The Scryer ✔️

~Beezle - Part Two~

He led me to the deck where sat his old weathered rocking chair and bless him, he tried to sit but he wasn't able to for his wings and he grumbled quietly and I felt for him.

"The steps will do fine, Papa," I offered.

He took my hand in his, it truly was like a tiny toddler's hand in his. I climb up on his lap and he held me close.

Papa, you were human once?

Yes.

How did that happen?

I was charged with keeping you and your mother safe.

Did you ask to do it?

I was...drafted.

"Aww..."

He chuckled and shook his head. "It was the very best time of my entire existence, being your Papa." I felt his large hand nearly wrap around the trunk of my body and saw him wince, just a smidgen.

I nodded. "Well," I squeaked, "if you were made human, couldn't the same be made to happen to a certain Demon King?"

He nodded. "I would dare say that is his greatest wish, Daughter..." he mused.

Can demons really love?

Only Purson and myself.

How come? I thought all of you could?

No. It is only us. I was allowed to retain some of my humanity...as well as my free will.

And him?

It is in his nature.

"So, Misses Mohn doesn't have it all right then?" She said that you all experienced emotions.

"Misses Mohn is an old biddy white witch who doesn't know her a..."

Papa!

"Well it's true," he said, with a tiny smile on his face...his smile, with his fanged teeth and his eyes as black as coal...I was getting used to it. I could still see Papa's smile in it and I found and odd kind of comfort in it.

"But Papa, if he's human, then wouldn't he be able to be..."

Beelzebub laughed and nodded his head. It started and a sound that was barely there but then grew loud enough where it hurt my ears and I watched the birds fly from the trees.

He nodded again and patted my bottom, which was his signal that our conversation had ended. I hopped off his lap and stood behind him. I circled my arms around him as best as I could. "I love you, Papa."

"I love you too...Hannah."

We watched Alexander approach us on his mighty bear-steed, smiling brightly.

"Her name is Trixy," he told us. "And she's very nice...she just looks mean."

"Trixy? Did she come with that name, Turtleboy?"

He shrugged his little shoulders and smiled bashfully.

"Alexander James..."

Beelzebub chuckled as he bowed his head and winked his black eye and Alexander giggled.

——-

The Demons were restless as sunset was approaching. Soon Purson would arrive for the final showdown. I hadn't been aware of a deadline prior to that, but it was briefly explained to me by John and Lucifer. Luci seemed none too pleased about losing one of his sovereigns...he seemed to be resigned to it though.

I had written my suggestion down on a little slip of paper and stuffed in the front pocket of John's jeans. I stood up on my tiptoes and put my chin on his shoulder as I circled his waist with my arms, watching the goings on outside...It was soon time for Alexander to come inside, but for now, he was having a great time playing with his dog and bear. "Yeeees?"

I shook my head and tightened my grip on him. "I think Papa healed my ribs," I whispered.

"He probably did," he whispered back to me from over his shoulder. He turned to face me. "Of course he did. He loves you as his child. He will do whatever he can to keep you safe and happy and..."

I rested my chin on his chest and heard something that I hadn't before...a heartbeat sound...I kept it to myself.

"We're gonna win, Hannah. You'll see. I have enough explosives to start a mining company..."

"Isn't that a little overkill? He's just a party of one."

"He may bring company." He sat down and poured another cup of coffee for me. "While you were sleeping, I spent the night doing diagnostics."

"Diagnostics? On what?"

"Me. I'm missing a chunk of time, Hannah. I can't explain it. It's like the memory engrams were erased."

I nodded my head, intent on telling him what had happened with the dream and that hearing him talk about a loss of time, that it might not have been a dream after all, but the telephone rang.

"I'll get it," Alexander sang out. "Hellooo...Stolzzzfooos residennnce...oh, hi Oma...yes she's here. Wanna talk to...no? Oh okay, love you, buh-bye!"

I felt all the blood rush to my feet as I saw what was in my mam's head and I grabbed John's hand and squeezed it.

Purson was sitting at Mam's kitchen table.