Reporting Back

The young woman opened the door, smiling and bowing deeply, “Mistress Hekate, Lord Belphegor and his Advisors shall see you now.” Waving one hand to the side to direct her towards the open door.

Stepping into the lavish throne room, intricate mosaics depicting early Gehenna adorned the floor. Rich tapestries hung around the room, that were changed regularly of various heroes and their legendary deeds. The great hall was brightly lit by chandeliers that glowed with a celestial radiance.

Hekate marched to the center of the room about six feet from the thrown, throwing open the cloak, and allowing it to slide down off her shoulders, revealing the blood and gore splattered across her outfit and flesh. The cloak pooling on the floor behind her as she dropped to one knee, placing her palms flat on the black marble floor.

A noticable gasp escaped the lips of Marihem, as Aiwass stepped forward as if to rush to her side. Stopped though as Belphegor raised a hand, commanding them to wait, and see what the woman has to say.

Hekate’s usual confidence was replaced with a hoarse raspy voice, “I have failed you, my King, you and our people.” Her body shivering, as she fought off fresh tears, and shame.

Belphegor’s voice echoed through the great hall, “Hekate, tell us what has happened, and we will judge if you truly failed.”

Hekate looked up nervously for a second revealing bloodshot eyes, before quickly casting her view back to the floor. “Yes, your highness, of course. I entered the home of the Ramirez family through a portal from the Shrine of Dawn. When I arrived I found the pactum sodalis Juan Ramirez…” Taking a deep breath, as her hands formed fists still on the floor. “They had crucified and disemboweled him, two of soldiers were still there torturing the poor soul.”

Hearing this Aiwass shot an accusing glare at Marihem who stood at the other side of the King’s throne. But Belphegor ignored it, “I see, please continue dear.”

Hekate gulped, her words wavering, “I dispatched the two men in the room, recovering Master Ramirez’s soul and those of the assassins. I then moved upstairs to inspect the rest of the home. Hearing noises from the kitchen, I entered there and found a macabre scene, as pactum sodalis Maria Ramirez had been strung up by her ankles, her throat slit with a pair of vampire dogs lapping at her essence. A man was sitting there waiting with more soldiers, dressed in a tailored suit with a clergy collar. He also had, Catalina bound and laying at his feet.” She paused to collect herself again, as tears dripped from her cheeks to the floor.

At this time though Marihem broke the silence of the pause, after Belhegor glanced over his gaze questioning of how much she knew when she sent his daughter on this mission. She exclaimed, “The girl was only supposed to do reconnaissance, she was not supposed to engage, I needed to know what was going on before I sent a **** to engage the enemy, what if it was not the Priest?”

Hekate glanced up and over to the woman, her lavender eyes burning with anger, “You knew…” she whispered, as her nails dug into the flesh of her palms.

Marihem looked to the King, “Your highness, I dared not send an **** **** to the Mortal Realm without knowing for sure. Think of how the other Realms would react, even the Celestial Realms might have taken notice. It was best just to gather intelligence and then take action, Lord Belphegor.”

Belphegor sighed deeply, “We will discuss this later, Marihem, in private.” His words left no room for question or debate. Then softening as he looked back to Hekate, “Dear daughter, I do apologize for forcing you to endure this. I do need to know, what did the man say? Did you tell him who you are?”

The succubus blinked, looking to her father on the throne, “I told him my name and of which Realm I was from when he asked. But I did not tell him, I am of your bloodline, Sire.”

The man offered her a reassuring smile, “That is for the best dear, for if you had, I’m sure he would have taken you from us. But please continue with your report.”

Hekate’s body was starting to relax some from the kindness being shown to her by the King. Nodding she continued, “The man knew of you, your Highness, and insulted you, I wanted to make him pay for those words but he threatened Catalina. Then he gave me two messages to deliver.”

The King nodded, “And they are?”

“First he wanted me to tell someone named Lady Zazela, that she made him this way, and he still remembers.” Her eyes questioning as she did not recognize the name.

Belhegor’s clenched one fist at hearing Zazela mentioned in a disparaging way, nodding, “And what else, dear?”

Hekate blinked, “And to Lord Aiwass, he said he would be waiting, and that he cannot protect his women. And, and then he stabbed Catalina, running away with his minions. I had **** but to try to save her and let them escape. I’m sorry father, I failed you. I did recover Lady Maria’s soul and another of the filthy mercenaries though and brought Catalina back to our healers.” Her head falling forward, as she was feeling exhausted all the sudden, her mission completed.

The King, raised from his throne, walking over the the demoness, kneeling on the floor, kneeling down himself as he placed his hands on her shoulders, offering a bit of his strength. “No, my dear sweet child, you did not fail us, if anything we failed you this time dear. Please relax, you have done more than our kingdom had any right to ask of you.” Helping the succubus to rise to her feet again and looking into her eyes, before leaning in to offer a kiss on her forehead.

Aiwass who had followed the King and was standing to his right hand, “Thank you, dear sister, you have served Gehenna well this day. Please go home, get cleaned up and spend some time with you sweet daughter.”

At that Marihem shifted from her position next to the throne, whispering, “Daughter, but Hekate has no child?” Offered a puzzled look at the gathering.

With that the hand maiden that had been standing at the door since bringing her in. Came over to Hekate’s side, offering her arm, “Mistress, I would be happy to help you to your home.”

With that, Hekate was led from the room leaving the King and his advisors to discuss these matters.