Hayle Coven Universe: Sassafras

Chapter 3: Lost Son

I changed into new clothing, less flashy and more suited to the battles I planned to have in the next several hours. Though I had to admit there was a certain level of satisfaction from remembering my fight with Peridesenchal while dressed for court.

My friends waited in our usual stomping grounds, a nectar dive on the Eighteenth Plane, tucked away from Guard patrols and the watching eyes of those who might put an end to our fun. Not that I made the mistake of thinking any of the gathered demons who roared my name as I entered were really my friends. Not when they hungered, even as I took my seat of honor among them, to attack me and take the power I myself ripped from fallen foes.

Only Shelboranoteliet was different, she of the shorn black hair and horns carved with symbols only she understood, arms and chest tattooed with the most delightful patterns. I'd never once felt animosity from her, but her need was powerful enough I couldn't bear to keep her close for long.

She had no place hanging around the fighting group, had never challenged anyone. Romantically rebuffed all others. I was certain she thought she felt something for me, the silly, false love word again. It amused me at times to lead her on, so the others tolerated her.

She slid a cup of nectar my way, and I downed it in three large gulps, feeling the strength of it hit my system. So much more powerful than the watered down version they served at the Seat. This was pure, distilled nectar, homemade just for the lower planes. Energy surged, my blood stirring as I swept to my feet, the need to fight taking over everything.

Three challenges and four mugs of nectar later and the world spun around me, seventeen moons shining down as I staggered, one arm around Shelboranoteliet as she guided me off the train and to the lift at the base of Father's tower.

It was simple to pull her on board with me, to jerk her against my chest, press my mouth over hers. More than simple. She wanted it, body writhing, lips hungry, the taste of her dulled by nectar. My hands slid through her shorn hair, fingers tracing over the carvings on her horns as I fought for feeling, something, anything, in her arms.

Nothing. Just the emptiness and the apathy. I shoved her away at last, pushing her free of the elevator and forced myself to laugh.

"You think you're worthy of Sassafras?" I doubled over, stomach aching though the laughter wouldn't stop. "Pathetic creature. Go home and leave me be."

Shelboranoteliet's expression should have hurt me, damaged me somehow. The pass through pain and rejection to hate... why could I not feel for her? She fled, sobbing, and I merely watched her go as the lift rose.

They were waiting for me when I stepped off the elevator. My parents, of all people. Who did they think they were? Father with his downcast expression, Mother with her judgments. Normally I would have found a way to placate them, to convince them to leave me alone. But not tonight.

Tonight I didn't care about anyone.

"Sassafras." Father reached out to me. "You were fighting again."

Mother snorted, arms crossed over her chest as she glared down at Father, her extra half-foot of height giving her an advantage. Not to mention her cold heart. I must have inherited hers. "He's a disgrace to this family."

"Family." The need to slap the disgust from her face was so powerful I felt blood trickle from my clenched fists as my nails dug deep into the flesh of my palms. "What family? Your creation isn't turning out the way you expected, Mother?"

She flinched. "You are our son," she said, but I didn't let her go on.

"I'm your experiment," I shot back. "And while the other two creatures you spawned out of scientific curiosity seem to have turned out to be good little demons, you certainly screwed up with this one." One of my fists rose, thumped against my chest. "What a shame. But two out of three, is that a victory, do you think?"

Father reached for me again, even took a step, but I was already backing up.

"My dear boy," he said as though he really convinced himself he believed what he was saying, "I care about you, what happens to you. Why don't you believe that?"

"You don't," I hissed, putting all of my rage, bitterness, and the despair I'd felt my entire life at the uselessness of my existence into the power I pushed at him. "You never did. And you will never convince me otherwise."

"Oh, let him go," Mother said, turning her back on me. "He's right. We've failed with this one."

The truth from her at last. "Thank you, Mother," I said. "It's so good to hear you care."

The elevator beckoned, but I wasn't in the mood for following rules. As Mother spun back to glare and Father bowed his head, I ripped a hole in the veil and dove into it, hoping as I did it would swallow me and never let me go.

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