Sebastian
"You're no Prince!" Spry sputtered out as I stalked towards him. The shopkeeper was coming too. I snapped my attention to him. I picked up some rope that my guards left in the cell, took it and tied the man's hands up.
I grabbed him by his collar, dragging him to the center of the room. He whimpered like a pathetic child. I plopped him directly in the middle of the cell, where Spry was sitting. I glared at the cowering man in the corner as he nursed his limp wrist.
"Do you know why so many of your informants never came back?" I flicked the question at both of them as I paced back and forth. Spry looked at me pleadingly while the shopkeeper just stared ahead with a blank stare.
"You see, my father has known that I can be... quite sadistic." I sucked my teeth as I stopped pacing, standing in front of them. "So, he put me in charge of the task force to keep the streets of Astion clean. Fear is a powerful tool, but apparently not powerful enough."
I grabbed the shopkeeper's knees as I stared into his eyes.
"I'm going to give you two to the count of three to spill information I need. If none of you, do it..." I flashed a toothy smile. "I'm going to start breaking and ripping appendages off."
"The fuck is wrong with you?!" Spry sobbed out as the shopkeeper lifted his head towards me. I had three fingers up, already placing one down.
"I don't know much, other than they're set to make a bid tonight during the full moon. Your girl will be there..." He hung his head low. Spry gritted his teeth, looking wildly at the shopkeeper.
"Cranston?! Don't say anything..." I grabbed the putrid man by his face, lifting him off the floor. I squeezed until I heard a sickening pop from his jaw dislocating. I dropped him and kicked him back to his small corner.
"That'll keep his mouth shut for a while," I sneered as Cranston bleakly looked at me.
"You don't happen to know where this place would be?" I leaned on the wall, arms crossed as I glared at him.
"It changes every time we run one of these. I believe this one will be held on the outskirts of town; I unfortunately don't know the specific location." He reached up to the mark that I carved into his forehead.
"Oh God!" He looked up at me with fear in his eyes. I sneered at him.
"I could have forced the information out, but seeing you lose your own resolve and give it up on your own free will is more..." I dragged my tongue across my teeth, "Gratifying."
I pushed off the wall, turning to leave. I halted at the door as I turned, looking over my shoulder slightly. "Stay," I hissed. He nodded, staring at the ground. I quickly strode up out of the cell, Troy and Victor were standing there.
"Troy, don't let anyone in or out. Victor, go rally our troops and get them prepared for a fight." I snapped at the two. They saluted me, and Victor went off. I stood there for a moment before turning to Troy.
"Did Sir Garrett explain to you my situation?" I bluntly asked. Troy practically froze in place.
"Just that... you have a condition and if we were to see anything, to never speak of it." Troy stared straight ahead.
"Smart." I turned and headed for the palace. I needed to come up with a strategy for tonight. I couldn't just blindly fly in. It would get the job done, but I still want to uphold my father's reputation. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I strode towards the back entrance. I halted as I entered, chewing the inside of my lip.
I decided to go to the armory. My father had a special suit made for me and my condition, and tonight might be the night we need it. I headed forward past the dining hall, down the steps towards the throne room. I made my way past that and took a sharp left, heading down some more steps before I reached the room that displayed all of our armor from past battles. I stood there, admiring my grandfather's golden armor that was dinged with dents from the great demon war.
I walked up to it, gliding my fingers over it. The torn black cape, with golden etchings of our family sigils and runes to protect us from magic hung dully but shone brightly under the lights. I turned my attention to the armor set next to his. It was all black, with golden etchings, the helm was in the shape of a knight's helm, with three points on top like a crown. The arms were formed into clawed gauntlets as the leg guards were sharp and pointed. It really in truly looked like a knight from hell.
I hovered my fingers over it as Azazel hummed. Azazel had a hand in helping make this. He shaved off his horns to have it melted down into the metal to help create runes that would have the armor morph with us if we changed into our demon form. The cloak was pitch black with golden runes sewn throughout it.
"Will we need this against these peasants?" I questioned Azazel as I took the helm in my hands. The surface was so shinny I could see my reflection in it. I ran my finger over it as Azazel grumbled. "Maybe just the armor, not the helm or cloak. We don't know what we're walking into."
I sighed as I placed the helm back. If this is what we have to wear, we had better figure out our plan and get ready. I absolutely hated armor unless necessary. The amount of time it takes to put on is ridiculous.
"I think we need to take Cranston with us, along with Troy. Victor can take half of the troops and create a perimeter while we secure the area." I told my idea to Azazel as I headed back towards my room. I halted once I reached the second floor. I looked down towards Lilith's room, a feeling of emptiness washed over me, causing my heart to ache. I clutched my chest as I headed up to my room.
"I think that's the best plan for something like this. It's not like we're going into an actual battle, but these people are cunning and will use anything to get away," Azazel mumbled as he was feeling the intense emotion I was.
"She'll soon be back to us..." He coolly said to me. I sat at the edge of my bed as I placed my head in my hands. I hate feeling like that. That was one of the perks of having Azazel, being void of emotion. But ever since I've made contact with Lilith, all these old terrible feelings started coming up. I chopped it up to an obsession at first, the obsession of the chase. But the more Azazel revealed to me about her being his mate... my mate, the more the feeling of possessiveness overcame me.
She was... she IS my drug. My obsessive devotion, if you will, and I, Sebastian Aster, will bring her home.