Book 3: Chapter 111

Book 3: Chapter 111
Zayde
This was the underbelly of the richest place in the world… Those who have or have not thrive or suffer, with no real in-between…. A harsh world where there is money to be made, but usually, only those in high places are making it…. They don’t get the luxuries I do… And intervening would make trouble.
But even… even with the slight blight of this place, there was beauty here too. Those who had it rough still decorated their humble attached homes. They were close together, but you could tell each individual’s dwelling. Rugs and colorful garlands were over homes who could afford it. The houses weren’t dilapidated either, just… not as luxurious as the city proper. Men and women walked around on phones and had clean clothes, So, of the poorer areas in town, I suppose this was their working-class area.
But still, my general’s heart was touched by the plight of these working people.
“I know it sucks. It’s why I run MisfitMoon the way I do.” Said Kaizen. “This one is his.”
He knocked on a faded red door. The chipped paint crumbled off a bit, along with dust as the dark-skinned man wearing casual clothes opened the door. He had a nose ring in, a gold one, with the Scales of Judgment in the center, proudly for any to see. He stood about 6’5, shorter than me, but still stocky for his height. I expected him to be a little taller.
One look in those lime green, serpentine eyes and I could see it.
If not for the skin tone… He looked exactly like Zahrraam’Zeh…. The copy of Rahrraam, son of the First Demon… Heidi’s heart will break when she looks at him.
I know that much.
“Wow… your highness…” He bowed his head, speaking English. Thick black hair draped to the sides of his face as he did so. It was braided into incredibly small braids…. Not many demons I know have the patience for that. “When you contacted me… I assumed a representative or something would show up. I didn’t know you’d come in person to see me!”
“You don’t have to be so formal friend. I merely come to ask questions, and let you meet your family provided you’re willing to.” Said Kaizen casually.
“Oh, excuse my manners, and forgive the mess. I am Ebonhorn, the Flayer.” He bowed again. This time I saw burns under his white T-shirt starting at the base of his neck. I recognized those scars…. That fire came from being tied to the Ring…. 
His life was not a good one…
“Rise Ebonhorn.” Said Kaizen. 
“What can this simple server at the Epicurean do for you?!”
…That’s one of the most expensive, exclusive restaurants in the entire fae world. Reservations can be so hard to get, that even money can’t buy one…
I shook his wrist. “I’m Zayde Yoltier, the Bahimoth Caster. I’ve come with the First General of Hell to discuss your lineage.”
“…I’ve heard that name… You lead Yellow Diamond, grandson of the Witch King.” He said formally. “The Witches Brew is always a favorite.” He beamed.
“I didn’t know our beers, ale, and wines were that popular.” I said as a light joke.
“Really? You’d be surprised then how many off schedule flights the dragon staff take.” He chuckled. “Oh, and the elvish Honeysuckle Mead too. That one’s a favorite with the fairy folk and unicorns.”
Ebonhorn seemed to relax his shoulders. I get it though. The leader of the Horned One’s Division, and the leader of the beast magic witches are here to ask him questions. I imagine that would intimidate anyone, especially someone who doesn’t know us, or our leadership style.
It’s another thing I am proud of… We may not be able to move up ranks like humans, but at least the heads of the fae are just to their people. As a leader myself, I will do everything in my power to ensure he’s compensated. He’s one of us…. 
“Is this where all the staff live?” I asked. “It’s pretty charming.”
“Thank you sire, we do!” he beamed, letting us into his homely, but simple place. “It’s no palace my lords, but it’s all a bull needs.”
His house had a dirt floor like the others we passed, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be clean, or well loved. The rug on the floor was a little dusty, but the colors were vibrant. The things hung on the walls were colorful to cover the clay stains on the plaster. I could tell that it was hand smoothed. I could tell he put the plaster on the walls himself.
Instead of doors, he had intricate, beaded rugs. They were moved aside, revealing a simple, but comfortable looking bed on the floor. This place reminded me of how most people lived before electricity, yet this house had that luxury.
And internet. Plugged into the wall was an older model all-in-one desktop, a simple desk, and a chair. There was no TV, however, a live stream of the news rattled on, so I guess we interrupted him on his day off.
But even still…. I could see the look on my young master’s face. And unlike his elder kin, he does not contain his anger well. The low glow of the flame that flicked between his horns could be felt.
Kaizen likely thought the owners of the Epicurean weren’t paying him properly, but I knew this place. I knew they were; the issue is how expensive housing is.
“Do all live like this?” Kaizen asked that calmly, like his brother does… If he was only heard, no one would think he was ready to go kill the owner of the Epicurean.
“Well, yeah, but the House of Momiji pays above and beyond a living wage.” Ebonhorn said truthfully. 
“So are you here by choice?” asked Kaizen.
“Kind of. Lord Red owns housing, but rent here is fucking crazy. And I felt like if I’m going to rent, why not find the cheapest place and make it work?” He smiled. “This whole 1,000sq ft, 2 bed 1 bath house is only $1950 US a month, electricity included! I Could go somewhere better, but then the price skyrockets. A 500sq ft studio without electric, gas, and water starts at $1800 US just a few blocks down, and I’d blow my paycheck. I already did all that in the 1990’s.” He complained. “But thank you for the concern your majesties.”
“Alright that’s fair… I was a little worked up.” Said Kaizen. “So now, I ask. What do you know of your blood? Can you tell me of your mother?”
He looked a little sad. “Mother… How do I describe her? Despite it being the war, mother spoke her mind. She was a dancer. And no, she did not have to go to the brothels. She was never a slave… never abused, nor did she abuse me… She was Free. She did not judge me when I turned for the first time. You know many mothers kill their half demon children? Minotaur children get it even worse …. but she loved me as she loved the Horned One. She wore her tattoo of his mark in secret, but would always fondly tell me how one day I’ll have one too….. Even when I shifted at 13 summers, I still remember her scream though. And my words were goat bleats.” He chuckled. “When I changed back, I looked like this…. A Man. But my point is that she accepted that I was different.” 
“Did she speak of your father?” I asked.
“Only that he was the most handsome man she ever met, and I looked exactly like him. She’d always have a smile on her face when she spoke of him, but mother was free spirited… There was no relationship that she ever spoke of.” He said with a fond smile. 
Now it’s making sense… A beautiful, traveling dancer caught the eye of the Whip Wielding Ram. Their one-time fling was approved by the master. Ebonhorn is claimed proper, making him a half demon, not a minotaur.
“How did she pass?” Asked Kaizen.
“I bet you thought I was going to tell you that she was a prostitute, or killed by demons… but no… It was noble humans. When I was about 20 summers or so, she was accused of being a witch. She was so youthful, but she really was human, just blessed with good looks. The local countess of the area was jealous. She didn’t know about that tattoo, but with her nobility, she got the church to strip my mother naked while I was gone. While I was gone, they burned her… and I got my revenge.”
“I assume you killed them all.” I mumbled.
“No, just that one noble. I made sure everyone saw too…. But I scared myself that day… her flesh was sweet as honey… but I shed tears for my dear mother.”
“Your mother willingly cavorted with a demon prince. She’s probably in Repentance City.” Said Kaizen. “If you wish to meet her again, you could very easily if you enroll.”
“Or if you become a familiar. We summon the master, his mate, and his children regularly. I’m sure with a nice offering, any one of them would do such a simple task.” I said casually.
For the Princes, or my King… Pulling a single soul takes no effort. The only issue would be if she wasn’t in the Night Court.
Ebonhorn didn’t know what to say… I don’t think it ever occurred to him that we could do such a thing.
“…Wow.” Ebonhorn mumbled. “I guess do you have any more questions?” He asked.
“I do. You told me when we met that the church tried to burn you.” Said Kaizen. “Was that for killing the nobles?”
“No, that was about 2 years later, about a half day’s walk to Rome. They blamed me for all their woes, even though I’d only killed Just one person at that point… All the other humans I ate were just corpses left over from the young master’s destruction.” He snorted. “I don’t know what made the Realm King pick that village to look for the Pale Lady’s keys but as I told you Lord Kaizen, I still offer the Thankful Day turkey to him.”
“I think I’ve heard enough.” Said Kaizen. “As general, I have the right to employ you, or if you wish, you could be a familiar.”
“But I’m only half. Why go through the trouble young master? No one has ever wanted anything like this from me before.” He said looking down. “Even during the war no one paid me any attention…. I’m not large like other demons, only 7ft tall…. I’m probably not strong either….But to be fair… until I met you, I thought I was a minotaur.”
He’s not unlocked yet, and he’s 7ft unshifted? There are ways to draw the full potential out of him. His father was such a high rank. Rahrraam was a soldier, Ebonhorn inherits his father’s benefits. Even if he doesn’t formally take a role, he’ll still be compensated.
It makes me wonder why the masters didn’t interfere. He’s been fending for himself all this time, living his life freely. I guess so he can choose freely too?