2 Sean Hayden (28 page)

"My Lord," Vizier said in his sibilant voice from the shadows.

"What is it, Vizier?"

"Your servant, Belial has returned."

"That's impossible! What do you mean?"

"He is here, my lord, I have seen him myself."

"Bring him to me at once!"

"Yes, my lord."

Asmodeus began tapping the skull in impatience as Vizier sped along on his quest. The tapping changed its force and tempo and ended with Asmodeus pounding on the top of the skull with his closed fist. The demon lord had never been patient, even when he'd been mighty among the ranks of the chosen rather than the fallen. He snorted in disgust at the memories of those times flooding his mind. He'd been happy once, but that changed quickly.

"Belial, my lord."

Asmodeus nodded at the wispy servant and trained his vision on who had once been his favorite of servants. They had enjoyed many hunts and torments together until his accident. He never thought to see the young demon again. "I thought you were lost, my friend."

"So did I, my lord. To say these centuries have been long would be a bit of an understatement."

"I think it has been longer than that, Belial. How did you free yourself from the skull?"

"You knew?"

"I saw it when it happened, but since it was your offspring who trapped you, I couldn't retaliate. It was his right by blood. I saw him when he took your head and then trapped you within it. I didn't think he had the prowess in magic to complete such a task. I also felt you deserved it for losing your combat against your son."

"Pah! You know these damn offspring of our kind, unpredictable to say the least. It is not the talented swordsman the master fears, it is the novice. So much power, so little discipline, and a fierce temper can be the downfall of the greatest of us."

"You better not be foreshadowing, my friend. Apparently I have sired an offspring."

"Who do you think sent me home, my lord?"

"She bested you?"

"Yes, just as she now battles my offspring. I don't put much faith in him against that one!"

"Is she that strong?"

"My lord, she beat me barehanded. I fear what she might become."

"So do I, Belial. So do I."

"At least I am free of that damnable skull!"

"Do you still have ties to it?" Asmodeus excitedly slid forward on his throne. Belial stepped back in fear when he saw the fire in Asmodeus' eyes.

"I can still be summoned through it, but no longer am I bound to it. Besides, I can see it. The humans of the realm have secreted it away and guard it."

"Belial, you will get the offspring of your offspring to find it. You will get them to summon you back to the human realm, where you will summon me. I have an indiscretion I need to correct. Your life depends on it."

"Yes, my lord," Belial said and bowed down to Asmodeus, his last words striking fear into his chest.

Born the son of a fire chief, Sean naturally developed a love of playing with fire. His family and friends quickly found other outlets for his destructive creativity. Writing is his latest endeavor.

Always a fan of the macabre, mythical, and magical, Sean found a love of urban fantasy and horror. After writing several novels in this genre, he found, fell in love with, and immersed himself in Steampunk. He has always wanted to rewrite history and Steampunk gave him that opportunity.

Sean currently lives in Florida as a fiber-optic engineer as well as an author. He was blessed with the two most amazing children he could ever hope for, has met the absolute love of his life, who coincidentally is his partner in everything. His hobbies include grand designs on world domination as well as a starring role in his own television sitcom.