The young woman howled with rage.
“Dammit!” she bellowed. “I want him to suffer! I want to squeeze every last bloody drop of misery out of him! You want me to be your slave, Flint? Then figure out a way!”
Flint looked her in the eyes, looking deadly serious all of a sudden. “Any way at all? Using any means?”
“Yes!” Allison said fervently. “By any means!”
Jeremy could barely keep from yelling at her that she was making a terrible mistake. But he clenched his fists and said nothing.
“Very well,” Flint replied calmly. “I’ll think it over. Let’s go.”
They went back to Flint’s place in Manhattan. Jeremy didn’t go anywhere near the old Angels—nor Allison, for that matter. His risky absence had been worth it, but he had spent six anguishing hours, sick with worry that the girl he loved was about to become Flint’s slave. Six hours of pure hell. And he was relieved that he didn’t need to use the plan he had prepared. He turned all his thoughts to trying to figure out what kind of trap Flint was now preparing for them. Shit, he was only twenty-three years old! And he had to foil the plans of an Angel who was over a thousand; it wasn’t fair!
The following day, Flint took them all back to Washington. He had another apartment in the capital, but Lili offered to put them up at her place. She showed extraordinary tact when she gave Jeremy his old room, without even hinting that he could share hers. He was grateful for her gesture, because for the time being, he was completely lost.
Washington was all abuzz. That night, while the living were all tucked away in their beds, the old Blues and Reds opened their ten-year conference, which was scheduled to last six days. Like the creation of the Earth. Or actually, it would last six nights, because the Angels took over at the end of the day when all the living went home, so that no one would disturb their discussions.
The magnificent Capitol building, built in 1793, was where the meetings were held that would decide the fate of the Earth for so many years to come. Jeremy liked the old Senate Chamber, with its red-and-gold curtains, which looked less austere than the new one with the blue-and-gold carpeting. The beautifully waxed wooden desks were arranged in a semi-circle around the rostrum, and a visitor’s gallery overlooked the floor. Jeremy had seen the place so many times on TV that he knew what to expect when he accompanied Flint and Lili to the first session. At first, Allison refused, saying she wouldn’t come until Flint told her how he planned on getting vengeance for her. The old Angel had simply replied that, in order to get what she wanted, the Congress was the exact place she needed to go. It was hardly an invitation, and more like an order. Allison had grudgingly obeyed, and now, when she walked into the room, she stared on wide-eyed just like Jeremy.
There were many more red and blue Angels milling about the room than the hundred senators who sat at the desks when the senate was in session. Only the oldest and most powerful Angels were allowed on the floor, but that still represented quite a host. There were at least two thousand of them, calling out to old friends, slapping one another on the back, or looking over their adversaries. Jeremy couldn’t help but notice that the Reds looked to be in much better shape than the Blues. He waved hello to Tetisheri, who nodded back. The Egyptian queen was now a familiar face, and he wasn’t surprised to see her seated with the oldest Angels. The floor was too small to hold so many Angels, and many floated lazily above the gallery, in separate layers of blue, red, and white.
“It looks like a big layer cake,” Allison laughed as she contemplated the scene.
Jeremy smiled back at her and, for a second, they felt close again. But then Allison quickly turned away.
Flint and Lili had told them that nothing very interesting would happen during the first few sessions, and they were right. The Blues and Reds talked about new progress that had been made in medicine, which both sides strongly encouraged; the increase in poverty in the world, which both sides wanted to reduce, because even though the Reds did like sadness, resignation didn’t provide anything for the Reds or the Blues. They talked about the various wars that they had encouraged or averted. The representatives from Africa, who had arrived only a short time ago, looked particularly satisfied. Little by little, the number of famines were decreasing, mortality rates were dropping, and the progress that had been made in terms of nutrition and vaccinations was encouraging. The dead whispered in the ears of the living, who benefited from their influence. But not always. The more Jeremy listened to the Angels’ discussion, the more disgusted he felt.
The Angels thought they were gods, but they were more like naughty little kids who didn’t want to share their toys. Even the most serious ones among them.
Jeremy was astonished when he saw that Flint wasn’t part of the assembly. Later on, when Allison asked him why he wasn’t down there on the floor, he said that he preferred to offer his services as a subcontractor. Politics bored him to tears. When it came to taking action and foiling the plans of his adversaries, oh yes! That was fine sport. He preferred action to tiresome discussions. Not Jeremy: The lengthy discussions were working in his favor, since he needed to gain some precious time. During the second night of discussions, when Allison asked him for about the hundredth time what he planned to do, Flint replied vaguely that he was going to propose a motion to the Congress of Angels.
That second day dragged on forever for Allison. Not only had he refused to reveal his plan to her, but Flint had also refused to allow her to see Caligula again. She had stormed off in a huff to go meet him alone. No one had stopped her from entering Caligula’s abode—it was nearly impossible to stop an Angel from going where they wanted anyway (especially a Red as powerful as Allison)—but she had found his mansion totally deserted.
The old ogre was gone. As were his slaves. In fact, it looked like a tornado had struck the house, as if someone had destroyed the whole place in a fit of rage. The emperor was hardly known for his mild manners, so Allison figured he must have lost his temper with someone (maybe one of his “meals” had fought back?) or something, and his furniture had paid the price. Or maybe he and Flint had duked it out? That explanation seemed even more likely, considering how angry the old blue Angel had been with him.
Allison hardly felt like waiting around for the monster to return, and decided to go back to Lili’s apartment. She wasn’t angry with Jeremy or the beautiful redhead for having slept together, but Lili really got under her skin. Since the four of them had gotten back together, she had carefully avoided the old Angel. And Jeremy did the same. For the time being, he was too absorbed in all his mysterious plans—whatever they might be—and he refused to talk to her.
When she arrived at the apartment, Allison was taken by surprise, then, when she saw that Lili was waiting for her in the spacious living room.
“Where are the boys?” Allison asked breezily as she grabbed a Mist apple and took a bite.
“I don’t know where Jeremy is. He won’t talk to me anymore. I saw him leave very early this morning. Flint went to pick up some Mist. We don’t have much left to eat and our friend is quite a gourmet. He has very refined tastes, you know.” Lili pointed at the delicate, golden Mist apple that Allison was eating. “Listen, I’m glad you’re here, because I wanted to talk to you.”
Allison rolled her eyes. What did the old bag want now (even if Allison knew full well that Lili hardly looked like an old bag)?! Lili rose to her full height of nearly five feet, eight inches and faced Allison.
“I am completely neutral,” she said. “I find all this business between the Blues and the Reds extremely tiresome. I live for pleasure, and it is pleasure that keeps me alive.”
Allison only curled her lip.
“Yes, I know what you think, little Cherub,” Lili smiled. “But believe me, after eons of existence, if you manage to survive—and, seeing how you’ve been behaving, you’ll excuse me if I have some doubts in that respect—you too will be drawn to pleasure, whether it be of the physical or mental variety.”
&nb
sp; It was easy for her to read Allison’s expression (as if she were thinking, “Go on talking; a lot of good it’ll do you!”). Lili realized that she was talking in a vacuum.
“OK, listen. I really like Jeremy. A lot. I’ve been waiting years to find a new lover who could keep the deadly boredom at bay. It’s been gnawing at me terribly, despite all the pleasures this world has to offer. Jeremy has a great deal of potential. Which is why I want you to stay out of his life. To stay out of our lives!”
18
The Taste of Temptation
Allison’s jaw dropped.
“You want me to leave? You’re kidding, right?”
“I’ve never been more serious. You and Flint are going to get Jeremy into trouble with all your nonsense. At some point he’s the one who’s going to pay the price. If you still have any feelings for him at all, stop being so selfish and leave him alone.”
Allison only laughed.
“What?” she taunted, leering at Lili. “No threats? I’m almost disappointed.”
“I had seriously considering killing you, it’s true. But then I would lose Jeremy forever, and that’s not what I want. But I could change my mind at any moment. And decide that holding on to Jeremy isn’t nearly as much pleasure as cutting your throat …”
Lili had seriously underestimated how much power Caligula had given to the young girl to corrupt her.
Allison flashed another smile at Lili, but this time it was more like a she-lion baring its fangs. “Oh, honey,” she simpered, imitating the voice her friend Misty used when she wanted to bring somebody down a peg.
“It looks like you and I are going to have a cat fight over a boy.”
Allison clapped her hands excitedly like a little girl. “How thrilling! You think you’ll be able to win his heart?”
“Absolutely,” Lili retorted, her green eyes flashing with rage.
Allison bent close to Lili.
“You’ve already lost and you don’t even realize it,” she purred. “What a pity!”
Before Lili had a chance to reply, Allison flew through the ceiling and was gone.
When she returned a few minutes later, she was with Flint. And Jeremy.
“Look who I found, Lili! Our charming companions! Jeremy was just on his way up, and Flint has done some shopping. Yummy, yummy, look at all this scrumptious Mist. And see how nice Flint is! He even brought some red Mist for me.”
She bent toward Flint mischievously and gave him a peck on the cheek, then turned her body to make sure Flint couldn’t see her, but in plain view of Lili, snuck a kiss on the corner of Jeremy’s mouth.
Lili hardly needed any lessons in the fine art of seduction. She assumed a casual attitude as she welcomed back the boys.
“I missed you two,” she said. “Oh no, Flint! You shouldn’t have brought back so much red Mist for Allison; it’s like a drug. It’s too strong, and you don’t want her getting hooked on it, do you? She’s not a junky, you know—at least, not yet!”
Lili and Allison both saw Jeremy wince. There was an innocent look on the beautiful redhead’s face, but she was gloating inside when she saw Jeremy move away from Allison. Oh, she had been right to use the word “drug.” She knew Jeremy would be revolted.
With complete self-assurance, she looked her rival right in the eyes and added: “And if you give her too much Mist, you might make her disappear, with all the power she’s stored up … you remember the red Angel that was tormenting Jeremy’s sister, don’t you?”
Allison nodded her head, taking note of the veiled threat. One point for Lili. If she kept it up, she was going to make Allison disappear as well. Fine. But Lili had made an enormous tactical error: Making threats won’t get you anywhere—only actions count.
Flint knitted his brows as he watched their verbal jousting. He could tell something was going on between the two women, but didn’t know what.
“OK, listen. Tonight my motion will be presented to the Congress,” he said. “If it’s accepted, we’ll be able to act on it. You will then have everything you asked for, my delicious Allison. And so will I.”
It almost made Jeremy sick the way Flint fawned over Allison, but she only shrugged. She no longer felt any fear since her “treatment” from Caligula. She would worry about all that when the time came. For now, she was having much more fun fighting with Lili over Jeremy. She hadn’t slept with Flint, but the fact that Jeremy had given in to Lili’s charms was driving her crazy. Contrary to expectations, she suddenly decided that possessing Jeremy was more urgent than the rest, regardless of whether or not Flint could make Ventousi suffer for what he’d done.
Her unexpected attitude would drive Lili absolutely nuts. And Flint as well, most likely. It was … absolutely perfect.
As for Jeremy, he needed to buy more time, and each passing minute was priceless. With a heavy heart, he followed Flint and the two girls to Capitol Hill.
They had hardly had time to sit down in the noisy Senate Chamber when Flint, who suddenly seemed preoccupied, did something that caught them off guard.
“Excuse me, but I can’t stay here with you; I have to speak with the person who will be presenting the special motion. I’ll meet you after the session.”
Jeremy warily followed Flint with his eyes as the old Angel made his way through the crowded room. Just what was he up to?
The discussions and debates had been going on for a couple hours when a new arrival suddenly made his entrance into the chamber. The entire assembly froze.
It was a red Angel. He was hideous. Colossal. And obviously very, very old with his pterodactyl wings. He must have been at least ten feet tall, had pointy teeth, and goat hooves instead of feet.
Just like in the fairy tales.
He didn’t have horns, though, but did have a long, crimson tail. He was wearing a very stylish black suit, which looked absurdly out of place on him.
The heavy silence soon gave way to murmuring voices in the crowd. Jeremy caught a few snatches: “Mephisto!”
“It’s Mephistopheles!”
“No one’s seen him for years!”
“No way! I thought the old satyr had passed over a long time ago.”
“What’s he doing here?”
The evil red Angel gave the assembly a wide grin, baring his gleaming fangs. He strutted about, conscious of his effect on the audience. Next to Jeremy, Allison leaned closer, fascinated by this new apparition, while Lili cringed in disgust. Suddenly, the Great Ancient activated his charisma and appeared to be enveloped in a blazing fire. All the Angels, except for the oldest among them, recoiled in fear, overawed by his almighty power. Jeremy swallowed down a lump in his throat. No one could stand up to such a … creature. He was quite simply monumental. And the violence that emanated from his person made Jeremy feel sick to his stomach. Like the hideous red Angel who had tortured Angela, but worse.
In an anonymous book published in 1587, the hero, Dr. Johann Faust, who sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for unlimited knowledge, first spoke of Mephistopheles: the spirit who denies and destroys, who brings despair and bitter tears to weep. But Mephistopheles would only become famous when Christopher Marlowe wrote a play about him in 1588, and then two hundred years later, when Goethe wrote his work starring the infamous Devil. Jeremy couldn’t help but shudder. The authors wrote that Faust had managed to escape from his clutches … but as he contemplated the living nightmare beating its leathery wings down below him, Jeremy wasn’t so sure.
Mephistopheles greeted all the Angels ceremoniously, and in particular, four of them who were present.
“Archangels Michael! Gabriel! Uriel! Raphael!”
One after another, the four blue Angels he’d named inclined their heads.
“Archangels Asmodeus! Belial! Loki!”
Three red Angels, less imposing but just as impressive as Mephistopheles, gave him the same reticent greeting. It didn’t look as if either side was particularly pleased with this new turn of events.
Allison whispered
to Lili: “Archangels? What are they? What can they do that the other Angels can’t?”
“They’re much more powerful,” answered Lili, who looked particularly uneasy. “Pray that you never cross paths with any of them. They’re very dangerous. They only act in their own interests. Even the Blues. Don’t be fooled by their benevolent appearance.”
“I would like to make a request!” boomed Mephistopheles, and Lili quickly grew quiet. “A request that will satisfy the wishes of both the Blues and the Reds.”
A heavy silence fell over the gathering. The Angels were all ears.
Mephistopheles told them about Jeremy and Allison. Although he failed to mention how the young girl had become a Red in order to influence Ventousi, he did say that powerful blue Angels had tried to convince the researcher to quickly put his drug on the market, but had been unsuccessful in their attempt.
Tetisheri, the Egyptian queen, rose to speak: “And why are you meddling in their business, Mephistopheles? Curing cancer would mean less food for you Reds. All the pain and suffering of the sick would disappear, and be replaced by joy and happiness. Isn’t that the exact opposite of what you want?”
The evil Angel gave her a cruel smile.
“But we must help the living to survive as long as possible, or am I wrong? And there has been an upsurge in the number of cancer cases … it’s not good for you, nor for us. It’s out of the question to have too many dead on the Earth! And the new drug can only cure certain forms of cancer. Believe me, very few Mists are as delicious as crushed hopes!” He licked his lips with his forked tongue.
Tetisheri didn’t even try to hide her disgust, and Mephistopheles filled the hall with his sardonic laughter. Jeremy had to fight not to place his hands over his ears to block out the excruciating sound. It was like listening to two plates of rusty metal being slowly ripped to shreds by a giant.
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