The Ballerina with Horns

By Paul R Davis

Centuries ago, Infernus brought the daemon to war against Longinus and his angelus, claiming the daemon were treated unfairly. The war ripped apart realms, but in the end, Longinus killed Infernus, and cast down the daemon and their allies.

 

Now, the daemon and other low races live in the Lower District, while the angelus and the other divine races live in the Upper District. Scraps from the gold and silver city are fought over in the dirty streets of the Lower.

 

Dia Sinistro is a 16-year-old girl who just wants to see if a better life is possible. Being the first of the low races to go to an Upper District school, Dia wants prove the daemon lot is not permanent, but it just requires someone brave enough to fight against it.

 

However, rumors of Infernus returning swirl through the streets, and open revolt threatens to tear another realm apart, while she tries to heal it.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul R Davis
• Release date: Dec 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201007911

Paul R Davis

Paul R Davis lives with his lovely family in Wisconsin. His children, ranging from elementary school to toddler, keep him on his toes. Mission work in other countries, a Tough Mudder, and reading mythology has led to the inspirations for his stories, creating a diverse pool of ethnicities in his fiction.

Book preview

The Ballerina with Horns

Paul R Davis

Published by Paul R Davis, 2021.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THE BALLERINA WITH HORNS

First edition. December 1, 2021.

Copyright © 2021 Paul R Davis.

ISBN: 979-8201007911

Written by Paul R Davis.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

A Ballerina With Horns

A Ballerina With Horns

Dia, the girls whispered, giggling to each other. Don’t burn down the stage tonight.

Then they burst into laughter, poking each other. One, a shy girl, nudged them. Don’t tease her. She could burn us. But she was still laughing, too.

The spotlight focused on the stage, pointing to where Dia was to enter, and she brushed away the tears on her deep red forearms with a sizzle.

She bounded out from behind the curtain. The hushed crowd, waiting with anticipation, gasped. They did not gasp because of the gracefulness of that first leap, though there was an abundance of grace. They gasped because she had horns and red skin.

Meanwhile, in the crowd, where she only glanced for the briefest of seconds, there were halos. Halos went across the entire theater, dimmed a little, but impossible not to make out. Then there was a spot, six seats, which did not have the halos. Three daemon sat there, with extra seats on either side, watching with pride. That was what mattered.

That’s all that matters, she thought to herself, twirling in the air, extending fingertips and toes as far as they would point, and then coming in tight to spin on her toes. She spun again and again, and the people flinched, awaiting spouts of fire.

Eyes shone fiercely, small blazes in the orbs, and at the fingertip of both index fingers, another small flicker of flame was conjured.

With extended hands, she spun some more, and the fire dazzled, leaving afterimages.

Angelus encircled her, and as Dia spun, they fell to the ground, feigning death. She pushed out to another dancer, then pulled, and the girl was in Dia’s arms. The daemon looked into her eyes, placing her hand on the girl’s face, and the girl fell to the ground. The first dozen times they performed, she fainted, terrified of Dia charring her pristine face.

With all the angelus on the ground, Dia spun.

Smoke wrapped around and other girls came out, dancing through the shroud she created, their brilliant halos attempting to burst out the darkness with their brilliance.

Dia dropped to her knees as they twirled around her, and one of the seniors stepped up behind her, pulling her hair rougher than was necessary.

Ariel looked down, sneering. Her nose twitched, and she put her hand on one of the horns and yanked on it. Again, rougher than needed, but Ariel enjoyed the ability to torment Dia.

The flames in Dia’s eyes went out. Her fingertips went out. With a gust from one of the dancers, the smoke lifted up and out a skylight above. The curtains closed and applause rang out.

Filthy daemon. You’re lucky we needed a villain for this dance, and you’re the only one dumb enough to come to our school and try out.

Ariel spat on Dia’s cheek and walked off, preparing for her bow.

Dia prepared to join Ariel, but Mrs. Sanctus held her shoulder and shook her head. They’re not ready for that yet, dear.

I need to, Dia pleaded.

Mrs. Sanctus frowned, then nodded. It will only hurt you.

The first lineup went out, and the applause got louder. Then the second. Then Dia went out. Only three people in the audience applauded. Everyone else muttered slurs.

It didn’t matter. Dia bowed, then walked off, head held high.

The sting of a palm crossed her cheek.

What was that? Ariel snapped, three other students behind her.

I bowed.

You have some nerve. You’re here out of pity, some misguided idea that daemons deserve to be treated well. Not because you’re good or we want you here. You are the little daemon, and we will slay you whenever we perform. That’s your use—to be killed over and over again, and maybe one day you’ll get the hint. Maybe one day you’ll finally kill yourself and we can torture some other aspiring daemon to death.

Dia punched Ariel in the face, leaving a burn mark on the otherwise porcelain skin.

Mrs. Sanctus, Dia punched me!

What do you have to say for yourself? Principal Longinus asked, nose nearly pointing straight up at the ceiling as if she was consulting straight with the Divine.

She deserved it. Every day she makes fun of me, threatens to kill me—

You’re so dramatic, Dia. Everything is about you. Ariel rolled her eyes. Obviously I was just talking about your role in the ballet. The smug smirk slithered across her face, and Dia wanted to wipe that smirk off with a firm backhand.

Principal Longinus— Dia’s dad started but wasn’t able to finish.

This incident is put to rest. We know what to expect from your kind, and you’re just acting your nature. This will of course come with some punishment. Mr. and Mrs. Sinistrus, you need to have that girl under control, or you’re going to lose her. In the same way, most of your kind are already lost.

Yes, Principal Longinus, her dad said, frowning. He stood, motioned to his wife and Dia, and the three walked outside, head down.

Dad, why’d you—

Let’s get some burgers. I’m feeling like burgers. He rubbed his stomach and nodded. Yeah, that does sound good.

In the car, her dad said, Honey, you wanted this. I support this, but you did want to learn with the angelus and other upper races, and we all told you how that was going to feel.

But Dad—

Doesn’t matter, my little hellraiser. Doesn’t matter at all. You’re in their world. You decided to play their game. It’ll make it easier for your kids, and their kids, but you’re going to take it square on the chin. You got that?

Yeah, Dad.

Dia pouted, looking out the window at all the lovely buildings lifting into the air, made of silver, gold, and alabaster. Then the highway dipped, and they went through a fog. The scent of brimstone and sulfur was complemented by the red coals burning nearly everywhere. The temperature went up. No one could quite see the eternal fires of their neighborhood, but everyone felt it and sensed them.

They pulled up to the Horned Cow and ordered.

The burgers were good. The milkshakes were even better. Dia dipped her fries into it, enjoying the sweet