Page 88 of Dark Captivation

“He’s a dictator, Sunny. All demon descent is squashed here, usually violently.” He slapped the back of his hand into his palm. “Look at what he did to us. Where’s the resistance right now? He had his soldiers hunt every one of us like vermin. Everyone but me is in prison.”

“For taking everyone in the community center hostage. That would get you locked up anywhere.” I reminded him emphatically.

“And how many innocents did we hurt?” he replied. “Answer me that.”

“Actions have consequences, Varcus. Welcome to the real world.”

“And what will be the consequences of his actions?” His eyes flicker to the palace, rage burning beneath them. “Thousands of demons will be slaughtered when our enemies come breaking through our gates. They’ll want revenge for the carnage he will bring to other territories. He will conquer and bend the world to his will. He’ll set the world on fire and happily rule the pile of ash left behind. Don’t you get it?”

The palace's doors opened, and three maids came outside to smoke cigarettes and chat.

“I need to go back inside. Malek will soon wonder where I am.” I turned away and he grabbed my arm like he wasn’t done with me.

“Wait. Please. Before you go take this.” He reached into the waist of his pants and withdrew a golden dagger. Its waviness resembled a serpent’s movements.

He placed it in my hands and I tossed it back to him.

“Careful with that.” He caught it. “This is the Angel Song Dagger. The only weapon in the world that can kill the Demon King in one blow.”

“Well now I’m sure I don’t want it!” I ground out.

Adamant, he returned it to me, welding it to my palm with his own so I couldn’t hand it back to him.

“Just keep it with you. Think it over. If the moment arrives that you realize the fate of the world is in your hands, I hope you’ll use it.”

“Did you hear me? I said I don’t want it.” Conflicting ideas competed in me like a boxing match. On the one hand, I didn’t want Varcus to have a weapon that could kill Malek. But on the other hand, the thought of me taking this and Malek catching me with it made my heart set ablaze. Malek said he could forgive me for just about anything, but there was no way he could ever forgive me for carrying the only weapon that could easily end his life.

I dropped the dagger and he caught it, snarling. The palace doors swung open again, and I looked to see if it was Malek.

To my relief it was just the maids going back inside.

As I turned back around it burned me to see that Varcus had gone, leaving his damn dagger on the grass in front of me. This was way too dangerous a weapon for me to just leave there, so I was forced to conceal it inside my blouse, using my bra strap to hold it to my side.

It was late and I knew no one would think it strange if I went to bed. Doubling back to the ballroom, I yelled to Malek from the door letting him know I was off to bed.

He dropped the work he was doing with the decorators to blow me a kiss and wish me sweet dreams. I went up to my room and withdrew the dagger.

This dagger exuded a kind of power I’d never felt before, the energy signature it emitted was both celestial and malevolent.

As my fingers touched it, a beautiful song played directly into my mind, it was so faint I almost couldn’t hear it. It sounded like a choir singing glorious harmony. Still, I wanted nothing to do with it.

I hid it under my mattress. After a quick shower, I climbed into bed, squeezed my eyes shut and tried in vain to pretend I’d never received the dagger or seen Varcus tonight.

I tossed all night, not sleeping much before a hacking laugh coming from the hallway outside my door woke me. The clock next to my bed read 9am.

It was the day of the big ball and I heard unfamiliar voices outside. I ducked my head out the door, eying Ferina as she gave a tour of the hallways to five teenage demonesses. There were several old paintings on the walls and she explained the history of each one and the teens hung on the princess’ every world.

Not realizing some guests would have arrived so early, I dipped back into my room before they could spot me. My hair was a mess and I haven’t showered or brushed my teeth yet and I wanted to make a good impression.

Last time I was in the ballroom there was still so much to do and so my help might have still been needed before the party officially started tonight.

I showered, combed my hair and got dressed. After a quick chat with Ferina and the tour group, I went down to the ballroom.

A bundle of workers clogged the door stalling my entrance. Once I worked my way past them, I was stunned to see how far they’d come with the decorations. This place looked amazing, everything looked well organized and expertly decorated.

There was a dance floor area in front of the band’s stage. The food and dessert station to one end and a sitting area to the other. It was all so perfectly set out.

A single detail hadn’t been forgotten. Brightly colored streamers dangled from the ceiling and chandeliers. The bar was well equipped with dozens of shelved bottles and the bartenders wiped down the glasses preparing for the guests to arrive.

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