Chapter 318

Chapter 318
Book #02:Chapter 318

What was in it for Loki? Why was he here? All of us had frozen still to the spot. I thought Rayne had killed Loki but then I remember what Rayne had said. A demon is immortal and cannot be killed. If a demon’s physical manifestation is slayed on earth then its spirit returns back to Hell.

“I saw Rayne hovering around the gateway to Hell waiting for that rowdy crowd of rebels to come sauntering into this charming dimension.” Loki said casually.

“So why are you so keen to offer your assistance?”

It seemed strange but Loki hesitated like he was doing a bit of quick thinking before confessing frankly, “If the army marches through and takes over the world then there would no need of a Hell. Therefore there would be no need of a Prince of Hell. I would lose all my power. Could you imagine how inconvenient that would be?” Loki purred.

The man was clearly a selfish megalomaniac so his story did seem plausible but I knew Loki was slippery as an eel. Sophie moved to my side sensing my hesitation, Loki eyed her up and down cautiously. Sophie was not only the Queen of the vampires but also the most powerful vampire in existence. She had travelled to the plains of Hell once before to fight Gwendolyn and had killed a demon. Loki was clearly nervous of Sophie’s presence.

“So how do we get into to Hell?” I asked.

“Demon’s use portals into and out of Hell. We can use these very portals but I feel that some preparation is required before we charge in and get ourselves slaughtered.”

Bea stepped forward at this point and said, “We have supplies back at the store. We had been making them before Rayne captured us.”

“Yes,” Loki said scratching his chin, “We should get those supplies and quick. Rayne cannot fulfil the prophecy.”

Loki shimmered us from the forest into the store. Turning to me Loki said,

“While they sort out their supplies we need to go on a very special trip to sort out your special supplies.”

Before I could even blink Loki had grabbed my hand and the familiar surroundings of the store faded into blackness and it’s place appeared a dark corridor carved out of the blackest marble I had ever seen. Pulling away from Loki and stared around the place wondering if I had been tricked but Loki pointed at the walls and carefully I stepped closer and saw the carvings in the walls. Dark intricate carvings depicting scenes of masscres, graveyards, people dying and even the grim reaper himself decorated the black marble walls. I felt myself shiver in fear.

“Welcome home.” Loki smiled.

A dark hooded figure swooped past and landed in front of us their huge black feathered wings folded down behind their back. Nervously I stepped back but the figure ventured forward bowing respectfully at me.

“Most honoured Princess, your father extends his fondest wishes to you on your triumphant arrival home. Please follow me and I will lead him to you. Your demon escort is welcomed to wait here.” The figure croaked in an unearthly voice.

I glanced back at Loki who shrugged, “I can’t come with you. God’s will not welcome demons into their throne room.”

Taking a deep breathe I followed the figure along the corridor into a massive domed empty throne room. The figure asked me to wait and left me alone. It was kinda of weird sat here waiting to meet your parents for the first time. I had always thought my mother was some hussy and my father was some careless one night stand in a diner. But then my life was far from conventional, my boyfriend was a demon and all my friends were some mythical kind of creature. There was a sudden noise behind me that made me jump. I turned and saw a kid no more than thirteen or fourteen staring back at me. I felt silly for being frightened and apologetically said to the kid,

“Sorry you scared the living day lights out of me.” I said.

“I thought you would be more like your mother.” He said bluntly.

I blinked and replied, “Um, who are you?”

“Your father.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. This kid was way too young. Smiling softly I patted his head,

“I think I’m a little too old to be your daughter.”

This seemed to irritate the boy who then walked past me and sat on the throne.

“I am your father.”

“That’s so cute. But where are your mom and dad? Are you lost.”

The boy suddenly jumped up and before my eyes changed into a young man in his early thirties. Irratible he called out,

“See, I told you it wouldn’t work!”

Footsteps pitter-pattered behind me and I turned to see my mother walking behind me with her hands on her hips.

“Sorry Skyler,” she apologised to me, “I thought if he appeared a little younger he would not be so intimidating.”

“I’m not intimidating.” My father said lazily.

“Well, dear, she has just walked down the mourners corridor and those carvings are hardly welcoming. I wish you would let me wallpaper them over.”

“This is Death’s palace, not some designer show home! I allowed you to put cream carpet in the bedroom but that is as far as it goes.” He snapped.

“Give me another century and you won’t recognise this place.” My mother said in a low voice too me.

“I heard that!” My father snapped.

I couldn’t help but feeling a little mixed up and confused. For so many years I had thought my parents had abandoned me so part of me wanted to be really angry at them but the other part wanted really wanted to be reconciled with them. My mother reached out her arms to embrace me but I found myself stepping away from her. She was my biological mother but she was not my mom. She hadn’t been there for me like my Grandmother so I found it hard to accept her back into my life. Pain flickered across my mother’s eyes, her arms dropped to her side and she nodded quietly in acceptance,

“I understand. I would be mad too.” She said.

“Why did you never explain to me that I had parents or I had a brother? You could have visited us! Grandma really missed you.” I said feeling all these suppressed angry emotions I had felt for so long bubbling to the surface.

My father rose to my mother’s side and held her,

“Do not blame her, this is my fault. I forced her to stay with me and I forced her to give you up.” He said.

“Why?” I cried.

“I had read that there would come a time when the age of men would be threatened and that only my daughter could save them. I thought this was nonsense until you came along and then I realised that I had to give you up because the world would need you one day. This was not an easy choice. Your mother did not speak to me for a year.” He explained.

I fell silent unsure of how to feel. I couldn’t understand why it was me. What was so special about me? My father pulled out of thin air a small black leather book.

“This is why you came. Here is your birth right.” He said handing me the book.

I opened the first page and read the title, ‘Death’s Grimoire’. A grimoire was a textbook of magic which could be either constructive magic, destructive magic or even both. You see there is no such thing as black or white magic. Destruction and creation are two sides of the same coin. Flicking through the pages I read the spells all hand written carefully in English. There were spells for storms, barriers, light, water, growth and many more.

“Use it wisely.” My father said.

The room suddenly melted away and I found myself back in the confines of the store. Bea, Greg, Sophie, Owen, and Kai were all waiting patiently for me having gathered their supplies.

“Are you okay?” Asked Bea.

I nodded and told them where I had been. Honestly Bea, Greg and Kai were more of a family to me then my parents. Bea hugged me and said,

“After all this we can watch man-eating bear movies and stuff our faces full of ice cream.”

Loki suddenly appeared out of nowhere, “It’s time to go.” He said.