Salem (Lucifer's Queen Book 2)

Chapter One

Zaidyn

The streets were empty as I walked them. I needed somewhere to stay if I was going to be here for three months. I would not be staying in a hotel. This town did not have those, they had inns though. Which based on the memories of those teenagers in the woods seemed mediocre to me. I could always make a house but that would be unwise for two reasons. One, it would draw attention. If a home materialised out of nowhere people would be curious and come, looking for answers. And two, it would require approximately half of whatever little power I had left.

I was on the continent of Europe in a town that went by the name, of Halo. It had a population of five thousand and most importantly, it was filled with Puritans. We learnt about Puritans during my Earth comprehension class. Aunt Anita had also taught me about them. I was one day to rule over Hell which meant I would need to be knowledgeable not only about Hell's people but those of Earth and Heaven as well. Aunt Anita had taught and continued to teach me everything I needed to know to rule. We had already covered the entire school curriculum, so I simply attended school for my mother's sake. The Puritans believed that God had formed a unique covenant, or agreement, with them. They felt that God required them to live entirely by the Bible, to reform the Anglican Church, and to set a good example that would inspire those who remained in England to repent.

Currently, this town was in a black magic and Lucifer-worshipping frenzy, and they were not far off either. I could feel and smell something off in this place as well. If my abilities were not limited, I could have scanned the town in seconds and determined who was a human, half-breed, or one of my people. However, I doubt anyone from Hell was present. Half-breeds and other supernatural creatures did not interact. Aunt Anita had taught me that their race was blind to the truth of our existence. Such information did not intrigue me at the time, so I tuned out while Aunt Anita had spoken. However, now I wish I had listened and even asked the simple question, 'Why?'

Then again, I was not here to meddle in the affairs of this place. I was merely waiting for father to arrive so we could go home, where he would finally get mother to abandon the ridiculous notion that I should marry and mate Tabitha.

I shoved the thoughts from my mind. I need to find somewhere to reside. I suppose I only had one other option. I—

A subtle vanilla fragrance passed through my nostrils causing the hairs on my arms to stand on end and a shiver of pleasure to run down my spine.

"Now where did that come from?" I asked myself aloud.

I inhaled again and growled when I could not identify the location of the smell due to my limited abilities. It was moments like these that I wished the boys were here. First, there was Ryuu, he was the son of Uncle Galileo and Aunt Series. The second was Joshua, the son of Aunt Anita and Uncle Alsero. Third was Silas, the son of Uncle Cairo and Aunt Saline. Then finally, there was Typhon the son of Uncle Furcas and Aunt Nana. Their parents were not my actual aunts and uncles, but I addressed them as such out of respect. We were all like a big family. I would give them a day or two before they came searching for me. I am sure they would have no problem staying with me on Earth for the duration of my punishment. Then again, that is if father would allow them to stay.

I breathed in the air once more, but the smell had faded. "That is strange," I muttered looking around.

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Salem

I sat on my window ledge, staring out at the moon. Tonight, was a full-blood moon and it was stunning. Moons such as this one always provided me with a sense of peace. Living here was never all fun and games. I lived with my aunt Suzianna or Suzi as most people shortened it and called her. She was the person who raised me. I knew I was not originally from Halo, but I struggled to remember where I was before here. We only discussed my parents once. Aunt Suzi had informed me that they were killed in a fire when I was younger. She looked so broken while she said it. After that, we never talked about them, and I never brought them up. Even if I asked my Aunt Suzi more questions, I doubt she would tell me anything more. At the age of seventeen almost eighteen, my birthday was in exactly four days; I was still treated like a child. A small tap on the window jolted me from my thoughts.

"Leo, you're back," I said with a smile.

Cracking the window, I gave him just enough space to fly inside. His albino appearance glistened due to the candle I lit earlier for light. For as long as I could remember, he had been with me. Leo was never far from my side. He would occasionally accompany me to school in my jacket. Most days, though, I would find him during lunch, feed, and converse with him while he kept me company. He slept in my room at night.

Chirp.

"You already know why I am up," I told him. He made a sound that indicated he understood. "I just wanted to take it all in before I go to bed. I assume it is late since you are here."

He flew on my shoulder, rubbed his head against my hair, and then began picking at the now silver strands. My hair would occasionally go from extremely pale blond to silver. If anything like this became public, I would be accused of practising black magic and killed for it. If Leo was present, he would be labelled a familiar and all that nonsense that the Puritans babbled.

This all sounded foolish to me, but who am I to judge?

It was similar to what happened centuries ago in the town of Salem. Salem, my namesake. A lot of people died there. I have no idea why I was saddled with such a name. If my parents were alive, I would ask them why but unfortunately, they were not. The people of Halo did this all out of complete fear of Lucifer and their strong belief in God. Both of which I find difficult to accept.

Halo, the belly of the divine.

Chirp.

I looked at Leo. "Let's go to bed, Leo. I have school tomorrow." I rose from the ledge and made my way to my bed. "Monday—" I came to a halt. The breeze outside my window picked up and a shiver raced down my spine. "Something shifted in the air," I whispered ."Leo, can you feel that?"

He made a single chirp.

Something new felt like it had arrived. The chimes on the door downstairs began ringing. I counted each one and came up with a total of six. I stood where I was, waiting, looking over my shoulder at the still-open window. A subtle scent of burning cherry blossom wood flooded my nose, making the hairs on my arms stand on end while sending cold shivers down my spine. Then it quickly faded.

"Where did that come from?" I muttered to myself.

It must have been my imagination. I shrugged it off and went to bed.

"Salem, wake up!" Aunt Suzi shouted from downstairs. "It is time to start getting ready for school. I am sure you do not want to be late for the start of your last year!"

Throwing the covers off my head, I yawned and rubbed my eyes. The room felt chilly, and it took me a while to realize that it was raining outside. Sitting up, I searched the pillows for Leo, but he had already left.

"I am up!" I called out.

I crawled to the edge of the bed and stood up. Groaning, I walked into the bathroom dragging my feet. I showered with the same vigour. It was while I was brushing my teeth that I forced myself to wake up. Returning to the room, I got dressed in a yellow turtleneck and jumpsuit, with white sneakers. Before leaving to go downstairs, I checked that my necklace was securely fastened. It belonged to my mother and was the only physical object I had from my parents.

Opening my bedroom door, I strolled down the stairs and entered the open doors of paradise otherwise known as the kitchen. The place that revived me daily. This was my aunt's domain. She was always cooking. In rare instances, she would allow me to help. Even though I was a very good cook, Aunt Suzi never let me stay in the kitchen or cook for myself. She constantly joked that I would burn the house down so I should stay out. The kitchen was not extravagant, but it had all the things we needed. A stove, a refrigerator, counter space, two sinks, a dining table with five chairs, and cabinets filled with herbs, and spices among other groceries.

"Morning," I grumbled while taking a seat at the table.

"Good morning, Sunshine," she greeted as she set a large plate of fruits in front of me. "Eat up," she ordered going back to the counters.

It was a star-shaped assortment of fruit slices. They were separated, though, since I disliked it when my fruits touched.

"Beware, beware, beware!" blared the announcement van's speakers as it neared.

"Here comes the bullshit," she sighed, wiping off the counters.

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