10. At the bottom of the lake

Karis felt trapped at home, it was probably last hot days to enjoy ending summer, soon it will become gloomy. She pulled out swimming suit and colourful inflatable wheel, took few towels and walked off towards lake. She didn't tell Vincent where she was going, by the time she will be back be probably wont even be here for afternoon farm works. They spent most of the time together, sometimes just snuggling, sometimes fucking, he often massaged her feet and back, and she felt content, happy, wanted, but stuck and trapped as he started to occupy all her mind. She talked about everything that has happened with her friends and they finally calmed down, understanding that this is probably what Karis need to self heal from all the traumatic experiences that set her self development back for several years for sure.

Somewhere half way she took off her slippers carefully walking bare foot. It felt like in childhood, yet sadly her grandparent wasn't here anymore to tell her stories or point at plants or animals she wouldn't notice.

The views made her stand and watch, it was the same as it was in childhood, but also more wild and unkept. A lake surrounded by dense forest sparkling like a gem. Even if it was Saturday there were only few cars of campers, but it didn't matter lake was big for everyone. She knew if it would be July or June it would be a lot more busy, but in August, not everyone had time to enjoy last rays of sun before it would turn gloomy and mushroom foraging season would start.

The water was so clear she could even see little fishies, which soon started poking her legs and nibbling dead skin off. She enjoyed sun and water, it was a bit cold for her linking, but she staled it too long to actually enjoy it, when the time was right. Everything was perfect, until something shifted, birds stopped chirping, campers voice disappeared, few other women has entered water, but their eyes were focused on horizon, suddenly, they walked aimlessly into debt and as Karis tried to stop it, they simply ignored until they fully submerged in water. She tried to call for help, but then saw her new colleagues face reflecting on water, instinctively she covered her body with hands, and wanted to get out of water and leave, but the reflection smiled with evil distorted face and pulled her down.

Young woman flailed and tried to kick out of grasp that she could still feel, get out of water, but soon water started flowing in her mouth and lungs, reflex like breathing sucked it even more and before everything faded the only thought she had was "Vincent help me." Yet this call was shadowed by someone in her mind calling Azeroth. it was involuntary, he was no where close, she has already drowned in lake she held so dear, there will be no more kissing, no more compliments, just empty cold void of bottom of the lake. She was drowning once when she was a kid, but managed to get out of it, yet this time she wasnt lucky anymore.

She coughed few times and as she woke up breathing in big gust of air she sat down. Her head was dizzy, but she soon came to senses. She saw Luke leaning over her with evil smile.

-Look at you, finally awake,- like a jester he started jumping around twirling and laughing.

They were now in a huge room illuminated by torches. From outside she saw dense and dark forest, which somehow looked like it was in the bottom of the lake, yet no fishes or anything else were visible.

-I now have enough brides to start,- he laughed again like a mad jester. It made Karis feel nauseous just to look at him. This is the exact reason why she didn't make any contact with co-workers outside.

Karis sat down rubbing her head and saw 4 other women with panicky and sheer horror in their faces, on waved to invite her to get close as they all were squeezed together. They were hugging each other and trying to comfort that everything is gonna be all right, yet Karis wasnt as optimistic.

-Now, let me introduce myself! I am The Devil, Nameless 13th Raven Demon, and you my lovely ladies are going to be my brides!- they all looked at each other. Their age was similar, they all knew folk story about demon bride, yet none believed anything.

2 humanoid cats, one black with white patch around her eyes, other black and ginger marble cat with 2 toned eyes entered room carrying various colour dresses and distributed them among. Luke kneeled in front of Karis who was given long blue tulle dress.

-You my dear, should have listened to me, you should have came to me earlier and none of this wound have happened,- Karis looked up and slapped him.

-You are a scum! Let us go at once,- she saw a cuff forming on his wrist but it fallen down and disappeared, this made him laugh.

-Aha!! Your lock doesn't work on me! Mothers protection is working!!- he walked away clapping leaving confused woman as she had no idea what just happened.

-Now dress up! move! MOVE! i want my brides pretty as candies!- he screamed and all women started dressing up whimpering and sobbing. Karis hands trembled as she was sliding lovely crafted dress on, the cats helped to those who needed it without making a sound. They cowered from any look that Devil has flashed towards them, Karis memorized and and a plan weaved in her mind, that she might use their assistance to escape. She was very good with animals, and it was time to see if that effect was still there.

-You really are a scum,- Karis said when Devil walked by, he turned around and leaned closer, his face became distorted, he opened his mouth full of sharp teeth and long tongue licked her cheek.

-And you don't even know who you are,-Karis took a step back surprised.

She did not like this main character energy that surrounded her, she did not want to be announced and someone like a chosen one, but even if she had any gifts, he will not be someone who she will give the gift away. She didn't not want to get involved into it, but giving him anything was against her morals.

As they were all lined up, she heard name Azeroth whisper in her mind, louder and louder. Suddenly she got an idea, she knew, that knowing fey name will give you power over it. It never did hurt to try, and it would not go any worse.

-Azeroth! Is your name Azeroth?!- she said out loud and everyone looked at her, Devil turned at her laughing.

-I am afraid its not,- her body went cold from chill, as her plan failed and her chances of survival slimed. Door slammed open with loud bang and force gust made everyone step back.

In the doorway there was this handsome and elegant looking man with a white rabbit by his side in similar way that cats were, just rabbit was wearing a tuxedo. The man was tall and muscular, his hair reaching his shoulder blades black as raven tied back, yet some wild strands were framing his face. Karis really liked how his slightly hunched nose gave him bird like features. He was wearing a long jacket with black feather tuffs on shoulders and looked like a royal himself, nothing like a scrawny Devil.

-What in Alice in wonderland is this,- whispered Karis and she and other brides looked at each other. They all had the same idea.

-I announce present of 8th Demon Prince Azeroth,- said white rabbit while bowing to everyone.

-Ah brother, you came to observe the wedding? Like in good old times? - yet man walked closer with his white eyes focused to the distance. White rabbit used his own body to guide the man.

-Indeed i did, and as usual i will want to get my catch,- he stopped and looked at every woman with his blind eyes, and lingered longer to look at Karis.

-Ah, but this time is boring because i know which one you want, and i am afraid you cant have her,- he laughed and twirled switching. His host body flopped on the ground and he was here, shorter than Azeroth a lot leaner, with rather similar features and short black hair. His eyes were red and glowing. Smile in his too wide mouth uncovered rows of sharp teeth which made his voice deep and even more distorted.

-And you know what i will do if my terms are not met,- Demon was stoic, radiated power. Suddenly all girls rushed to him begging to be saved, Karis stood there with her dignity, if she has any power she wont kneel for a man. Yet her mind kept whispering Azeroth name and demon kept glancing at her.

-How about i finish what i need with her, and you can have what is left?-Devil grinned widely.

-How about making her choose what she wishes to do,-Azeroth crossed his hands on his chest. He did not shown, but he was extremely nervous of how everything is unfolding, he couldn't see Karis or her emotions, and his whole being wanted him to protect her from all this mess. Luke clapped his hands.

-Wonderful brother, i believe you are ready to spill the truth? I do believe Karissa deserves it,- Young woman felt nauseous when he said her name and for once the man looked doubtful and a bit sad. Luke looked at Karis and reached his hand for her.

-Do you want to know the truth? All of this parade would be in vain if you did not want to. Save yourself some time from all the pain,- Karis still feeling frozen nodded her head weakly. She felt like she got sleep paralysis, her body was shivering now, her teeth clattered. Azeroth took off his coat uncovering muscular arms and a big mark on his bicep looking like an intricate tattoo with rune markings. He gave coat to rabbit and he hopped to Karis, jumped up and placed coat on her shoulders.

-A betrayer mark? Oh my brother, what did you do?-Devil laughed again pointing at his hand.- That's a serious crime, make sure father doesn't learn about this.

Azeroth looked at Ghost surprised, but rabbit was as clues as him, as he never saw exposed hand of his master.

-Right, let me begin then,- he clapped his hands and cats started doing their magic, they put other women in trance and floated them out. No one was planning to return them to human world, they will be used as feed later, but if they moved them away now, it would save them from questions later. Then after returning cats with some paw gestures they summoned 3 armchairs getting all who were left seated.

"I wish Vincent would save me" Karis thought feeling extreme fear creeping up her body. It would come in waves as cold would run up and down settling in her stomach and repeating the circle. Azeroth placed had on Karis hand and started rubbing her skin in circular motions trying to calm her down. She saw same cuff appear and lock on demons wrist, at the same time she also noticed a lot more of them flash for a second. She could feel something lingering somewhere in back of her memories, but stress was too high for her to focus on it.

Things started slowly puzzle in her mind as she looked at mans face, it was nothing as she ever seen, he was really attractive even being blind. Suddenly memories of that traumatic dream came back and she looked at him surprised, he was the demon from her dream, he did not look back at her, probably not even knowing that she was observing him. But right now reality didn't seem real itself, everything seemed so surreal.

-Now, let me provide some answers,- said Luke sitting in armchair in Turkish pose with his legs crossed.