Valkyrie Demons

Chapter 22

I stare at him for a good minute. I noticed subtle signs of Denali taking full control over him. His skin lost its pink colour and his lips turned blue. The whites of his eyes bled over his irises. He looked like a walking corpse.

I feel sick looking at him. I walk towards the door but he steps in front of it. With the last bit of his control he warned me.

"Don't try. She'll kill you." His body went rigid. Denali must have taken full control.

I felt a little sad for him even though he works for Denali. Nobody should be treated like that. I noticed a few books sitting on the floor. I grab one, sit on the window sill and lose myself in the story. I was captivated by this charming southern boy whose love for a witch girl was about to get him killed, when Starry suddenly talks. I jump fron the sudden noise and drop my book.

"The queen has requested that you eat with her," He walks toward me, grabs my hand and walks toward the door.

He's walking to fast for me to keep up and he's basically dragging me. I try to run beside him but I keep tripping. The other guards are trying not to look but I find some of them sneaking looks at me.

We walk down a long corridor then a spiraling set of stairs. He knocks stiffly on an oak door. Two guards on the inside push the door open and Baldie drags me into the biggest dining room I've ever seen. The table, taking up most of the room, stretches all the way to the other side of the room. I'm guessing more than 300 people can sit comfortably alongside each other. Although, only four people,including Denali, are sitting at the table. There are so many guards standing by the window, all of their faces cast in shadow.

"I'm so glad you could join us. Please, sit." Queen Denali says in a voice as sweet as honey.

Baldie pulls my chair out, shoving me onto it. The cushion is soft and squishy, while the back rest is as hard and cold as stone. A huge amount of food, enough to feed an army, is spread out on the table

"I want you to meet my colleagues ," Denali's smile seems very forced and her hands are shaking slightly. "Albert, Jeana, Lizzy, this is my daughter... Valery.".

The guy named Albert stares at me, his irises shaped like a cat's. His eyes track my every move, like he's ready to pounce. Jeana has a split tongue, snaking out now and then to taste the air. Her hands are curled around a long staff, leaning against her chair. Finally, Lizzy's face keeps changing to a blank white face and back to her normal face. They must all be shape shifters!

"My, what a lovely sssuprissse." Jeana let's go of her staff, leaning on her hands.

"Yes, who would've thought everything would fall right into place," Albert smiles maliciously.

He tilts his head slowly toward Denali. She narrows her eyes at him.

"What are you insinuating Albert?" Denali's voice has become ice cold.

I notice Lizzy's skin is much paler and her eyes are fading away. I'm not quite sure what kind of shifter she is but she's freaking me out.

"Oh nothing. I just wish it didn't end with your head on a stick. I rather liked our business deals," he looks at me slowly, but jumps across the table toward me.

I throw my arms in front of my face, unconsciously blasting him with my power. He flies across the room, hitting the wall, hard. Before his final breath he says something. I feel my powers draining away with each word. He never got to finish his curse because Denali cut of his head.

" I see she inherited your gifts Denali." Lizzy says with a nonexistent mouth.

"Yes she did. Now I would like for you to leave. You have quite rudely interrupted my dinner." Denali doesn't even look up from eating.

"I hope you will forgive us one day Denali, I truly do."

Jeana's body seems to melt away, but unfortunately, a large snake fills its place. She bares her fangs at me, dripping acid on the table. Denali slams her hands on the table, standing up suddenly.

" I believe I asked you to leave, " she flips her hand and Jeana's snake head falls to the ground.

I stare at the snake body, too shocked to do anything. Lizzy makes an awful noise, like nails on a chalk board. She flies across the room into Denali. I watch in horror as Denali collapses and starts shaking. Her eyes roll back into her head. A hand claps my shoulder and I shriek.

"Shh calm down, it's me. Come on we have to go while she's still taking control of Denali!" A deep voice whispers from beside my ear.

I jump to my feet. "David!"

I throw my arms around his neck, but he grabs my arm and starts running. I'm struggling to keep up, tripping over my own feet.

"What are you doing here? I thought you left with Ariel?" I say between breaths.

He runs down one of the servants corridor, patting the wall. He pushes down on one of the rock pieces and a passage opens up. He pushes me in first, closing the passage behind him. We're plunged into complete darkness.

" Turns out, Ariel was one of Jeana's snakes. " He grabs ahold of my arm and leads me down the passage.

He stops abruptly and I hear a door opening. Light flood the passage, blinding me. He walks into the room, kicking up dust. My eyes burn and I have to blink a few times. I look around the room and realize it's a cellar. Ancient bottles of wine line the walls covered in moss.

"How did you get away?" I ask, imagining her acid filled fangs.

"I didn't. Jeana brought me with her because she was afraid I would escape, but when she died, her spell, that kept me from doing or saying anything, was lifted."