Shadowed Light

These violent delights

{^picture of Vanessa above}

A man dressed in a black tux greeted them at the tall metal gates of the devil's palace. He looked like any ordinary man, except his eyes glowed red showing he was a demon.
"Do you recognise him?" Clara whispered to Toby who walked beside her, stony faced.
"No." He whispered back. "It isn't often our people get captured and used as slaves once a demon has taken over their body. Only the unlucky few."
Clara would have shuddered had it not been so damn hot.

The man lead them through the palace entrance. It was breathtaking. The halls looked carved out of obsidian and shimmered faintly in the ginormous glass chandelier hanging over their heads. Candles flickered in the metal holders lined the walls, casting star age shadows over the walls. A red carpet trailed through the hall that ended with two very large oak doors with metal bars. Twin stairs scaled along the sides, meeting at the top where a young and very beautiful girl stood leaning over the banister. She had Raven hair hanging loosely over her shoulder and a head band with one single red ruby hanging over her forehead. Her face was delicately crafted, slitted black eyes and rouge lips that pointed slightly. She wasn't wearing any makeup, just her natural beauty.

That's her. That's the devil. The voice in Clara's head whispered.

"Greetings!" She yelled in a surprisingly chipper tone. "Please, please come into my home!"
Toby made no move to step forward so neither did Clara.

The devil-Vanessa didn't seem to mind however, she just began grinning madly. Next thing, she was sliding backwards down the banister, in a deep red dress!
Clara mentally applauded herself. Red did look tarty.

Suddenly, Vanessa was right in Clara's face and taking her pale hand. Their skin was a stark contrast. Vanessa's olive and tanned, Clara's pale and dotted with freckles. Clara wanted to pull her hand away, but Vanessa was surprisingly strong.

"Oh how very gorgeous you are!" She said in Clara's face. Clara gave a nervous smile. Up close, Clara saw that Vanessa's eyes were indeed black.
"My name is Vanessa. Around here I am known as the devil, but that name makes me feel so old. It was my father's name and now look where he is." Her eyes took on a giddy glint. "Dead."

Clara was terrified and turned her head to Toby who had stiffened and was glaring daggers at Vanessa's hand on hers.

Vanessa let go suddenly, pushing Clara who huffed. "Well aren't you handsome?" She said, creepily stroking Toby's strong jaw with a seductive painted nail. Clara looked at her own hands which were plain and boring. Rage boiled in Clara's veins as Vanessa gently leaned over and whispered something in Toby's ear, making him smile slightly.

The nerve of her! Clara curled and uncurled her fists until the devil herself finally pulled away, but not before giving Toby a flirtatious wink.

"Come, follow me!" She said airily, gliding past Clara towards the two oak doors. Clara stared at Toby for a long time, knowing she was glaring but not really caring.
Toby finally caught on and looked startled when he saw the evil look she gave him. "What's wrong?" He mouthed her.
Clara shrugged before turning on her heels and walking down the hall after Vanessa.
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"So Clara, your still a batie?" Vanessa asked, lazily tracing her ringed index finger over the edge of her golden goblet. She was sat in her throne like chair with her legs hanging over the on of the arms and her back pressed up against the other. Her hair spilt down to the floor like a shadow, the roaring fire burning brightly in then fireplace behind her.

Clara took a bite of her potato and nodded. "I still have to choose a division, yes."

Vanessa took a deep gulp of her drink then slammed it down on the dark marble table, some of its contents splashing over the edge. "I think you'd make a great healer."

Clara sat forwards. "What makes you say that?"

Vanessa shrugged, popping a slice of courgette into her mouth. "You remind me of my slave, Ralph. He was once a healer before I captured him."

The fork in Clara's hand clattered to the floor making herself jump. She whipped her head around to Toby who had a clenched jaw and was tightly gripping his knife.

Vanessa smiled, batting her eyelashes. "Would you like to see?" She asked sweetly.

Without an answer, Vanessa motioned for the same demon who had taken them in to leave the room. The three of them waited in silence for five very long and uncomfortable minutes before the doors reopened and the demon walked in.

Toby jumped to his feet, keeping the knife tightly gripped in his fist. The demon was pulling a chain, and that chain was connected to a man. He looked around twenty, with wavy blonde hair, a lighter shade than Toby's, and crystal blue eyes so bright Clara knew he was one of them. He wore tattered grey clothes, indicating he really was once a healer. Clara rushed to him immediately, spotting cuts on his face and arms, but was stopped by a viscous hissing sound.
"Clara," Toby said, his voice laced with fear. "Don't. Move."

Clara stilled, feeling warm breath on the back of her neck. She was so still that her legs began to shake uncontrollably and she took shallow breaths. It was killing her. She had to turn around. Had to.
Slowly, Clara turned around and screamed.
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Clara screamed. Toby's heart shattered at the sound. She was staring right into the eyes of the hell hound which had eyes that burned red. A sob broke from Clara's throat as it bared its visions fangs at her.

Just as Toby was about to ling, there was a sharp clap, silencing the room. Everyone but Clara turned to face Vanessa, who was now standing on the table with her hands on her large hips.
"That's enough!" She barked, for the first time sounding terrifying and like the devil. "Everyone fit down. That goes for you too Ediom." She said to the hell hound which whimpered like a scowled puppy. Toby felt a wave of relief as the Eidom stepped away from Clara and went to lay down in front of the fire. Clara turned her beautiful eyes to Toby, a single tear leaking out of her corner of her eye before she went back to her seat in silence.