I scoff. “What gift?”
“Syrsee, of course.” He smiles. And, as always, I am enamored by his beauty. “I made her for you so you could be with the one you really love.”
“That’s not even true. You literally just said you made her so I would live and take your place as the harbinger of evil.”
“It’s the same thing. She’s the Whore of Babylon so the two of you can be immortal together. It’s practically fate. And don’t worry too much about the whole Antichrist thing, it’s just a title, Ryet. You two kids will make it work, I’m sure of it.”
I’m slack-jawed as I run all those words through my head over and over again. Finally, I say, “I’m actually the Antichrist? You turned me into the Antichrist so you can have a Q&A with God?”
Paul grins here, like he couldn’t be happier about how this turned out. “The good news is, you can make it yours. Rule any way you want. Of course, the prophecy is now in motion, there’s the nasty Tribulations and all that other shit, and you lose in the end. Don’t forget that part. But you’re resourceful. It’s gonna be amazing. And the even better news is, it ends. It’s only seven years. We’ll see each other again. Probably. My chances of getting past those pearly gates are slim to none, but if Idoget in, Ryet, I will most definitely put in a good word for you.”
Then he leans into my space and for a moment, I think he’s gonna kiss me or something. But he doesn’t. He hands off the monster baby. I take it out of instinct, but I’m instantly sorry. “What the hell am I supposed to do with this thing?”
Paul stands up and adjusts his wolf-pelt coat. “Syrsee has worked it out. See her for details.”
And then… he just… fades away.
He doesn’t even wave.
