Dying Three Times

Dagger

Maybe I let my sister take charge too much. Maybe I was too soft on the poor girl. However, things are not as they used to be when those spineless sheep were in control. I took control of the Demon Underworld. Someone had to. Everyone was a wreck – there were those foul smelling angels sticking up the place, demons fighting demons over a mate who had probably gone off with someone else. I stepped in and sorted everyone out.

   Wretched angels – always thinking everything can be solved with a meeting. When someone dies, those wretched things hold a meeting which they say we are obliged to go, and we do, or one of us does. While they’re ‘debating’, I, Jezebel and Jinx are already at the grave to change the soul. It’s better if they become a demon than an angel. Demons have better lives, more freedom, and, of course, a better authority thanks to me.

   Lucy ran into my dormitories without knocking – again. “Lucy, I’m getting tired of this!” I yelled. “How many times do I-”

“I’m so sorry, my lady,” she stuttered. “But we’ve picked up something strange twenty miles west of here.”

“Well...”

“It’s a half mortal half demon, my lady.”

    I stood still. A half mortal and half demon had been created. What could that mean for the future? What that mean for my future? My sisters? No – it’s impossible to create such things! I’ve trained my Brothers and Sisters of the Demon Underworld to always carry out their intentions fully. This couldn’t have possibly happened!

   I stared into space for a while.

   “Um, Dagger, are you okay?” Lucy was poking me with her bony white finger. I didn’t bother to yell at her this time about calling me Dagger and not ‘my lady’. Instead, I mumbled, “Get my sisters, Lucy. Tell them we’re going on a hunt.”

We were three miles off. I could sense them already. My younger siblings, Jinx and Jezebel, trailed after me, looking for things to feed on. “Dagger,” Jezebel said, “why haven’t we found a mate yet? I mean, I know lots of demons who have mated, mostly with angels, but-”

“That’s where they go wrong, Jezebel,” I hissed. “Angels are stupid creatures. To them, everything is a joke. Being dead is not a joke. They are not angels, but things – dead things.”

“But aren’t we dead?” Jinx asked.

    I sighed, frustrated, and stared at the twins whose bodies forever will be small, their worlds wrapped in a body of a ten year old. I had to – for their own good.

   “Angel’s dead too.” Angel, my other sibling. How ironic – a demon named Angel! “Why is Angel with an Angel?” Jezebel asked. “I thought you didn’t like mating.”

“I don’t, Jezebel. Mating is just a...” I could smell them. They were close: A demon...an angel...a demon...an arch angel (just my luck)...and something strange. The half demon half mortal!

   I sped south, my sisters running after me. I caught he sense of a demon – one I’ve met before. Where have I smelled that sense – it’s definitely a male scent. I heard voices. “What the fuck are we going to do with it? I’d say we...” Of course, the idiot Will Bennet!

   “Well, well, well,” I said. I was still trying to catch my breath as I neared the group. My sisters rounded them up.  “Dagger, you’re looking spectacular, as per usual,” William said shakily.

“Let’s not exchange pleasantries this time, Mr Bennet,” I said. “I was wondering something. You see, a few hours ago, my trackers caught a scent that wasn’t human, angel or demon. They tracked it down to here and here I am. You know my rules well enough by now, Will. If you must carry out an action,” I paused, looking at the angels, “finish it.”

   “Are you implying that I wouldn’t finish something I would start, Dagger?” Will asked.

“Of course not, Mr Bennet. However, I can’t help but wonder. I doubt from the shape of this female demon that she wouldn’t know where to start.”

“Hey!” the male angel yelled. “Don’t be so-”

“Oh shut up, angel. This does not concern you!” I cleared my throat. I stared at the strange party. Of course, it had to be the one who looked like he was about to pass out.

   “Hello young man,” I said to the half mortal half demon. “My name is Dagger, leader of the Demon Underworld. These are my sisters, Jinx and Jezebel. What might your name be?”