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PROLOGUE
It had been sleeping.
How long? It wondered groggily.
No answer came and it sank back to sleep.
It vaguely felt the world around it, and drank in the energies of those passing by, idly tasting as they changed generations.
But still it slumbered.
Then there was a whisper; A faint echo that tickled the back of its consciousness, stirring the being. Among the pinpricks of life-forces, one stood out; its bright blood-red aura calling to it. The presence struggled to wake, but the vestiges of sleep held tightly to it and it could only manage a dream-like half-sleep.
It tapped into its vast resources to make contact with the aura, but its movements were lethargic. If it waited until it woke enough to be able to command the power it wanted, the aura would be gone. Frustration fueled its resolve, and it managed a feeble attempt.
Elation suddenly flowed through the being. It had drifted back into sleep, but as it felt the aura come closer, its sleep was disturbed once more and it reached out hungrily.
Its thinking became clearer, and it wondered why it had slept so long.
Memories came flooding back, and the anger began. A deep rumbling growl came from within it, growing louder and louder as it remembered, shaking the very ground. It felt the fear of the life-forces around it and it reveled in the sweet taste, feeding off of the succulent emotion.
The anger was strong now, and the being used it to shake off the last remnants of sleep as it willed the places deep within it to awaken.
Its black aura seeped out and spread across the world and the presence felt as hundreds and then thousands of life-forces were extinguished, sometimes one by one and sometimes in large rushes of power.
It fed upon them all.
Its power was growing stronger. Soon it would be able to break free from the bonds that held it, free to unleash its power on the world and seek revenge on those who dared to confine it here.
Soon.
The power built up within it, surging outward like wildfire spreading across a dry field. The pressure was building. It could not be held back much longer.
And then suddenly the fire was doused, and the presence felt sleepy once more as an unseen force pushed it back deeper into its dark prison.
NO! It struggled to withstand the urge to sink back into sleep, fought off the calm that washed over it, but it was no use.
It slept once more.
Seasons passed, years came and went, and the world eventually forgot about the evil that slumbered beneath their feet. But the being didn’t forget. It may have been delayed, but it was not gone. And this time it dreamt. Dreamt of how it would escape.
And it slept.
And it dreamt.
And then there was a whisper…
CHAPTER 1
Jezebel was fuming by the time her carriage pulled through the gates of her manor. The two stone lions guarding the towering archway growled down at her menacingly, and she scowled back.
How dare he? She raged to herself. Usually she had no trouble turning her father's will into her own, but on this matter it was like trying to budge a stone wall. Infuriatingly stubborn old man. It really is too bad he's so healthy. She paused in her ranting as an interesting thought sprang to mind. Not that accidents can't always happen…
She quickly quelled the thought, however, shaking it aside. The simple fact that he was a noble and a man gave him significant power, and he was extremely well connected on top of that. It would be more trouble to have him gone than it was to change his mind. Normally he was quite nicely wrapped around her little finger.
She clenched and unclenched her fists.
Although it would be rather satisfying. The memory of him patting her shoulder condescendingly and saying, “You're like the son I wish I had, but you're still just a silly woman,” burned like acid in her mind. Just a silly woman indeed. Someday I will hold the power; then he'll see just how ‘silly’ I am. Until then I simply have to endure the torment of his ignorance. He does still control the family fortune, after all. She let out an audible snarl and pounded her fist into her leg. I simply must gain one of the Council seats!
The carriage jerked to a halt just then, catching her off-guard. She stormed out, and threw a berating comment over her shoulder towards the driver for his clumsiness, before stomping inside. She slammed the front door behind her, and dropped her cloak into the waiting arms of one of the servants. Without pausing, she stalked down the hallway into the library, and slammed that door as well for good measure.
She sat down heavily into an armchair and sighed.
No matter. I always get what I want; I'll just have to get the support I need elsewhere.
The thought cheered her considerably, and she reached out to take a sip of wine from the glass that stood ready for her, still chilled. A servant had made her wait for her wine once, but only once...her lips curved into a nasty smile as she allowed herself to entertain the memory for a moment.
Focusing her thoughts once again on the matter at hand, she took another sip. In doing so, she noticed a letter sitting next to the glass. From the look of the seal, it must be from Devon. Her stomach fluttered and she grabbed greedily for the note, tearing it in her haste.
“My lady,” it read, “I am pleased to inform you that the possibility that I had mentioned has indeed become a reality. You should be seeing the results presently.” Jezebel sat back slowly, a smile spreading over her thin lips. She had been humiliated, yes, but revenge would be so sweet…