How To Best Choose Your Quarters In The Underworld

Which One Which One?

In the underworld when the young demons have a choice to make it is full of subtle power plays determining pecking order among them. Watch how Succubus chooses his quarters in this latest installment of Dave's book "Son of Ruin". He has written a 3 book fantasy series called “The Demon Curse” that discusses life in the underworld including formal education.

Click here to get the book yourself

Now Dave may not know that I am posting a portion of the book per week so you can read it for FREE! I post an installment once a week. Here is the nineteenth installment of The Demon Curse Series Book #1 entitled “Son of Ruin” written by David E. Hiatt.

Click Here to Start at the Beginning

Chapter 4 Caves of Learning Installment 19

Succubus and the others made their way up to the entrance and were led through a honeycomb of caves deep inside the mound of rock. Following their bent old guide, they traveled down long passages, twisting and turning. The air became stuffy and heated the further inside the mountain they went.

They passed many caverns that were empty. In fact, the lower levels were unused as the demons summoned in recent years had been going down in number, leaving rooms that were once packed with no students. No one seemed to know why, but the demon race was slowly dying out.

At last Bune stopped in front of an opening that revealed a large cavern. Looking around, Succubus could see there were slabs of rock raised from the floor and extending from the walls similar to the cave they had left.

“This will be your home while you learn the demon arts,” said Bune. “Choose a place to sleep. Food will be delivered. I will return in the morning and lead you to the classroom where you will meet your instructor.”

In the Caves of Learning, those who taught held complete power over their students, but outside of the classroom, the young demons were left mostly to themselves. The resulting power structure was one where the strong dominated the weak and the older demons controlled those that were younger.

Bune left the cavern and they all stood looking around the room and at each other. None of them moved towards any of the slabs. Instead, they all looked and waited for Succubus to choose first.

He didn't move.

I wonder how long everyone will stand here looking at each other?

Succubus watched Ghamegis. The tall hook-nosed demon was eyeing a stone bed that was set towards the back and slightly larger than the rest. Succubus remained impassive, enjoying the awkwardness of those around him.

Finally, Ghamegis moved towards the slab, bending down and inspecting it. When he was satisfied, he sat down on it approvingly. The others watched him curiously.

Click here to get the book yourself

Succubus finally turned and scanned the room, then he walked to where Ghamegis was sitting. “This is the bed I will be taking,” he said.

Anger briefly crossed through Ghamegis’ eyes, but then he immediately bowed his head and said, “I was inspecting each one to find which would work best for you.” He moved from the raised rock and made his way to one nearby.

Succubus watched him sit on the new slab, then said, “I may need that one to stretch my feet on.” Ghamegis stopped where he was and looked at Succubus. As he began to rise from the slab, Succubus smiled. “You can use it when I’m not.”

Ghamegis sat down and Succubus nodded approvingly, then lay on the warm stone, his back propped up on the cavern wall. He resumed watching the others as they moved around choosing a bed for themselves.

Ipses chose a slab next to Ghamegis and the two resumed their lieutenant roles of glaring at the other yearlings.

Click Here to Start at the Beginning of the Book

There you have it. The nineteenth piece of the book. Let me know if you enjoyed this, want more, or anything else I can do to make it easier to read.

Click Here to Read the Previous Installment and Learn how the Younglings are Transported to School

Click Here to Read the Next Installment where Students Meet their Teacher on the First Day of Class