Civil/Earth: VII

I wanted to go after Aviary, really I did. I ran to the doorway and hung on the frame, calling out to her, but she was gone by the time I got outside. Kioni lingered behind me, a triumphant smirk on her face.

It wasn't until then I realized how little I knew about the other evils. I knew imps like Kioni are earthly evils, and are controlled by King Alabaster. Cubi are a strange case. Although they live in the realm of demons, they are in a dimension of their own. Still, I think my grandfather has some reign over them. The feuding between Kioni and Aviary's families was just another example on how fragile the alliance of evils truly was.

In a way, I wanted to end the tensions between earthly evils and the Underworld. If I could, I would bring all of the Divine Spirits together. We were one once. If only there was something I could do to make that happen again.

The imps were talking among themselves when I came back into the shop. Kioni smiled, but she seemed sour after her argument with Aviary.

The girlish one, Val I think his name was, approached me and pointed to my wrist. "You haven't any money, have you?" he asked, his tone condescending.

I twisted the woven bracelet around my wrist nervously. "O-oh…I…"

Kioni frowned. "Let her be, Val. Although she came with that beast, I doubt she knew of her friend's vile intentions. Besides," the queen flashed a wicked smile, "Princess Civil could annihilate our kingdom in one finger snap."

Her friends nodded nervously in agreement. I smiled softly.

"Of course, I would never do that," I assured them.

"My lady," Nicolette called, appearing at the doorway, "we should be leaving. A day on Earth is a vacation; a night above ground is verging on illegal."

Go back? Just as I was meeting new people? The thought bothered me. I looked at my help, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear so she could see both my eyes.

"I'm not going back there, Nicolette. There is so much I haven't seen yet!"

"Someone is calling for you, Miss Civil. You cannot keep them waiting. Your grandfather will be very put out."

"Then let him be!" I snapped. "I hope he worries! I'm sick of being trapped down there with nothing to do but paint and play music and watch the mutterers. That's not a life, Nicolette. My mother fell in love on this land. She…she had me!"

Much to my surprise, Nicolette grabbed the collar of my dress, nearly lifting me off my feet. "Do not get any ideas!" she hissed. "It is my duty to protect you. You are the princess of the Underworld. If you were to fall in love with any child of earth, who knows what problems that could stir?"

"My mother was as pure as the Underworld," I protested, "my power is diluted because of my father-"

"Your powers are heightened because of your father!" Nicolette's tone softened when she noticed the imps staring at her. "Civillia," she whispered my full name, "this is no place for the princess of the Underworld. I worry for you. If you fall into the same footsteps as your mother…"

My eyes met hers confidently. "I won't. Just grant me this, Nicolette. Everything will be fine."

Kioni somehow had teleported to my side as we spoke. She tapped my shoulder and smiled sweetly. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but can I come with you when you leave? There is a lot I have yet to experience as well. I have only been out of my kingdom once before and we didn't go far…" her smile broadened hopefully.

I returned the gesture and turned to Nicolette. "You are dismissed," I ordered.

Nicolette knew better to protest. She pinched her lips tightly together and turned on her heel before briskly walking out the door.
A cool breeze greeted me as we stepped outside. I hugged my overheated body, enjoying the icy touch. The sky was dark now, somewhat resembling that abyss I used to look into from my window. I admit I was a little homesick. Still, I couldn't mask the happiness that came over me when I saw this world.

There were less people on the streets now, and Kioni and I walked in silence. We did not know where we were going. This world was so new to us. What did humans do here? What could we do without stepping over boundaries?

I began to worry about Aviary. She appeared hungry, but I had no doubt she was taking care of that right now. Kioni didn't look well either. She kept fidgeting with the three charms on her necklace and reaching for someone invisible on her other side.

"It's been a while since I was alone," she said softly.

"You're not alone," I assured her. "I am here."

"Yes but…I feel empty."

We walked a little more in silence, a motion that was making me uneasy. I missed Nicolette, but Kioni's company soothed the pain. The night became cooler, and we found ourselves walking into a darker part of town. Kioni clung to my arm tentatively.

Someone was standing in the middle of the road. I could only see an outline, the shadow's curves being the only evidence that the person was female.

Kioni gasped and ran after the figure. "It's Aviary!" she shouted, turning back to me and pointing at the girl in the road.

Her words didn't process until the figure illuminated, revealing her dark hair, tight jeans, and a formfitting black camisole. Her arms were wrapped around her body and she was shivering visibly. Violet eyes stared vacantly at the space before her, as if she saw a ghost.

The light behind her grew brighter. Kioni took a step back.

"That's a-" She didn't need to finish her sentence. I could see the large, metallic beast that was coming up behind the succubus.

I ran to the edge of the sidewalk, but did not dare step onto the road. "Aviary!"

I called to her, over and over. Kioni followed suit, shouting the succubus' name. Finally, Aviary blinked, and spun around in time for the monster to collide with her.

When the vehicle had passed, Aviary was gone. There were no remnants of her body, or any evidence that she had ever been. The imp queen buried her face in my shoulder, not crying, but shaking uncontrollably.

"Oh gods, oh gods," she repeated over and over.

I stood silent. There was no god for me to pray to.

Thunder rumbled in the distance and shook the ground beneath our feet. As if on cue, rain began to cascade down in sheets.

"Kioni," I took her hand and pulled her under the canopy of a nearby store, "we should probably get back." It was then I noticed the tears on her face. "Are you alright?"

"I'm not crying," she sniffled, wiping her cheeks with her palm. "That was just…scary. You know she's not dead. It takes a lot more than a van to murder one of those soul suckers."

Aviary appeared on the sidewalk, surprising both of us out of our skin. "Damn right," she muttered.

I approached Aviary, ignoring the rain that matted my hair to my cheeks. "What's gotten into you? What if a human saw you?" I demanded.

"That's none of your concern!" she snapped. Immediately, her eyes dulled and she looked at her feet. "I saw him…"

"Who's him?" Kioni looked suddenly interested.

"It's not important!" she retaliated. "Mind your own business!"

I wasn't about to let it go. Whatever she saw paralyzed her in the middle of a busy street. Still, it was wet, and Aviary looked worse then she had been when she left. I decided we needed to find shelter before I interrogated her.

Luckily, while Dalkon had left his ward, he had discovered a small house for the three of us to stay. Who knew incubi could be useful?

Aviary was the first one in the shower. Kioni and I stayed in the downstairs bathroom and washing area, throwing our soaked clothes in the dryer and slipping into clothes we had packed for our journeys. I caught Kioni staring at me more than once as we changed.

She blushed lightly. "I'm sorry, its just…you're so beautiful."

I wasn't sure how to take the compliment, so I shook it off. Kioni and I were similar in body structure. She was only an inch or two shorter than me, and was very skinny. I suppose I had more build in the waist and bust areas, but it wasn't too drastic.

"Aren't you gonna take her out before you kiss her?" Aviary called over the rush of the shower water.

Kioni frowned. "Sorry I'm not a succubus," she hissed.

"Girls," I sighed, "not now."

They were both silent then. I was starting to notice where our friendship stood. If we were all to live peacefully, I was going to need to take control of the house. I stepped into the kitchen, where Dalkon was preparing an unusual meal.

I leaned over his shoulder and poked at the boiling water. The heat scalded me, but not any more than stepping on Hell's ground with bare feet would have. Small white flecks of something were rotating along with the bubbles.

"Are those…maggots?!" I gasped, backing away.

Dalkon laughed and put the spoon to his lips. "It's called rice, princess. It's a grain. I'm also making chicken." He opened up the oven revealing bronzing meat the shape of a bird's body. "It's good, you'll like it."

I nodded and sat at the table, listening to the girls arguing on the other side of the wall. "Those two," I sighed.

"It's to be expected. They are natural enemies. I, personally, don't enjoy the company of imps, but I've been around enough to deal with them."

I leaned forward, hanging on his every word. "You've been around?" I repeated, an impatient smile twitching at the corners of my mouth. "Have you seen much of Earth?"

He turned to me briefly, catching my expression. Dalkon muttered something inaudible before opening the oven once more. He hesitated, relishing the heat that welcomed him.

I had to clear my throat to awaken him from his daze. Dalkon spun around, his amethyst eyes glimmering.

"I've seen all of Earth, and plenty of your world too." He put on oven mitts, an act that seemed extremely silly for such an attractive incubus to do. "Why so curious, princess? Is there someone you're looking for too?"

At first, I was defensive. I stuttered over my words and couldn't quite get a grasp of how to reply. Dalkon watched me patiently, his amethyst eyes never leaving my face. Finally, I swallowed hard.

"Is there someone I'm looking for too?" I repeated. "Are you looking for someone here?"

Dalkon shook his head and removed the chicken from the oven and placed it on the counter. "Aviary came here for two reasons." He removed his oven mitts and counted the reasons on his fingertips. "One, she wanted to escape from Ambiance. Two, she is searching for someone she loves."

My jaw dropped in astonishment. "Aviary's in love? But she's so-"

"Bitter?" Dalkon chuckled. "She's bitter because she is in love. The man was her tutor. He left her a while ago and came to the human world. It hurts her, but not as much as it would if he had stayed."

I had heard something about that before. Cubi cannot fall in love. It is against their natural order. They say even during intercourse a cubus' heartbeat is steady and slow. The irregular palpitations that occur when one is in love can drive the cubus' body into a frenzy, and soon the organ will explode.

I nodded, understanding. "Do you know anything about me, Dalkon? Anything about my parents?" I didn't expect him to know. No one except royals knew of the crime against nature my mother had committed.

Dalkon poured the rice into a strainer over the sink. "Your mother's name is Zoe, right? She is the daughter of the Lord of the Underworld."

I nodded.

"I know nothing of your father."

My eyes fell on my feet. "Not many people do."

"My guess is you're here to find him."

Aviary came into the kitchen, smelling of pomegranates. She had a towel on her head, and was frantically trying to dry her dark hair. Dalkon smiled at her.

"Feeling better, sunshine?" he said with a smirk.

"That wasn't necessary," she grumbled.

The succubus walked over to Dalkon and he placed a hand on her forehead.

"Yes it was. I told you the shower was a good idea."

A piercing scream sounded from the bathroom, and Kioni came running into the kitchen. Suds were in her hair and a towel was wrapped around her petite body. She glared at Aviary.

"You're a sick, sick girl, Aviary!" she shrieked.

Aviary turned to her, nonchalant. Dalkon suppressed a smile.

"Something wrong?" the succubus asked coolly.

"Yes there is something wrong! There's a dead body in the shower! How did he even get there?"

"I put him there," Dalkon said matter-of-factly.

Kioni's face was turning red. "You were just talking to Civil and me when you were in there! You mean you…" The imp looked sick. "Ewww!"

Aviary rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Kioni? It's not that bad. I was hungry."

The incubus was now laughing so hard he could barely stand. "You're awfully squeamish for someone who devours humans whole," he teased.

"That's different! We don't…ugh!" She threw her hands in the air and stormed out of the kitchen.

Dalkon sighed, "You know it's a good day when there are bodies in the shower. I guess I'll go clean up the mess. Aviary, please clean up after yourself in the future."

He left, and the kitchen fell into silence. I found myself staring out the window, much like I had done in Hell. Still, the scene outside was a much more cheerful one, even though it was raining. There were no mutterers, no ashen grounds, and no looming castle. You would think I'd be lonely, but I never felt better…even if I was now living with a bitter succubus and overly energetic imp.

Aviary sat down beside me, eying the food Dalkon made. "Are you planning on eating that?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I never had chicken and rice before."

"It's good I guess…I never really liked human food. Of course, I never really needed it. The people who raise the young cubi in Ambiance force the stuff down our throats. They say the food is a delicacy or something, but once you taste the life force of a human, you can never go back. Any kind of sweet, or spicy human meal could never compare."

I traced the curves of the wood on the table with my finger. "Nicolette always made my meals. They were…peculiar. My mother feeds by taking the life of humans but…" I shuddered.

Aviary smiled. "You're delicate. There's no doubt you are different than other demons. Hell, your grandfather's the devil and here you are, hating everything that made you."

"I don't hate it!" I blurted defensively. "I just…don't enjoy it. Mother always says I get it from my father, but…"

Aviary nodded, understanding. "I don't know my father either. Well, I know him, but we don't talk much—only when I'm in trouble. I've never met my mother though. Nobody knows who she is."

I smiled, remembering what Dalkon had told me. "But that's not why you're here, is it?"

"Of course not!" She waved her hand arrogantly as if the whole idea was stupid. "Ambiance is a prison. We're demons, we shouldn't have to be trained in our instincts. Besides, a lot less of us would go hungry if we just lived here on Earth."

"That's funny, I thought there was another reason why you are here," I said with a smirk.

Aviary muttered something inaudible. I later realized she was speaking some kind of foreign language. Then, her face got dark.
"I was looking for my tutor. People said he had relinquished his powers and now is living among the humans. Today before you found me, I saw him." Her violet eyes met mine and I could almost feel the dread that filled her body. "He was with a woman and a little girl. The child looked just like him."