Chapter 115

Jerold

While my mate was being cared for by a specialist, a human with similar abilities, I wanted to try doing a favor for an old friend.

I drove to the orphanage, but I saw movers when I arrived. They were adding furniture for the unicorn. Where he would sleep, I had no idea, but If he starts residing here, he’ll inadvertently purge Twarznai’s office.

Shit.

I parked in front of the place, got the warrant out of the glove compartment, and went inside.

I could already tell that Rolland’s plans were in motion, since the brunette human caretaker looked a little tired. I saw a puncture on the inner part of her elbow, so at least they were smart enough not to directly bite her and risk vampirism. But they did feed off of her. She’s their property now as much as the building, so like property, she was likely mesmerized, or beguiled then drained with an IV.

I’m sure they also took too much, because the tell-tale bloodshot brown eyes and lethargy were a giveaway. I felt bad for her, since she had to deal with 12 children, and the other caretaker, a redheaded female, also had their hands full. They both looked tired, with the taller of the two being slightly closer.

“Oh, I didn’t notice you.” She jumped, a little startled. “How can I help you officer?”

“Has anyone disturbed Mr. Twarznai’s office yet?” I asked, handing her the warrant. I didn’t have time to do a song and dance, a stupid back and forth where I need to get in there, but they legally don’t have to let me. I didn’t have the patience for that either.

“No sir, the new director complained that he needed time before he could use it.” She said shyly.

“Is he here yet?” I asked.

“No, but he left his number.” She said pointing to the direction of where they feed the little ones. I didn’t want to bother her more, since she dealt with rambunctious man-children.

“Could you contact him and let him know that I’ll be searching the office?” I asked nicely. I didn’t mean to scare the girl, but her fear made me a little hungry…

“I can.” She said with a determined nod, heading to their break area. I could see that even though it was fairly open in there, with colorful low tables, that there was a space, a desk rather, for adults. The room off to the side was their classroom and napping area, with the other section being for the kids over 7.

I think there were around 30 or 40 children here now, since the vampires are also setting up their future breeding stock…

It pissed me off, but I dismissed myself into the office before I outright lost my temper. I wouldn’t even have to be here if not for the cult….

I could feel the Horned One’s mark the moment I closed the door behind me, but it wouldn’t be out in the open. My first course of action was to lock that office, and tap on the door three times.

I’m not hesitating. I only have so much time before someone might try to interfere.

I could see the horned circle, a common sound magic used by pretty much anyone who can cast it. That it’s still up means he’s not dead at least… What condition he’ll come in will be another thing altogether.

Next I closed the curtains; someone in here had a bunch of natural light in here to try and find that mark, but they didn’t succeed.

It’s because you need darkness.

My demon blood comes in handy in times like this, because I could still see somewhat. I got down and started waving my hand on the carpet until I felt, or rather sensed, where the corruption was. It was under a bookshelf, in the top left corner, adjacent to his desk. Ironically, it was under the wall where he had all his mortal degrees, a source of pride.

It took no effort to pick up the bookshelf that held all those books and slide it over without scuffing the floor since I picked it up. The symbol was small too, no bigger than a dime, but drawn by someone like Tvendrrealion’ahz, it was more than enough to flood the city with demons if I didn’t know his true name.

Good thing I did.

… Now was the part that made me nervous. This needs to be done in demonic… I’m going to call upon forces I don’t deal with and they don’t like me or my bloodline… But those children need a real caretaker, not one that will be clueless, or too spineless to interfere.

After all, as a unicorn, he’s just making sure the law is being followed. Sprinkleloaf can only do so much. He can’t stop them from feeding, adopting the children out to thralls who will then take them to regular donations… or worse.

Vampires tend to send problem children to meat markets. They don’t and won’t deal with disobedient humans.

I took a deep breath and raised my foot, tapping the floor three times without raising my heel.

….I should have had 4 other people with me, but I didn’t want to put anyone in danger. I knew that walking in here, that I might not walk out if I’m sucked down, or killed.

Or jumped. Being a champion doesn’t make me exactly popular.

“I call upon the Night Father, as a noninitiate, as a nonbeliever…. But I hold respect for the Night Court. From Below, the Night Father punishes… From Below, the screams of the damned be as candy, and their tears sweet nectar, with the deserving masses dragged by their tendons to your feet.” It hurt, but with a claw I cut the palm of my hand… He was listening. “I, the Battle Bull, son of fallen Demon Lord knock… I ask for Tvendrrealion’ahz.”

The floor pulsed red before it stayed that way… Fuck I didn’t know what would happen, but it had to be done.

I will not let Twarznai be punished or even thrown in the Pit, the place of finality, shredded for helping us.

“What would you offer?” Asked a disembodied voice. “Nothing is free, Child of Humblon.”

FEAR

The voice that spoke was one I’d never heard before… but it was clear I did not summon a grunt. The voice reverberated around the room, though I would not know who was speaking. I doubted it was the likes of the Horned One directly.

“What is his price?” I asked.

“This one did not disobey, but he did not give… You call with no offering, asking for a wretch that deserves to be further tenderized.” Said the voice. “I have no use for your make; you are sworn away to the Light Court…”

Oh shit maybe it was the Horned One.

“I cannot offer my club, nor claw, but you are the Lord of Half All There Is. Nothing I offer other than the souls on the other side of this door would be sufficient, but they already belong to your son through the vampires, so I ask for mercy.” I said firmly. “I can offer that Tvendrrealion’ahz, should he be put back in his position, can look for the keys again.”

“An interesting bargain for one who cannot hear the other side of this conversation.” Growled the Horned One.

I felt someone behind me, and I turned around.

Nothing was there.

I was alone in this dark room.

“But I know this part of the country is stagnant,” I said, turning around, but I swear someone was in here. Not a spiritual presence, but a physical one. It felt like another creature of living flesh and bone was in here, and one wrong move would have a spear in my back.

“Why do you even care about how I punish my children?” He hissed.

“I have thanked my god, but not the Moon Goddess. I am grateful for my bond…. I know she likely pleaded for me, or at the very least, since she is also the Goddess of Love, that my maker allowed her to forge the bond… I wish to be of aid, but can’t. Noface can.”

“You cannot aid my most precious while siding with that cur.” He hissed.

“But I can do what’s right….Please, let me help how I can. I know with the help of Tvendrrealion’ahz, the children here grow to be productive. With my funds, I already said I would double this place.”

“A place soon to be purged.” Said the Horned One.

“I’m here!” Yelled someone sweetly, someone who had to be a unicorn. “It kind of smells in here. Do you notice that?”

“No sir, but as I said, the officer came with a warrant and started searching the office.” Said the orphanage employee.

“Tick Tock.” Said the Horned One. “I do not see a reason why Tvendrrealion’ahz should exist.”

Fuck.

“I think I’m going to go talk to him.” Said Sprinkleloaf.

Double Fuck.

“I don’t have much to give Lord of Pain…. Nothing I offer would be anything you want or need, other than the keys, something I don’t have, nor does anyone know where they are…. All I have is my body; would that be enough? 24 hours.”

I almost fucked up by not being specific.

I could hear the steps. Sprinkleloaf was maybe 15 feet away.

“Alright mortal.”