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An eruption of shouted insults and denial echoed from the cells. All of them shouted except for Esmerelda, who, with tears in her eyes, looked at Daemona and asked, “Why?”
This only increased the heated words from Sykaryn. “I knew it! Never trust a Succubus!”
“Fight him,” called Ghul Lykos. “You’re better than this.”
“Don’t give in,” urged Ivy.
Miniver slumped down on the floor with a sigh, saying, “We’re doomed.”
Daemona said nothing but turned her back to them.
Ghul Tark took Daemona by the chin and said, “See what fools they are to deny me? And this, your feelings on their betrayal, that is why I cannot trust you fully yet. You have much to learn, but under my wing, you will go many places.” He swept his cape and strode from the room.
Daemona hurried behind him, haunted by the tears in Esmerelda’s face and angered at both her friends’ and Sykaryn’s words. I’ll show them, I’ll show them all.
Chapter 17.
Ghul Tark led Daemona down a long hallway that sloped deep into the ground. It finally opened into a wide gloomy cavern. Their footsteps echoed in the massive dark.
“Where are we?” she asked, instantly regretting that she had spoken at all, as her own words repeated a half-dozen times back to her. Loud squeaks answered Daemona. She drew her daggers, which Ghul Tark had returned to her, expecting the rats again.
Ghul Tark laughed and said, “Put those away. All who reside herein serve me.”
The beating of wings sounded from the gloom and flying things filled the great space above them. Red eyes blinked into view as the bats landed before Ghul Tark. They were as large as ponies and fitted with saddles and bridles. They scuttled to Ghul Tark and lowered their heads in subservience. He stroked their snouts and tickled their chins. The bats squeaked their approval as if they were his lap dogs.
“Ah, these children of the night, their music is not too sweet,” said Ghul Tark with a shrug.
Daemona was grateful it was dark enough that the vampire lord couldn’t see her scowl.
A trio of vampires appeared from the pitch black. They were pallid and bald with both long fangs and ears. Daemona wondered if they were once elves. They glared at Daemona but said nothing as they mounted three of the four great bats.
“These servants of mine are most trusted and will escort you to Graymont,” said Ghul Tark.
Daemona fingered the brooch he had given her. “You can see and hear through this then? Will you always be available if I need to plan something with you?”
“Easy, child, I create the machinations, and I alone plan the destruction of my enemies. It is up to you to insinuate yourself with them, to be valuable enough to be a party to their workings.”
“And have you created a plan to help me do that?” she jibed.
A smirk crossed his face. “Of course. You will give Graymont this helm of Sykaryn’s. You can tell him it was all that remained of her. He will be grateful for the closure and allow you into his counsel when you also tell him of a coming invasion.”
“Invasion?”
Ghul Tark gave her his crafty smile again. “He will think that forces are coming for him from the sea. He will rally troops to meet the threat, never realizing where it is really going to strike from. Whether such a plan succeeds or not, you will be my eyes and ears.”
Daemona nodded sagely as if she agreed entirely.
“Remember, though, you are not my only servant there. I will have eyes and ears upon you too.”
“A good servant is not worried about doing her duty, my master,” she said, bowing her head.
Ghul Tark smiled and his fangs seemed even longer than before. “Excellent. Then we shall have nothing to worry about.”
“But can you always see through the brooch? Can I speak of more that I remember? When the time comes, I mean?” she asked, trying to sound as reasonable as possible.
He narrowed his gaze at her. “I can see through the brooch when I gaze through my crystal ball. I will know to do this when you call; or if you see it glow lightly, that means I am wishing to speak with you.”
“I just wanted to know for sure, my master,” she said solemnly.
