Demon Lord VII - Dark Domain Read Free

Father. He has deceived you.”
    “I understand
your fear, so do it because I tell you to, and for no other
reason.”
    Sherinias
stared at Bane with flinching, horror-filled eyes, and Kayos gave
her a push towards him. She took a step and halted, frozen
again.
    Bane flung
Kayos an angry look. “If you want to frighten her to death, do not
use me.”
    “Do I have a
choice?”
    “Yes, leave me
alone.” Bane strode away.
    “Bane!”
    The Demon Lord
walked on for several strides, then slowed, raising his fists with
a growl of frustration as he stopped and swung to face the Grey
God, who glared at him. Bane marched back, flicking the edges of
his cloak over his shoulders. “I do not enjoy frightening little
girls.”
    “I understand.
This is hard for you.”
    “It is a lot
worse for her.”
    “Do you want
her to be afraid of you?”
    “No.”
    “Then do as I
say,” Kayos advised. “I know what I am doing. Do you remember how
your power reacted to her insolence?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then harden
your heart. You are too soft.”
    “Tell her
that,” Bane said.
    “At this
juncture, words will not convince her. Have you heard that actions
speak louder?”
    “Of course.
Then come with her.”
    The Grey God
shook his head. “Then she will fear you when I am absent.”
    “I do not want
to do this.”
    “You must.”
Kayos looked at Sherinias once more. “Go and take your brother’s
hand.”
    “Why did you
call him back when he was leaving?” she asked. “I do not
understand.”
    “I did it
because you must do as I say. He will not harm you.”
    Sherinias cast
Bane a despairing glance and walked towards him with stiff, jerky
steps. He looked away, unable to meet her desperate, pleading gaze,
which begged for his mercy.
    Once he had
revelled in the terror he inspired in others, and the darkness
sought to twist his self-loathing into contempt. The dark power
mocked his weakness and sought to overcome his hatred of its
depraved teachings by offering a font of pleasure from her fear,
and he fought against it.
     
     
    Kayos watched
his dark son with deep concern, noting the expressions that chased
each other across Bane’s face. His human side warred with the
darkness within him, and this would test his ability to overcome
its influence. Once he had been its slave, and it had made him
kill, torture and humiliate many innocents. Kayos was sure Bane had
not forgiven himself for that, even if Mirra had.
    Bane frowned
into the distance, but every so often he glanced at Sherinias and
his lip curled in contempt. Then his face became a mask as he
regained a little control, and he averted his gaze. Kayos longed to
go to him and embrace him, give him the love and trust he needed
and deserved. Sherinias had to trust Bane, and this was the only
way. For Bane, being a dark god was a burden he longed to shed, but
could not while his powers were needed.
    Drevarin’s
friendship was good for Bane, bolstering his self-image, but
Sherinias’ fear did grave harm to his self-esteem. Kayos feared
that Bane would do something rash and self-destructive to counter
it.
     
     
    Bane glanced at
Sherinias, who met his eyes with a beseeching gaze, her breath
coming in jerky gasps.
    Kayos said,
“She was born with an inherent fear of the darkness. Only
irrefutable proof of your friendship will allay her terror.”
    “If she does
not drop dead of it before she gets here.”
    “She will not.
Do not approach her. She must come to you.”
    Bane flung him
a scathing look. “I am not a fool. She is defenceless, not so?”
    “At this age,
utterly.”
    “That makes it
even worse.”
    Sherinias
approached Bane like an automaton, and he doubted that she heard a
word they said, her mind numb with fright. He wondered if he should
smile, but that would probably be as threatening as a frown to her.
Stones made her stagger, and he fought the urge to help her. The
darkness within him revelled in her fear and tried to fill him with
smug gloating, but he