The Wilted Lily

Chapter 6

After leaving Asmodalius office Shax heaved a sigh of relief, 'I rather get done with the job than stand in front of His Highness', he hugged himself and shivered once more.

"Are you okay Master? Your complexion is quite pale". The coachman asked opening the carriage door for him.

"I'm completely fine. Let's go." He got on the carriage and the coachman whipped his whip and two howls reverberated in the surroundings. The carriage was pulled by two big wolves instead of horses that were taller than an average human.

It would have been easier to travel via a teleportation circle but Earls like Asmodalius don't have the luxury of it. as it takes a lot of resources and effort to draw a teleportation circle.

Shax has to make a stop at Hell's Bazaar. A teleportation circle was here so demons that were merchants and other mixed beings could trade their goods with each other. Hell's Bazaar was no different than the market in the human realm.

Two teleportation Circles were drawn at the center of the bazaar with four pillars erected on each corner. A small office was situated next to the teleportation circle. They were responsible for collecting the toll fee, controlling traffic, preventing disputes, and many other things.

The teleportation circle was big enough to teleport hundred people at once. Whenever the teleportation circle glowed people with carriages and carts pulled by strange creatures could be seen coming out of it.

A carriage stopped in front of the office and the coachman paid the toll fee according to their destination. the coachman then rode the carriage towards the teleportation circle which was only used for exists.

Shax's mansion was located in the north. Everything was covered in snow which gave the feeling of serenity. The calm and peace were broken when a light shone from the entrance gate of the mansion. A carriage came out of the magic circle and the wolves howled announcing the arrival of the Master of the mansion.

The carriage stopped in front of the main door and Shax came out snow crunched under his feet. The snow was coming down in big heavy flakes which soaked his clothes. He was welcomed by the butlers and maid as he entered the foyer.

"Master, you've returned".

"I'll be in my office. Unless it's urgent do not disturb me".

"Understood".

Upon entering the office, he took his coat off and poured himself a drink, and finished it in one big gulp. He plopped in the chair snapped his fingers. An orb appeared in his hands.

"Come forth". A pale white mist came out of the orb and took the form of the girl.

While pouring himself another drink he asked, "What's your name?".

"Aubrey", it was almost a whisper.

"How old were you when you died?".

"Fif...fifteen".

"Do you remember how you died?"

Shax was only asking this pointless question to see if the girl has retained sanity or gone coo-coo. But for her, it was like she was struck by lightning.

'Do you remember how you died? How could I not', she thought. 'Even if I died a thousand times more, I can't forget it', her body became stiff as a log. 

She was translucent, to begin with, but the pale expression on her face couldn't be missed. She felt the hands of those men roaming all over her body. The pain from the knife going in and out of her chest rubbing against the bone.