“Do we sign in blood or somethin’? Or am I just supposed to take your word for it?”
Mr. Heiss smirked. “You’ll be meeting Absolis and Vilanos Mostro shortly. I don’t want to keep them waiting for too long. It’s better for all of us if they’re in a good mood.”
“You are not answerin’ my question.”
“Your powers of observation are astounding.” Mr. Heiss snapped, a chain in his hand now.
The other end was attached to Sariel’s collar.
“Sariel, come.” Mr. Heiss pulled, dragging Sariel over with enough force to cause him to stumble. “You’ll take Mr. Madison and?—”
“Hey!” Seymour barked. “You ain’t gotta treat him like that. Damn asshole. What’s wrong with you?”
Mr. Heiss eyed Seymour, slowly rising to his feet. His human disguise flickered and flames burned in his gaze, and his voice was eerily calm as he said, “The short answer is a lot. But the immediate concern for you is how very little I care about the supposed sanctity of human life. Take yours, for example.”
Seymour stepped forward. “Yeah? What about it?”
“I need you to get something I want. I will extend all of my power and assets to ensure your safety so that goal is successfully met. However, once that is accomplished, you’re no more useful to me than the crust collecting at the corner of your mouth as you stand there like an absolute fool, so eager to insult me and demonstrate yourvalor.” Mr. Heiss spat out that last word with utter disgust, and he rolled his eyes.
Seymour was ready to smart off again, but the invisible hand returned. It was now pushing into his chest, squeezing around his heart until it fluttered frantically and he couldn’t breathe.
“Oh, look at that.” Mr. Heiss snorted. “Nothing to say now, hmm? Not when your pitiful mortal life is literally in my hands?”
The hand squeezed once more and then released.
Seymour gasped, collapsing to the floor and clutching his chest. “F-fuck…!”
Mr. Heiss addressed Sariel now, saying firmly, “You will take Mr. Madison here to Fallen Hope. You will do whatever is necessary to keep him safe from harm. Do you understand?”
Sariel bowed his head. “Yes, master.”
“If the twins try to play any of their silly little games, call me immediately. The terms of our arrangement explicitly prohibitsuch nonsense, but I would not be surprised if they still try something.”
“Yes, master.”
Mr. Heiss gave the chain one final pull and then let go. It promptly vanished. Two gleaming gold tickets appeared in his hand, and he walked over to place them on the edge of the kitchen counter. He adjusted his suit and then sneered over at Seymour. “It’s been fun, but I really have to run.”
“More… people to torture?” Seymour croaked.
Mr. Heiss smiled at that. “Yes. And who knows? Maybe you’ll be one of them.”
Seymour did his best to glare defiantly, though it was difficult when it felt like he was recovering from a brief bout of cardiac arrest.
Mr. Heiss chuckled and then vanished as quickly as he’d arrived.
As soon as he was gone, Sariel rushed to Seymour’s side. He wrapped his arms around him and held him close, asking worriedly, “Are you all right?”
“I just had my heart fist-fucked by an asshole demon.” Seymour choked out a small laugh. “I dunno ’bout all right, but I’m alive.” He managed to brace himself on Sariel’s chest. “What ’bout you? You okay?”
“I am fine.” Sariel shook his head. “Mr. Heiss enjoys his abuse, but he would never do anything to cause me permanent harm.”
“Wow. What a great guy.”
Sariel’s brow furrowed. “No. No, he is still quite terrible.”
Seymour smiled weakly.
“Ah, that is the sarcasm again.”
