Apple quietly made her way down the winding staircase leading to the kitchen. It was only a few hours after dawn, the first house showings wouldn’t start for another three hours. If she kept quiet she should have enough time to find the cookies Anwir, her poltergeist playmate, had hidden from her earlier the night before. She brushed her tangled strawberry blonde hair out of her eyes, her tiny mouth was set into a deep frown as she took in the sight of the kitchen. It looked like a witch’s kitchen out of one of the fairy tale books Uncle Dae would read to her before bedtime. Bundles of dried herbs hung from the ceiling next to cast iron pans of various sizes. The stone covered counters stretched out on both sides of the stove that was nearly as old as the house. She dragged a wooden stool from the massive island that stood between her and the stove. Pushing it against the surprisingly modern fridge, she dropped her teddy bear she had been holding to the ground before starting her climb up the stool. Her tiny four year old feet could barely find her balance, the old stool rocked underneath her. Apple ignored the movement, so determined was she to reach those precious cookies. She stood triumphantly on the stool, a grin broke out on her face, her eyes gleamed with pride at her tiny accomplishment. She leaned against the metal door of the fridge, pushing herself up on tippy toes as she tried to reach for the gnome shaped cookie jar just mere inches from her fingertips. She almost growled with frustration as she stretched as far as she could, unaware of the stool tipping away underneath her tiny toes until it was too late. Apple let out a yelp as the stool fell to the floor, she clung to the edge of the fridge, her feet dangled underneath her. She didn’t have to hang on for long before clawed hands grasped her waist, prying her away from the fridge and into a solid form behind her.
“Darling, what are you doing?” Her Uncle Dae’s voice echoed off the walls of the kitchen. She gave him a sheepish smile, his brimstone eyes burned with amusement as he looked down at his ward. How did she get so big?
“I want cookies, Wer hid dem.” she pouted, her uncle’s chest rumbled, a sound she instinctively knew as his version of a laugh.
“My heart, it is not time for cookies. You need to be asleep before the humans show up.” He tapped the tip of her nose with the edge of a claw, she let out a giggle.
“One cookie.” she held up a finger, she knew Uncle Dae would not deny her a treat, no matter the time of day. Sure enough he reached out a hand to the cookie jar, being seven feet tall, the demon was above eye level to the fridge. He fished out a chocolate chip cookie before handing it to the toddler. Her look of joy was always worth bending his dessert rules.
“Now to bed, before the humans come.”
He carried her up the stairs and into the nursery, sidestepping the toys that were unceremoniously sprawled across the floor before settling little Apple on her bed. The child was already half asleep, her precious cookie held tightly against her chest as she let out a little snore.
Anwir, the poltergeist, appeared next to the demon, “I see she found her cookie.” he smirked.
The temperature in the room spiked along with the demon’s fury. “You will take care to remember she is human, and humans at this age are fragile. Not like demons or fae children.” the demon growled, his eyes burned with anger at the poltergeist. Anwir flicker in and out of focus, he hung his head in shame, his long deer-like ears dropped over his eyes, “I.. I forget, I apologize, my lord. I was merely being playful.”
The demon’s tail whipped back and forth in annoyance, “I suggest you read one of the many books Lady Lilith gifted us on human children development as to avoid future issues. Or you will be finding yourself a new haunt.”
The poltergeist nodded, he didn’t mean the child harm, he adored the child. But he knew nothing of children, let alone breakable human children.
The demon accepted his silence as agreement, “I expect you to observe today’s scare. Report to me after sunset.” he gently tucked the blankets around his ward, giving her one last look before they both left the room.
Later that morning Anwir watched as a few humans approached the house. A glamour had been spelled upon the Victorian house giving the illusion that it was a new model home, complete with a ‘for sale’ sign on the manicured lawn that stretched to the street. Also fake. One of the humans, a realtor with long red hair, and brown eyes, dressed in a smart suit, escorted a young couple with a child similar to Apple’s age. The mother had a big tote bag full of toys and snacks for the toddler. They entered the house, oohing and awing over an illusion of a nice, welcoming potential home. Anwir waited until the two adults separated, before stalking the parent without the child. The understanding was to not traumatize the human child, the parents on the other hand.. They’ll be fine. The father offered to take the heavy tote before breaking off from the group to explore upstairs. Apple’s room was spelled to look nothing more than part of the hallway wall, there was no risk of her being discovered. Not that they could take her, still the last thing they needed were humans coming back in search of a lone toddler in what looked like an empty house. No, the plan was for a single visit with no promises of returns.
The father ran a hand along the wallpaper, Anwir flinched, how he hated when outsiders touched his home. The poltergeist waited until the human was making his way to the second staircase leading to the third floor before he materialized at the top of the shadows. At first all the human could see were two glowing red eyes. The man rubbed a hand against his eyes, as if he mistook the red eyes for poor vision. Anwir stepped into the light, his monstrous form hunched over, two boar husks curled from his upper jaw and down towards the side of his cheeks. He was covered in shaggy fur, a long wolf’s tail flickering into view. A form inspired by Apple’s latest movie obsession. The man stared at him, mouth gaping wide before yelping, throwing the bag at the monster he perceived on the steps, he sprinted down the hallway before disappearing down the winding staircase. Anwir huffed, that was easy, he thought. He scooped up the tote bag, ignoring the man’s hysterical pleas to his wife to leave right this second. The sound of the front door slamming told him all was clear. He carried the tote bag down to the kitchen, his form shifting into his more natural state. The tusks disappeared, replaced by razor sharp teeth, his shaggy fur melted into a wispy looking form, more shadow than a physical body. His deer ears laid flat against a shaggy hair covered head as he looked through the bag. Toys, pullups, a variety of snacks, things Apple would be delighted to discover when she woke up for night breakfast. Anwir gave a satisfied nod before storing the bag in the kitchen pantry. Stealing human things wasn’t necessary, for the lord demon of the house was not poor by any means. But knowing what a human child would want or was supposed to have was hard to figure out. As was the trend of clothes humans dress their spawn in these days. Luring small families in with tricks and glamor was easier than trying to glamour one’s self long enough to stand in a human store trying to sift through all the many options. Something the demon lord had reluctantly done more than one. This at least gave them a starting point, a strategy that had held true since the child was first brought to the house. Anwir gave one last look at the tote before closing the pantry door.
One down, three more showings to go.
Just as other households were settling into sleep, the old Victorian house was starting to wake up. Apple carefully climbed out of her bed, holding on to the comforter as she slid down, before making her way to her door. The filigree carved door opened before she could reach the doorknob, Uncle Dae towered over her, a huge sharp tooth grin spread wide as he looked down at her, “My darling! Good evening, apple of my eye.” he scooped her up, she let out a string of giggles as he stepped into the hallway before twirling her around, his lion tail flying behind his tailcoat. Apple made a show of rolling her head like she was dizzy, her uncle let out a chuckle before setting her down on the old turkish rug running down the hallway.
“What would you like for night breakfast, my dear?” he held out a clawed hand, she wrapped her tiny hand around her finger, they walked down the hallway and towards the winding iron staircase.
“Pancakes, unckey!” her little voice declared, the joy in her eyes was enough to make the demon swear he had a heart. He would have never thought he would be a guardian, let alone one to a human child. He swooped her up once more, carrying down the stairs. He snapped his fingers, every light flickered on around them. The house shook violently.
“Hello, howse!” the little girl called out to her home. The wall paper covered walls groaned a greeting back. They walked into the kitchen, the lights flickered on as they stepped over the threshold. Anwir was already there flipping a pancake in a cast iron pan. The demon sat the little girl on a wooden stool at the island, before sidestepping the poltergeist to reach the tea kettle.
Some odd minutes later the little makeshift family sat around the island, huge mugs of tea steaming next to plates full of pancakes. The demon had grown fond of this particular dish since the child started eating real food. Anwir, despite not needing to eat, made a show of chewing just to please Apple. They learn really quickly, when what the humans referred to as the ‘terrible twos’, Apple did not appreciate eating alone. And nothing was more alarming than a toddler tantrum, the demon would rather face the Leviathan in the middle of the ocean than go through that stage again. Fortunately, since turning four, Apple was back to her sweet tempered self. Well for the most part. But according to Lilith’s books, she was as healthy and as developed as any other human child with human parents.
The old grandfather clock chimed on the hour, the demon glanced at his astrological watch on his wrist, “My darling, I have a meeting within the hour.” Apple looked up at him with wide blue eyes, syrup and pancake crumbs covering half her face.
“I want to play with you, uncky Dae.” Her big eyes teared up, he shushed her gently.
“My dear, I promise to play after. Until then why don’t you and Anwir play within the house?”
The poltergeist cleared his throat, brimstone eyes met his, “Sir, though I absolutely love playing with Apple,” he shot her a reassuring smile, “I think we should discuss acquiring playmates for the little one? I was reading one of those books, it states that learning through play is very important in this age.”
The demon tilted his head thoughtfully, “Yes. Well. If the book says then that will become a priority. I will see if Lady Unsere has any suggestions for families looking for boarding in this part of the plane.”
“Tea Sere is coming!” The little girl cheered, she loved her auntie who always gave the warmest hugs and would bring her little gifts.
Her uncle smiled widely at her, “I will make sure she comes and sees you as soon as we are done. Now drink your tea, my heart.” he pushed the child size mug towards Apple who took it without complaint. He had been so relieved when he discovered the little one preferred tea over the typical human drink called juice. Something that tasted way too sweet and artificial for his liking. Tea was easier to acquire at the local witch’s night market, a place they frequented every three full moons for Apple’s wellness check and supplies that could only be found at this secret event. Despite his disdain for witches, he had quickly discovered he needed their assistance with making sure Apple had all the holistic remedies she needed. The teething stage had been what finally broke his ‘no witch rule’, so torn up was he over infant Apple wailing with pain. He had swallowed his pride, swaddling the infant tightly before materializing them both to the middle of the market. There, a kind herbalist quickly packed up a care package full of everything he could need for his ward’s pain. He had kept that witch on his payroll since. Rosemary was her name, or was it Piper? Anwir knew. The demon had more important names to remember.
Stolen novel; please report.
As Anwir and Apple made their way to the back garden to play under the stars, the demon slowly made his way to his office on the third floor. A floor that was mainly for the few guests he allowed near his ward. He traced a claw across the fading wallpaper, magically reaching out to check the many levels of wards embedded into the house. Humans were not the only beings that needed to stay away. Magic, especially demon magic, was like a beacon to those sensitive enough to sense it. This led to the occasional stray being trying to claw its way into their home, beings that would find Apple to be a satisfying snack. Every blue moon, the demon would find another infernal on his doorstep, curious were they over the demon energy radiating off the property. He rarely turned them away, the majority of the demons awed over the child. And what was the harm in acquiring more powerful beings invested in her safe keeping?
He pushed open the heavy oak door, moonlight poured in through the cracks of the stained glass window standing behind his marble desk. The fireplace crackled a greeting, the fire imp that resided within the house did a wonderful job of keeping this old drafty house cozy. Something he didn’t need, being an infernal, but the child did.
He settled on the velvet covered high wing chair behind the desk just in time for the bells to ring. A magical security spell that alerted him to any arriving beings. He looked up to a cloud of mist slowly materializing into his guest before him.
Lady Unsere was a gorgeous demon, her deep green eyes glowed with a comforting glow not often found among his kind. Her silver hair was pulled back into a fishtail braid, her cowl hooded cloak, though simple, took nothing away from her beauty and grace. The demon considered himself blessed to call her a friend and ally.
“My dear friend.” She reached out a delicate pale hand, he gently took it, leaning forward to kiss the top before letting go. A chair was summoned out of thin air, she gave him a sparkling smile before settling into it.
“My Lady, it is an honor to have you grace me with your presence.”
Lady Unsere waved off his compliments, “I thought it was long past due to pay a visit to a dear friend and my adopted niece. How is the child?” she leaned to look behind her chair as if half expecting for Apple to jump out of a hiding place.
“She is well, outside in the garden playing with Anwir.”
She turned back to face the demon, her deep green eyes held a thoughtful look, “So curious to have a poltergeist as a playmate.”
The demon nodded, “He has been good to her, and a vital part of this household. He means well, but can only contain so much of his mischievousness.” He sighed out the last part, “I expect Apple will be also just as mischievous as him”
Lady Unsere smiled wide at that, “One can only hope.” The fire crackled in the background as a log crumbled onto the embers.
The demon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the marble, “My dear friend, I am pleased to see you. But I suspect this call has another more serious reason?” his guest smiled sheepishly.
“Yes, there is. Apple’s presence has become more commonly known to our kind.” The demon’s chest tightened, but he kept his anxiety at that news hidden from his face. Still Lady Unsere knew, she always knew how he felt, “Do not fear, my friend, the infernals have become more invested in her upbringing, particularly her education. I would see this as a good thing.” She reached out to pat his arm gently.
He let out the breath he didn’t know he was holding, despite her reassurance he couldn’t shake off the fear of the other shoe dropping.
The demoness nodded as if hearing his thoughts, “There is a collective concern over angelic intervention.” he stiffened, he could feel his brimstone eyes burning bright at the mention of any divine being coming near his ward. The heat in the room intensified as he tried to control the protective rage growing inside of him.
Lady Unsere removed her heavy clock, but did not comment on the change of temperature, “I feel that we will be able to invest enough time in her upbringing to be able to hold a strong forefront if, and when, they try to come for her.” she paused, eyeing the framed oil painting of the demon and an infant Apple resting in his arms hanging over the fireplace. “The angels,” she continued, “I believe, are a preventable challenge.”
Smoke escaped his nostrils as he struggled to contain his composure, “What do you suggest we do in order to make sure she stays with her own kind?” Lady Unsere raised a silver eyebrow, “Her adopted kind.” he corrected himself.
She let out a chuckle, the sound reminded him of bells, “I’m only teasing, my dear. She is ours.” She leaned back in the chair, “I think creating connections within the community would be a fine first step.”
“Connections?” he raised an eyebrow
“I believe the humans call them ‘play dates’?”
“Oh, yes. How ironic, the discussion of playmates is what I wanted to discuss with you. Anwir can only do so much, in the end he is not a child. The girl needs beings her age, or at least at her development.” his lion tail curled around his hand, he eyed the tuft of ebony fur at the end of it, “Do you have any suggestions?” He glanced up to find the demoness had left her seat and was now eyeing the many books Lady Lilith had gifted him on human children development and health.
“It is quite admirable to see you so invested in a young one, especially a human. That is no small act.” she called over her shoulder. If his skin wasn’t already red, he was sure his cheeks would be with the blush that spread across his face. A compliment from the Great Mother was one to be valued.
“I can send you some recommendations of communities and families to look into.” She flipped through the text she had taken off the shelf, her dainty fingers turning the pages, her eyebrows raised as she read something she clearly found intriguing.
The demon cleared his throat, the demoness looked up, “I was thinking we move a family in here?” he waved a hand at his large office, “Gods know we have the room. Not that I can't create addictions to the structure.” His chair suddenly lifted up from under him, the momentum threw his body on top of his marble desk, “What in all that is infernally divine?” he cursed, ignoring his guest giggles, he looked back to see the house had lifted a floorboard underneath his chair.
“It seems as if this lovely house does not like the idea of an upgrade.” Lady Unsere covered her mouth to stop any more chuckles from escaping. The demon pushed himself off the desk with a growl, straightening his turncoat before running a hand lightly through his neatly styled pompadour hair.
Footsteps echoed through the hallway, the only warning of Apple’s arrival before the door was thrown open. “TEA SERE!” Apple cheered with glee, the young child threw herself at the demoness who caught her mid jump.
“My love!” Lady Unsere squeezed the child in her arms, the demon’s chest ached at the sight of love in the demoness' eyes as she looked down at her adopted niece. It had been a gamble expecting other infernals to accept her, as a demon has never adopted a human child. He had feared he would be forced to find her a home among her own kind, fortunately it never came to that. Like him, the few of his kind who had met her, doted on his ward. Children across the veil, the thin barrier between the human plane and the Otherworld, did not have many offspring. Magical genetics made pregnancy rare and unpredictable. And despite the humans' tall tales of monsters eating their young, to the Otherkind children of all sorts were valuable and precious.
The demon continued to watch his young ward rambling on to her beloved aunt. Apple’s toddler talk, though clearer everyday, was half sounds and half actual words. Still Lady Unsere responded with a mother’s understanding at whatever Apple was trying to communicate.
“I agree, don’t you, my friend?” The demoness' voice shook the demon out of whatever thought he was swimming in.
“Yes. I mean, I'm sorry, I lost myself there for a minute.” He walked around the desk and towards them. Lady Unsere set the grinning toddler down to the ground, Apple ran straight for her uncle’s arms, “Tea Sere said we can go ta her house!” The demon picked up the child, looking over her head to meet a mischievous smile on his guest’s face. Ah, I see what she did there, he thought.
“Is that so? Well, I guess we should plan a visit.” Apple squirmed out of his hold, dropping to the ground she ran to her aunt, grasping her pale hand before pulling her out of the office.
The demon didn’t bother to look as Anwir materialized next to him, “Will you be taking her to the infernal plane?” The worry was clear in the poltergeist's voice.
The demon closed his eyes, pitching the bridge of his nose as he sighed, “It was bound to happen. I only hoped we had more time before that venture.”
It was one thing to raise Apple while having the occasional demonic visitor. It was another thing to go to his home plane where the infernal officials could express a strong opinion in his choice of adopted spawn. Despite Lady Unsere’s reassurance, the demon could not shake off the anxiety building in his empty chest. The house shook as if agreeing.
The excitement of Lady Unsere’s visit had exhausted Apple, she sat on the demoness’s lap, her head resting in the cook of her neck as her heavy eyelids slowly shut. The child mumbled something before losing herself into her midnight nap. The three of them sat around the cozy den on the second floor, Anwir had disappeared off to the attic, his own private quarters. A vinyl record played some melodies from the corner of the room. Stacked bookshelves lined the walls, a couple of dated floral love seats were strategically placed around the room. Lady Unsere ran a hand along the arm of the love seat they were sitting on.
“Interesting choice, my friend.” She teased, the demon half chuckled.
“It came with the house. The ghosts insisted that we keep them, so I restored them to their former glory.” he took a sip of wine out of the glass he carefully held within his clawed hand.
The demoness snorted at his sarcasm, “Where are the ghosts? I do not sense Mrs. Rose within these walls.” Mrs. Rose was a sweet grandmother who spent her whole life in this house in the nineteenth century. She had been an incredible source of support throughout Apple’s infancy, having raised nine children of her own.
The demon sighed, “She finally found her peace and moved on to the next step in her afterlife. It was heartbreaking to lose her. Poor Apple was inconsolable for weeks.”
Lady Unsere nodded absently as she moved the child to the otherside of the loveseat. She summoned a throw blanket out of thin air, tucking it around the child before sitting back to give her friend a pointed look, “I think it may be time to take a holiday at your other residence. Apple should see the Otherworld. It’s good to expose them at a young age.”
The demon grumbled into his wine glass, he had been avoiding this conversation for sometime, but his friend was right. He needed to check on his other properties. He oversaw an old Tudor style manor overlooking a lovely lush forest. A small village full of the Otherkind was not far from his territory. He was sure Apple would find a few playmates there. The thought of taking his ward to the Otherworld made his nerves itch. Here on the human plane it was easier to ensure her safety. Across the veil..
“I know what you're thinking,” the demoness voice brought him back to the moment, he had not realized he had been lost in thought, “But I will be there with you. It will be good, the local kitsune family has their own kits her age.”
“Demon fae?” He tried to keep the prejudice out of his voice.
Lady Unsere rolled her green eyes, “Demon fae are not the same as the fae you dislike so much. They will be good for her. Peers that she can learn from, and get in trouble with.” she gave him a pointed look, “And other parents who can give you support.”
“What about the house?” He waved a hand at the den, his guest snorted.
“Now you’re just making excuses, my friend.”
He knew she was right, he needed more support than he currently had. Now that he ran out of excuses, he let out a grumpy huff. Lady Unsere grinned with delight, “Perfect!” she clapped her hands joyfully, “We will leave together before dawn.”