Page 37 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“Why did Bellamy paint this here?” I asked instead, as it was clear that these were done by his hand.

Henry, who was seemingly a full-blooded demon, was openly emotional about this history of theirs, but Bellamy had not mentioned it, had not cared to spark conversation in that way. Though, he also did not have the chance in hindsight.

“He began painting them one night in a spark of outrage. I believe he stayed in here for nearly a week to get them all done. He can be over emotional at times, but in this instance, it was warranted. He, more than any of us, feels the need to uphold the legacy of Zohar and Asta, to be worthy of them,” Henry said, his voice soft and raspy, as if speaking the story had exhausted him. “But that week was dark, full of bleak terror. I believe he wanted to avoid this room at all costs when he was done. Actually, the chambers were vacant until I commandeered them.”

I had so many questions, but I knew that if I asked too many he would stop answering all together. Why had he taken over this room? What happened to Asta? Had the gods felt satisfied with their revenge? A tornado of questions spun through my head and wreaked havoc on my brain. None of those questions would help me in any way, and it seemed that he was done speaking of Bellamy, so I opted for another form of information that might come across as innocent but was vital to my escape.

“You mentioned that there were other creatures the original demons had to acclimate with once gaining their power. Are they still around?” I asked. He rolled his eyes at me instead of answering, tugging my hand and pulling me out the door. I grunted in protest, but he maintained his speed, weaving us on a much straighter path than Bellamy had. “Fine, who makes those portals?”

“Makes portals?” he repeated, his eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. We stopped there in the hallway, as if I stunned him. “Do you mean how do we portal?”

I just stared, hoping not to give away my ignorance. I had a feeling I was about to discover another of Bellamy’s lies.

“We use our raw magic to portal, it is fairly simple once you understand the concept of it and practice enough. Though, not many demons can do it. It takes an incredible amount of magic.”

Thinking back, I realized I never saw the green ball in Bellamy’s hand when he took me from the ballroom. In fact, I now remembered that I even noted how the smoke of darkness smelled like him. Stupid, I was so incredibly stupid. Henry seemed to notice that my thoughts had taken a turn for the worse, because he started pulling me forward again, changing the subject.

“Let’s get you some food, then we can start training. I do not want to have to carry you back inside if you pass out from hunger,” Henry reasoned.

Fair point. I realized then that I was ravenous. I guess I had ignored it before due to my stubbornness and fear. Hopefully demons did not eat children or something equally heinous.

Chapter Twenty-Three

We came to a stop in front of a pair of double doors. Henry pushed them open, revealing a large dining area. This room sported the same red and black of the rest of the home, with a long, glossy, black table and chairs. The walls were decorated with Bellamy’s paintings, still a hectic grouping of different styles and colors strewn about in a way that made the room feel cozy. Sat in the chairs were Lian, Pino, Ranbir, and two others.

Henry was the picture of comfort as he strolled down the table and claimed the seat next to Ranbir, who quietly listened to the others talk, still sporting his all-white clothing and looking noticeably more relaxed than he did when he healed me earlier.

Lian sat on the other side, chatting with a female who had golden brown hair that seemed to reach her midthigh, though it was hard to be sure as she sat. I was unable to see much of her at all from the back, but her sensual voice rang throughout the room, drawing in everyone at the table.

The last female had hair the color of moss, which was wrapped in intricate coils along her head. She sat on the other side of Ranbir, and I saw her irises matched her vibrant locks. She had generous curves and an overall roundness to her. A small black cloth covered only her breasts, held up by a delicate chain that wrapped behind her neck. She was beautiful in a way that I had never seen before.

Everyone at this table, apart from Pino, seemed to be young—perhaps even near my own age. Their lively and casual conversations signaled they were also quite close, as if mornings like this were a regular occurrence.

Pino turned to face me, his gray hair and wrinkled skin giving him a warmth that I did not see within the others. He stood from his seat beside Lian, drawing my eyes to his tunic. The chest was a deep violet, but the stitching and the wrist-length sleeves were a beautiful gold shade that shone in the demon light. Though I loathed how little color was in the fae palace, Pino’s top reminded me of where I was, of my plans. I ached to go back, to find comfort within my home that I was now fairly convinced lay an entire sea away.

The Tomorrow walked towards me, his bright smile soothing my unease and anxiety. “I hope you find the clothing suitable,” he said. I returned the smile, though it did not meet my cheeks, and nodded. Beaming, Pino took the silent compliment and bowed low.

“I love them, I do not believe I have ever had clothes that suited me as well as these. You are truly a born talent,” I gushed, wanting him to understand just how much having clothing that both fit and flattered me meant, despite my morose look. At that his smile turned even brighter, lighting up the dark room.

“You, Asher, are a delight to have among us.”

With the word “us,” I suddenly felt five pairs of eyes land on me. I looked to the right of Pino, and sure enough, all of the table’s occupants were staring our way. I felt uncomfortable under their scrutinizing gaze, though I knew Henry, Ranbir, and Lian were likely just tuning in rather than making a judgement. Theirs had already been formed.

Henry flashed me a distinctly feline smile, clearly aware of my unease and enjoying it. With the other female fully facing me, her hazel eyes alight with curiosity and perhaps a bit of mischief, I could sense the thrum of her power. It called to me, nipping at my own, as if it were begging to be not only deciphered, but understood.

“Hello, I am Noe Tristana.” Instead of reaching her hand out, the female pulled me into her chest and squeezed me tightly. When she released me from her grip, I felt darkness lick up my spine.

“Stop taunting her, Noe, or she’ll make you stab yourself in the eye,” Lian said offhandedly, as if it was not a threat and an accusation in one. I raised my eyebrows, feigning shock.

“I think I recall telling you that I had no interest in harming you, Lian. If I wanted you dead you would be,” I spoke with equal ease and comfort, adding in a swift shrug. Creeping towards the small, blue-haired Air, I flashed a ruthless smile. “Plus, it is not nearly as exciting to play with the dead as it is the living.”

Lian shivered, but beside me I felt Noe’s excitement peak.

“Henry is right, you are quite riveting. Perhaps we can all see you in action sometime,” Noe spoke. Moving my eyes back to the brunette, I tilted my head, sizing her up.

The female with green hair cleared her throat, smiling at me warmly as she summoned a ray of light in her hand. She blasted it towards Noe, who in turn shot shadows at her, the two convulsing together like they were both at war and in love. I had never seen anything like it in my lifetime.

“It is so wonderful to finally meet you, Asher. I am Winona Nayab,” the female with the green hair said right as the pair let their power go, the light and dark sucking back into their palms. “Ignore these animals, they rarely have company beyond those in this room.”

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