He careered round the corner of the top floor, skidding at the top of the stairs, launching himself atop the narrow handrail and sliding down at breakneck speed, the smooth material of his study robes accelerating him. He'd have looked much more cool if he wasn't sweating with nerves. No longer paying a moment's thought to the whereabouts of Alexis, or the presence of campus security, who might have something to say about a student heading out into the night of a full moon with a wraith wandering about, he sped back towards the rear doors of the building and the white-misted garden beyond.
"Hey, hot stuff! Where you going?"
His rubber soles squeaked audibly as he half-slowed, half stumbled at the Succubus's melodic voice.
"Wait for me!"
Anar had grabbed the solid black handles on the dark brown, walnut doors, intricately carved with a pattern that may have been very fashionable a few hundred years ago. The scent of strong perfume wafted into his wide nostrils, and he turned to look over his shoulder.
Her elfin face was perfectly shaped, with rosy cheeks and long tumbles of blonde soft hair. Too lovely. Artificial, magically-enhanced beauty. Twinkling eyes of violet, and plump lips of peach ready and willing to kiss your life force away.
Soul-suckers, as Rap would say.
"What's going on? Demons don't rush," she winked, long mascara-coated eyelashes batting.
"I don't have time for this!" he exclaimed, cursing his rotten luck.
Her long, slender tail whipped with curiosity, "You in trouble? You look like trouble, honey."
"My friends are trapped in the garden with a wraith," he said, and yanked open the door.
"The lizards? No, wait! I can help!"
She followed him outside into the freezing night air and the mysterious fog.
He called out for the raptors, cupping his mouth and hollering.
"We need to draw it in, lead it back to its resting place," the lovely succubus advised. "Wraiths are recently departed and need guidance; they're lost in the afterlife." Her words made it sound like they were little lost puppies and not terrifying spectres.
"Considering I don't have a Proton-pack, and I don't know what half the pretty pebbles in my pockets do, I'm open to suggestions!"
The thick, white, cold mist began curling around him again. He tried not to panic, knowing what was coming for him this time.
A warm hand slipped into his, and the fog surrounded them both.
"That was quick! This wraith is hot on your tail. Normally they just wander. It's Warlock, right?"
"Anar," Anar replied distractedly, "people only call me Warlock if they don't like me." He fumbled in his full pockets for his amulet should he need it again.
"Don't go wasting that," the pretty girl tutted as he held it in his hand.
"Too late."
"I'm Meredith, by the way. I saw that little fight you had with Alexis. I'd heard about some funny grey demon having a rivalry with him, but you're not quite what I expected."
"No? Is that good or bad? What am I doing with this wraith, again? Taking it back to its grave?"
Her grip tightened; "I'll help you. It's so nice to see someone caring for their friends in this place. Oop, it's coming..."
Anar closed his eyes. He didn't want to look at it again. He knew it was there from the hollow rasps it was making.
Meredith spoke; "you are dead. Departed from the mortal realm, wandering, lost but not forgotten. There are those who mourn for you, who tend to your resting place. Follow us and find peace." She squeezed his hand again and hissed quietly, "do you have a dark ember?"
YOU ARE READING
Hell on Earth
FantasyIf you were asked 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' chances are you didn't reply with 'a demon', and the same is true for poor Anarchy Warlock, but he has no choice in the matter. So, off to the Infernal Holy College he goes. Luckily, he ha...
