Hello Demon Lovers!  Er, prolly shouldn’t start with that.  Maybe, demon appreciators?  That doesn’t sound so swell.  Anyway, fellow Crescent Moon Press author, Louann Carroll, tempted me by saying that she loved dark, dangerous demons, and the demon from her novel was especially dark and dangerous.  Well, I had to know more and begged her to guest blog.  She agreed.  And in a cool way.  Here you have it, a first on my blog, an interview with a demon.

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Since it is Mondays are Hell on Aaron’s awesome blog, I thought I would introduce you to Belial, a rather nasty demon. A friend of mine had the good fortune to interview him. With a little background, we will start.

We first learn of the Light in Gemini Rising, Book One. The Light is the creator of souls—Belial, one of Its most beautiful. Belial loves the Light so much; he cannot bear to share the Light’s love with such low-class, bestial, mud-creatures as human beings.

In Gemini Rising, Book Two, (not yet available) Kate and Noah vanish from Earth, only to find themselves in the Olam Yetziral, or the home of the angels. While Belial, a major demon in terms of hierarchy, cannot enter that plane of existence, his minions can.

Journalist, 116101, from the planet Sosach, located in the outer belt of Sangori, interviewed Belial for Universal Times magazine. While it is highly unusual for a major demon to allow such close access, for the betterment of cultural relations, he acquiesced.

Begin Interview: Journalist, 116101

Question: Tell me, Belial, what is it like to hate humankind?

(Belial is beautiful. His dark eyes pull you into their depths. His stature is huge; at least seven and one-half-feet tall. Black hair streams down his back, flowing over ripples of muscle, working smoothly beneath his skin. Even a man feels the attraction.

Note to Universal Times: I expect a bonus for this interview.

Belial laughs, and I wonder if he can read my mind. He glowers, before speaking.)

Answer: My hatred is an all-consuming fire that eats at my soul—day and night. There is no rest, no peace, and no succor to sustain me. I find little pleasure in this world, and have considered thinking myself out of existence.

Q: You have thought of annihilation?

(Amazed he has shared such intimate information, I am astounded I have asked such a question!

Belial sits back in his chair. He is dressed in a red velvet robe that ties at the neck, laying bare his naked chest. Dark, wing-like eyebrows pull into a frown. He considers my question, and I wonder: Will he destroy me for asking?)

A: Only once—after Sherena.

Q: And she is?

(Fire flashes in Belial’s eyes, the shadow of wings flirt with his shoulders, revealing a thick muscled neck, and a raptors’ back. My body quakes, as he changes from demonic back to angelic. There are rumors of his wife joining with the Light, but the elders say this is impossible.)

A: Sherena is my wife. Or, was my wife, before returning to the Light.

Q: How is that possible?

(The words are out of my mouth before I give thought to them. It is my understanding that once one leaves the shelter of the Light, and joins the rebels, returning is not an option.
Belial’s arms are tight against his body, his massive legs crossed. He glares at me, hideous red coals replace the endless night of his eyes. I want to run from the room, never to look back.)

A: Anything is possible.

Q: Can you tell me why you kidnapped Kate Kelly, bond mate to Noah from Naresh?

(Belial smiles, revealing razor-thin teeth. This being, whom I had thought beautiful, is not. The bestial image appears again, flickering away as fast as it comes. I cannot help but wonder: Does he hate mankind because he is one of them? No other creatures are as capricious as angels and human beings.)

A: I can give you limited information. Since the matter is not yet resolved, complete disclosure is not appropriate.

Q: I understand.

(Belial leans forward in his chair, placing his chin upon his two fists. His direct gaze disturbs me, and for the first time, I feel terror. This being has not one soul, but two.
His words are slow, rich with hidden undercurrents, past hatreds, and future destruction. Legend says Belial sets the planets in motion. Already, he has destroyed Earth, and Naresh. Who will be next?)

A: Noah, (this is said with a hiss) is my son. Conceived by surrogate, he is an accident of nature. It is inconceivable that a child of mine would mate with the earthling, Kathryn Kelly. To bring into existence an issue is nothing short of sacrilege. The Light will have Its say, as will I.

Q: Issue?

(Unfamiliar with the term, I have to ask. Cold erupts from Belial, not the frigid air of winter, but an inner freeze that showers me with dread. If I were Noah, Kate, or this issue, I would stay far away, but it is too late for that.

The elders say, Belial can destroy the body, as well as the soul. He has the power to sway emotion, and the ability to charm those who deny his existence.)

A: An issue is a child. Lucia is her name. I will now end this interview.

Q: One last question: How does banishment from the Light feel?

(Trembling, I await his answer. Belial morphs between his two forms. He becomes full demon. Despair, hatred, and darkness leak from him. Slippery shadows hug the walls, and creep beneath my feet. His countenance changes, red, and black carve sharper bones.

Belial turns, and looks over his shoulder. Reptilian eyes glare at me. His knotted back—covered in scales—burns with blue fire. Growing in length and breadth, he towers above me. He takes a breath, and the universe shudders.)

A: The answer you seek is death… Of the soul, the mind, and the body.

(End interview)

My dear friend, Journalist, 116101, is still recovering from his encounter with Belial. His hair has turned white as snow, and his eyes reflect the misery of Hades. He has paid a hefty price to be the first to interview a demon.

To learn more about the Gemini series, click here. To visit my Amazon Author page, click here. Join me at Facebook or Twitter! I enjoy hearing from fans.
Louann Carroll

Thank you, Aaron. I had so much fun writing this.