Free From Hell with Love by Kevin Kauffmann Page A

my world !” he shrieked, the feathers on his neck flaring out in his anger.  After a moment, the demon regained himself and stepped back from Niccolo.
    “I am sorry.  It is…difficult to speak of such things with young souls.  I speak with such…detachment,” he said, twitching at each hesitation and glaring at the leper, “because I have had more than enough time with my brother.  When faced with eternity, death itself almost becomes…appealing.  To be completely honest, children, I am somewhat jealous of my brother.  It is only tempered by the fact that Räum had fallen so far from grace, even if we have all fallen in our own way,” the demon trailed off while turning his gaze to the street, clearly affected by memories of the past.
    “I didn’t mean to offend,” Niccolo stated, which brought the raven’s head back up to look at him. 
    “I did not mean to react in such a way.  Forgiveness shall be a mutual endeavor.  Now, Horsemen,” he said before ruffling his feathers and starting to walk away from the palace, “I have errands to attend to.  Räum left quite a few tasks unfinished.”
    “Amon, can we talk to you for a moment?” Niccolo blurted out, causing the demon to turn slowly with confusion displayed through his avian features.
    “Child, I believe we just did.”
    “I wanted to extend my sympathies, first, but we have another matter to discuss,” the Horseman stated, which caused Amon to walk back toward the two humans.
    “Whatever could you have to discuss with me, Horsemen?” he asked with annoyance, looking between the two riders.
    “It’s about Räum,” Niccolo said, which caused Cadmus to grunt in disapproval, knowing what the leper was hoping to accomplish.
    “Speak plainly, child, the Fallen are not accustomed to the games of humans.”
    “The reaping was quite the ordeal,” Cadmus offered, stepping forward and claiming his role in the demon’s passing.  “I’m sure you know what happens when a reaper takes a soul.”
    “Go on.”  Amon’s gaze was unflinching, which caused Cadmus to shift his weight nervously.
    “Räum’s memories were…rather overwhelming.  I’m somewhat ashamed to say that it drove me from consciousness for some time,” Cadmus explained, which brought a shrug from Amon.
    “Forgive me, but I’m not surprised that you were overwhelmed by the inheritance.  You’ve only existed for a millennium, correct?  Millions of years of memories could have driven you insane.  I’m sure things will surface for centuries, Rider.  In truth, I’m impressed that you’re standing right now,” Amon stated.  “If that’s all…”
    “I inherit the powers of the slain, Amon,” Cadmus interrupted, getting impatient with the demon.  The raven’s head twitched at the statement and he stared hard into the reaper’s grey eyes.  Amon walked forward until he was within a few feet of the Horseman and almost seemed to smile.
    “How interesting…I did not know that, reaper.  Are you implying you have inherited the future sight?” he asked, but Cadmus shook his head at that.
    “No, Amon, but in a flash I was able to see the future, or at least what Räum had seen in his visions.”
    “And what did you see?” Amon asked, inching closer to the reaper.
    “I…that’s not what we need to ask about.”
    “Tut, tut, Horseman, this game will not be so one-sided,” Amon stated, just slightly baring his wolf’s teeth.
    “First,” Cadmus said, backing away and bringing his scythe in front of him, trying to ward off the raven’s aggressive behavior.  “First I need to know how to interpret it.”
    “You should tell me what it was, Horseman,” the demon’s head twitched as it made the suggestion, but Cadmus shook his head.
    “Would it be reliable, Amon?  Anything I saw?  Or could it just be something that Räum wanted to happen?  Could it just be some demented fantasy?  Would it be reliable even if it was just a vision?” Cadmus asked,