Chapter Six

Nias's servant walked silently down the dangerous streets. Finding death in this part of the city was quite easy. Thieves, cutthroats and prostitutes were the lords and ladies here.

He could feel their treacherous stares on him; probably wondering why a palace denizen moved among them.

A pair of blue eyes was specially interested in his quest.

The old man froze in his tracks. He sensed something lurking in the shadows. Whatever it was it was brimming with malice.

While he hesitated a man stepped out of the dark. He was the tallest man the old servant had ever seen. Very handsome, but very dangerous as well. He could feel it in his bones.

" I believe you have been searching for me." His deep bass filled the alley. It was a voice that would make women tremble in pleasure, and not a few men as well. It was like the roar of thunder on the mountains. Frightened the old man just as much.

" Depends on who you are?" He managed to croak rather shakily.

" I am known as Butraz, The Assassin." A cold smile played on his lips allowing the moonlight to illuminate his long fangs.

..........................................................................................................................................

" Lord Corek stepped into the gallery overlooking his garden. It was his favorite part of the house. Here he could enjoy his privacy. This were the few moments when he felt free.

Lately he had less time to visit his home consumed with his duties at the palace. How he hated his chamber at the palace. It was too dry and impersonal.

Corek wondered, not for the first time, if he should not just retire. He had enough wealth to live well till the end of his days. His children were grown and gone.

Nias could become his full-time lover once he was no longer in government. Their would be no need for subterfuge. No worries about been discovered and causing a scandal. He would just be another citizen not the impartial Lord Chamberlain.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts he did not register the unknown presence in his chamber until it was upon him.

Corek turned in the last moment. He was face to face with gorgeous young man. A pillar of a man. Somehow he was reminded of Mirial , even though the man shared none of the Ragghyr's femininity.

Slowly he realized this man meant to kill him. Who would send an assassin against him? He knew the answer deep in his heart. Nias!

Death would not find him an easy target. He uttered a single word and a volley of arrows flew out of thin air against the other man. With a startling burst of speed he dodged each and every one of them.

He was smiling cruelly as he distended wings black as night. A lone horn appeared high on his forehead. Beneath it a third eye shone with a sickly glow.

" You! The demon, Mirial's child!" Corek bellowed at the advancing creature.

At the same time he was hit by a powerful force that send him crashing unto the balcony's railing. Half of his body hung over the edge, his senses reeling, when the demon lifted him high in the air. Then he was tossed down into the garden.

" Nias! I loved you!" He was screaming as he fell.

..........................................................................................................................................

" Ah! My lord was pleased by your work. He wishes to engage you on another job. This one will be riskier. The security around this person is tight. My lord will aid you in gaining entrance to the palace. He will however remain anonymous. If you are caught he must not be related to you in any way. Do you understand?" The old man was nervous . He did not want to deal with this guy. He gave him the creeps.

" When I am done he wont have to worry about a thing!" Butraz let out a mighty guffaw, that made the old man's hair stand on end.

..........................................................................................................................................

The twins and Michiou were playing in the gardens. Kay stood atop a small hill observing their games. They seemed so happy.

He whistled a sappy tune he had learned as child from his old nurse as he made his way down to the pond. Mirial sat beside it , just like the first time they had met.

The innocence was gone. Mirial had lost something with the birth. He rarely smiled anymore.

Kay himself worried over the demon. How much time was left before he attempted to open the gate? He had placed all the possible victims under surveillance . Yet, there could be someone unaccounted for ; or he could somehow elude the guards . So many things could go wrong.

Mirial's hair swayed in the breeze. Kay could not resist the urge to hold it between his fingers, felling it's velvety texture. He knelt beside him . There was no reaction from the other boy. He edged closer wrapping his arms around him.

" I wish you would tell me what is wrong!" He sighed.

" Kay... Do you ever wonder about our child? Where he is ? What he is like? ..." There was such sorrow in his voice, so much pain.

" Ah... that!" He kissed his forehead tenderly. I do sometimes, but..." His next words were going to be harsh on Mirial , but it was best he understood the truth about their " baby". " He is not really our child, Mirial. Our child died!"

Kay's vacant gaze wandered over the pond. Mirial was not the only one hurting for their babe. " The demon is merely using his body." He whispered.

" I know! It is just that I will never..." Words stuck in his throat. The thought was too painful to voice.

" Never what? What were you going to say?" He held him in a tight embrace.

" Oh, Kay! I wanted so much to give you a son! I prayed to Quiax'n for a child! I even prayed to your Shariar! can you imagine that? Me, a worshipper of the dark invoking the goddess of light! " He was sobbing frantically in Kay's arms.

" I never once believed the demons were real. My powers come from them, and yet I did not believe. So, I thought my child would be a normal child, a son we could be proud of!" Mirial sank to the ground embracing himself. When his spoke again it was in a broken, laconic manner. " I wanted a piece of you. Something made by the both of us... I.... I am so sorry...."

He was swept into Kay's arms.

" MY love, I understand! Shariar and Quiax'n know I wanted the same. It was not meant to be. Fine! I love you! I will always love you, no matter what. I will be content if it is just you and me forever!"

..........................................................................................................................................

He watched as the young couple made desperate love by the pond. They were so beautiful and tender together.

Night had fallen when they rose from their peaceful slumber and headed for the palace.

He could have taken care of them out here, since the guards had been ordered away , but something stopped him. It was an alien emotion to him. He could not quite decipher it.

Instead he followed them into the palace. He watched as they parted ; the King to his private office , the Ragghyr to their bedroom. He pursued the latter, being careful not to alert the guards to his presence .

The force with which he coveted the young Ragghyr amazed him. His eyes were riveted on the figure walking before him. He was enticed by every move of the slender hips, the soft hair swaying with his steps, all of him was seductive. And the essence! The essence emanating from Mirial was the most sensual substance he had ever encountered.

" Had I more time " mother"..." He sighed. " I would ravish you and feast on your delicious body! Pity our reunion must be brief."

Butraz extended his wings and flew at Mirial. He swept past the guards lifting Mirial boldly of the ground. He sped down the corridor with the guards in hot pursuit.