Let there be Light
When your chamber grows cold, and your hearth grows wane, know that creatures abound who be most profane. Demon's they be, the denizens of hell, heed my words lest you be taken by their spell.~ An excerpt from Alexander Morningstar's 'Celestial Matters.'
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(Paris 1623)
-Devnik-
The sun had set, and with it passed the pretense of nobility.
The sin that its golden light held at bay ... was now free to come out and play. The moon hung in the air ... and the fresh smells of a new night were intoxicating.
I inhaled deeply of that heady aroma.
The city howled around me ... crying out the passion and seduction that could be enjoyed by any who desired. Tavern owners opened their doors and tapped their barrels of wine. Whores applied sensual paints to their faces, hoping to catch the eye of a wealthy patron. Beggars filled the street corners ... their hands raised and their heads lowered.
The city has readied itself to receive them ... and finally, they had arrived. The aristocrats of Paris were on the prowl. Gold jingled in their purses and thoughts of temperance were far from their minds.
It was perfect.
I set out from my place of rest with my cloak adorned and my cuffs buttoned ... I was ready to partake of the nightly sin that humanity had to offer.
The cobble stone road clicked delightfully under my heels. Men and woman swarmed the streets. Revelry was audible from every tavern ... passion tangible from every brothel.
I had a specific establishment in mind for the evening's delights. A noble I had taken a particular shine to had recommended it last night at the opera.
The brothel was called 'The Rosy Garter.' It was one of the nicer places in town. My outfit was assembled to reflect the latest in fashions. A black cloak with a vest and a red cravat.
The door to the house of ill repute was closed, and a burly guard stood at the ready. His hand rested on the pommel of his weapon. A scar decorated his face, giving his appearance a sense of experience.
A gold coin was enough to buy a smile from him, and allow my admission.
I stepped smartly across the threshold.
Public housing was a wonderful thing.
An old woman confronted me at the door. She walked with steps that belonged to one far younger than she ... yet despite her artfully applied rouge the lines on her face were obvious. Her dress was modest and her expression imperious. She could be no other than the Madam of the establishment.
She took one look at my arrogantly expensive clothes and began to fawn over me. I gave her my most charming smile ... and she tittered like a woman twice younger than her age.
I kept my gaze about the room. I had to make sure not to make eye contact. At times when I am calm my eyes are burgundy ... almost passable for brown, but when my power comes to the fro ... my eyes glow red ... bright red.
"Good evening Madam," I said in my most alluring tones, "I seek the pleasures that only your house is known for." She bowed low, "Of course Monsieur, I believe you will find my hospitality most enjoyable." "Thank you," I purred into her ear. I slipped a gold coin into her hand.
Her calloused fingers knew the feel of a livre without the benefit of sight.
She smiled. She looked like a cat who ate the canary. She turned to a serving wench who was passing by with a round of mead.
She spoke slow soft French. "Fetch Maria for me."
I returned my eyes to my surrounding and looked around the room. It was quite opulently furnished. Reds and golds lay out amongst the couches. Goblets made of pewter stood like soldiers on the polished tables. Pretty girls flitted from man to man ... looking for someone to end the night with her in her bed chamber.
But the mark that made this establishment superior was that nothing overtly sexual was going on. Men flirted with women, and everyone was drinking but there was no groping or even any drawn out kissing.
"Good evening sir." said a sultry voice from behind me.
I turned.
My breath caught, and my silver tongue failed me.
She had flowing golden hair that was straight yet thick. It tumbled from her head and framed an alabaster face that could not have been more perfect ... more enthralling. A tight red dress clung to gentle curves. Her corset did not look as if it was strung to tightly, as many of the other whore's did. I bent low, and placed a light kiss upon her hand.
My lips tingled.
I was already savoring the sweet struggle this girl would give me.
I raised my head, and gazed into her eyes ... they were the shade of polished silver.
She giggled at my theatrics.
"A most splendid evening it is," I replied. "Might I ask the name of the goddess that stands before me?"
She giggled slightly. "My name is Maria," she said, her voice dripping sex.
I sighed softly. "Sweet Maria ... I came here looking for nothing more than a conversation to keep the lonely hours at bay, but after seeing you, I'm afraid I must ask if you offer more ... intimate services?"
"Why yes I do Monsieur," she said, doing a cute little twirl.
Her blond hair danced briefly as she spun ... she smiled at me.
"Follow me then Monsieur," Maria said, "My chambers are upstairs ... I feel that that would be a more comfortable setting for aiding you against your loneliness." She grabbed my hand, and I followed her up the marble stairs.
Her room was apparently at the end of the hall. It was also the only one that I could see that had double doors. She let go of my hand to open the door. She stepped through the frame gracefully.
I eagerly tried to follow.
I promptly hit my head on an invisible wall. I stood looking the fool outside of the doorway.
Damn.
She actually slept here and considered this room her home. That made these four walls her residence. I couldn't come in uninvited.
Maria turned her beautiful face around to peer at me. Her eyes betrayed her puzzlement. I'm sure no man had ever hesitated to enter a bedchamber with one as pretty as her.
"Well?" she said.
I tried my best to look nonchalant. "Forgive me, milady, but I do not enter a lady's abode without her permission." She laughed ... a real laugh. "I like you Monsieur, but I am no lady." She paused, watching me simply stand outside her room.
"Oh very well." she said, as if suddenly annoyed. She put on a false aristocratic accent. "Enter good sir." She said dramatically.
The wall vanished. I stepped in.
The room mirrored the opulence down in the drawing room. A red canopy bed occupied the entire room. Silks and other soft and feminine things were artfully arranged across the walls.
"My dear," I said, "Your chambers would say that you are a lady." I layered my voice with demonic influence.
At my charmed statement, her face soured.
"Yes, currently I have the honor of the Queen's suite," she said tensely, "But as soon as someone prettier than I comes along, I will soon be serving beer along with the other aging sows."
Maria blinked suddenly, and cast a furtive glance at me ... as if suddenly remembering that I was a customer and not her confidant. Her face dropped to the floor for a moment.
She looked back up at me demurely. "Forget I said anything Monsieur ... don't worry about my problems. I'm here to take care of you, not the other way around."
She stepped up to me, and placed her cherry lips to mine. Lips that felt too good to be of this earth, the best kiss I had ever had.
My sluggish mind slowly made sense of the clues that I had been ignoring.
No human has silver eyes ... no human could have enraptured me like this one had ... no human kiss could leave me speechless. I quickly pulled the young girl off me. She gave a startled yelp. I grabbed her shoulders and lifted her off her feet like a kitten. She struggled wildly, her eyes wide and fearful.
I shoved her against the wall to still her.
"Are you an Angel?" I asked her softly. My calm tones betrayed my inner fury.
Maria tittered nervously from her place against the wall. "You're sweet." She said.
She acted like she didn't know ... like I hadn't just caught her in the act of her deception. She probably had a blessed blade nearby, ready to cut my heart from my chest.
I shook her. "I know you're an Angel!" I practically shouted at her.
Her face was panicked now, "Your eyes ... something ... something's wrong with your eyes!" She said.
I could feel my powers stirring. I hadn't used them in over a week, but they were rising. I imagined my eyes would be glowing red. Soon my shadow would start to grow and the room would get cold.
Maria broke out into a sweat. Her eyes were wide with fear. "What ... what are you...?" she asked, voice barely more than a whisper.
Her obvious confusion stilled my anger. She really didn't know ... she thought she was human. But I knew that couldn't be true.
She wasn't an angel. An angel would have fought back by now.
The window panes began to frost over and the candles began to dwindle.
"I am a demon, my child." I said, in as soft as candor as I could muster. I let go of her, and she slumped down the wall till she hit the floor.
Tears began to fall from her eyes, the lusty seductress was gone, in her place, a eighteen-year old looked very scared. She clutched her arms to her chest.
She looked up at me ... and shivered.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy..." I quickly cut off her prayer by clapping my hand on her mouth. My ears had started to bleed.
Normally listening to someone pray didn't provoke such a strong reaction. More like being sea sick. When she began to pray though, it felt as though someone took a pick to my ears. Human prayer couldn't do that.
They were too full of sin and faithlessness ... but this girl...
"I would appreciate it if you would not do that." I said. She sobbed around my hand. Her silver Angel eyes looked up at me pitifully. I cautiously took my hand away. She gazed at me, no longer crying, just sniffling.
Human fear on an Angelic face ... she couldn't be anything else.
I leaned down and placed my hands on her flushed cheeks, "Look at me Maria," I said softly.
Her silver eyes darted away to stare at the floor.
"Maria..." I whispered, "You're a Half-Angel." She cringed away from me like I was a monster ... I smiled indulgently down at her. After all ... I am a monster.
"Half Angel," she whispered.
"Well, the correct term is Aethling, but yes." I said with the same grin on my face.
Maria's fear quickly turned to indignation. Her surprise at my display had dissipated ... and in its place stood righteous fury.
She slowly climbed to her feet, drew herself up, and took a deep breath.
"Demon," she said in a quivering voice, "If you are not going to hurt me, I would like to ask you to leave."
"I am afraid you can't make me leave, Maria." I said with a chuckle. "You gave me an open ended invitation ... I can stay as long as I want ... and you, are fascinating."
"I don't believe you ... Angels live in Heaven, and I can't be the daughter of one." She said softly.
"Have you never felt the powers in you? The force that turns violently deep inside? Powers that demands to be used ... to be acknowledged
