The next day, I woke up to repeat my boring routine of going to school, but this time, I was in a bad mood…a worse mood than usual.

  “Good morning, Chrissy.” Grandma greeted, but I was in no mood for pleasantries. I walked past her and she frowned before lifting her hand and my body froze.

  “I get that you are mad about being grounded for six months, but that doesn’t mean that you should be, how do the humans say it now a days, oh yes, a basic bitch.” Grandma said, her voice full of scorn

  “It’s not fair, you guys are assuming that Victor is a demon and simply acting scared instead of doing anything. Even if he is a demon, it’s not like he has done anything to warrant any fear. Not saying that a little caution is bad just that too much is unjustified.” I said, with slightly criticism in my voice

  “You can only say that because you have never seen what a demon can do? I’ve seen a demon before in Germany, around sixty years ago. A death demon was reaping souls in Rostenberg, over two thousand humans and a five hundred supernaturals were reaped. Luckily, the demon was apprehended by the Shadow Council before it could do more damage.” Alaric said as he walked into the room drinking from a blood bag

  “So you saw a demon before ?” I asked

  “Well yes, I managed to see the demon when it was apprehended. It really freaked me out.” Alaric said and shivered, making me curious

  “What did this demon look like?” I asked

  “It was hard to describe. But I guess Esmin Loch’s description was the best. Death is like a shroud, containing living darkness that wants to swallow you whole. Death is neither merciful nor merciless, but a final resting for the all the living, mortal and immortal. It brings repose and terror to the souls of the lost. The happy souls, the despairing souls, the enlightened souls, the ignorant souls, the joyful souls, the terrified souls, the weeping souls, the laughing souls. They are all weaved into the garments of death. I can still remember the faces writhing and wiggling in its shroud as it was taken away.” He said and I can see the look of terror on his face

  “What’s the Shadow Council?” I asked, deciding to change the question

  “I’m not really sure.” He said and I looked at him confused

  “What do you mean your not sure?” I asked

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  “No one knows for sure. All we know are the rumors. According to what we’ve heard over the last two centuries, they are an organization formed by the devils that are here, on Earth, and the Blood Red Commander. They made a pact after the Blood Red Commander closed a few of the rifts to Gehenna, the world of Demons and Devils. They apparently deal with demons that go on a rampage, killing large amounts of humans. They are recognized by there purple cloaks and the symbol of a golden scale surrounded by water, blood and weeping souls.” Grandma answered

  “So I guess we can’t ask this Shadow Council about Victor then.” I said

  “Even if we could, I doubt a demon would give up the identity of their fellow demon. Not without paying a substantial price that is.” Grandpa spoke for the first time while flipping through an old book

  “Well, there is an easy way to figure out if he is a demon or not.” I said and all of them looked at me and I smiled

  “I could just ask him.” I said and I felt grandma’s hold on me tighten

  “Are you mad, child?!” She said with a furious look on her face

  “Just listen for a minute.” I barely squeezed out and her hold loosened

  “Let’s say Victor is here to kill us, based on what you guys told me, we have no chance of escaping. So there is no harm in trying. Except maybe hastening our deaths. If he isn’t here to kill us, then I don’t think he will kill us if I ask him a few questions.” I said

  “Or he could just get irritated and choose to kill us.” Alaric pointed out

  “Come on, it’s possible that he’s even older than you guys, I’m sure he has some level of patience. And besides I’m not gonna be annoying.” I said

  “Can you be anything other than that?” Grandpa scoffed and I my eyelid twitched

  “I think she should give it a try. It’s no use just standing around and guessing what this guy wants.” Vivian said as she walked down the stairs with a yawn. Her hair was unkempt and she was still in her night gown.

  “Really? You want me to allow my granddaughter to question a possible demon?” Grandma asked furiously

  “Well, he seems to have taken a liking to her, otherwise he wouldn’t have invited her into his house. Besides they literally see each other for five days a week, if he was going to try something he could have done it ages ago. Also, I doubt he doesn’t know where we live.” Vivian said as she walked into the kitchen

  “Fine, I’ll allow it. But at the first sign of danger, try your best to escape.” Grandma said, with a tinge of concern in her voice, making me smile.

  “Also, maybe we should try having Chrissy searching his house. She might find something.” Vivian said from the kitchen

  “Absolutely not.” Grandma said angrily and Vivian chuckled from inside the kitchen

  “Now that we are done talking, can you please let me go grandma?” I asked desperately

  “But you still haven’t said good morning.” Grandma said with a sweet smile and I felt her hold on me tighten

  “Good morning grandma.” I said hurriedly, but her hold hasn’t loosened

  “And?” She said and I thought for a second

  “Good morning grandpa, uncle Alaric and aunty Vivian.” I said and I felt her hold on me disappear, making me sigh in relief

  “Good girl, now off to school with you.” She said and went back to reading, and I threw a menacing glare her way before rushing off to the kitchen. I swung open the refrigerator door and took a blood bag, my first meal on this Thursday morning.

  *Ptooey*

  “That tastes rancid. Is it expired?” I asked with a disgusted expression as I spat out the blood and threw the blood bag to the ground.

  “No it isn’t, and even if it was you shouldn’t have reacted that way.” Alaric said, but I wasn’t listening as I held my stomach.

  *Blegh*

  I started puking my guts out and a rancid scent filled the air as all the blood I drank during the week splashed on the ground. Vivian and Alaric backed away with a disgusted look on their faces and my grandparents came rushing into the kitchen.

  “What’s wron-in the name of Lamagra, what the fuck is that smell?!” Grandma wretched as she rushed out of the kitchen and outside, and I could hear both her and grandpa wretching. My vision was blurring and I quickly stumbled into the living room before falling to the ground and everything turned black.