Chapter 22: Realizations and Oaths

Chapter 22: Realizations and Oaths

Following the ball of light that she had summoned, Six found her way out of the maze. Waiting at the exit was a woman made entirely out of paper mache. She stood like a statue, her paper hair done up in a bun.

“If you try anything my dog will eat you.” Six warned her.

“I promise our intentions are pure. The one you destroyed was different than we are. He was mad... twisted... broken.” The woman explained. “He was pure longing and sorrow... desperation.”

“AND WHAT ARE YOU?” Titan put himself between Six and the woman.

The paper lady bowed. “We are what happens when anger dies and all seems lost, we are hope. We are the collective hopes of forgotten books and before you go we wish to ask a favor.”

“What do you want?” Six asked. “Even if I lived to be a hundred I couldn’t read all of you, not that I would want to.”

“That is fine. All we ask is that from time to time you might return to spend time with us.” A single inky tear started at the corner of her eye. “We are lonely, so very very lonely.”

“Alright, alright. Stop with the waterworks. I’ll come visit every once and awhile so long as you don’t try and attack me or trap me again.” Six promised. “I’ll tell you what, why don’t you pick out four books for me to take home? Maybe something for Bael and Maharet too?”

“Oh yes, that would be lovely. Thank you! Thank you!” The paper lady danced down the shelves picking out volumes. “You’ll love these, yes you absolutely will!”

Six accepted the books and went to leave. Granny made a disapproving cough from his place by the fire. “How exactly are you expecting to pay for those, young lady?” He asked.

“Be careful.” Maharet warned. “You speak to a baron.”

“I AM TITAN, SON OF CERBERUS, SECOND GUARDIAN OF THE GATES OF HELL.” Titan barked back. “NO BARON, NO ANGEL, NOT EVEN SATAN HERSELF CAN BREAK MY WORD ONCE IT IS GIVEN. SO LONG AS I DRAW BREATH SHE IS UNDER MY PROTECTION.”

“Good.” Bael nodded in approval. “Then it is decided, you will stay and you will guard our daughter.”

“THIS WAS A TEST?” Titan asked in disbelief. “YOU TRICKED ME!”

“He does that.” Maharet gave Titan a consolatory pat on the head. “You get used to it.”

“You two are terrible.” Six admonished her foster parents as she dried the tears from her eyes.

Maharet shrugged. “We’re demons after all. You really shouldn’t be surprised. Now do you want to lay there and be miserable or do you want me to make you something to eat?” She considered her words for a second. “Make something for you to eat.” Maharet corrected.

“I could eat.” Six admitted. “But I’m still angry at both of you.”

“That’s my girl!” Bael said proudly. “I’ll make up some bacon sandwiches."

“WHAT IS A BACON SANDWICH?” Titan asked, annoyed at having been played but optimistic about the prospect of food.

“Come on you two.” Bael waved them into the kitchen. “Let’s get both of you fed.”