“And Zohar certainly fits that description,” agreed Brady, reluctantly.
“That he does,” replied Dylon. “With Remy and Carson dead, Zohar would call for a period of mourning before he offers to assume the duties of the Ruler until the Fates can name a new one.”
“Oh, come on,” said Carson, “do you really think magic users would accept Zohar as the new Ruler?”
“I wish Dylon were wrong, but he’s not,” Brady replied, frowning. “Zohar has remained in power because many magic users owe him for all the favors he’s given since he became the head of the Council. He wouldn’t hesitate to call in those IOUs.”
Remy focused on the five light spheres, thinking about all the points brought up regarding Zohar and the demon. As he pondered a course of action, he realized he needed further clarification regarding the demon. Turning to Brady, he asked, “Do you know if there are laws regarding a demon interfering in another realm?”
“Yes, but it’s complicated because he’s committed a number of crimes and each one carries its own punishment,” Brady replied. “For instance, killing a magic user and seizing their magic is one crime; then assuming a magic user’s identity is another…and that’s only under the laws of the Universal High Council. Under the laws of the Mystic Realm, you have impersonation of a government official and, along with that, the illegal voting on council matters he did in Gerard’s name, not to mention, the improper use of…”
Remy held up his hand, stopping Brady from going further. “Got it. So would you agree I’d be within my rights to sentence the demon to death for the killing of the ten magic users?”
“Yes…but if you wanted to do that under the High Council’s laws, you couldn’t until a formal declaration of your intent was filed with them,” Brady explained. “If you’d rather not go through all that red tape, then you could use the laws of the Mystic Realm which allow you or any court in the realm to order the death of anyone who has killed a magic user. There are exceptions of course, such as self-defense…”
“Thanks for the clarification,” Remy smiled, interrupting Brady. “One other question…I know magic users cannot lie to me but does that also apply to a demon?”
“Hmm…I don’t know about a demon, per se,” Brady replied, “but I think if the demon is in a magic user’s body, then yes, the demon cannot lie but I would address him as Gerard just to be sure.”
“I’ll do that,” Remy said, but before he could say more, a shimmer in the air preceded the arrival of Mystia and Oracle.
“Your Majesty,” Oracle said softly, bending her head briefly, “please forgive me for arriving unannounced, but I have a message from the Fates for you. It concerns the demon, Thelgos.”
“What is it?” asked Remy.
“The Fates have instructed me to escort Thelgos to them immediately,” Oracle replied.
“Can you wait a few minutes?” asked Carson. “Remy has a few questions for him first.”
“No, unfortunately I cannot…the Fates were quite clear on that point,” Oracle answered.
Brady stepped forward. “Oracle, this is most unusual. The demon broke laws in the Mystic Realm, giving the Ruler the right to decide his punishment.”
“I do not disagree,” Oracle replied. “However, Thelgos has also broken the law of the gods and that takes precedence over every other law, regardless of the crime committed.”
Glancing at Brady, Remy asked, “Is that so?”
Nodding briefly, Brady conceded that Oracle was correct. “However, Your Majesty, you have the right to know which law or laws the Fates are citing before you waive your rights of jurisdiction and release the demon to them.”
“Thank you, Brady,” Remy said. Returning his attention to Oracle, he raised an eyebrow, indicating he was waiting for an answer.
Chapter 20
Oracle gave Mystia a furtive glance before addressing Remy. “Thelgos is the Black Shadow.”
“Are you sure?” asked Carson.
“Who’s the Black Shadow?” asked Cody.
“He’s a magic user who’s been helping to spread the use of black magic in our world,” Remy replied.
“But he’s a demon!” said Cody in astonishment.
“A demon inside the body of a magic user,” Mystia explained.
“Is he responsible for the darkness which has taken root in the Mystic Realm?” asked Brady.
“He is,” Oracle replied. “The Fates and gods were alerted to the increased number of demons on earth first with Reif’s situation, then with the discovery of black magic at the winery, and also with Lucius and the Blood Prophecy. All of these involved different demons. It had never happened before, mainly because the punishment for practicing black magic is so severe.”
