“Don’t be a stranger my man. The war will be over soon and when it is done, we should celebrate.”
Domino nods in farewell to what I assume to be a longtime friend, and he exits the shop with me following behind him. Once back out on the street I realize Domino must arm himself but of course not in front of the growing amount of idle humans going to and fro about their day. I forgot that humans are not only creatures of the night but they are capable of rising with the sun as well. With a wave of my wrist we are invisible and I watch quietly as he unfurls a massive pair of chestnut brown wings. He opens the duffle and pulls out the sheath for his sword and ties it to his waist before sliding the sword into the leathery casing. He reaches back into the duffle and pulls out a couple of daggers, and a clothed sack filled with specially made arrows. I gazed at the arrows, utterly transfixed by their beauty. Measuring at about a foot long in length from base to tip, and made out of pure silver, these arrows were marked with the seven pointed star of the Dominion. He drapes the sack across his back before pulling out the crossbow which is made of the same material but doubled in length and width.
I know he can feel me watching him and to some degree I think he enjoys it. He flexes one his thick bands of tightly coiled muscle and for a split second I don’t even know my name. Focus Sin…Focus…I think to myself as I tear myself away from a perfect vision of a male and onto the now busy streets. Dying humans were calling out to me to retrieve them as were questions and concerns from the soldiers in my father’s army. Mutiny, as always was on the brink of revealing itself amongst the ranks of warriors that were specially trained to do Grim’s bidding. But, I am in no position to deal with that. Should they decide to rebel they are going to have a lot of explaining to do when Grim is back in charge. Locating the Seal is my priority…not the egos of power hungry entities.
When Domino is finished arming himself, his eyes finally meet mine and I notice something in them that had not exactly been there before. Maybe it is mere wishful thinking due to a school girl crush that I had kept buried just beneath the surface of my skin, but whatever it was, it held me temporarily captive.
“Are you, uh ready?” I croak silently smacking myself on top of the head for sounding so…weak.
“I am. I am picking up the trail of a very strong demon to the east somewhere near Greece.”
“I was just in Greece,” I mumble underneath my breath.
“Well, you should have been paying a little more attention,” he said playfully.
“Is it Asmodeus?”
“I do not want to confirm it until we are close enough for me to dissect the energy signature. Shall we go?” He reaches out his hand for me to accept, and to be honest I don’t think it is a good idea for any kind of contact to be made, not because I don’t want to but because of how much I want to. He notices my apprehension and his arm slumps to his side.
“Always the tough one,” he mutters shaking his head.
“Whatever. I am ready to go. We can travel through the shadows again so you won’t deplete any energy…”
He motions for me to lead the way without mumbling a word, and with that I manipulate the available shadows and open up the space between dark and light and the both of us step inside and begin our journey.
I have no idea what to expect once we arrive. I do not know much about the parties involved or what I am even supposed to do once I have the Seal. But what I do know is Grim doesn’t deserve to die for something that isn’t his fault. He hasn’t always been the best father but he is still my dad. And I owe him that much.
Gabriel and Michael watched with marvel as Sin and the Fallen Dominion disappeared into the shadows. Neither of them knew what to say at first, but it was clear that Grim’s daughter had hope. Gabriel gave his brother an uneasy look as they stood high above the realms on the second ring of Heaven.
“So she has found our brother,” Gabriel says quietly.
“Yes, indeed she has. Or better yet, she has known for some time of his whereabouts…” Michael adds firmly.
“Grim will not approve of this pairing,” Gabriel continues, his gaze returned to the spot where Sin and the Dominion once stood.
“No, he will not and to be honest, I do not like it one bit. He has yet to return to my command, has ignored my summons, and has violated several direct orders. How are we to know that he hasn’t sided with the unnamed one?”
“Because Sin would not have aligned herself with him had he done so.”
“I still don’t like it. She has yet to prove herself and is in no need of a potential distraction,” Michael retorts.
“Ah, but brother,” Gabriel mused, “who is better to aid her in her search for the Seal? And who better to guard her from-“
“Don’t you dare say that name!”
“But you know I speak the truth. Sin has yet to fully understand her abilities while the Dominion has eons of experience with his-“
“Enough Gabriel I see your point.”
“Perhaps when this is over the Dominion may explain himself and then you and Grim can retire of this particular grudge…”
“Perhaps, if it is of Divine Will…”
“You dear brother can be almost as hopeless of some of the humans we guard,” Gabriel chuckled lightly.
“And I suppose that is what you were created for: to inspire such lost hope…”
They stood in companionable silence for a while before Gabriel finally spoke.
“She will be fine Michael. You will see. She has more of Grim than what we originally assumed. But one question for you brother…”
“And what is that?
“Are you prepared to go to war if she fails?”
Michael closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before answering. “Yes. As always I am prepared to fulfill my duty. But keep watch over her. I must report to the others our findings and if there is time…pay her a visit. Send her word that there is ‘help’ should she need it.” And with that Michael took flight higher into the realms where the light shone brightest leaving Gabriel alone to stand guard.
“Grim will be most proud,” he said as he smiled to himself.
Chapter 14
Asmodeus lolled about lazily in the king sized bed that he had his human slave specially order for him. The satin sheets felt amazing against his naked flesh. His wings were unfurled and he yawned once more as the hum of what he learned to know as the air conditioner hummed about in the background. As a matter of fact, in just 24 hours he had taken total control over the Vatican, having even stretched his arm of control over the Pope himself after a very interesting debate on world religion and politics. It’s funny how humans can leap from one end of the belief spectrum onto another and change sides as quickly as they change their shoes. The Catholic Church would be his throne of power being that this particular institution is the wealthiest and most powerful in the world. He now owned most of the world while the human populations were none the wiser. Within the next few weeks that followed he would begin renovating the place, there would be no need for the handmade sculptures that were pathetic replicas of what was supposed to be the divine. He would build several monuments in his name, and he would even resurrect ancient practices such as human sacrifices just to wake up the masses. He hadn’t been paid any form of tribute in centuries and his blood craved the depravity of the practice with a deep yearning.
Of course there would be war because self- righteous Michael and his heavenly band of bandits would attempt to ruin everything that he would try to build, but that would be a war that would surely put an end to the nuisance. Asmodeus had a legion of his own secretly awaiting his command and Grim had been none the wiser. He stretched out his limbs in content. Last night was absolutely wild. It had been over a thousand years since his last roll in the flesh. He could not get enough. The male and female visitors that were brought to him were only the beginning in his quest to quench an unquenchable thirst. Both of them dark haired with pale skin, the male lean and muscular, and t
he female short and curvy, he debated with himself who he would take first. He had fucked both of them until both begged and pleaded for him to stop and even then he continued until he’d had his fill. As a matter of fact he had fucked them individually and then together, skillfully alternating between the two. The male enjoyed it more than the female and each of them possessed a beauty that he could not help but appreciate.
Unfortunately, when the sun crested above the horizon both had to be sent out on a stretcher. And now, just thinking about last night’s exploits, his body began to fill with need once more. He would demand at least a dozen males and a dozen females for tonight alone just to take some of the edge off. Just then, there was a loud rap at the door and without bothering to cover himself, he shouted, “Come in.” In came Nak, Grim’s most “loyal” warriors. His face was grim and melancholy as usual, but today there was a darker tinge to it. Asmodeus wasn’t surprised when Nak came to him originally a thousand or years ago after suffering another one of Grim’s gruesome punishments for not having completed his assignment. Nak had grown tired of working as the Reaper’s underling and had hoped for some sort of compensation for his loyalties; but with Grim being the petulant and ungrateful bastard that he is, did not find it fitting to give Nak his due, the lowly demon found comfort in a plan that would have been successful had there been more time.
When Nak had gotten wind of Asmodeus’ newly regained freedom, he approached him immediately with invaluable insight about Grim’s failure of a daughter and now here the two of them were together with a new plan for humanity. And with Grim soon to be out of the way along with that dingy daughter of his, the world was theirs for the picking.
“At least cover yourself with a sheet Asmodeus. I am not one of those entities who enjoy pleasure from both sides of the coin,” Nak complained as he took a seat on one of the plush velvet couches that decorated the room.
“One day Nak you will appreciate such pleasure,” Asmodeus smiled wickedly and not even bothering to cover his naked body. “What brings you here?”
Nak shook his head and then sighed before answering. “Sin has not returned to Hell in days…”
Asmodeus rolled his eyes. “So? She is incompetent. We both know that which leaves me wondering why this is even a problem.”
“She has demonstrated exponential growth since acquiring her father’s position. I fear that she will figure things out…”
“And that would mean what? That she will be successful in locating the Seal and freeing her father leaving you to explain yourself to your Master?” Asmodeus mocked.
“I think you underestimate the severity of the situation. There is also news that the Fallen Dominion has been found.”
That made Asmodeus pause. “Domino? He hasn’t been seen or heard from in ages…”
“Rumor has it that he was working for humans for quite some time until they discovered that he himself is not human…but the fact that he is roaming about the earth does not fare well with me.”
“Well he clearly is not on the side of the Light since he has not returned. We could offer him a seat at the table so to speak…I am sure he will not hesitate to take it.”
“Demon hunting is in his veins Asmodeus. It does not matter that he has chosen to not return to the heavens, he hunts The Fallen-“
“How could he hunt what he has become you paranoid twit? He is no better than us! Why would he hunt me when we have no quarrel with each other?”
Nak shook his head in frustration. “You are blinded by the pleasures of the earthly flesh-“
“And you are blinded by fear. Go guard something Nak and let the decision making remain in the hands of the decision makers…”
“And find yourself killed by the hand of the Grim Reaper’s daughter,” came Nak’s salty reply before he disappeared into the ether, leaving Asmodeus wondering if what Nak had said held any real weight to it.
He sighed wistfully before rolling out of bed and heading over to the bathing room to shower. Tonight he would send some of the soldiers from his legion to put a dent in whatever plans Sin had. He needed more time, just a few more days before Grim breathed his last breath. For all of Nak’s worrying, he was a fit and able warrior. He proved himself to be the best alliance made due to him having worked so closely with Grim and having aided Grim in training Sin. And as far as Domino is concerned he wasn’t sure what to do about him other than try to bribe him. He had not planned on having to war with a Dominion, one of the strongest and most elite next to the archangel.
Yes he would bribe Domino with an offer he couldn’t refuse; Grim would die as would his pathetic daughter, and then along with the world all of the powers of Heaven and Hell would recognize him as lord, and there is nothing anyone could do to stop him.
Grim awoke with a start as beads of sweat dripped down his forehead and onto the bridge of his nose before plummeting into the abys that waited just beneath him. The Dominion angel had stopped draining him for the time being and he could now think. Speaking of the Dominion he suddenly remembered just who the entity is that is traveling with his daughter: Domino. How did Sin know him? She never mentioned one word about ever having made contact with the rogue angel, and he could not think of how or when she would have encountered him. But there seemed to be a lot more to Sin than what he had cared to pay attention to until now… But she should not be hanging around the likes of him considering the price he was looking at paying for never bothering to return to the heavens where he belonged.
But then again, considering what his purpose is, he would be good to help her track down and fight Asmodeus…as long as he kept his hands to himself. Grim recalled that Domino is not the most noble of angels and had even gotten close to being locked up in the Euphrates River for getting too close to a human that happened to be married. Yes, he himself had not always followed the rules, which is how Sin came into existence but still…he could not risk Sin ending up pregnant and giving birth to something that may or may not threaten the very existence of the earth realm and thus once again leaving him responsible. He needed to check on her and see how she was progressing in her search for the Seal. With his remaining strength he reached out to her mentally only to realize that she had blocked him out, but not before he managed to discover that she actually liked Domino, and he knew right then there would be problems.
Sin stop burning with lust and focus on the Seal! He mentally scolded her. He could feel her recoil and then come alive with rebellion.
“Relax Grim,” she mentally shot back. “I am more focused than ever.”
For some reason her statement made him feel a bit better although he knew his time was growing short. He started to feel weak once more after only having a simple mental connection with Sin. He needed to rest at least he received word that she’d located Asmodeus. He lowered his head once more and centered his mind on the one person who had made his entire existence worth living: Mina.
The crazed boyfriend of the now terrified singer glared at her with hate burning in his bloodshed eyes, his .38 aimed directly at her chest. The remaining patrons went into a panic as he shot twice into the air, and Mina remained frozen on stage. Grim’s rage heightened by the sound of her beating heart, thumping away in the center of her chest at the realization that her life was just about to be over.
“You think you are better than me bitch?” He growled through chapped lips. “Huh? Did you think that I wouldn’t find you?” He inched closer to the stage with the gun still in hand and her chest still its target. “You broke my heart Mina,” he managed to choke out.
“I’m so sorry but you’re crazy Sam,” Mina pleaded as her eyes filled with tears.
“Come home with me Mina,” Sam demanded wiping sweat from his brow.
“I-I-“
“Come home with me, NOW!”
“Sam please! Please don’t do this!” She cried.
Sam looked at her, his face twisted into a menacing expression that told Grim it was over. In a split second decision, Grim
dematerialized from the vacant bar just as the foolish human pulled the trigger. Two security guards had managed to tackle the drug addict just as the bullet exited the chamber. Mina closed her eyes, fully resigned to her fate when Grim appeared out of the energy fold, hoisted her up and disappeared off of the stage. The bullet hit the plastered wall instead of Amina’s beating heart.
Mina had fainted a second or so after realizing that she wasn’t dead but in the arms of a stranger with abilities that were far from human. He cradled her closer to his chest not caring for one second that he had violated a serious supernatural code and all for what? He had barely met this woman, but chest by him carrying her in his arms, everything felt right. He carried to an isolated location just beyond the lights of the city on an abandoned farm and gently laid her down on a bed of hay. He knew he should have left, his instincts telling him that he was in enough trouble but he just couldn’t bring himself to do so. She awoke with a jolt. She sat up quickly and stared up at him, her eyes wide with fear.
“Before you scream, remember I saved your life,” he said calmly.
“Who are you?” she stammered.
“My name is Grim…”
“Am I dead?”
He barked out a laugh. “No you are not. Trust me if you were, you would know it.”
“Where am I? Why did you bring me here?”
“Would you have preferred to stay in the bar?”
“No! No…I guess not.”
He could sense her heart rate begin to normalize at the realization that she had literally dodged a bullet and was in a save place, at least for now. She glanced over at him, her hazel eyes filled with questions, and all of them he wanted to answer but right now was not the time. She looked around at her surroundings and then back again at Grim, and he noticed something off about her. She didn’t seem too bothered by his presence even after witnessing him do something that no ordinary human could do.
“You don’t seem to fear me,” he said holding her gaze.
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