TBTT 04. Truth or death

[moonshadows]

When Levy calls Joshua up to his office, he initially thinks he’s going to get fired. He’s been slacking at work the last two days, shaken by the sudden absence of his ward and the revelation of his Lord’s nature. On his way up, however, he realizes that a firing wouldn’t make his boss sound so…nervous. When he gets there, the presence of the Lord’s no-nonsense guards tell him that he’s either not going to get fired, or it’s going to be much, much worse.

The guards escort Joshua to a small, soundproofed room where the Lord himself is waiting. When the door has closed the guards securely outside, the immaculately groomed man turns and regards Joshua with an intent scrutiny.  The control amulet is around his neck and Joshua eyes it warily, wondering if such a dangerous man has missed the lack of significance it has.

“I see you looking at the amulet,” the Lord says in a tone that warns of very bad things yet to come. “Tell me about it.”

Joshua swallows. “It…has no power over Tessa,” he says. When no horrible death is forthcoming, he clears his throat and continues. “It used to have some power – it was the ward key for the Third Gate Cavern back in the day, passed down from my grandfather. When Tessa came through, it started lighting up, so I went to check it out and found her there, looking around. She plucked it out of my hand and broke its enchantment and then threw it over her shoulder, but then she changed her mind and handed it back to me. She said she needed someone to show her the ins and outs of this world, and it may as well be me. So we pretended that she was under my control. I helped-“ he pauses, again wondering how much his Lord knows, but decides that whatever the punishment for truth is, it has to be better than the punishment the Lord prefers handing out for lies.

“-I helped her pick out a mostly-human disguise that would make it clear she was a demon without being demonic enough that people would fear her. I brought her home and taught her how to be a normal girl.”

The Lord’s eyes narrow slightly and his weight shifts back. “Wisely said,” he growls. “If you had lied to me, I would have killed you myself.”

“I know,” Joshua says quietly. “I also know that you might still kill me for what I know, to make sure no one else knows, even though I give my word that I haven’t told anyone.”

“And what, pray tell, is that?” The menace in his voice earlier is nothing compared to what the Lord’s tone holds now.

Joshua takes a deep breath, certain he is signing his own death sentence. “The night you arrived, Tessa felt it. I didn’t put everything together until later, but it’s obvious if you know what to look for.” He smiles crookedly. “Your disguise isn’t quite as good as hers, but it’s very good. I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t been living with Tessa.”

There is silence for a long moment. Joshua thinks nervously about the generals and advisers found torn apart – by wild animals, the news reported, to judge by the claw marks. He knows better.

“She says you were kind to her. Why.” It’s less a question than a demand for information.

Joshua shrugs. “Being a demon doesn’t preclude being worthy of kindness or respect.”

The silence this time has a much different feel to it.

“I imagine that your routine is emptier now that I have taken…command…of your demon,” the Lord says in a falsely-light tone. “Whatever petty role you play here can’t be satisfying such a void. Furthermore, a man of your intelligence and…discretion…is wasted in this-“ he waves one manicured hand in a gesture that dismisses the entire office.

“My Lord?” Joshua asks blankly. The change of topic has confused him greatly.

The neatly-trimmed beard parts for a smile that looks more like a baring of teeth which, to be sure, are even and pearly-white, but unnerving none the less. “I promised you a reward, Joshua. Surely your menial position is not what you had hoped to do for the rest of your life. What is it that you want to spend your days doing? Name it. If the position exists, I’ll kill whoever holds it and give it to you. If it does not, I’ll create it.”

Frantically aware of the weight of his Lord’s attention, Joshua tries to think. “Research!” he blurts out. “That is – I’ve always loved digging into the old stories, the myths. Hunting down scraps of information and piecing facts together.”

“Hmm.” One manicured hand scratches at the short beard. “And whoever I place in charge of such potentially dangerous information would indeed need to be someone whose discretion is beyond question. Does she know?”

“Um…does who know what, my Lord?”

“Tessa.” He pauses to savor the sounds; it is the first time her name has left his lips. “Does she know that you are aware of…?” For just an instant, he drops the veils and lets Joshua glimpse him as he truly is.

“No, my Lord,” Joshua says, remarkably calm in the face of such a deadly display of trust.  “I didn’t realize it until-“ Until you took her. “-until after her control amulet was in your possession.”

The scrutiny is back. Joshua begins to sweat, although he doesn’t know what he’s done or said this time.

“Return home. My men will be there shortly to assist you in packing up your household; you will be moved to better quarters in the reigning district by tomorrow. We will meet again in two days to discuss the duties of your new position.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Joshua bows and  turns to go.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Joshua freezes, suddenly terrified, one hand on the doorknob. “Tessa’s belongings – make sure they are packed separately. They will be delivered to her apartment ahead of your move.”

“I’ll see to it myself, Lord.”

This time, Joshua is allowed to flee.