the fighting ring. I take a moment to set my weapon aside and wipe myself clean before ascending to the throne room.
My heart thunders with excitement as the doors swing open before me. I still can’t believe that all my dreams are about to come true, that I’ll finally be elevated! It’s been a long time coming, and I drop to a bow before the King, trying to keep the enormous smile out of my face.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tolmond and Eth’tak. Equal parts intrigue and dread shoot through me. I want to think that Tolmond has come around on me, but he and Eth’tak have never been my biggest fans. Still, I won’t let their presence damper my mood.
“You may rise.”
I nearly leap to my feet in a bout of excitement, and before I can stop myself, the words come rushing out. “Thank you, sir. I’ve worked hard for this promotion, and I won’t let you dow–”
Asmodeus’ response breaks through my words, and I go still, uncertain of how to react. The deep chuckle seems to fill the room, echoing around me as he falls into a fit of laughter that I don’t understand. I shrink back, not sure what to make of this, and he leans forward with harsh scoff that punctuates his threatening laughter.
“Promotion?” The incredulousness in my voice makes me feel even worse for assuming. I don’t dare a glance toward the other two demons, either. I only stand, head bowed before the King, as I wait to hear why I was really called here.
Asmodeus sinks back into his seat, his fingers drumming along the arm. “We’ll see if you deserve a promotion after the task I have set out for you.”