The Innocence of Teacups

Did Pek exist somewhere in the vast expansive universe? Looking out the window at a pitch black sky he was thinking he might. Not that his thought prayers ever did him any good. Why should they? He only thought of Pek when he was desperate.

He ducked down as someone came along the street. When they were well away from the window he looked outside again. Reality must be faced. Hiding from people was what the rest of his life was going to be. He sort of hoped demons’ life spans were short. Resting his chin on the windowsill he watched the forever night pass by. Dark dark dark.

“The neighbours will catch on soon especially now we’re concealing a noisy human fugitive and that’s without mentioning we’ve a phantom haunting the house,” said Sophos. “Can’t you ask a spirit to open a portal to the human world?”

“None in Spira will. They want that human dead,” said Lignum.

“There must be one. What about Lil?”

“She’s in the human world so I can’t get in touch with her.”

And they kept up talking round in circles with Sasha withering on the rug in front of the fire, and Lanzo whirling round the room in a temper. If he could fit he’d fly out the window and leave them all to it. Too bad this mess was all his fault so he’d feel guilty leaving them for a quiet secluded cave.

Thinking up a solution to their problem was beyond him. He was just contemplating taking Sasha to a cave when a breeze picked up and a long sideways shadow silhouetted on the opposite house wall. He made to duck out of sight. Too late. Whatever was over there had seen him; was lurking in the neighbour’s doorway watching. He watched in return. Heart failure almost took him when the shadowy figure came over to the window, shaking his head, making his sleek black ponytail bob up and down.

“I told you your master was fighting a battle within,” said Alaric. “I assumed you’d notice the warning signs.”

Sure but had chosen to ignore them, and sat on that damn altar.

` “What a fix you’re in. I’m afraid I’ve come to finish what has been started.” Alaric sighed and dug fists into the depths of his dress-coat pockets. “Which is a real shame because I thought you were going to be an ideal friend.”

Finish what has been started: what did that mean? Oh how he appreciated Alaric’s sixth sense. Words weren’t necessary with him.

“Well you didn’t think I could allow a night creature such as a demon run round with a human mind did you? It wouldn’t be fair on anyone especially not you. I have to finish what your wretched master started. As a last wish would you like me to slit his throat?”

He shook his head. Having Freyr dead wouldn’t change the outcome for him. He looked behind him at Sasha. Getting him home would be beyond his thought capacity seen as it sounded like Alaric was going to wipe his human mind.

“I guess I can grant you one last night to tie up your human affairs seen as we are friends. One night. Would this please you?”

He nodded, and as he did so Alaric climbed through the window. All talk came to an abrupt stop. Sophos collapsed into his chair. Purposely Alaric flashed his fangs.

Lignum broke the silence with a chattering of his head as he danced across the table, knocking off books. “Trouble trouble trouble! First you attract a phantom now a vampyre.”

Alaric took no nonsense and swept his arm in an arc which produced an oval void. “Prince Alaric defender of night creatures, blah blah blah, at your service. I’m here to take that human to his rightful world for this night creature.” Alaric nodded at him.

“But what do you intend to do with Eagle?” asked Sophos in a shaky voice.

“Finish what has been started.”

“Ah-that’s terrible. You can’t.”

“Quite tragic I agree but there is no other solution.” Alaric yanked on Sasha’s arm, pulling him up, then with a mischievous motion shoved him through the void. Hissing through his teeth Lanzo followed in hot pursuit.

“But that’s not fair,” argued Sophos.

“Life rarely is. Eagle do you want one last night?”

Of course he did even if it was just to make sure Sasha had landed somewhere helpful. He tried to smile at the two friends he’d made in Nocta Umbra figuring he’d never see them again and if he did would not remember them; he’d probably try slash them through. He waved a set of claws and mouthed goodbye then jumped into the void.

Seconds later moonlight filled his eyes, dazzling him. He was sprawled on his back, on stone. The altar. His stomach lurched. Shapes merged in front of his eyes, the moonlight softened, letting his vision focus. Alaric closed the void. Sasha shivered in a heap on the floor; leaving him outside could prove disastrous.

Booming roars which shook the woodland came from the distance. No doubt demons who dwelled in Freyr’s house were awake. Those demons. The only reason his master bothered with him for fourteen years was for the moment when he’d unleash the demon within, turn him captive in order to force him to cleanse that house.

“I sense conflicting emotions.”

Anger, resentment, disappointment, betrayal, upset all rolled together to create purpose.

With a swipe he snatched up Sasha, flung him onto his back and stormed through the woodland. A bat swooped after him. As he got nearer the house, roars and growls sounded very loud. Freyr best have taken Silver to a friendlier place. He ran onto the lane remembering Freyr telling him there was a village at the end of it. Hopefully it was one of those sleepy villages were all the residents were tucked up in bed just before the biggest moon reached its peak.

Haycroft Village was small indeed. Too small. There were a few cottages, a tavern, bakers, and butchers. All this he could see from the end of the lane.

His heart skipped several beats because Alaric was stood beside him as a person as if from thin air. “I’ll take him.” Alaric prised Sasha off his back and leant him against a shoulder. “I can sit him in someone’s porch, knock on their door, then run. Maybe we ought to tie a note round his neck: Sapphire Knight. Please take good care of me. Got chilled by spirits and other night creatures. I don’t bite.” Alaric then turned on Lanzo. “You best be discreet young phantom. No one has summand you and rules state you’re not allowed to physically terrorise anyone unless summoned.”

While Alaric coaxed Sasha into walking he wondered how much time had passed in this world while they’d been away. Maybe Kalama was around somewhere. He hoped so then Sasha would be amongst a friend, although she’d probably have some sharp words for him.

“What next?” Alaric asked on his return.

Purpose.

“Are you going to seek out Freyr and spill his guts for what he’s done?”

He shook his head.

“I’m getting the impression you want to shed blood. Not mine I don’t think and if it’s not Freyr then you have me stumped.”

Time to finish what Master Freyr started. He headed up the lane back to the house. A house he’d thought he would help mend and decorate so he and his master would have a place to call home. How naive of him.

He stood on the cracked driveway listening to demon noises. How many demons were inside? They came in packs. Clearing them out could be tough. The task might kill him then again come dawn he would be dead anyway. Blood blood blood kill kill kill were going to be his thoughts. Exactly for now his mind was human so should be able to take on a pack of wild demons.

“Eagle are you planning to do what I think you’re planning to do?”

He pointed at the house.

“Well then I feel obliged to help. Demons do not belong here. I’ve been wanting to send them home to Nocta Umbra but without a demon to aid me have stood no chance. If I open a portal do you think you could herd them into it?”

He certainly ought to try. Off he went towards his purpose in life.

Small demons jumped about on a broken staircase, pouncing on each other. They paid him no interest but were quick to growl threateningly at Alaric and his portal. Wasting no time he caught the three little demons and hurled them straight into the portal. Their shrieking aroused attention from a big demon who crashed through the splintered remains of a banister, onto the ground floor.

This demon bowed its head all set to charge at him with sharp horns. His own horns were little more than stumps. They’d take a week to re-grow properly. He stood in front of the portal and gave a growl, urging this demon to charge him. Oh gosh if he wasn’t fast enough he’d get run through. Here it came. Wait. Wait. Wait. And now! He jumped up. The demon charged straight into the portal. With a crashing thud he landed on the floorboards, cracking them.

“Bravo,” whispered Alaric.

He wouldn’t applaud him just yet. There were still a lot of demons in the house. On taking a swift look in the main lounge he saw the extent of his task. So many demons were crammed in there, living on top of each other. Big ones, small ones, medium sized ones. How they all fit was beyond him. Alaric had a hand to his mouth, containing himself from gagging as a big demon munched on a small one; making it squeal, crushing its bones, tearing flesh. This would be him at dawn. He felt shakes coming on but contained them. Best to focus on the task in hand.