Chapter RADIX MALORUM
Worthington Hall, Meadowbrook, Grier Country
RADIX MALORUM
Radix paced the Worthington’ residence. Swearing. “Twice I’ve almost touched the girl’s mind, but the Forever Knights Captain has intervened on both occasions. I want it to stop. To destroy him.” Sunlight poured through the windows of Worthington’s office. Too much for him to bear. Flicking his wrist caused curtains to slide over the windows.
Worthington watched him nervously.
Radix noticed a mirror before him. Jerking his wrist made the glass shatter, shards flying across the room. They veered around Radix.
A gasp from Worthington behind him, made Radix’s back straighten and the glass suspend. Gray coat billowing he rounded to face Worthington, wrath crossing his face. He refrained from killing the fragile little mortal. Glass clattering to the floor between them.
Jaw tightening, Worthington quaked with fear. Shivers skittering his back. “Why-why are y-you here, Master?”
“You’ve failed! Again.”
“I didn’t!” He swallowed. Adam’s apple bobbing madly. “I-I almost had her.”
Clenching his fists, Radix’s lip curled. “Get that girl before I decide you’re completely useless.” Fire sparked and popped as it lit the bottom of the demon’s long coat, illuminating the gray room.
Worthington’s mouth moved but no sound emerged.
Radix’s eyes were rimmed in bright orange. As he moved, the fire immediately doused in a hissing puff of smoke as the robe snapped at the hem.
“Wh-what would you have me do?” Worthington was near vomiting from sheer terror.
“Kill them. If not them than her. Slowly.” Pacing again, the demon added. “I want the Captain to suffer. Excruciatingly. I want his misery to be endless.”
“Why?” Worthington queried hesitantly. “Why don’t you just kill him.”
Radix came to a stop and spun to face Worthington. “Because he is relentless. I’ve crushed his soul. His love over and over again but I cannot break his spirit or make his forces stop. And I cannot go after him directly without opening doors I have no wish to open.” Radix nearly hissed as he seethed. “Do you think I would not already have done, if it were possible?” He snapped. “My darkling Cimmerii must triumph.”
Glass lifted from the floor and flew at Worthington.
Yelping he shielded his face. At the last moment it split and moved around him. Grazing his outer arms and thighs.
Radix had gone just as quick. But the black sense of rage lingered in the room.
Dropping to his knees, Worthington cradled his arms around himself and whimpered like a child.