Nasty Nick

"You called for me, Master?"

  "I did indeed." A puff of smoke wisped into the air, the back of the chair facing the Warlock. A clawed hand was just visible over the side of the chair holding a long cigar. "I want you to go down to the training field and assess the new soldiers."

"If I may ask Master, why?" The magic-user crossed his arms and stared at the back of the chair.

  "I simply trust no one else, the last time I sent a demon it screwed up and I had to execute half the troop myself." Another puff of smoke.

The Warlock shuddered, he remembered that day. Remembered the smell of blood in the air and the sound of screams. Dark angels and demons had been slaughtered all because they had the Sickness. It wasn't pleasant to witness but it had to be done, it was no good if you had a troop of rabid soldiers.

 "Who's territory did they come from last time?" Laval asked.

  "Ethan's. I swear he sent the sick ones on purpose." A low growl but no further aggression.

"To be fair, you did use him. It was probably a small piece of revenge."

"I don't want to hurt you Laval, but I will." There was mockery there, but the Demon Prince wouldn't kill him. Harm him, maybe maim him.

"Just keeping it real Master." He cast his eyes sides to the hound his master had chained to the pillar. The thing was laying quietly for now, it's lipless snout buried in its skinless paws. Laval shuddered, it truly was a horrible looking thing but hey, if they kept you safe why not.

  "Off you go." The demon waved a hand. "Do blood tests on the lot of them, if you find any Sick ones... You know what to do."

"Yes Master." The Warlock walked out the office and began the long trail to the training grounds.

     ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Laval arched his back up, having the satisfaction of hearing the bones clicking. He'd been sitting here for over an hour and he was totally bored. So far none of the new soldiers had the Sickness, although some looked like they should be dead. It might sound horrible but he was beginning to hope to find a sick one.

  "Next." He grumbled, holding out his hand to grasp the next demon's. Instead of feeling either the disgusting feel of flesh and muscle or bones or scales, he felt a delicate, soft hand touch his.

  Laval looked up in shock to stare into the face of some angel, literally. The young angel looked down at him with an amused expression his face was soft and he looked so so young.

  "Asher." The angel said in answer to his questioning gaze.

  "Territory?" Laval asked, lifted the blade and running it over the angel's palm.

"Princess Tagna." His voice was soft.

Now that explained his beauty. Tagna's court was revered for its beautiful but deadly members. Laval took the blade and allowed the blood to drop into the boiling water next to him. There was no reaction, this one was clean. "Welcome to Prince Nickodemus' territory." The Warlock said wiping the blade clean on a scrap of cloth.

Asher stood staring at the Warlock for a few seconds longer before walking into the building. Laval turned to watch the angel, the wings closed tightly to his back were exquisite. Black as midnight sweeping down to a grey with pure white tips.

  He shook his head, it wasn't unusual for Tagna to send one or two beautys every now and then but this one? He looked like he should be one of her personal sex slaves.

The Warlock looked back to the line of new soldiers and carried on checking them, sighing as he did so. Oh the boredom. Down the line Laval discovered another one of Tagna's soldiers, this one was a vampire female. Obviously turned my Tagna herself judging from her beauty.

  Laval shook his head, Targus must have convinced her to cough some up for the good of Helldox.

  By the time the line was at an end, Laval was exhausted. He picked up the papers he'd written the stats on. As usual Targus had sent them warriors, Ethan some healers (without Sickness), Revna offered a fleet of dark angels and three new spies and Tagna three beautiful blade wielders.

  He trudged back up to the Demon Prince's office to put the papers on his desk only to stop and listen quietly by the door. There was scuffling and a soft moan. Laval pushed the door open to find the attractive vampire from Tagna's court wrapped around his master.

  Nick looked up from licking her neck and smiled wickedly at the Warlock. Laval chuckled, not in the least bit offended by Nick's position. After all, he'd found him in worse.

"All accounted for Master." He slapped the papers on the table. "You have a new flight of angels from Revna and two others from Tagna's court." He eyed he kinky vampire up and down. "I would like to retire for the night, if you have no need of my further assistance."

"I will see you tomorrow." The demon purred, his forked tongue caressing the female's face. "I would like you to oversee the other two from Tagna's court to ensure we have no complications with them. This one will stay with me."

"Master." He bowed then walked out. So he hadn't been wrong, Tagna had sent him sex slaves, probably as a preparation for when she finally got into his pants, or so she thought.