Married to the Vampire King (COMPLETED)

Sneak Peak of Dark Black Magic

Rayne, Prince of Ruin

I raised a finger, and the whole hall fell silent. Hundreds of demons from every stratum of Hell bowed their heads and lowered their tails in respect to me.

This was my court, and I ruled with absolute power.

I reclined back on my throne and gave my herald, Illya, a nod to indicate that I was ready to begin this month's briefing. Illya cleared his throat and called forth Scuttlewort, Lord of Night Terrors.

The small gray incubus approached the throne, holding what appeared to be an iPhone in his claws.

"Your vileness," he began, "Our nightmare productivity has fallen twenty percent in last year alone. My work, and the work of others like me, is being hindered by a trend of magical murmuring that quells human anxiety and fear."

"Magical murmuring?" I echoed.

"It is called ASMR, Your Vileness. Humans can choose different sounds or scenarios to listen to. It ranges from basic sounds like hair brushing to complex self-care scenarios. For example, I listened to one where I was a horse being tended to by a gentle farmer. He brushed my mane, fed me apples and called me Buttercup."

"Is this really a thing?" I asked Illya.

Humans were odd little creatures. Lucifer had always warned me about their perversions, and nothing proved him right than the internet.

Illya shrugged and turned to Scuttlewort, who pointed at a video playing on their iPhone. A man dressed in overalls appeared on the screen, waving a red apple at the camera.

"Please, AirDrop me the link. I will review this in my private chambers later," I replied.

A year ago, I might have found the myopathic ramblings of the lower-level demons entertaining, but there was an apocalypse on the horizon that I was supposed to stop.

Things that were ordinarily entertaining were no longer fun.

I returned to my chambers, having dismissed Illya and settled myself into my armchair with a glass of whiskey. I pulled out my phone and played the horse ASMR video.

I found it hard to believe that millions of years of evolution had led up to this point where humans were listening to a man talk to them as if they were a horse.

I tapped the share button and sent it across to Lucifer.

He replied a few seconds later with LMAO emoji.

Unsurprisingly, he loved anything that highlighted the utter ridiculousness of God's favourite creation.

Although, it did make me wonder why He was so eager to save creation. Perhaps, he couldn't bear the thought of a new world where he could no longer torment humans as they were all dead.

The shadows to the left of me started to swirl, and my brother, Loki (no relation to the Norse god or the marvel movie character), stepped out from the shadows holding a coffee cup with the name 'Lucky' scrawled across it.

"How goes the hunt for Rosemary's baby?" asked Loki.

"Frustratingly slow," I replied. "The one-hour rule for visiting earth has become a real sticking point."

"Have you thought about doing a big brother?" Loki enquired.

"No, I haven't."

My older brother, Alyd, had bound himself to a vampire a few centuries ago. He told us that the bond was temporary and he would return to Hell when his vampire wife died.

He never returned.

Loki could read the scepticism in my face and said, "This might not be such a silly idea. We could find you a little witch with no power, then do a quick bonding spell."

"Loki, are you suggesting that I become a fucking familair?"

"Yes, but remember what I said about picking a witch with no power. If she has no power, then she cannot control you."

"I don't like this," I grumbled.

"Look, I've already found the perfect girl for you. She's a complete simpleton with no magical talent. You could easily form a bond with her, and she would never be able to summon or dismiss you."

"I suppose it would give me the extra time I need - but are you sure she won't be able to order me about like a pet crow?"

"No, of course not," Loki replied with a smile that didn't touch his eyes.

I didn't believe him.

Loki wasn't the type to hand out favours. He had a reputation for being a slippery character, which earned him the nickname, Prince of Snakes.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked bluntly.

"I'm fond of the humans, despite our father's feelings about them. I don't think the world would be the same without their horse ASMR videos and expensive coffee."

I still didn't believe him.

Out of my four remaining brothers, Loki was the one who cared the least about the world ending. When Lucifer had called the emergency meeting, Loki hadn't bothered to show up until halfway through the meeting. Months had passed since then, so why all the sudden interest?

"Loki," I said as I rose from my chair, "I do not know what your tiny mind is concocting, but if you cross me, I will forget that you are my brother."

"Duly noted," he replied in a sing-song voice.

I wanted to kick him out of my palace and forget his nonsensical plan, but time was running out. The demon child was due to be born in less than a month, and I had no clue which continent they were hiding in, let alone country.

I pulled my iPhone out of my back pocket and composed a quick message to Ilya. I explained the situation, where I was going, and put him in charge of my affairs.

I then added:

I don't want a repeat of what happened with my older brother. If it appears that I'm going native, kill the girl to break the bond.

This was my insurance policy should Loki try to screw me over.

"Okay, we will proceed with your plan," I told Loki.

"Wonderful, I'll make the arrangements," he said and disappeared into nothingness.

I returned back to my chair and waited.

*****

Dark Black Magic is available to read now!