His hollow words echoed bitterly in the abyss of darkness.

“Pathetic”

They crawled up my shattered spine and pushed their way into my broken wandering thoughts. My body laid on the cool icy wasteland. Nothing in sight, only a single warm yellow light glowed next to my arm. My long silver hair stretched out in spastic layers and I was drenched in blood.

Painfully, I reached out trying to grab the light.

‘Milady.’

“Almost…” I stretched farther and felt the warmth of the light flood my fingertips.

“I'm sorry…”

‘Milady please’

The light flickered and disappeared as my bloodied hand wrapped around it.

‘Shadow!’

My eyes opened suddenly. Looking up I saw the crystal blue eyes of my tall demon friend.

“Crowe?” I sat up quickly and took in the familiar scenery of my room. I sighed and brushed away the memory of my dream.

“You okay Shadow?” Crowe asked as he sat down on the edge of my bed.

“I’m fine.” I breathed “What about you?” Last time I saw you you were running away as if spooked.”

Crowe took in a hesitated breathe. He sat there pondering on what to say.

Though instead of answering he leaned forward and delicately kissed my forehead.

“You’ll find out soon enough…”

A confused look burrowed itself upon the features of my face. My eyes searched into his and I leaned forward wrapping my arms around his waist.

I felt his body grow tense but after a moment he relaxed. I buried my face into his back and listened to his heart pound deep within his chest. Time passed slowly and I begged it to stay this way, but the thought of our last conversation was stained into my memory.

“Crowe.”

“Yes my queen”

“I'm worried about you…”

I felt his body take in another deep breath. His heartbeat never changed and he seemed to fall once again from stiffness.

“It’s alright my lady, I will be fine.”

My eyes lightly glowed and I pondered upon the thought of his words.

I looked through his skin and saw the purple soul flicker silently. It spun in a slow movement. It was a dull color but sparked with interest. No doubt a demon soul but one that was modest yet brilliant.

“Shadow.”

My attention was torn away as I focused on the pain in Crowe’s voice.

I looked up through my bangs with lonesome eyes.

“I think I must be going.”

Stubbornly, I sat there not wanting to let go of my friend. Not wanting to let him wander into danger. He was scared and I knew it. But, I slowly released my hold on him and watched as he stood up. He turned and faced me putting his hand on my cheek.

I tilted my head putting weight into his hand and felt his breath on my hair. He leaned down once again and kissed my forehead. A small tear trickled down my face and fell into my lap. Emotions that I’ve never felt before filled my small body and stabbed every open part.

“Until next time.”

Then within an instant, Crowe was gone from my room.

My small fragile body quivered in pain as I came to the realization that he wasn’t coming back.

Crowe was infected with fear and paranoia. Something demons should not have. Fear is like cancer to their kind, and almost impossible to get rid of.

The only way to defeat fear is to accept it and use it to your ability. But this is a game of chess. Fear is so much bigger than anyone or anything could ever imagine. It swallows you whole and you won’t even realize it till it's too late...

***

I walked into the main lobby and took in the bright decorations hanging from the high ceilings. I marveled at the well-set tables which had thick fabrics overwhelming the wooden platforms. Each had a unique flower surrounded by jewels and rose petals. Then on the outskirts of the decorations were sparkling silver dishware. Soothing violin music danced with the candle flames that were placed strategically around the room. I smelled all sorts of foods with a hint of sour-tasting blood. I smiled as my long-awaited project fell into place.

“Milady we have three more days till the actual party is there anything you see that must be done?”

Taking in another look around the room I let my lips curl in an upward motion.

“No, this is… perfect.”

Walking away from my servant I played with the end of my dress. Its deep colors swirling in random motions. Never seeming to have an end.

I walked toward a window and looked outside seeing the forbidden world. Monsters of all kinds passed by and vampire children chased each other nearby the wall of glass. I remained there motionless. Not letting a single thought disturb this moment.

I looked farther past the children and saw a bright glow rise up.

“I guess the festival of feasts has begun early this year.” I started quietly.

An older looking hotel servant walked up and bowed respectfully.

“Madam, we would appreciate your presence in the next room.”

I gave out a half-hearted sigh and walked to the other side of the main lobby. Passing through double doors a room of deep red walls came to sight. Staff members stood out of the way as I continued to a seat that was waiting for me.

Sitting I stared at the stack of papers that were placed in front of me.

I waved my hand and within an instant, a fat ink pen appeared in my childish hand. With every swirl to my name, the clock behind me ticked. Hours passed and i wasn’t even halfway through the stack. I looked up and scanned the face of a staff member. She was young with short black hair. It was longer in the front and shorter in the back as a normal bob would look. Though I noticed the ivory stripes that were slightly hidden behind her pointed ears. I smirked as I made another swirl to my ‘w’. Taking in a deep breathe I let my chest rise then fall with ease. I looked up again. There was something off about her. As if, she wasn’t there to begin with.

Writing my names twelve more times I thought about the words Crowe had spoken to me.

“Someone is coming. Someone powerful.” His words had offset me and had been in the back of my mind for the past few days.

“Someone powerful”

Only a few monsters had reached Crowe's list of powerful. A slight chill washed down my spine.

“It’s impossible,” I stated aloud brushing the memory aside stubbornly.

Night fell and my arm ached with soreness. I dragged my body upward and nodded to the staff members. They all nodded back and watched as I left the room.

The next day I repeated the same as before. Signing an endless stack of papers.

Each paper had to be signed before the party. Which was tomorrow at 11:00 am. These papers were valuable and desperately needed They were the passes or permission slips for monsters to enter through my doors. Each, I knew by name, and by the end of the night tomorrow I would have made deals with more than half if all goes as planned.

A burning passion to finish signing fueled me to finish my stack before the break of dawn. My hand screamed for relief and my head dropped to the table with exhaustion.

“Finally..”

“Madam, your outfit is set for you. Would you like one of us to assist you?”

I straightened up and glanced sideways at the old staff member. His white hair and beard were neatly groomed and his eyes soft with compassion.

“No need. Just please make sure everything is set.”

“As you wish milady.” He said bowing low.

After rising, he, and every other member of staff, left the room leaving me. I glanced down at my doll-like body. Dissatisfied with my outfit I snapped my fingers and suddenly appeared in my room. Glancing to my bed layed a long black dress.

Slipping it on I looked into my mirror and straightened my hair. Then parted it while bringing half up in the back. I cocked my head and admired my vessel.

Then with another snap of my fingers, I appeared in the main lobby.

All staff members were lined against the walls and two stood patiently by the doors.

10:45 am.

I closed my eyes calming my nerves and running business lines through my head. Deals and faces to match. Souls to watch for and remarks to hold in. As I opened my eyes my blood ran cold. A human stepped through the glass doors and within an instant, my world crumbled to pieces.

***

“Shadow listen to your father.” Death said picking me up and placing me on his knee. “Now, darling look. If a human were to ever step foot into your hotel it’ll burn to the ground and nothing will be left but ash and the stench of death.”

“But daddy, humans can’t get into our world...right?”

My father smiled and looked into my eyes.

“You'd be surprised.”

***

Walls crumbled, monsters screamed, smoke filled the air and flames engulfed everything.

My world. My life. My hotel.

Was gone.