Freedom for demons of the Goetia was a powerful thing, as for wielding powers, they were completely diminished. For these four, becoming accustomed to the mortal realm would take getting used to. Sitri and Count Druitte were much younger than King Vine and Count Halphas, and would be able to learn a lot from me about how not to act like demons. Rowan wasn't much help, since he had only recently been turned, and he was considered a modern day demon, nothing like the seventy-two demons sealed by King Solomon. They all spoke sort of like Dantalion… proper, and for the most part, ancient. One of the strangest things to get used to was listening to Rowan's modern day sarcasm and foul language in comparison to Dantalion's. Their protection was necessary… the only way to keep me safe, though I still protested.
"Wait! I can't have four condemned…I mean, "saved" demons watching over me. I thought that's what Dantalion was for!" I complained.
"If it was up to me, I'd just send you straight back home…back to your friends and school, that's what should have happened in the first place," Rowan argued.
"Hey… I'm really sorry I got you into this Rowan. If it wasn't for me, you'd still be a regular guy, my best friend, not some half-demon!" I reached out to hug him, and his body was more defined than I remembered.
"I've gotta get back to Levi, and make sure Belial and Satan stay the hell away from the other demons…" Rowan shook his head.
"Did you even hear what's going on? They're forcing Dantalion to sign the oath… they said it was the New Order….the summoning of the Four Kings of Hell! They're tapping initiates back at my school!"
"Look Laurel, Dantalion knows what he's doing. He got you away from them just now…all we have to do is figure out how the hell to get those brands off your arm."
"I need some time to be by myself, okay Rowan?" I started moving away from him and my four new bodyguards, against their direction to stay put. They eyed me protectively as I slipped away, blocking out the details of the last few months of my life.
Past the boundaries, the morning light filtered through the forest canopy, dancing on the water. My eyes lifted to an iridescent presence waiting for me by the banks of the waterfall. The racing of my heart awakened my spirit once again. I stayed for Dantalion. I refused to leave the boundaries of his world. I couldn't let go of him. His blood still pulsed through mine, only now, like a poison instead of an elixir. I hated what I had become. Fear rushed through me, my breathing choking me into a panic. This place would always call me back. Remind me where I first summoned his spirit to my soul. Only now, his soul was immortal and mine had died with his ascension.