Infernal Passions

Chapter 4 - The Plan

Loki stood at the top of the stairs, watching the chaos unfold in the chambers. Papa had not been seen in two days and the disciples were having a field day without his supervision. He chewed on his bottom lip trying figure out a way to control the wayward demons and find a semblance of order.

"Kali! KALI! Come here!" He waved his friend over.

"What's up, Lok? Seems we have a problem here." She laughed.

"You call this a problem? This is insanity! Look at everyone! Nobody has worked, slept...nothing! Where's Papa?" He exclaimed.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with that red haired chick he was dancing with the other night. Did you see their moves? He was all over her. In all the years I've known Terzo I've never seen him like that with another being, let alone a mortal."

"I know. After Dance Macabre they upped and disappeared. Did you hear him scream the other day? Knocked everything off my dresser. She must of broke that devil's heart in a trillion pieces." Loki said. "And I know we're technically not allowed up in his chambers, but what if something happened to him? We have to go upstairs and see. I can't live like this. They only listen to him!"

"When you're right, you're right. Want me to come with you just in case?" She asked.

Loki gave her an incredulous look. "DUH! Of course you're coming with me! Do you think I want to deal with this by myself?"

They went to the forbidden door that lead to Terzo's home. They had never been upstairs during this time period, so they weren't sure where to find him. The door softly squeaked as Loki opened it. They stopped in their tracks, holding their respective breaths. Nothing. They tiptoed through his living room into his kitchen. They looked in wonder at all the gadgets, but refocused and continued their search. They heard music playing quietly from a room at the end of the hallway. They peeked in and saw Papa laying in bed facing the wall unmoving.

...but if you try to go alone, don't think I'll understand. Stay with me...stay with me...

They tentatively walked to the foot of his bed. "Papa?" Loki asked softly. "Papa, are you OK?"

You must only think of me, there can be no in between...

Loki and Kali looked t each other, alarmed. They walked to the side of his bed. He was staring at the wall, eyes unblinking. How long had he been like this?

"Papa!" Kali spoke, touching his cold hand. "It's Kali, talk to me. What happened?"

"Go away." He whispered hoarsely. "I have nothing to say. Just leave me be."

It was Loki's turn to speak. "Papa, we're worried about you, we aren't going away until we help you. Was it that girl we saw you with at the dance the other night?"

He blinked, opening his eyes slowly looking at them. "Yes. Lilith. Lili. I came on too strong and scared her away. I pulled my demon card and she didn't flinch." He pulled himself up onto one elbow. He spoke carefully. "I think...she's one of us. You know how when my eyes go red when I get angry?" They laughed and nodded. "Well, so did hers. And it threw me. I won't lie. I apologized and she told me she loved me, but how do I win her back?" He said forlornly.

"What do you know about her?" Kali asked. "Do you know anything other than Lilith?"

Papa rolled on his back, throwing his arm over his eyes. "No. I'm an idiot. Her name is Lili, she works for a newspaper, her adoptive parents are dead and she doesn't know who her real parents are. And she has a cat named Void."

"A cat named what?" Kali laughed.

"Void. Brainless black cat" he smiled despite his dour mood.

"Oh I think I want to meet her. She sounds funny." Loki said smiling.

"She is. She's funny, smart, sexy as all get out and I am beside myself crazy about her." He sighed. "Can you guys help me find her?"

"Did you get her phone number? Her address?" Kali asked.

"No and no. Like I said, I'm an idiot. I gave her my number. That's it." He said. "I did tell her to dream of me and I'd come to her there. Can you help me find a spell that would allow me to show her who she is and tell her she belongs here with me...without scaring her half to death?"

Kali grinned. "Absolutely Papa. I love love, nothing would make me happier than to do this for you! I'll be right back!" She jumped up, running from the room.

Papa sat up and stretched. "Curious...why are you guys up here? You know you aren't supposed to leave the chambers." He said sternly, but with a twinkle in his eyes.

"About the chambers Papa...you do realize you haven't come downstairs in two days? It's completely out of control. I don't want to go back down there to be honest."

"It's been two days? Whoops. Let me take a shower and I'll go downstairs and get them in order again." Papa walked towards the bathroom mumbling. "Can't even have a mental breakdown and not have the world fall apart."

Loki looked out the window at the pouring rain. "Papa? Is this rain because of you?"

He poked his head out of the bathroom. "Yeah, it is. I'l make it stop and bring the sun back." He said sheepishly.

Kali came barreling back in the room carrying a large, dusty tome. "Here! I found the book of spells in my closet!"

"Why in the world is it there? Isn't it supposed to be in the library?" He asked skeptically.

"I kinda took it out in 1742 and forgot to return it." She laughed.

Kali flipped through the musty pages, looking for the perfect spell. "Ah ha...here it is on page 164!" She scanned it and read it to herself. "This will allow him into her mind at night and show her her destiny. He can tell her his feelings too. Pretty basic, but it will get the job done. It's good for two nights which should be plenty of time for him to get his point across."

Papa came back into his room showered and in a clean outfit. "Did you find something for me?" He asked excitedly.

Kali showed him the spell, explaining exactly what he need to do and say at bedtime for the next two nights.

"Kali, you are the best. I really hope this works. I already miss her and it's only been two days. I need her here with me. If she is a demon as I suspect...is there a spell in there to make her immortal?" Papa asked.

"Consider it my mission to find out sir. And I'll even see if we can make her cat immortal. Can we get a cat in the chambers?" Kali asked.

"We'll see. You guys can't even take care of yourselves when I'm not around. Speaking of that, show me who's causing the biggest problems and I'll take care of them accordingly."

Loki laughed. "You're gonna be busy and it's gonna be quiet when you're done. Nobody has behaved!"

"All right. Lead the way. Time to get back to work." Papa said. He couldn't wait to go to bed tonight!