Black Roses :In The Flesh Part 16

The silvery glow of moonstones hanging overhead brought out the lush and enduring beauty of the boy who sauntered into the demon dining hall clad in what was commonly thought of as nightwear. Soft rippling waves of raven black hair spilled over proudly set shoulders, while near white skin so flawless it would have rivaled any pampered girl of three shimmered under the soft ancient light of the room.

He was clad in the finest black and silver silk demonkind had to offer. The foreign design complementing his small lithe figure quite nicely while leaving his arms utterly bare. If one were to have added a slave cuff, he'd have passed for property rather than royalty. But it was all these little things together that seemed to create the ultimate picture of unearthly perfection.

Moonlight and Darkness had undoubtedly made this one its own, that much was true. One could see it had wrapped itself around him as though it were his personal shroud and like every god the demon doctor had ever known, powerful or not, he wore his ancient heritage well.

Although blonds were highly valued this boy woulda brought four times the price of even the most flawless pale haired slave if anyone had dared put him on the block, that is.

Lust and greed came in almost equal measures among demonkind and proving he wasn't the only greedy bastard at the table he could count at least three others that were currently calculating the boy's monetary value against the price it'd cost to keep him dripping in silks and jewels for a year.

He came to a halt with the grace of a small feline, folded his hands behind his back and gave a courtesy bow to their king. There was such a presence in the movement that there could be no doubt to his ancestry and as the light spilled across his cheekbones, it was confirmed.

Bloodseeker could see a delicacy of bone that spoke of only the purebred vampires---of gods and things too precious to be placed in the public eye. "At your invitation, Lord Demon." The boy's softly spoken words chimed sweetly against the many demon ears that filled the dining room, almost the voice of an angel but not quite.

"Polite and rude in one breath, how clever of you boy!" Mish-shy was positively beaming at the child. "Have a seat, beside me---your human pet can have the one next to you."

The tall golden blond who was barely a step behind the boy snorted at that, looking offended. "Arf, arf!" he muttered sarcastically, and several demons besides Bloodseeker studied him in surprise. He didn't appear unintelligent, but a human should be a little more intimidated in a roomful of demons, surely? Even a seasoned warrior, as this one looked to be despite his real youth.

The boy turned, his chin held high as his exotically dark eyes swept over the dinner table taking inventory of every sharp pointy object Mish-shy and the others had within their reach before slipping a little too gracefully into the offered chair.

The child simply gave a slight nod, uninterested in the King's strange behavior as he adjusted himself in the massive chair. Settling at last for folding his bare feet under him so that he was kneeling in the chair rather than sitting.

Perhaps the change in position was meant to make him look taller---but Bloodseeker figured it was just an effort to keep from being swallowed up in a chair that had been made for someone at least twice his size.

Even his companion didn't look wholly comfortable, and the blond was much bigger overall as well as at least five inches taller. But there was a spark of rueful amusement in his eyes as he tried to settle himself comfortably that was lacking in the flawless composure of the boy beside him. "What a load of crap; as if either of us had an ass this big! The food had better be good is all I can say!" Bloodseeker heard him mutter to his friend humorously. No doubt he still didn't realize that demon ears were supernaturally sharp, that in fact even his thoughts might not be his own if a demon cared to search them.

Or maybe he didn't give a damn, Bloodseeker mused, watching the young man with the lion's eyes stare boldly around the room, nodding pleasantly at some of the astonished demons who happened to be examining him as if he hadn't a care in the world.

"Why he's just a child!" Archangel unceremoniously blurted out, his eyes locked on the young prince. There was no threat in his half amused voice and if the bright glimmer in his eye was any indication, he was more ruffled by the Child's appearance than he was riled. "Surely this isn't the one you spoke of, Tie-re?"

Mish-shy smiled, and slid a not-so-stealthy look at Damian who was simply looking at the fellow who'd spoken. His face was utterly placid as though he hadn't been scathed by the rude comments in the least.

It was obvious from his calm demeanor that he had no intention of voicing an argument to Archangel's claims. This reaction was strange considering how most of his brethren woulda reacted to even an imagined offense. Heaven forbid you suggest that they were anything other than the lords and masters of the entire universe, meant to restrain and enlighten those less divine than themselves. Which of course was anybody that didn't adorn a pair of fangs and spout bad poetry in the hopes of appearing refined. It was hard to believe the conceited pricks actually bought their whole line of shit!

"You can't seriously be considering this boy---?" Darkdreamer suddenly asked, somewhat confused as he looked between the vampire and the human, seeking clues to his own question.

"Tie're, you must see reason on this---keep him as a trophy, if you must. Or give him to a strong demon family to be shaped and molded into a true Shyle---I'm sure many would pay handsomely for the privilege to take him into their household---but don't try and make him into a blade for battle---its ludicrous, no Shyle will follow this child into war! To even ask such a thing of us is preposterous" In his own way Darkdreamer was actually trying to be helpful to the child, thinking only of his premature demise on the battlefield.

"'Keep him as a trophy!' Just try it, you prick!" the blond muttered. Or maybe it was just a very strong thought; the human's face was turned slightly now, watching Mish-shy for any reactions, and the doctor couldn't tell if his lips were moving or not.

Abruptly Mish-shy laughed, took a large swig of his drink and turned to Damian good-naturedly. "And what do you think of all this, little prince---are you a blade for battle or someone's pet to coddle? Your human at least thinks you too wild to be tamed or too powerful to be broken---one of the two---drink?" Mish-shy asked picking up a bottle and offering to fill Damian's glass from his own supply.

De nodded, watched as his cup was filled and then turned to eye both Archangel and Darkdreamer as he spoke. "I think demons have too narrow a view of the possibilities." Then with measured grace he turned to Mish-shy. "And what makes you so sure I could be either of those things you mentioned, Lord Demon?"

"As your lackeys say, no one here would follow a child into battle, if your hoard of hell mongers will not take me seriously, then what makes you think the world will react any differently? A thousand years from now I will still look like a boy---and regardless of what I do I'll never earn the respect at large like someone would who visually fits the bill."

Bloodseeker waited for Mish-shy to take the youth's head off but instead he chuckled at the brat's crisp comment as though he actually found him somehow charming. How peculiar their king was becoming in his old age.

"Well, I suppose you could try and I might even bend to your will--- for a while." The boy answered quite diplomatically, his shoulders strong and firm. "But even demons have to sleep sometime." He let the politely delivered statement hang in the air for a moment, so serious he seemed many stopped and actually took note of the wicked smirk that tricked out of the satin beauty before them. "Wasn't it a demon who said, every lock can be picked, every prison escaped from---and that every creature is capable of bleeding---as well as dying!"

The boy's pet human, who'd been watching him keenly with a growing delight on his face, suddenly laughed briefly as he picked up his drink. "Good point; take that!" he chuckled, leaning back as if he'd decided to enjoy the show rather than remain on guard to "protect" his companion.

For a moment there was silence, at least until Bloodseeker himself started to snicker vigorously. "Sorry---sorry! Forgive me Tie-re but I have to ask---can he sit up pretty also, perhaps play dead---or fetch." Suddenly half the room was laughing with him, the boy however just watched them all, seemingly emotionless. "I must admit the vampires seemed to have trained him well! For a pup to halt demon conversation in its tracks is certainly impressive---but what else can he do besides chatter on like one of the big boys?"

"Probably nothing---he's full of mouth!" Icewind grunted dismissively from his place down the table. As usual he was seated close to their king, not due to any high rank on his part, but because Mish-shy was possibly the only demon who could stop him physically if he decided to start something. Which sometimes he did, the bastard loved to quarrel and cause trouble! Blood Seeker was a little surprised that the huge killer had actually been silent ever since the boy and his human had walked into the dining hall. Had the lad impressed him more than his words showed? No, Icewind wasn't that subtle; even putting that word and Icewind in the same sentence made Bloodseeker snort to himself. Then as Icewind continued in his evil, leering voice things became a little clearer.

"I still think you got them mixed up, Mish-shy. The other one's much more impressive even if he's not quite as pretty! Maybe he's supposed to lead us, and the dark one's his little whore? That seems more reasonable to me!" Icewind grinned at the older boy lewdly; if he expected the human to be flattered, though, he was disappointed. The blond stared at him as if he lacked good sense---which was certainly true enough!

The smile mighta been a mistake. Icewind's brow knotted and he said "I'm a---what's that?" But he didn't sound offended, and he actually licked his lips as he studied the human.

"It means a moron, you moron!" observed a reckless demon from somewhere safely down the table, and everyone burst out laughing, albeit a little nervously. The whole pack of Shyle of course could take Icewind down---eventually. But it was bound to be messy and ruin dinner if they were forced to do it.

Amazingly, Icewind grinned, ignoring his fellow demons as he studied the human almost possessively. His multi-hued face paintings sometimes made his expression hard to read, but his body language was more than eloquent in this case. "Does it now? Well, you're a brave one, too, then. I like that, cowards are boring. I think you'll show a bit of spirit when I fuck you senseless!"

The princeling was staring at Icewind now, his brow drawn down as though he were seriously considering this formidable creature before him in battle terms, "Don't even think about it, boy!" Mish-shy warned in almost a fatherly tone. "I don't want blood on my dinner table!"

"I'll not spill his rotten blood on your precious finery." The boy promised almost sarcastically, his eyes growing darker with every passing moment. "That'd be rude wouldn't it!"

"No," The boy noted almost thoughtfully, "I just know when I'm capable of kicking some Neanderthal's ass!" Bloodseeker cocked an eyebrow finding that he was being assessed in the same manner as Icewind had been and then just as quickly dismissed as something totally insignificant, not even worth the boy's attention.

"Con-nota-shun?--- shit!" Icewind snorted, tired of trying to work it all out. "Mish-shy! Can I have this one? I want him!" From the tone in the berserker's voice, he wasn't going to pay much mind if his king said "no." In fact, he was half out of his seat already.

Well, this was an easy fix. Icewind would claim the human, and the rest of them could get on with dinner and figuring out where this new little princeling fit in with their lives.

Blood Seeker grinned as the human leaped from his chair also; actually dared to swing at Icewind as the demon roared over him. He might even have landed a telling blow on a normal demon, enough to slow them down for a second anyway. But Icewind took the savage fist to his eye as a love tap, and rumbled eagerly. He dragged the yelling man into his arms with a lustful growl, his long tongue snaking out to lick the man's face, tasting him before taking. Damn! Perhaps Icewind wouldn't even wait to haul the stupid human off to his quarters; they would have a show right here to enliven dinner!

Then as if by some ancient magic Damian was there between them, pushing Icewind's massive form away from his companion with an ease that seemed ludicrous! Half the demons at the table were on their feet now, eyes as big as saucers, mouths flapping open like fish pulled from the sea. No one thought to react, they were simply too stunned. The boy could have ripped Icewind's throat completely out before anyone could have summoned what they needed to make themselves move.

As things slowed down in Bloodseeker's mind he realized the boy had changed somehow, his eyes were like two pools of liquid darkness that churned with gleaming metallic silver, his hair---no his entire being shimmered as though he'd stood under a shower of stardust! Even his skin seemed to have changed, it glowed of its own accord now, having nothing whatsoever to do with the moonstone lights that hung overhead--- it was an alien light, godly perhaps, like a billion tiny jewels catching on candlelight.

Then as if waking up from a dream Bloodseeker realized the boy---if he could be called that after such a show---wasn't pushing Icewind away so much as he was holding him immobile with one fragile looking hand.

Slim, almost jewel like fingers wrapped around the massive monster's throat as far as was physically possible, while dark onyx nails dug deeply into demon flesh. The low rumble that imitated from somewhere deep inside the boy's chest could only be called a growl but yet somehow it was so much more than that, almost a wordless decree of dominance.

"I'll say this only once, and real slow so you can understand me!" The hand, which had been gripping a massive arm suddenly dropped and snatched up Icewind's member and perhaps even his balls, it was hard to tell exactly--- but whatever it was he latched onto brought the hellspawn instantly to his knees.

With a wince, Bloodseeker noted the blood that suddenly welled up around Icewind's groin area quickly soaking the fabric around Damian's long fingernails. A few other demons twitched in sympathy. While a few others stared in astonishment, their eyes bright with some unholy light that Seeker couldn't quite grasp.

"Do- not- touch- my- human." The boy-god-creature spoke slowly, almost pleasantly to the kneeling demon. "If- you- do- it- again- I will- rip- off-your- dick-!" He paused, smiled wickedly and added. "And then feed it to you!--- So put simply---no touching!"

"De? Thank you for going to the trouble." It was the human, almost forgotten by the demons in their focus on the drama between Icewind and the small godling. "But he's just a harmless idiot, and I doubt he'll do it again. Let him go?"

He'd been thrown to the floor hard as Icewind dropped him in the surprise of Damian's quick attack and he was wincing somewhat, not seeming in a hurry to rise to his feet just yet. But despite his obvious pain he had a big, delighted grin on his face. Was watching his companion as if enraptured with the sight, and snickering at Icewind's predicament at the same time. "In fact, I doubt I'll fear his ravishing me for a month at least!" he added with a somewhat cruel laugh, considering the poor demon's injuries.

Icewind couldn't speak, but he rolled his eyes eloquently. The damn human burst out laughing at the sight. "He says he wouldn't dream of coming within fifty feet of me for as long as he lives!" the blond translated, perhaps somewhat optimistically. This was the worst beating Icewind had ever taken---and even he had been brought down a couple times---but he was good at forgetting lessons. However he seemed cowed enough at the moment, his eyes were nearly bulging outta his head. The surprise had probably affected him just as much as the pain, and that surprise was shared by every demon at the table and maybe by the godling's claimed human, as well.

Great! he thought somewhat sarcastically, just what we needed! A pretty little godling child to entice us into submission! He sliced an agitated glace at Mish-shy who snickered openly at his unspoken thoughts.

"My lord, if you please---perhaps the Shyle are better off with him alive?" Darkdreamer, one of the few who were not utterly stunned by the events spoke as he maneuvered his way around the standing demons and the mass of displaced chairs that had been shoved away from the table as the demons had reacted.

He hovered on the outer edge of the little drama for a few brief moments before sinking worshipfully down to his knees in front of the scene. "My apologies, Dark lord---for not recognizing you." Mish-shy cocked an eyebrow at this but said nothing as he waited to see what would happen next.

The Dark One sliced only a momentary glance toward the kneeling boy, sized him up and nodded as though he had accepted his apology. "Is this creature yours, then?"

"There is only one of me---and at times that will leave Rhion unguarded--- I don't trust this one to remember his lessons." The hand tightened again and there was a slight crackling of bone as Icewind's neck threatened to snap.

"Then trust your circle to do it for you?" Darkdreamer was serious, his eyes locked on Damian. "Lily and Logan say he has purpose---that he shall sway things in our favor one day."

"Then let my blood speak for itself." The Darkdreamer pulled his dragon blade, raised its razor-sharp edge to the upper position of his left arm and dragged it in a downward slash across the meaty part in an almost vicious swipe---then to Bloodseeker's amazement the action was repeated several times over around the room by different demons who all carried the same type of blade. Oddly enough he'd never noticed this little fact before.

"And from my own ranks he steals his silver circle---" Mish-shy laughed. "So be it, your guard has made itself known---I shall not stop them from paving your path, but they are still subject to demon law. If they should cross any---" Mish' shy waved his hand figuratively in the air "---lines, then I shall be forced to deal with them accordingly."

The Dark One smiled at their king's comment and gave Icewind's nearly limp body a careless toss sending him sprawling on the other side of the room. A few demons moved unceremoniously outa the way, while a few others moved closer to peek at the downed demon's current state.

Then, carefully as well as tenderly Damian turned to Rhion and extended his hand out ward as though he were offering a small child a hand up. "Are you injured?" he asked simply, his eyes sliding over Rhion in such odd fashion it made everyone take notice.

"A little more bruised, but I'll live," Rhion declared firmly, taking De's hand with no false bravado to lever himself to his feet. "I was an ass to mouth off to him, I had it coming in a way." His eyes sparkled wickedly as he studied the Dark child with pure, unholy delight. "But I can't say I'm sorry to be rescued."

Bloodseeker stared at the human with grudging appreciation. That last, simple phrase had been as laden with innuendo as any seduction he'd ever heard. The blond might as well have layered his words in chocolate and fed them to the Dark One by hand!

And obviously the boy was no fool or at least this particular version of him wasn't! Bloodseeker wasn't entirely sure how it all worked---possession maybe or perhaps a layering of the soul, kinda like multiple personalities only on a bit more sophisticated level---both were a distinct possibility.

"Time isn't on your side, Bloodseeker!" Damian noted as he smiled brightly at his human companion, his eyes full of dark mischief and sultry seduction. "And I can't say I'm sorry for having rescued you, Rhion---but like the devil says---there's always a price."

The blond looked down at the dark prince, smiling faintly. He hadn't let go of his hand, either. "So---what forms of payment do you accept in such a case?" His tone was utterly serious, soft and smoky. If he'd used that voice with Icewind he'd have been pounced on minutes sooner and fucked senseless, whether the demon knew what he was talking about or not.

Abruptly, the human raised his gaze and scowled at the curious gang of demons as if they'd invaded his bedroom by force, rather than him being smack in the middle of the Shyle dining hall. "De, I think I've had enough---hospitality," he remarked curtly. "Can we go?"

"Of course my bel-ummm---excuse me," Damian halted his sentence abruptly, looked down at the floor and smiled like a Cheshire cat before raising those dazzling eyes back to his companion's face. "For a moment there I forgot that you and I are not quite acquainted from your perspective---we'll remedy that!" he promised, eyes ablaze with heat as he began again as though correcting some small blunder. "I'd like nothing better than to retire with you---claim what's mine." With that last part he moved closer, curled his hand in the front of Rhion's leathers and studied him.

Rhion looked back, his expression curious, a little dreamy. He looked, Bloodseeker thought, as if in the grip of some mild narcotic that had softened his senses just enough to let him accept this strange, new De without much question. Accept, hell! His expression was downright sappy when he looked at the boy.

"Have it sent to our rooms---a little bit of everything and some decent wine---not that worthless rot you're drinking. Oh and tomorrow I'll be needing a tailor---!"

Mish-shy shook his head thankfully still amused by the boy god's actions. "I'll send by some servants, a tailor and the maid in the morning---to get your godliness settled. They'll supply everything you need to ensure your comfort. But--- tomorrow afternoon we work?"

"Why not, I suppose it's not too much to ask since your wallet will be put to the test in the morning," the Dark One threatened. "Ready?" He asked Rhion, already pulling him out the door.

Rhion tugged a piece of paper out of a side pocket and waved it. "I have a list of what I need for the kitchen!" he announced with bright innocence, and Mish-shy groaned dramatically, noticing that it was completely filled in, front and back, with surprisingly neat, angular script. The damn human must be intending to throw a party!

"Give it to Correth, you troublesome human, he'll bring you all you want as quick as it can be done. Though I imagine you'll be mainly wanting privacy for awhile!" This last was stated with sarcastic amusement and a knowing grin.

"Damn right," Rhion said firmly, with a flickering glance at Damian who was still pulling on him, though seeming amused at his antics. "And have someone patch up that poor white-haired bastard, at least slap a bandage on his dick!!" Rhion added as a parting shot, as De emphatically tugged him out the door. "What kinda people are you, he's bleeding on everything!"

"The young lion makes a good point," Mish-shy chuckled, motioning the demons to take their seats and continue with dinner. "Bloodseeker! Stop meditating on life's mysteries, get over there and assist that over-impulsive fool! And tend him well; I'm greatly indebted to him."

Mish-shy's face twisted with humorous delight as he refilled his wine glass from the carved crystal flask on the table, and looked around grinning at the gathering of ruffled demons. "I thought only an attack on his human was likely to bring the god out for you all to witness, but damned if I knew how to accomplish that without risking my own neck! I'll have to reward my impetuous brother. But discreetly, I don't necessarily want him encouraged to try it again when he's capable. He's needed in battle after all!"