Daemons and Demons Book One.

Chapter Ten.

Jace scrubbed his hands so hard he was sure the blood was now his, but he didnt care. He would much rather he was bleeding than having someone else's blood making his hands and face feel sticky. Because thats the only thing he could describe it as sticky. Like when you spill sauce or jam on your hands and there was this stick to it. Thats all Jace could feel.

He had to get it off himself.

He couldnt keep doing this. That and the nightmares. Of course nightmares had plagued him nearly every day of his life, but nothing like that, because they werent nightmares of him. It was like he was seeing out of someone else's eyes.

The first was of a brown haired boy. He had wings and grey almost silver power that followed him around. He was his age, but there was this fear with him, like the world was out to take him. And he would never be taken again. Never allow himself to be taken again. Not when hed finally become free.

However, the second followed a golden haired boy with a pet, a morphing animal. Something Jace had only ever heard stories about. A daemon. And a morphing one at that. Which posed the question, why was he dreaming about a kid?

The same routine hed been in since hed first started killing for his father played out in front of him. Strip on the journey back and get as much blood of hands and face as he could, use the back entrance to the palace to his room and shower and scrub. The messenger will come to say there's a family dinner, he will attend. That was why he was getting ready again.

Out of one bloody fighting suit, into another cleaner tighter one. Rolling up the cuffs and doing up the buttons he checked over his hands and face one last time before he was sure there was no blood on them and stepped out of the room. It was bright and before he could relax Elizabeth and Flora had grabbed an arm each and were now walking him toward the dining room.

Youre not getting out of this today, Elizabeth told him. Come on, lets go out. I feel like I never see you anymore.

Jace wanted to say back so much, about how asking their father could answer any questions, but he didnt. Because questions were dangerous. To anyone, questions could mean simply being curious, to his father, questions meant a fight. That his command wasnt strong enough. And Jace had seen it happen too quickly.

Maybe Im not hungry.

Youre dressed up again, Flora told him. You were dressed up last time.

The guards opened the door, bowing to them as they were let through. Their parents were already there, not eating, but their plates were filled across in front of them steaming.

Feel free to start without us, Elizabeth called. Sorry to keep you waiting.

No problem, their mother smiled at her. Elizabeth had always been the favourite.

The smaller second room, where the heated food waited, was portioned off by a small curtain. Instantly the girls grabbed their fill, waiting for Jace who watched the food, his stomach growling, begging.

He placed on the same the others had, hoping to avoid any comments on his eating habits if they all had the same amount of food. His mother looked at the plates, still she looked a lot longer at Jaces than the girls. William would be fed by one of the many nannies, so she didnt need to worry about him.

Should you really be eating that?

Mama, Elizabeth gasped, looking between the plates. He had the same as me.

The amount isnt the problem. Its what hes eating, she pointed a fork at the plate of roast. Its really not good for him.

What do you want him to eat? Salad? Elizabeth was arguing, and Jace couldnt do anything to stop her