Xi-wangmu nodded. “So, I noticed that the man you’d mentioned was written down in his journal.”
Lanias had always wondered why the Golem was allowed to do business here at the Tea house of the dead. From Xi-wangmu’s disgusted expression, it looked like he’d demanded a payment that Xi-wangmu had felt forced to repay.
“Well, then I’ll take this as thanks,” she said, placing the paper in the pocket of her coat.
With that she walked around Xi-wangmu and headed back out, pulling her hood up. She planned to use the information tonight.
The faster she found Stanthos, the sooner she could find her father and repay him for all the pain Surrem had put her through.
She grinned; she couldn’t wait to meet dear ol’ Dad.
Nightmares
DREAM
ALEK
The flames rushed up swallowing everything in its path.
His hands reached out blindly.
“Gloria, take my hand.” Her long hair that had long turned white like his whipped in the air. As she stood before the coming enemy in a stained red gown. Alek’s body was held under the foot of the Glowing being sent from Hell.
The smell of smoke and fire cloaked the stench of his people’s blood that had been spilled in their attempt to protect themselves. They hadn’t known such an attack was coming. Ademon that spilled black ink from its lips slaughtered them as if they were ants.
His goal, nothing but destruction and absolute chaos. He spared no one, woman or child, human or Vampire.
“Look at them flee,” he said gleefully as he approached Gloria, where she knelt before a group of children, who trembled. He wriggled his fingers as he eyed her, “I’ve grown so tired of you vampires hindering my fun,” he said, his long form spilling nothing but violence. He lifted a single finger and pressed it under her trembling chin, forcing her to look up. “God, you rats are like the salt of the earth. Believing you’re far more than what you truly are. Bastards of the forgotten, the betrayed and the damned. Children who should never have been.”
An unseen person snapped back. “Enough Zaharis.”
The one who held him down with a single foot upon his back moved away.
Alek gasped as if a huge structure had been lifted from him. Immediately he crawled toward his Queen. She stood alone before an enemy he knew had no intention of mercy.
Zaharis turned on the being standing behind him. “Enough? Eris, my brother. It’s never enough.”
Eris moved, placing a hand on his shoulder, “You have gorged on death for many years.” His eyes searched Zaharis’ face, “Do you not tire of it? Do you not wish to return home some day?”
Zaharis smacked his brother’s hand away. “For what? To what?”
“If I were to return, it would be to see more of this Fire and death, it’s the least they owe me for banishing me here.” Zaharis took a step towards his brother. “The real question is what do you want Eris? You who abandoned me for a human woman?Once you wanted glory, to stand with me even above the gods. Has that changed?”
Eris scoffed. “Don’t be foolish,”
Zaharis placed a hand on his shoulder. “Join me Eris. Let us once more rule together, here. You came here because you didn’t wish me to be alone on this plane. Then join me now. They do not deserve your pity, only your domination.”
“I joined you because I wanted us to start anew. These beings do not deserve our hatred; they did not send us here. The True Ones are to be held responsible for that.” Eris argued.
“Enough,” Zaharis said, removing his hand from his brother’s shoulder. He looked around and his gaze stopped on Gloria. “Look, is it not a beautiful sight when they tremble in fear.”
Alek jerked his head up as he felt an ominous chill running down his spine.
“They are creatures to be pitied,” Eris said, his eyes softening on her. “They are not the creators of themselves. Their existence lies with us.”
Zaharis growled in frustration.
Alek could barely move while he watched the one known as Zaharis holding Gloria by her head pulling an inhuman scream blended with his roar of pain as her neck was ripped like paper.
