Jahi’s wedding took place within, what felt like to Odiva, mere days. As expected from everyone in Nahar, it was a grandiose affair, with chiefs and high nobles from various regions of Hell in attendance. Uncommonly, but to a wide extent tolerable, there were selected guests from Heaven, too; Nar being the place where strife would only serve the unwise. Demons, as well as angels, knew better than to challenge their fate while visiting Nar. To lose favour with the Seers meant the loss of the advancement of one’s kingdom, seeing as the Seers were second to none in matters of intelligence, strategy, and secrets potent enough to level kingdoms.

Ultimately, demons still held a marginal advantage, since angels were not permitted to marry Seers; or any demons for that matter. The small favours that the Seers granted angels was also managed carefully; it was just enough to allow them certain successes, but never enough to tip the scales against their demon enemies. The celestial beings, however, cold, gloomy and unreadable as they seemed, accepted whatever help was offered with grace and intelligence, seeking only the spoils that would further enrich their precious Heaven. For that, it was enough that they did not have to commit their afterlives. But demons generally lacked the angels’ smarts (and absence of emotions). They still held on to their primitive ways and desires. To marry a Seer was the ultimate goal. No matter how many wives a demon lord had; no matter how many times a Seer had been married; no matter even the cost the demon eventually paid when they had outlived their use. The fools were too easily swayed by the witches’ beauty and power. 

In the rare case that a demon survived long enough to bathe in a Seer’s love, it was certain that only good fortune awaited. In the end, the tip of the scales forever favoured the Seers. Demons and angels alike surrendered to it this way. Such was the pride and ambition that consumed them.

Now that she was of age, and a Seer (albeit a novice), Odiva saw firsthand the workings of their world at her sister’s wedding. Her kingdom really was this powerful and respected. It boiled her ambitions to grow her weak powers. She needed to be among the most revered and feared Seers. She needed demons and angels to seek her and her sight as they bowed to her. It was in moments like these Odiva easily neglected the conceited looks and ridicule she'd been subjected to because of her black eyes. Here, she renewed her focus. She was almost exactly where she needed to be. Where she was meant to be.

Still, as she sought to move forward, Odiva feared Jahi was longing for the opposite direction. It was as if her sister had lost sight of their pride as Seers; of their power. Somehow, somewhere along the way, Jahi had made the decision to let it go. All for this… Namtar.

Jahi’s husband to be did not impress. He was a relatively minor demon lord from whatever low-level kingdom he said he was from— Odiva did not care to recall. He did not impress others, too. ‘So plain-looking’, they’d whisper. His flaring nostrils and two lopsided horns helped pick him out of a crowd, but Odiva struggled to see what her sister saw in that lanky trickster-looking fiend. ‘He has gentle eyes, and he makes me laugh’ — Jahi often retorted, her sweet tone making Odiva’s skin prickle even now as she recalled their talks. He did make her laugh, though.

That not much was known about Namtar didn’t seem to bother anyone. Not even the High Seer. Yes, to attack a Seer would only be the work of a harebrained demon, but it wasn’t like they lacked for those in Hell! And Odiva knew a Seer's arrogance naturally clouded their judgement; so some few things could go amiss. Elloh, Jahi’s first husband, managed to grow that cloud when he tricked everyone until a day before their wedding. No one admitted it aloud when he was caught, as the possibility of a male Seer was so recklessly dismissed, but Odiva was convinced he must have possessed some residual abilities inherited from his late mother, who happened to had been a Seer. Otherwise, how else was he able to hide his sterility?

A sterile demon is of no use to a Seer. The sole purpose of a union with a demon is to continue the Seer line, yet Elloh had successfully obscured his condition; even from the High Seer. Only another Seer could manage such deception.

In the end, they were left none the wiser with Elloh's afterlife cut short. It was one of those rare occasions where Jahi’s quiet ruthlessness took hold. She still married the bastard, only to exact her revenge during their wedding night. Odiva knew her sister better than anyone, but even she did not anticipate that level of vengeance. Odiva arrived home late after the ceremony, having stayed out to help clear the remaining wedding guests. While making her way to her room, she nearly tripped over Jahi's garments scattered on the floor. They led to Jahi's bedchamber. She found her sister enjoying a late-night milk bath, while her usually immaculate white clothes and bed were soaked in blood, guts and disjointed horns — little was left of her new husband. It was quite a tiresome affair, having to put up with the smell for the next few weeks, Odiva recalled. To this day, Jahi refused to discuss what had exactly happened to Elloh, not even entertaining mentions of his name.    

And now here Jahi was, ready and happy to be going through it all over again.

Admittedly, Odiva had never seen her sister so… euphoric. So light of concerns. Radiant, even. Jahi practically glowed at the mere mention of Namtar, or their plans for their new house on the outskirts of Nahar, recently cleansed by the High Seer. Odiva had decided not to worry. If Namtar did something to betray Jahi, Odiva was certain, not even his horns would testify his demise. 

It wasn’t a coincidence that all of this was happening right after Odiva’s entry into the High Seer’s service. Jahi had been waiting for this, it was clear now. She would take comfort that her weak little Odiva would be looked after by the order and the High Seer herself; her sister was naive to think that the harassment would cease with Odiva under the protection of the High Seer. Weak little Odiva would be safe, and guarded by the reputation of fellow witches, never to be shunned as their Grandmother Sioh repeatedly predicted until her last breath.

The nasty old hag was many things, but chief among them, she was a powerful Seer, her sight sometimes contradicting even Jahi’s. She claimed she was certain of Odiva’s future which was often blurred and uncertain to Jahi, and to the High Seer. Nana Sioh refused to reveal her sight, but it didn't stop her from doing her best to hold Odiva back. Jahi had always been Odiva's greatest ally, pulling and pushing Odiva in different directions until she got her to the Seer's ceremony after their grandmother’s death. It also helped that their dear Auntie Ammit was the High Seer, who still had a soft spot for the two of them. Although it had been months since the High Seer said a word to Odiva. Coincidently, ever since Odiva’s Seer ceremony…

Contrary to everyone’s beliefs, Odiva wasn’t completely powerless. She had glimpses of the sight and, with much effort, she was even able to foresee certain events of the future of others. It was thanks to some of these sightings that Odiva escaped the fields, a career path Nana Sioh had been a strong advocate for, and would have seen through, Odiva did not doubt, had she not died before she could. Some even argued that Nana Sioh was the true High Seer in Nar, but the old hag openly respected and followed Auntie Ammit; she was all about respecting the will of the ancients.

 Using her abilities, however, came with a debilitating cost for Odiva. She would battle untreatable illnesses that would see her bedridden for many days and nights until suddenly, they wouldn’t be anymore. No thoughts or memories for those dark days would remain, only blurred images and sounds of strange voices she would never place.

Despite their concern, Jahi and auntie Ammit avoided discussing the matter in detail, while Sioh completely ignored it. With time, Odiva herself dismissed these blips as inconsequential, preferring to secretly train herself and master the bare minimum; like to mind-read without crippling headaches, which took her almost two years. She accepted she just needed to try harder than anyone else. It was just how things were. Until they weren’t anymore, and her ambitions to be among the revered Seers was within her grasp. Odiva found her own solution. First, however, she would be the good little sister and let Jahi marry, in peace.

The cheers from the crowd erupted as the High Seer proclaimed Namtar and Jahi husband and wife. Odiva caught the waves of excitement washing over most of the guests. Celebrations were certainly things demons were built for.

As though something pierced her chest, Odiva spotted eyes on her. Deep, piercing and red; they watched her until her skin prickled and a shiver went over the back of her neck. To stare at a Seer so blatantly. Who —?

In the next blink, the eyes were lost in the crowd.

While she searched, Odiva’s eyes landed on someone else. The pale blue-eyed angel, was already making his way to her. Samael. Odiva had warned him time and again to not make their interactions so obvious, but unlike his kin, Samael was not one for inconspicuousness; not in the few years she’d known him. In any case, right now, she needed him more than he needed her. She had to oblige.

 “Divaaa~,” his melodious tone was already begging her skin to break in hives. “Look at you, with your wondrous black eyes—” He gasped abruptly, raising two fingers to his forehead for enhanced performance. “No other colour would suit you better. Why every time I look at you,” his fingers traced the contorts of his angelic face, brushing past his thin lips. Then, seemingly unable to continue with words, a punctuating groan suggested the intention all the same.

And Odiva's stomach churned.

“Samael, aren’t you a twisted darling.” She muttered; the corner of her lip twisted into a bitter smile. “Why, imagine if you were a demon.”

TBC.

Fan art time!

This was such an unexpected surprise❤️❤️❤️! Artz_Kohai was inspired to make this gorgeous fan art as it seems these girls happen to have quite a bit in common. Managing demons, for starters. In a way, I'd like to think it fits the sisterhood theme. 

From the left, we have Mara Takeda from The Colour of Your Heart, then Kira Vermillion from Artz_Kohai's adventure and action packed novel -  Keeper of Demonic Forces, and Elisa Sullivan from Emalie's unique mystery horror comic - The Hours. 

I'll leave the links to their works in the description, and if you haven't already, I would certainly recommend you check out and support their works!

Thank you again, so much Artz ❤️❤️!!