I was exhausted after returning to the room. My mind raced with memories of Cora and bits and pieces of my former life. The pounding in my head grew stronger with each passing minute.
I couldn't sleep. The room was silent except for Thio's soft snores. It was unusual for me to be this wide awake, especially after one of our sexual games. Tonight, it was all I could do to not fidget or toss and turn as I remembered the look of disgust on Cora's face when my blind fold was ripped away.
My memory was supposed to be gone. I didn't understand why she was here and why I was remembering anything. I remember the talks we had about my memory, Thio had said that I would forget. That my family and friends would forget me. None of this made sense to me and now I understood why he said it would be better for me to not remember. I wanted that blissful ignorance back.
Arms snaked out and pulled me back into a hard, warm chest. I hadn't noticed the snoring stop while my brain overwhelmed me with my thoughts.
"Sleep, Ember," Thio commanded. I shifted and closed my eyes only to have them pop back open.
"I can't," I whispered into the dark. "I can't stop thinking about Cora and the memories that came back. Why do I have to remember?"
Thio's arms squeezed me tight for a moment before rolling me over to my back. He propped himself up on an elbow so he could look down at me.
"I told you your memories would fade and you would fade from memory of those you left behind. Sometimes... sometimes it doesn't always work that way. Sometimes humans can be immune. Like your friend."
Thio looked uncomfortable. Like this wasn't an everyday occurrence for the demons. This seemed to be a bigger deal than I really understood.
"She remembers everything. She remembers summoning me, she remembers you disappearing. She hasn't stopped looking for you. She's tried to summoning me several times and hiring PI's to look into your disappearance. She's hitting snags because there is no longer any evidence of your existence. Your parents don't remember you, your exes don't remember you, your other friends have all forgotten as well." Thio hesitated for a moment. "She's started her own website and reached out to others who also happen to be immune. The information she's getting and posting has been a problem. The world won't believe her, but there will be a few that will and that is something we have to eradicate."
"Eradicate? Like kill her?" My voice rose to a shriek.
"No, killing her would be a last resort. Instead, she has been here and so far has refused to cooperate. There are more relationships than a submissive one, but she has refused it all. She's fought us completely. She will have to face a trial to determine if she lives or dies."
There was more information here than I ever knew about this place. I thought we were all in a submissive role. What other roles out there were there? And what exactly happened during a trial? Was it like court was on earth?
"She promised to cooperate better if she got to see you were alright. She was convinced you were locked in some dungeon wasting away. Possibly in some iron maiden bleeding out."
I rolled over and got out of bed. Thio sat up and snapped his fingers. The room lit up in a warm glow. I paced back and forth, absorbed with what might happen to Cora that I never bothered to hide my nakedness.
"I don't like remembering. It's easier if I don't." Thio watched me pace and mutter to myself. I turned to him finally. "Make me forget. Make me forget her and my old life. I'll do anything. Just make it go away."
Thio got out of bed and wrapped me in his arms. I was hopeful until he started talking.
"I can't change it. This was not my call. If it were me you'd never even know she was here," Thio confessed. "It's easier for both of us for you to not remember. It's not how things are supposed to work. When humans come here, they don't remember. It is out of my control and yours. Come, get some sleep. There is nothing we can do about it tonight."
Thio picked me up and laid me back in bed before crawling in next to me. When I still couldn't manage to sleep, he snapped his fingers and my eyes drooped on their own. He pulled me close and kissed my hair. As I fell asleep I heard him mutter that he was sorry.
The next morning, when I awoke, Thio was up and dressed in a sharp looking suit. There was a tray waiting and he set it down before me when I sat up against the headboard. I ate it quickly and without really tasting any of it.
When I climbed out, he snapped his fingers and I was dressed. The dress was a nice soft looking summer dress. It stopped just above my knees and was a soft blue with little white bird silhouettes all over it. I wore strappy sandals to match.
I steadied myself and took Thio's hand as we stepped through the door. The other side was a courtroom. Like any one might see on tv. I was a bit confused because when Thio said there was a trial, I didn't think he really meant a court case.
Thio led me down the aisle and we sat down just before the blocked off main area. The room was full of demons and humans dressed for court, though the table in front stood empty along with the judges seat.
We sat, listening to the murmur of the crowd when we were told to rise. I let Thio help me up when the back door swung open. A couple of demons stepping in carrying briefcases and following them was Cora. Her nakedness stood out among us.
In my limited experience, the demons didn't view clothing as humans did. They could wear them or go naked and no one else cared. It seemed covering up was a human thing. Which made it more shocking to see Cora naked when the rest of us were dressed.
My attention was brought to the front of the room where a judge had entered. He didn't wear a robe but he did wear a suit. He waited for us to be seated before addressing the court.
"The trials have been set. Participates have been selected. I'd advise the defendant to take this seriously. Passing the trial means another chance. Failing means punishment and/or death. I suggest you think long and hard as to which outcome you'd prefer."
He nodded to the demons who had escorted her in. Cora was busy scowling at the judge was the hauled her out the side door. The side door that hadn't been there a moment ago.
