-1- 

The lunch hour was becoming increasingly unbearable. 

I had somehow placed myself at a table with my two cousins who had just  married and only wanted to talk about their spouses.  While I loved them dearly I was beyond polite conversation about how to decorate their new home or how to properly share a bed with a man.

The menu was a healthy stew paired with an assorted quiche. I had personally picked the menu but, sent my plate back with most of the food still on it. My stomach and mind were busy going in loops.

What exactly killed Gabriel ? What would my father say to me ? And worst of all what if he wasn’t really dead ? If his death was some kind of shame, I would feel so betrayed.

 I could barely stay  in my seat when Mother stood up and tapped her wine glass with a fork, calling the attention of everyone in the room.

“I hope you all have enjoyed lunch,” she smiled. “ While you are all our guest we have a host of activities for you. I will be conducting tours of the Palace de Tuileries . Also, at this time the billiards room right down the hall is open, as is the salon. Later tonight, Corinne has arranged a midnight strings concert--- with an open bar, of course.”

There was some light laughter and as people started to move about I made a quick escape for the door without any good byes. I was in the hallway when out the corner of my eye I saw Seraphim had followed after me. I regrettably turned towards her and took her hands.

“Seraphim, I need to be alone for a little while.”

I had to ignore the hurt expression on her face. Usually, we were quite the inseparable pair.

“Where should I go ?,” she asked.

“Well . . . you should take the tour. Mother tells the sweetest stories and you’d be surprised the places in the palace you have never seen. You really should cozy up to her more anyway.”

She nodded her head and left while I continued down the hall the opposite way.

-2-

The council room was a long distance walk, it was all the way in the public wing of the palace. Usually, I would  take a carriage to that side of the palace however today I didn’t need anyone knowing where I was going.

 As soon as I was out of earshot of the party I sprinted the distance. I was wearing boots instead of dress shoes so, I  had some traction. In about 10 minutes I made it to the beginning of palace’s public wing.

We had closed the palace to the public for  family mourning so, I knew I could get away with running through it. I opened the doors leading to the infamous  Hall of Mirrors and I was now just a few minutes from the council room.

I was halfway through the Hall  when someone jumped in front of me, flying out of nowhere.

An expletive slipped my lips as I tripped over myself in shock as the Demon’s dark leather shoes touched  the ground.  He folded his wings back making an audible clap, turned his back to me and continued to wonder slowly down  the hall like he hadn’t just jumped in front of me.

I picked myself up and wanted to just walk past him so I could get to my destination but, I knew I couldn’t be rude to a guest—especially his kind.  I would never hear the end of it.

“Enjoying your visit ?,” I asked

He kept wandering the hall, his back to me.

“I like this room,” he commented.

“Good,” I said

I should have told him this part of the palace was closed and he should be with the other guests, but I just  continued on my way.

“What do you call it ?,” he asked walking towards me.

I paused, sighed to myself and pointed to the gold plaque in the middle of the hall.

“It is the Hall of Mirrors. It is called that because  there was so much glass put into every chandelier and every decoration. It is very beautiful, I think.”

The Hall was quite impressive and a popular spot during open hours. Each piece of architecture had been decorated like a crown jewel and it reflected the light from the open roof wonderfully.

The Demon walked closer to me.

“You are very beautiful, I think.” he observed taking my hand and letting his lips graze it.

His touch  sent uncomfortable shivers down my body. I snatched my hand away

“Th-thank you. I have to go.” I said.

“Melchoir Dark,” he said.

“Excuse me?,”

“That is my name. Melchoir Dark. You may call me Dark.”

“Alright.” I said

“What can I call you ?,”

“You know my name.” I said, “But you know the other guest are in the main hall so maybe you should--,”

“I’d like to wander this . . . Hall of Mirrors for a while.” He said, ”If that is alright ?”

“Fine.” I said

He placed his gloved hand on my back, sending tingles down my body.

“Tell me  . .  .what kind of Angels don’t have wings ?,”

I pushed his vile hands away from my body. How dare he lay a hand on me.

“Sorry to keep you.” He said

He pulled one of his feet slightly off the ground and let his wings carry him backwards as he slowly ascended towards  the ceiling and went in slow circles above the hall.

I turned my attention to where I was going and continued on, shaking off the encounter.

***

I finally made it to the council room. The room was large and ornate, like most places in the palace. Against the wall was a large painting of my father and then the paintings of my family.

The room has rows of seats for the public to sit and then a round of chairs for the council members. The room is busy usually   but, today it was near empty. My father, 2 of his  chief advisors and a stranger sat around the table. 

 I sat in a chair opposite them.

"I thought this was a closed meeting," I said.

"The people in this room already know what I am going to tell you," he responded, "Rin, the information I am going tell you is very important and extremely sensitive. It is the information we believe got Gabriel killed.”

I nodded my head. So he is really dead.

“I understand. Tell me,” I said.

Father took out the black leather bound notebook that he often took notes in.

“As I am sure you know, dear  we live in a world where there are two kinds and two levels.  The  level  called Eden where our kind,  called Angels live  and then there is the place where the other kind, called Demons live. Elysia or as they like to call it—the Underworld,”

 “Since the beginning of time we have lived a separate yet very equal  existences. Respecting the others opinions, views and practices, none visiting the other without a direct invitation. There has never been any real strife or cause for up rise . . . until recently.”

My mind went to the Demon in the Hall of Mirrors. If I had known there was some kind of argument going on I never would have sent an invitation to Elysia. I had only done it as a courtesy.

“What kind strife ? ” I asked

“It has to do with not only the world we Angels and Demons occupy but, the other world of existence. The one we know far less about--

“The human world ?,” I asked

“Yes,” he said, “We don’t know exactly why or how  this even happened but, a long time ago a female Demon somehow went to the human realm and had a child with a human.  She brought the child back to Elysia and  was made an outcast by the King.  She then gathered a small cult of followers together to help raise the child. They have all been hiding out for years in an area between our Eden and Elysia. ”

It was an odd occurrence  but, I did not see the issue.

“What is so wrong with that ? Are they harming anyone ?,”

“Yes," Father said and gestured to the stranger sitting next to him," This man--whose name I can't reveal for security purposes-- is a Demon. He was a member of this cult but, had a change of heart after discovering some new information. The cult calls this half human-half demon their Sole Heir--."

"They want him to take over both Eden and the Underworld ! ," The stranger interrupted," They want a mass genocide of the powerful--mostly Angels and for  the half human to be Sole Heir of both levels. Soon, the  Heir will rule as a tyrant. I  wanted to tell someone but,   the other Demons see me as a pariah for standing with the demon who went to the human world. So, I came here.”

I turned to my father.

“How does Gabriel fit into this ?,” I asked

“ Your brother and this Demon having been working together to gather information. Gabriel felt he knew enough and there  was only one way to end this without mass panic.  He went to get the The Heir’s blood and he was killed. After a few weeks all we got back was photo confirmation of his death.”

" The half human is a merciless killer," the demon said to me.

The whole story seemed so fantastical—a tyrant who was determined on taking over ? A person so devious they would kill another in cold  blood.

“What are the Demons doing about this ? It is one of their own who caused this.”

“We are not sure we can share all this information with them. We are not sure if we will have their full trust. The only ones who know about this are in this room.”

“What happens now ?,” I asked.

There was a silence and  the council adviser raised her hand.

“We start over, we gather more intel--,” she began.

“No.” I said,” That is absurd. I refuse to let someone who took my brother from me live any longer. Send me and I will finish the job. I will take this tyrant’s blood.”

The words spilled out before I had time to really think about them.

“We cannot risk you,” my father said.

“What risk ?” I said clinching my fist,” I’ve  read about the the art of war. I have more drive than anyone and I will not be satisfied until I have his blood on my hands. You all know me, I do not know failure. If not me . . . who else will do it ?”

“You have your duties here,” the other councilman said, “If you--,”

“If I die ?,” I questioned, “Excuse my arrogance but, that won’t happen.  If you don’t allow me to go I will just go on my own.”

My father breathed a sigh and exchanged looks with his councilmembers.

“You leave a midnight.” he half-smiled.

I slowly unclenched my fist. The decision had made before I even stepped into that room. My father knew what I would do if he gave me the identity of my brother’s killer.

He just wanted me to fight for it.

***

-3-

 

I turned the dial until the oil in my lantern was lit at its brightest. Holding the lamp far in front of me I  carefully stepped down a few of the steps that took me underneath the palace and into the  dungeon.  I leaned over the railing and kept my foot in the door to keep some light in.

“Casper ?,” I called,” Casper ?,”

Not hearing an answer back I moved my foot and went completely into the pitch black dungeons. As I touched the wet floor my lantern lit up the face of the smiling middle aged craftsman.

His matted brown hair lay unevenly on his head, his pupils were extremely dilated and he had a very odd crooked smile.

“A raccoon has come to visit me !,” he grinned.

 I smiled politely as he made fun of my still smudged eye make up.

“I’ve been expecting you today,” he said

“I know.  I am going somewhere and I need some protection--,”

“Yes, yes, yes.” He said leading me down the hall.

Casper’s steps were uneven and dragged on  because of his crooked leg. He relied heavily on his handmade walking stick as we walked down the dark hall.

“ Tell me where you will be going,” he said, “Or what you will be doing and I can pick a weapon fit for your protection.”

“I can’t tell you any of that,” I admitted

He paused and turned, pushing his cane deep into the ground for balance.

“It seems I was having  a similar conversation with Gabriel just a few weeks ago . . .,” he trailed off and then he made some wheezing noises. ” I’m sorry I missed the memorial service upstairs . I’m a bit sick and I forgot. I tend to tune out what goes on up there--,”

“You know  Casper, there are very nice apartments upstairs you can live in--,”

“I prefer it here.” He said.

“That seems a little crazy to me,” I said.

“You say crazy as if it is an insult ,” he laughed

I made an indiscreet sound as we continued down the hall. It seemed to go on forever until he reached a locked door and went into the weapons depository. This room was well lit and lined with rows and rows of shiny, freshly welded weapons.

“I suppose I will let you take your pick,” he mumbled, stepping back.

He talked to himself in the corner as I looked along the rows and rows of equipment.  A shining silver and gold pistol caught my eye. I picked it up and looked at it.

“Just did that one. Gilded in gold, iron bullets, loads again within 1 minute, good for long distance,” Casper listed.

I kept the pistol in my hand but, I kept browsing the rows of bows and arrows, firearms, swords. The pistol would be good  but, I needed something more for defense. Still, none of it interested me.  I stared for a while before making eye contact with the slightly mad and lame smith.

“Your staff, Casper.” I said

He looked at the staff in his hand and spun it around in the ground.

“Casper,  if I give you money for a new one, will you give me that one.”

“But Rin, it’s not really a weapon-,”

“Yes it is.” I said, “It’s made of iron and bronze,  right ? The end has a retractable blade, I saw you use to get up hill once. Plus, the staff  will make walking easier.”

“I’m not sure,” he said, gripping the staff.

“Death by it will be a very long and drawn out process. The intended victim would suffer,” I explained in a salacious tone, “ I mean if, I were to kill someone.”

He chortled and leaning against the wall he threw me his staff.

“Come on,” I said,” I will help you to a carriage.”

I walked over to him and Casper leaned against me as I helped him up the stairs. He was a bit shaken by the afternoon light but, I helped him through the palace and to the carriage post outside. I gave him well over 1,000 dollars for a new staff and waved off the carriage.

Knowing Casper ,he would spend a good half of it on betting and alcohol but, that was fine with me.

I headed back to my suite with the two weapons in hand. As I closed the door to my bedroom and headed towards my chest of drawers,  I noticed something sitting on my bed.

I walked over to see a very large yellow daffodil on the silk duvet quilt. A napkin with writing was sitting beside it. The handwriting was an elegant calligraphy.

Much prettier than lilies, no ?

I turned to see if I had any company in the room. I just needed a small reason to test the pistol out. The only thing out of place  in my room was my balcony window.

 It was open.

 I went over to shut the expansive window and I caught a glimpse of the East Gardens.

I recognized Seraphim  sitting on the bench underneath the new statue of Gabriel. I leaned over balcony and called down to her. When she was looking up at me I motioned  for her to come up to my room.

  I quickly put the pistol in my drawer and within minutes Seraphim was at my door

“How was the tour ? ” I asked

“Wonderful,” she said “ I had never seen the grand ballroom before. I missed you though. Oh, and  after the tour, your mother said we shouldn’t wear black to the concert tonight. I picked out a dress you might like--,”

“Did you open the window ?,” I asked

She shook her head.

“No. Why ?,”

“No reason.” I said,” Listen,  I am not going to the concert. I have a few more errands to run and then I am leaving.  I will be gone for a while, actually--,”

“Where are you going ?You love strings--,”

“ I know but,I can’t say. I will just be doing some work, it won’t be long.”

She looked at the staff I still had in my  hand

“Does it have to do with that walking stick ?,”

“Well, yes,” I said.

“What is going on ?,”

“I have said too much already,” I said

She went over to the window and looked down at the statue and back at me

“This sounds familiar--

 “I know. It’s just . . . I have to go. Just stay out of trouble—take notes of activity so I can be updated when I get back. And I will be back, so stop being silly,” I smiled.

She saw through my fakeness and looked absolutely miserable.

“I am ordering you to go to the concert tonight and enjoy yourself, okay?,” I said.

She nodded her head. I hugged her because she needed it  and then I scurried out of the room.

***

When midnight struck I was prepared to go. I had just finished a lengthy note to Seraphim and slipped it under her door. When the concert ended in a few hours, she would come up to her room  and see the note and I would be long gone.

I went back to my bedroom for some last minutes checks. I made sure the pistol was secure in the garter holding up my stockings. I adjusted the belt a little when I began to get the feeling I wasn’t alone. I turned around quickly to see nothing.

I peeked over at the window to see it slowly opening and the figure of Dark.

“Get out !,” I yelled at him,” These is my private bedroom. This is crossing a line!,”

He sat on the edge of the balcony his hands up, palms facing me in a non-threatening pose.

“What do you want  ? Can I help you ?,” I asked

“Yes,” he said. ”To my eye you are very alluring. One of the most beautiful things I have seen. I collect beautiful things and I would like to have you.”

I walked to the balcony and closer to him. I folded my  arms.

“I am not a thing you can have, Mr. Dark.” I informed him.

“I think I can change your mind, Lady Corrine de Tuileries,” he said, mocking my formality

“No.” I said. “I don’t think you can.”

“I think I can.”

“I’m sorry but, I have to go. I don’t have time for this.” I said.

“Always so busy. Let me have you and I will never keep you busy. In fact I would need very little from you. Well, except the occasional . . . enterainment.” he propositioned, “Can we pick this conversation up later ?,”

“Fine.” I agreed.

I would be gone tonight and his invitation to Eden expired tomorrow morning. I would never have to see him.

 With my answer satisfying him, he fell backwards out the window.

I made my way down the stairs and to a waiting carriage. Inside was a notebook with all the information I would need to review. On the front was a note.

The driver will take you to the tributary. From there you are on your own.