ORRIAS
I’ve just finished my last training session when my father strolls in. The permanent grimace on his face tilts up to a small, pained smile, as if the action costs him. He is the leader of these demons, after all.
“Father,” I greet with a dip of my chin.
“You’ve finished your last lesson. It’s time to put you to work. It’s time to send you out to investigate a few covens.”
My nose crinkles in disgust. “My first assignment is witches?” I can’t believe this. As the prince, I’m expected to be given the harder tasks. This one is something his minions have taken care of since forever. Now I’m to take over for them? As if I’ll gather any new information that they haven’t. He’s got demons in or around every coven. They have enough intel that I shouldn’t be needed for this crap job.
I hold in my groan even though every part of me is ready to protest; I’m not a fledgling anymore. Not that being one granted me the right to throw a fit. My father wouldn’t have his son and heir acting in such a manner.
“Your first job is not just witches. You will be able to infiltrate them far better than we ever have before.”
I barely contain my eyeroll. “How is that?”
“Have you ever noticed that your magic is superior to the rest of the demons you’ve come across?”
“I’m the heir; the only one stronger than me is you.” Was that sarcasm? Shit. I have got to learn to tone that down with him. My trainer is a good demon, but he spent far too much time around humans; he gained their mannerisms as much as the intel he collected. His tutelage caused me to get the same human-like tendencies.
“You will mind your tone with me, boy.”
“Yes, father. My apologies. Please, continue.”
“You are not just a demon.” At my agape mouth, he continues, “You’re born of a witch and a demon. Your mother is very powerful, but she didn’t want you once she learned of who I was and what she carried. She gave you to me as soon as she was made aware.”
An image of a woman with hazel eyes and red hair flashes in my mind. I always get warmth and love from that memory. Maybe it wasn’t her? Maybe it was just something I conjured up with the lessons and stories that Leyak, my trainer, has shared with me?
“And I’m to what? Infiltrate this same coven?”
“Precisely.”
I can’t believe it. Though, if I truly think about it, I am very…. different. I have a human appearance only. No way to shift from demon to human like the others. My magic is different, too. Bright and destructive to the demons around me, where theirs is more of a dark and menacing power. I never thought to even consider that I was anything but pure demon. I just assumed it was because I was the next in line. I never see my father in anything but his human side. But maybe he did that to keep me from being scared as a child?
I know my place here. I listen and take orders. If he catches a hint that I want to question him or his reasons for keeping this from me until now, he’ll lock me away until I know he holds all the power.
“When do I leave? Am I going alone this time?” Every time I’ve gone out on small missions, I was in training, going with someone to watch my back, usually Leyak. He was more of a father to me than my actual father, and that could be why I have more of a heart than my father would like me to have. Actually, maybe it has to do with me being half human...well, witch.
“Tomorrow morning. You have two weeks out there to burrow into their coven. I will be there at the end of the two weeks, and if you have failed me, there will be severe punishment.” I nod. “You will also be going completely alone. You know how to reach me if you need assistance before then. Emergencies only. I will not tolerate incompetence from you.”
“I understand, father.”
He rubs his hands together, a gleam in his eyes. “Now, let’s celebrate this achievement the only way demons know how.”
I grin, picturing the terror filling my soul as we torment our human prisoners. We may even get to kill a few of them.