Chaos & Order

Chapter 20

Aliyah took time to walk back to the castle. She had to think things over. What happened to Fang and what Domiel had given her a lot to think about. As she came to the edge of the forest, she stopped. She looked at the castle with a frown as she leaned against a tree.

"Siel?" Was all she said. With a small whoosh, Siel appeared next to her.

"You called?" he asked

"I need help getting home. I still feel weak..." Aliyah said, not looking at him.

"Then I'll help." Siel said, picking her up. Aliyah held onto him and buried her face into his neck. The two were silent as they gave the town a wide berth. Aliyah didn't want to deal with people just yet, just one specific person. Siel took her to the castle, entering through the servant's entrance, "What do you want to do?"

"I have to tell father that...about Fang." Aliyah said, tightening her grip on Siel.

"Very well." Siel said as he took her to Xavier's study. They came to the large, wooden door that separated the king's study from the rest of the castle. He knocked on the door.

"Enter." Xavier's voice called.

Siel opened the door, still carrying Aliyah. There, he found Xavier, reading a book. The king looked up from his reading. Immediately, he shot to his feet.

"Aliyah!" he shouted, taking Aliyah from her guardian's arms, "What happened?"

Aliyah held onto her father as she spoke, tearing up, "Father? Fang, he...he's gone..."

Xavier looked like someone punched him, "Wh-what?"

"He's gone..." Aliyah repeated, weakly, "Killed..."

"I saw it, your majesty." Siel said, "There was nothing I could do to prevent-"

"Then why didn't you try harder?" Xavier asked, "Fang was her familiar. That connection runs deep! Because of your incompetence as a guardian...!"

Aliyah looked at her father before pushing herself out of his arms. With a heavy THUD, she hit the ground, but struggled to her feet, "Stop it! It's not his fault!"

"I let myself slip in my duties, King of Vampires." Siel said, apologetically as he helped stabilize Aliyah, "I offer my deepest apologies."

Xavier glared at Siel. Aliyah could tell that he was more angry that she was in danger. The angel just happened to be the outlet for this. But still, she couldn't let him take it out on Siel. She held up her hand, continuing to lean on Siel for support, "Stop that!"

    Xavier seemed to come back to his senses before taking a heavy breath, "I...should be giving you my apologies, angel. Who...who was responsible?"

"Two demons, I believe." Siel said, "Perhaps we should consult Boegarian to see if he has any information."

Aliyah looked toward the shadows, "Boogey...?"

"Well, well, well, look who just ran out of options." Boogeyman's voice said as a wide smile appeared in the darkness.

"Don't push it." Aliyah muttered.

"So, whadda ya want the good ol' Boogeyman for?" asked the demon as he stepped out.

"Aliyah's...Fang has died." Siel said.

"Oh...uh...boy, I feel like a jerk." Boogeyman said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head.

"There were two of them. One was holding me hostage while the other..." Aliyah couldn't bring herself to say it.

"Demons." Siel said, "Would you know them?"

"Be a little more specific. Hell's got a LOT of demons." Boogeyman said.

Aliyah looked at Siel. "Only one of them was a demon..."