“Didn’t you say something about being able to summon an army of demons?” I asked.
You gave me a worried look. “Let us first see what the three of us can accomplish when we work together.”
“I know when I’m being placated, Henri.”
You leaned closer and whispered in my ear, “Patientia,Vincent.Leo et patientia.”
Patience and timing.
Not if, but when.
“Fine,” I growled.
I made a silent vow to free you from Azrael’s bondage. Only then could you fully commit to me.
24
HENRI
Lucian was a little too enthusiastic about joining our mission to track down Seneser. It made me suspicious, though to be fair, even if he hadn’t, I’d still be suspicious.
Once he’d been briefed, we set up communications via untraceable phones, which I delegated to you since you excelled at technology. There was no telling when the alert might come, so we took turns monitoring the phone. I was in a deep sleep when you woke me one night, or rather, early morning, to tell me Seneser had been spotted.
I bolted out of bed and urged you to get ready. “Don’t forget your weapon,” I said, and then into the phone, “Lucian, report.”
“I got a call from a seedy little place named Ruby Slippers.” I shook my head at the irony while Lucian continued, “I’m on my way there now. My contact suspects your target may be, and I quote, ‘off his tits.’”
That could make our job much easier, or much harder, depending on how the demon operated within a compromised human system.
“We’ll be there in ten minutes. Don’t let him leave.”
“Yes, sir,” Lucian said, his tone just shy of earnest.
Within minutes we were in the car and on our way to the fringes of the city where the exotic nightclub was located. I already knew the entrance and egress points—a small grace—and parked in the same back alley. I instructed you to enter in through the front door.
“If you run across Seneser’s host, try to detain him,” I said. “We want to take him alive, but if he attempts any violence towards you, eliminate him.”
You nodded, eyes wide. I kissed your forehead and told you not to worry. Even still, this was your first crack at demon-hunting, and the stakes were high. I hated having to leave you for even a moment, not knowing what trickery Lucian might have in mind. I reminded you to treat Lucian with the same caution you would a venomous snake. “We still don’t know his motives.”
“I’ll be fine,” you insisted. “Be safe.”
I circled around the back of the club where I spotted an individual servicing another from on their knees. In the City of Sin, the hour was ripe for such carnal pleasures. I knocked at the back entrance and seduced the doorman into letting me inside, then wove my way through the labyrinth of hallways until I’d located the men’s bathroom. I persuaded the occupants to vacate, then shut myself behind one of two stall doors so that I had a clear view of the urinals through the gap in the frame. Alone for the moment, I spoke into the microphone affixed to the collar of my shirt. “I’m in position,” I said for Lucian’s benefit. “Where’s our target?”
“Getting handsy with a dancer in a private room. I predict he’ll be thrown out any minute.”
“Direct him to the bathroom. Use whatever seduction you must.”
“Give me a little bit of credit,” was Lucian’s snappy reply.
“I’m at the front door,” you said. “Wow, these women are really… naked.”
You trailed off and I smirked, recalling your befuddlement whenever the waitresses at the Hash Hut flirted with you.
“You want a private dance, Vincent?” Lucian teased.
“No. Well… maybe?” You chuckled.
I could just imagine the circus on the floor, a feast for the eyes. You’d told me once that women’s breasts reminded you of blood bags. Perhaps we could arrange something with a willing donor later.
