Nadine's Journey

Chapter Nine

Abbadon

"Has it been done," I ask my fell hounds, my tone far too eager for my liking. "Did you do it? Is she dead?"

One of the three steps forward. I know the answer as soon as it bows its head. "No, sire."

"Useless mutts, the whole lot of you!" My screams cause them to cower. "I went through the effort of summoning at least a hundred fell hounds and now all that are left are three craven pups!"

"Sire," the one closest to me starts to crawl back. "We were pitted against more than the two of them. They were accompanied by several knights."

"The rest of your brethren were brave. They fought to their deaths. Why is it that I am looking at three of you right now? Did you flee from the fight like the runts you are? Never mind the answer, I can see it in every single one of your eyes." Their crimson eyes dull to a rust. "Is she at the very least wounded-- mortally or otherwise?"

"We are so sorry, sire. We never even saw her. The others died before they could get anywhere near the manor in Rodrín. We were vastly outnumbered."

"Filthy beasts! I do not care if you faced two knights or two thousand. You failed in your mission, and for that you must pay. The price I require is your life, and then I will have the supreme pleasure of watching your essence sink back down to the depths of the underworld." I feel the familiar ball of hatred rising, and I embrace it as I would a dear friend. Liquid rage flows in my veins, turning into whatever form I wish it to. Mmmnn, maybe a sword? No, that is too clean. Slowly strangle the beasts until they die? No. How about flaying the very flesh away until they are completely skinned but still conscious, leaving them to bleed to death? Naw. What to do? What to do? Ooh, I know! I will embrace them with black fire and let them burn slowly from the inside out, unable to move, but able to feel every lick of the flame. Yes!

I close my eyes and chant, ["Bind them! Paralyze their muscles, but leave their minds and nerves intact! Bind them!"] I can see the panic vivid in their eyes. Oh what fun this is! No matter how much they want to escape, they cannot move a single muscle. ["May the black fire devour their flesh slowly! Black fire, I summon thee to my aid! I summon thee! Come and obey the commands of your master!"] A ball of fire flies from my hand, embracing the hounds like a long lost lover. I quickly cast another spell to reinforce my previous 'bubble', as some would say. The bubble prevents anyone from hearing what goes on in my chamber. It also causes anyone that enters my chamber from seeing anything that I don't want them to see. Thankfully, it works on everyone with the exception of those of equal power to me and my closest relatives.

Their agony feeds my power, causing a torturous cycle for the hounds. Their pain feeds the power that controls the black fire, which causes more suffering. Their yelps and squeals fill the air. Their eyes are full of panic and anguish. Hope is no where to be found, which is good because hope has no place here. Their fur is singed off, their skin bubbles and the heat rises. "Are you too hot?" Laughter takes over my being as I watch them burn down to small husks that were once quite large beasts. Their bones and ashes turn into a tar- like substance and sinks into the depths of the underworld. A knock comes at the door, three solid bangs reverberate throughout the room. "Who is it?"

"It is I, Foxglove. Surely you haven't forgotten our... meeting. You know that it is so degrading, having to knock on doors and speak to walls. If only you would remove your protection spell, or make an adjustment. Now let me in before I start telling anyone that will listen that you were the one responsible for you know who's disappearance. It would be a shame, really."
I walk over to the door, opening it slowly. She rushes in, her red hair a stark contrast from her green eyes and pale skin. "What do you want?"