The Demon's Daughter

Bodyguards and Becks

Cillian looked at his father, knowing that even if he hadn’t been asking politely, he still would have obeyed. His father knew best, and all of his brothers and sisters knew that.

“There’s plenty of work for people like us,” his father said. “Honest work that pays well.”

“But the dishonest work pays better,” Owen, one of Cillian’s younger brothers said with a laugh.

His father sighed and looked at Cillian. “Can you talk some sense into them?” he asked. “Your mother was the only one who could.”

“Rest her soul,” everyone intoned seriously.

The mood turned somber in the kitchen. Cillian surveyed the room again. His father was stooped with age now, and well past his years as an alpha. Cillian had taken over that duty long before he should have. The title should have gone to his eldest brother, Fintan, but the man had died in battle only two short years ago. The death of Fintan, and now Cillian’s mother, not even a year ago, had aged his father.

Since then, the pack had diminished greatly. Cillian was a young leader, and he was working hard to rebuild what was left of his pack, but it required manpower and waging war. Cillian wasn't quite ready to put his people at risk by fighting just yet. Soon, maybe. But for now, he would work whatever jobs his father had in mind to get the money his pack needed.

“What jobs were you thinking of?” Cillian finally asked. As alpha, he spoke for the pack now, and he knew his brothers and sisters were wondering the same.

“There are some security jobs in the city. The young ones would be good for those,” his father said. “The girls are fit for much the same, but if they’d prefer other options I can ask around.”

Cillian nodded. He’d talk to Ash and Liv later and see what they wanted to do. “And me?” he questioned, knowing it didn’t matter. He’d do whatever was needed.

His father sighed and pulled an envelope out of his shirt pocket. “I have a friend who works with the ICS. He got you a job that should be easy, but also allow us to get back in the good graces of The Commission.”

“You need to stop caring,” Cillian said harshly. “We’ll rebuild without The Commission. Their ‘help’ is nothing short of servitude, and as far as I’m concerned, so is this job.”

Cillian hated The International Commission of Supernatural Beings. Their overarching goal was one of mutual benefit to all creatures, and that was a common governance and trust, but it was as corrupt as any governmental society. The top was ruled by the demons and witches. They were powerful people who could pass in the real world without difficulty, and their talents made them wealthy with ease. Under them were the fairies, nymphs, and various incubi and succubae that could tempt and trick mortals. Some were harmless, others were tricksters. Further down, but powerful warriors and fighters, were the Valkyries, vampires, and trolls. Ugly creatures, who when favored could be given human appearances, but otherwise they served their purpose to enforce the laws and rules of The Commission. The rest of the supernatural beings made up the bottom of the pyramid. They could be strong, but they were no match for the organization of The Commission. If anyone wanted to gain entry into the higher rungs of The Commission, they could join the bureaucracy and work. They’d take any creature if you were talented enough and proved useful. You’d forever be a sell out to your kind though.

“Don’t be so quick to dismiss a well-paying job,” Cillian’s father admonished him.

Cillian sighed. He was the alpha, and he needed to provide more than his fair share for the family if they were going to survive and rebuild after mother’s death.

“What’s the job?” he asked.

“One of the top-level officials has a young daughter who needs protection,” his father explained.

“A demon-witch can’t protect herself?” Liam snorted. “That’s just sad.”

“Even Ash and Liv could take down grown men when they were six,” Owen added, laughing as well.

“She’s not a demon or a witch,” their father said above the laughter.

“A fairy then?” Ash asked. “Can’t she still defend herself?”

“Madison Beck is the daughter of a demon and a witch, but she’s not either of those things,” their father remarked. “She’s a human.”

****

Cillian didn’t particularly relish the task he had been given, but his father’s insistence that he take it wore him down. He left the next day to meet Leo Beck, one of the most powerful demons The Commission had. Cillian wasn’t intimidated by much, and he was sure to show Mr. Beck just that.

“You’re large for a wolf,” Leo remarked when Cillian was announced by a servant. “You come highly recommended.”

Cillian didn’t know how to respond to either of those comments. Was he even meant to?

Leo looked up from the files on his desk and stood slowly, revealing himself to be close to 6’5. He looked no older than thirty-five, but Cillian knew demons could control how they aged. This “man” could be over a hundred for all he knew.

“Let’s get this over with. I don’t need the house smelling like dog,” he said, walking around Cillian and leaving the room.

Cillian turned and followed.

“Madison is away at school, and she’ll stay there until the holidays. She’s to come home only on approved holidays. She knows this. You’re expected to bring her home and pick her back up again. I’ll arrange for a car to help you with that task,” Leo explained as they walked outside. He glanced at the sky for a moment. “If wolves have a keen sense of smell like I’m told, I’d hold your breath.”

Cillian didn’t have much time to register the remark let alone hold his breath before the earth beneath his feet engulfed him and Leo. “Holy s**t!” he managed to call out before the earth closed in around him entirely. His senses were bombarded with the smell of burning flesh, sulfur, and blood. Cillian thought he’d pass out from the aromas themselves, when suddenly he was standing on solid ground again, breathing in fresh air.

"What the hell was that?" Cillian asked.

Leo chuckled. “Exactly,” he answered.

“That was hell?” Cillian questioned.

“A portion of it,” Leo replied. “I do hate long trips and mortals. I prefer to travel underground.”

Cillian vaguely remembered that demons could create dimensions in the underworld. He had never seen it done before, then again he had never met a demon he cared to keep alive either. He’d have to tell the others about his brief trip to hell though.

Now that he was properly oriented, Cillian began to study his new surroundings. Gothic architecture and paved walkways. He tried to dislodge the smell of the underworld so he could find an earthly scent. After a few moments he could detect some car exhaust, so they were near a town or city, and something vaguely familiar. The surroundings buildings looked like a university campus, not that Cillian had ever studied at one, but he certainly knew what they looked like. He didn’t know how old this Madison Beck was, so this was either a university or a very expensive boarding school. Judging by the way Leo was talking to the lady at the front desk of the main building, Cillian decided on the former.

“Of course Madison is in the gardens,” the woman gushed. “She always out there. The fresh air is good for young minds.”

“She’s an erudite girl,” Leo remarked.

Cillian couldn’t help but notice the tone Leo used when he spoke of Madison. It was so formal and detached. When he spoke of her at the mansion, he had only said her name once, and it had almost been disdainfully. Cillian wondered what this girl could possibly be like given a father such as Leo Beck.

“You stupid weeds!” a voice shouted from behind a screen of vines.

“Miss. Beck?” the woman said hesitantly.

“You may leave,” Leo retorted, causing the woman to take a step back. Clearly she didn’t want to argue with the man because she turned and left despite her expression.

Madison poked her head out from behind the trellis of pea plants. “Father,” she remarked. “I wasn’t expecting you.” She dropped the weeds in her hand.

“Clearly,” Leo said with a sigh. “I’ve brought your new guard. Any questions?” He looked Cillian.

“You never mentioned why Miss Beck needed a bodyguard,” Cillian said.

“She’s deficit in many areas. People in our world know that,” Leo replied simply. “If there’s nothing else, I do need to be heading back.”

“We wouldn’t want to keep you,” Madison said dryly.

Leo narrowed his eyes but said nothing before walking off.

Madison studied Cillian for a moment. “I’d say he’s not always like that, but I’d be lying. What’s your name?”

“Cillian,” Cillian replied.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, holding out her hand. Cillian didn’t hesitate to take her dirty hand. It was small compared to his. Her entire frame was small compared to him and her own father. “Lycanthrope,” remarked.

“Excuse me?” Cillian said.

“Lycanthropy is the technical term for werewolves,” Madison explained. “You are a werewolf, aren’t you?”

“How do you know?” Cillian asked.

“My father is particular about his guards. Werewolves are loyal, not usually when paid to be, but if you’re here, I’ll assume you need the money,” Madison replied. “He wouldn’t allow the Valkyries near me, not after last time.” Her expression darkened for moment. “Not to mention, you don’t seem to like the way my father treats me. Most other supernatural beings don’t care. In their minds, I’m deficit too.”

“There are better ways to say human,” Cillian agreed.

“Not when you’re the child of a demon and a witch,” Madison said. She picked up the weeds she had dropped and put it into a bucket that was hallway full of uprooted weeds. “My saving grace is that I get to die eventually. Let’s hope I don’t end up in hell so daddy dearest can’t visit.” She bent down and unrooted anotherplant from the ground.