“That won’t work. I can’t be expected to visit the market and shop like a peasant.” Luc—short for Lucifer—the last living branch of the Shining Ones, all dead save for him, paced in front of the cell holding the old man he’d captured. “Since when does a ruler have to purchase his own goods? Shouldn’t the shopkeepers be bringing their wares to me?” And then donating them if they wished to stay in his good graces?

Luc might not have much experience with this world and its customs; however, he’d learned enough to know that the wealthy and powerful didn’t do things like everyone else.

The old fellow, perched on a stool, sipping from a cup, shrugged. “Don’t get snippy with me just because you don’t like it. If you want to buy things, then you must go to the store.”

“According to my mother, back in the day—”

The fellow interrupted. “Times have changed. You asked how to replenish the larder in the castle, and I told you. Don’t blame me because you dislike the answer.”

Luc’s lips pursed. The old human had much temerity speaking to him thus. Yet, he’d asked for the truth. Or else...

“But what if I don’t want to leave the castle and mingle with the humans?” Lowly creatures that lacked the ability to admire his greatness. Luc had gone amongst them a few times, enough to know he didn’t enjoy their company one bit.

“Then don’t leave the castle. Don’t do anything. That’s entirely your choice. Although, if you choose to skip shopping, then you’ll get awfully hungry.”

“There are other options for sustenance that don’t require replenishing the larder.” Luc eyed the man in the cell. “I could always eat you.”

The fellow snorted. “Oh, please. We both know I’m old and stringy. Not even worth the trouble. Besides, if you eat me, then who will answer your questions?”

Good point. “I don’t like your world.” But it did beat living in his old one. A dimension his jailors had named Hell. It wasn’t always a nightmare place. Once upon a time, it had practically been paradise.

According to his parents, the dragons who’d invaded centuries ago had killed his dimension. In their quest to live, the beasts had destroyed the lushness that used to imbue the land. Siphoned every ounce of life from it and then turned on its occupants. Luc was the only thing to survive.

And now he’d have his revenge.

“You sound like a petulant child.” Alfred, whom he’d captured when he confiscated the castle he found, wasn’t shy about giving his opinion. He also didn’t blubber and cry like Luc’s other prisoners.

“I’m hungry.”

“When can I go home?”

“You monster.”

Sob.

Was it any wonder he threatened to tear out their tongues if they didn’t stop?

Luc paced in front of the bars. “These stores of which you speak… How do they work? Do I simply enter and advise the shopkeeper of my needs?”

“Not quite. You are expected to choose your own items and bring them to the checkout.”

“Carry the goods, as well?” Did these so-called stores not provide any service?

“Most have carts for you to use.”

“With cattle to pull them?” Seemed kind of odd. Just how big were these shopping places?

“No, metal carts with wheels. You push them.”

“Push? As in labor?” Luc sneered. He was quite good at it, especially once he’d discovered a properly given sneer or scowl got people to obey.

“It’s not that hard.” Alfred shook his head. “You really haven’t the slightest clue, do you, boy?”

Boy? The disrespect was enough to make him bare his teeth.

“Put those things away. And stop breathing so hard. When was the last time you gargled some mouthwash? Not everyone wants to smell your last meal, you know. And would it kill you to use soap when you shower?”

Luc sealed his lips and glared.

“Don’t be sulking now. You want to fit in, I’m telling you how.”

“There are too many rules in your world.” A vast amount of things for a former prisoner to learn.

“You know, it would be a lot easier for us both if you let me out of here so I could help you.”

“Don’t you mean try and kill me? I did, after all, overthrow your previous master.”

“You did us all a favor. My previous employer was a pompous arse.”

“So why didn’t you kill him?”

“Because one does not simply murder people.”

“Why not?”

“Because there are laws.”

“Laws are for peasants.” Or so his father had explained before he went on his final walk to feed the evil suzerain.

“This isn’t the Dark Ages anymore, boy. We live in enlightened times where there are laws that apply to all, rich or poor.”

“Not kings.”

“Even kings.”

But who made the laws to rule the kings? He smiled. “Then I shall be an emperor.”

“That might be kind of difficult, given the current rulers of the countries won’t agree to bow down to a stranger.”

“Then I will kill them.”

“Will you murder everyone who doesn’t agree?”

“Probably.” What else did he have to do? He’d promised his mother vengeance. However, Luc had yet to find Voadicia, and this dimension was much bigger and more populous than he ever imagined.

“That’s a lot of dead people. And blood.” Alfred set his cup down. “You’ll need a manservant to ensure that your uniform of doom is kept clean and presentable. A ruler should look the part.” Alfred shot him a look that held a touch of disdain.

Luc peered down at his ensemble, pilfered from a closet. The flowered blouse screamed of wealthy color—look at the patterns and all the different dyes used! The flowing skirt reminded him of the ceremonial robes his mother had described when rocking him to sleep. A mirrored reflection wasn’t needed for Luc to recognize he looked splendid.

“When I venture forth, I strike awe in the hearts of those who behold me.” They gave him a wide berth, recognizing his greatness.

“You look like a buffoon. Trust me when I say you need help.”

“And how do I know you’re to be trusted?”

“You have so much to learn.” Alfred sighed and stood. He approached the bars, stuck his hand through, and tapped the oddly lit box on the front. The light went from red to green, and the human pushed on the bars. The door swung open, and Luc frowned.

“You know magic!”

“Not exactly.” Alfred pointed at the box. “Electronic lock. All you need is the combination. These stalls weren’t meant to hold people, but livestock.”

“A dungeon for animals?” If only his previous quarters had been as spacious and clean.

“Not a dungeon but a stable. The previous owner raised horses.”

“What are horses?”

“Four-legged steeds. Tall as you, taller in some cases. Covered in hair.”

“I saw none of those in here.” When he’d arrived, the huge, aboveground dungeon was bare.

“The horses were gone before you arrived.”

“Why?”

“Does it really matter? They’re gone, and the point I was trying to make is that I was never actually a prisoner. I could have left anytime I wanted. How else do you think I got fed?”

“I thought there were servants doing that task.”

“You locked up all the servants.”

“Speaking of whom, why are they quiet? On the previous occasions I entered, they emasculated themselves, begging for release.”

“I let them go.”

“You released my prisoners?” Luc drew himself tall and glared at Alfred, who, though hunched and old, wasn’t that much shorter.

“Don’t worry. I lied and told them you were playing a prank. Told them you were the previous castle owner’s nephew and then gave them some money, along with a warning to say nothing to the coppers.”

Sounded quite efficient, and explained the lack of screaming. Best of all, Luc didn’t have to deal with any of it. Good thing, because he’d been at a loss for what to do. He focused on the last thing Alfred said. “You know the Copper dragons?”

“Coppers, as in police. Those who enforce the laws.”

“Perhaps we should call them since you admit to stealing from the larders! No wonder the shelves are bare. It would serve you right if I sent you to the market to replace the items you removed.” Then, he wouldn’t have to go.

“I’ll go, but only if you admit you need me,” Alfred stated.

“Me, need you?” Luc scoffed. “I have no need of a human’s aid.” Pride made him say it even as he heard his father admonishing him to take all the help he could get.

“You can cut the crap with me, sir.” Luc liked the sound of the sir bit. “It’s obvious you’re not from around here, and I’m not going to ask where or why. That’s your business. But you’re obviously someone. And you need help. I can provide that.”

“Exactly what are you suggesting?”

“Shopping, for one, since you’re so adverse. But also teaching you how to fit in.”

The man sought employment, but Luc remained skeptical. “Why? Why would you help me?”

Alfred shrugged. “Why not? I’m old and not in the mood to retire, but at the same time, who will hire me? I’ve got no kin left to speak of. And now that you’ve rid me of my previous employer, no purpose.”

“I have a purpose.” Revenge, followed by ruling the world.

“You do, but at the rate you’re going, you’ll never achieve it. You have much to learn if you’re going to survive.”

Luc rubbed his chin. “You wish to be my advisor?”

The human nodded.

While his first impulse was to scoff at the help—after all, even in his dimension, he’d heard of the barbaric humans from another plane—he held his tongue. It would seem the knowledge Luc had of humans was outdated. They’d grown since their last contact with his dimension. Evolved, and could now prove useful in his quest for revenge against the dragons.

Luc smiled. “Very well, consider yourself my advisor. As your first task, I need you to fetch me supplies from the village.” Because he was hungry, and the cold box in the kitchen didn’t magically replenish itself.

At least the hot water in the bathing chamber seemed never-ending. As well as the flow of fluid from things the old man called faucets.

No more visiting the well room with that massive hole in the ground. Long, thick chains dropped down the deep shaft. Each held a huge, steel bucket. It took more than a few bodies using all their strength to haul them to the top of the chute, the edges slick and slippery. There’d been a few incidents.

The drawing of water once the rivers went dry was a thankless chore reserved for the children, enslaved and prodded to go faster by the overseers. The underage prison gangs banded together and heaved on the chains, trying not to stumble on the wet stone. Since the hole in the ground had swallowed six—their screams a chilling echo as they fell—they’d tethered the front of the chain to the wall. The suzerain had wanted her water for her bath. Never mind that she could have used magic to do it. She enjoyed watching them suffer.

The suzerain was a vile dragon who needed to be found so Luc could end her miserable life. She, more than any other, was the reason his world had died. Why he was all alone.

Some of the blame also rested on her blubbery minions. Those two corpulent pustules upon his world might have hidden Luc from her notice and finally freed him from his prison; however, they shared the blame with Voadicia. They would be held accountable.

Vengeance: it kept Luc going since his hopes for a future and a progeny had been dashed because of a mad dragon’s quest to live forever.

But was it really over for him? I could breed and keep my line alive.

With a human? At best, he’d father half-breeds. If it even worked. They were such a fragile race. Prone to weakness.

What of dragons?

He knew it was possible to mate successfully with them. Some of those imprisoned centuries after their arrival were hybrids. Those halflings hadn’t been spared when the suzerain needed their life force to sustain herself.

However, breeding with a dragon would mean forgiving what they’d done.

Never.

He’d rather die alone than mate with a dragon.