Demon Lord VI - Son of Chaos Page 18

  “Destructive practices, Lord?”

  He turned to face her, and her heart skipped a beat. “Defeating dark gods and thereby allowing them access to domains.”

  “Oh, right. But we’ll stop now that we know it doesn’t destroy them. It’s pointless.”

  “Good, but there are other things that must be rectified. Your Realm Gate is open, and so is the World Gate between your mid realm and light realm. Tainted souls are being reborn, and your people are becoming devious and uncouth. Drontar is an excellent example of this.”

  Nikira burnt with shame. “I’m sorry for what he did to you, Lord. I would have prevented it if I’d known what he planned to do. It was wrong and -”

  He raised a hand. “That is of no importance now. You will tell your leaders to send all the people in the city outside your Realm Gate into your domain. When your god is born, the Gate will close.”

  “But... That will cause a lot of problems... They won’t do it.”

  “If they do not, they will be left outside to starve.”

  “My leaders don’t believe in gods. The closing of the Great Gate will be seen as an act of war. They’ll try to destroy it, and they’ll try to kill you.”

  Bane shrugged, lowered his gaze to her desk and studied the items on it. “They will not succeed. In fact, Kayos says that the smaller fire dome is in the path of the Gate wards, and will be destroyed when the Gate closes. Your young god will have much work to do, and will close the World Gate too, denying mortals access to the light realm. He will also cast out all the tainted souls from the city of the dead, and they will be forced to remain in the mid realm until they have shed their taint. Your world will be filled with ghosts.”

  “They won’t believe me, Lord.”

  He picked up a glass figurine. “Then they are fools, and they will die. The fire domes protect your city from the dark power, and your ships are ingenious, but you will have no food.”

  “Actually, we will. We have farms that can produce food with artificial light, and our generators use the blue power. All our water is recycled, and we take very little from our world, which is already overpopulated. That was one of the reasons the city was built.”

  Bane put down the ornament and gazed at her. Her cheeks grew hot, and she looked away, sure that her feelings shone in her eyes. “Then they will be cut off from the rest of your people forever.”

  “They’ll keep trying to destroy the Gate. They have matter disruptors, pulse generators, mass transporters, many weapons to try.”

  “A realm gate is said to be indestructible, although I believe I could get through one if I really tried. Can your people use the dark power?”

  She risked a glance at him. He had lost interest in her and perused an uninspired landscape on the wall. “No, Lord, but the Gate is only stone.”

  “No, it is not, any more than my sword was only metal. It contains wards of white power, which, once activated, make it far stronger than any material you have ever encountered. Just as the dark power protected my sword, so the white protects the stone of the Gate. The only way you could open it is with a key, and you do not have one.”

  “Why must our god close the Gate?”

  He adjusted one of his wrist guards. “The Realm Gate is a light god’s only protection against the dangers of the God Realm. He cannot leave it open.”

  “But it’s been open all these centuries.”

  “Because he is still in his birthing chamber, and cannot be harmed. Once he is born, he will be vulnerable, and if he is killed your domain will die, and all of you with it.” He stopped fiddling with the wrist guard and appeared to ponder. “Unless you can provide light and food for all your people, and live in the God Realm.”

  “Our domain will die? How?”

  “The light will be drawn back into the Oracle, which will become a realm seed once more. After many centuries the boundaries would collapse without the wards to strengthen them.”

  “And then what?” She gazed at him, her heart fluttering. Despite the serious subject of their discussion, his presence electrified her. “Will the people be crushed when the boundaries collapse?”

  “No, they are not made of stone. Not all of them, anyway. The survivors will be released into the God Realm, where usually they would not survive for long.”

  “Why can’t we be left as we are? I’m sure I could convince them to stop hunting dra’voren, but my leaders will be angry if Kayos does this.”

  Bane glanced at her, and she looked away. “Because your people are becoming wicked, and eventually they will ally with a dark god, who will use them to further his own ends, quite possibly hunting light gods with your ships.”

  “But the people who stay outside may still do that.”

  “No.” He settled on the edge of her desk, clasping his hands. “When a man dies in the God Realm, his soul flies to the nearest light realm and presents itself at the World Gate. If it is tainted, it may not enter, and must remain in the mid realm until it is cleansed.

  “If it is corrupted, like Drontar, it will go straight to the dark realm to dwell in the Land of the Dead. Either way, a tainted soul cannot be reborn, so any children born here after the Gate is closed will have pure souls. Even godless and without faith, they will not ally with a dark god.”

  “I see.” She gazed at his profile. “Perhaps if Kayos himself explained this to my leaders, they would listen. They won’t listen to me.”

  “Kayos dislikes appearing to mortals, especially unbelievers. Why do you think I am here as his messenger? You have been chosen as his prophet of doom, and your prophecy will come to pass. Warn them, and let them do as they will.”

  “I’ll do my best, Lord.”

  “Good.” He rose to his feet and headed for the door.

  Nikira’s heart dropped into her boots. “Lord?”

  Bane turned at the door. “Yes?”

  “I... Where have you been? You’re looking well.”

  “We have found a safe place to rest, and with Kayos and Drevarin working together to restore my strength, I am fully recovered.”

  “Does that mean you no longer have any power?”

  He tilted his head, studying her. “No dark power, no. Why do you ask?”

  “I-I’m just curious. Forgive me, Lord.”

  “No matter.” He shrugged and turned to leave again.

  “Lord?”

  Bane paused in the doorway and glanced back, raising his brows.

  “Are you going to disappear again? And how can you, without your power?”

  “Drevarin has been providing invisibility for all of us.”

  “Oh.” She lowered her gaze to the carpet. “I-I wanted to invite you... to... to dine with me, Lord.”

  “To what end?”

  “I... There are some things I wish to discuss with you.”

  “Such as?”

  Nikira bit her lip, her mind blank. “I’d rather tell you in private, with some good food and wine. Is that possible?”

  “I suppose so.”

  “In one hour? Do you know where my quarters are?”

  “In your quarters?”

  She glanced up at him, terrified that he had divined her true intent, but he looked puzzled. “For privacy, Lord.”

  “I see. Very well, I shall find it.”

  “Thank you, Lord.”

  Nikira sagged against the desk as the door shut behind him, her heart hammering with excitement and dread. Had she really just invited a mortal god to dinner? Now she knew that she was mad, and what was worse, she knew that she had every intention of seducing him. Or having a jolly good try, at any rate. Brimming with excitement, she ran to her cabin and stripped off the white dress. She had a quick shower, then applied perfume and makeup, but not too much, so he would not become suspicious.

  Then again, what did it matter if he did? He would have to find out at some stage. Surely he would not object? She giggled, taking out the new, lacy white gown she had asked one of the female cleaners, who
had some skill with dressmaking, to make for her. Putting it on, she admired herself in the mirror, smoothing the silky material over her hips. The form-hugging gown was trimmed with lace at the collar, sleeves and hem, and a silver belt clasped her slim waist.

  After a glance at the clock, she went into the tiny kitchen and ordered two precooked meals from the auto chef, along with a bottle of the best wine. Setting the auto chef to keep the food hot, she ran around the lounge tidying away any loose paraphernalia and plumping up the cushions on the couch. Rummaging through her collection of film data sticks, she selected a romantic one and set up the monitor, lowered the lights and put on some gentle music. As she set the bottle of wine and two glasses on the table, the door opened to admit Bane. She swung around, surprised by his unannounced entry.

  “Lord.” She fell to her knees.

  “Get up. I told you to stop that.”

  “Sorry.” Nikira rose to her feet, glancing at the door, which had closed automatically behind him. “You surprised me. How did you open the door?”

  “I noticed that it did not open by itself, as they usually do. I was not supposed to come in?”

  “Of course you were, but usually people push the buzzer and wait to be invited in before entering private quarters.”

  “Ah, I see.” He smiled. “I am still unskilled in the ways of humans, it seems. When it did not open, I caused it to do so. Arrogant of me, I suppose.”

  “Not at all. I was just surprised.”

  He gazed around. “You also dislike bright lights?”

  “You prefer dim lighting?”

  “More so when I have my power.”

  “Right.” Nikira found that she was wringing her hands and hid them behind her back, then remembered what she was supposed to do next. “May I take your cloak?”

  “Certainly.” The clasp opened by itself as she went behind him, and the heavy cloak fell into her arms. She hung it on the hook by the door, her hands lingering on the silky material that was made of inert dark power, a mind-boggling concept her scientists could not explain. Turning, she found him studying her, and was glad the dim lighting hid the hot blood that rushed into her cheeks.

  “That is a pretty gown.”

  “Thank you, Lord. Will you sit?”

  Bane glanced around at the couch and two chairs, a table situated conveniently between them. Without his cloak, he lost some of his looming menace. Its absence revealed him to be more slender than she had thought, his broad shoulders tapering to narrow hips. He was out of place amid her modern furnishings, with his long, gleaming hair and old-fashioned, well-tailored clothes. He sat down on the moulded dark blue acrylic couch, and she wondered if there was any shred of sanity in her plan. Realising that she was dithering, she joined him on the couch, keeping a reasonable distance between them, and poured the wine. The bottle neck rattled on the glass, and she cursed her nerves.

  “You are nervous?” he enquired in his soft, husky voice. “You think I still harbour ill will towards you?”

  His old-fashioned way of speaking and perfect diction made her blood race. “Do you, Lord?”

  “No. You accepted your punishment, and you have been cleansed.”

  She handed him a glass of ruby wine. “So you’ve forgiven me?”

  “Did you want to kill me?”

  Her hand shook, so she put her glass down. “No. I wanted to keep you alive, even when Drontar ordered your death. How much of that was your influence?”

  “None. I merely made you more curious than you already were, and gave you a wish to study me further. Then I made you think you had done so.”

  “It would have worked, except for Enyo.”

  He nodded, sipping his wine. “He was beyond my influence. The walls prevented me from touching his mind.”

  “So you do have limits?”

  He smiled. “I suppose so, when I am unable to use some of my powers.”

  “But I was outside with Enyo when I decided that I wanted to study you more.”

  “I had already planted the seeds in your mind.”

  “I see.” She picked up her glass and sipped the wine. “So it hurts when you read people’s minds, but not when you plant thoughts in them.”

  “Yes, but it does not have to hurt. If I touch the person, they feel nothing.”

  “So you could plant anything you wanted. You could make someone love you.”

  He gazed into his wine glass. “Why would I do that?”

  “To save yourself?”

  “Then I would use pity, but this power has only come to me recently. Before it did, I had to rely on my charm, such as it is.” He shot her a smile, and she swallowed hard, managing not to choke on the sip of wine she had just taken.

  “Why didn’t you do that to stop Artan putting the shackles on you?”

  “I was unconscious.”

  Nikira topped up their glasses and settled back a little closer to him. She plied him with more questions about his past, uncovering a tale about a domain he had saved. She had to pry the details out of him, for he tended to summarise his adventures in concise, clipped sentences.

  After a couple of hours she brought out the food, which he seemed to enjoy, and she fetched another bottle of wine when the first ran low. By that time she had edged considerably closer, and her hand kept creeping towards him as if it had a mind of its own. Mostly she longed to run it through his hair, and on several occasions was so distracted that she wondered if she was making sense.

  The wine seemed to relax him, and he laid his head on the back of the couch, closing his eyes. He was certainly not picking up any of her cues, oblivious to the signals she sent. She had not had trouble seducing men before, but he remained unmoved by her charms. Did he find her so unattractive, or was he just old-fashioned? She was jerked from her thoughts as he lifted his head and opened his eyes, turning to her.

  “What did you wish to discuss with me?”

  “What...? Oh, right. It’s about this prophecy thing.” She had decided to use that as an excuse if necessary. “Should I tell the leaders at base, or go to the central government in Bayona?”

  “You know your people. I would say both, if possible.”

  “Right. And should I put it in writing, send it out on the com system, or go and see the leaders?”

  He shrugged. “I leave it up to you.”

  “I think it would be a lot better if you told them.”

  “I disagree. They will not believe a stranger, but you have standing in your community, and you know how to persuade them. They will also be more inclined to believe the words of a god they cannot see than one who stands before them as a man. I am too...”

  He glanced down, and she followed his gaze, horrified to find her hand on his thigh, and snatched it back, her face growing hot.

  “Sorry, Lord.”

  He stared at her, his expression enigmatic, then put his glass down on the table. “Are you attempting to seduce me, Nikira?”

  She gulped, not daring to meet his eyes. “No... Well... Not unless you want me to.”

  He looked around. “Now I understand the soft lights and music, the wine, the meaningless banter. It seems I am naive in the ways of your society. You planned this?”

  Her heart raced with excitement, and she raised her eyes. “Are you angry?”

  “No.”

  “So... will you stay? Have some more wine?”

  “I think I should go.”

  Her heart sank. “No... Please stay. We could just talk, nothing more.”

  “No.” He stood up. “It will be better if you do not see me again.”

  “Please don’t go.”

  Bane took his cloak from the hook and donned it, shot her an inscrutable look and left. Nikira sagged against the cushions, cursing herself for a blind, idiotic fool. What must he think of her now? Not much, she was sure. She would probably never see him again, thanks to her clumsy attempt to lure him with her doubtful charms. Even though she knew it was foolish and probably hopeless, sh
e also knew she would try it again, if given half a chance. She just could not seem to keep her hands off him, or her mind, for that matter.

  ***

  Nikira gazed out at the blue fire dome of her base as she awaited the arrival of the officials who had boarded Retribution two hours earlier, representatives of the base leadership. The atmosphere on the bridge was tense and a little excited. The ship had been docked for only three hours, but already she could sense officialdom clamping down. Five hours ago she had dropped off Bane’s group and the rest of the refugees on an area of sandy ground just beyond the rock outcrop that hid it from the city. Ethra had brought his instructions to her, and her ability to understand the girl told her that one of the three gods was nearby.

  The refugees had been left with supplies for several days and tents. Nikira envied them, for Bane would return for them, while she would probably never see him again. Again she wondered why he had found her advances so offensive, or whether he merely found her repulsive. Probably, she thought bitterly, because she had tortured him, but perhaps because he was married, although that had not posed a problem for past lovers. She wore her uniform once more, drawing courage from its gold trimmings to face what lay ahead.

  A tall, balding official stepped out of the lift, followed by two shorter flunkies, the kind who fawned and agreed with their senior, and took notes. Nikira and the crew stood up and saluted, and he walked over to her.

  “Commander Nikira. I’ve finished reading your reports, and questioned Senior SciTech Drontar and his fellows. My colleagues and I have reached a consensus. Drontar and his comrades will be released immediately, and you’re to be placed under arrest.”

  “On what charge, sir?”

  “Treason.”

  A soft hiss of surprise came from the bridge crew, and the official glanced around, silencing them. “You’ll accompany me to the base prison now.”

  “I request a meeting with Governor Predoran to discuss matters of the utmost importance.”

  He nodded. “I’ll inform him of your request.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  The official led her to the lift, and the crew saluted as she left the bridge. The trip to prison passed in a blur, her mind numb with shock and disbelief. She was processed in with swift efficiency, stripped of her insignia and taken to a cell, where she sat and stared at the wall, her heart filled with misery and dread.