And Also With You ~The Tooth And Claw Books #3

Chapter Twenty Three: Conspiracies Deepen

----- June 30th, 2011 -----

Ever since the attack on the Peace summit our suspicions that they were some how monitoring out communications had been growing, plus my theory that all the various different rebel fractions were some how connected. I didn't think they were working together, but they were connected some how. I had no proof of either, but I was working on it.  I'd been listed as the official head of the Grand-alliance military, as such I now held multiple ranks. I held the Demon rank of Commander, still held my Custodies Veritas rank of Retainer of course, and in the case of Lucifer's forces, well I held the rank of Duke. Using that authority I'd been coordinating with the Demon's  security. I'd made the security of the event air tight, save one avenue, and that they'd only know if they had breached our communications some how. 

That wasn't the only avenue I was trying mind you, our best way to find out their plans was to get someone on the inside of their ranks. To that front I'd had Petru float rumors that 'God's left Hand' wanted to destroy the peace. Add to that my known hatred of anything  Vampire and they'd bought the bate. I was now waiting for someone from Dante's Coven in what was left of Seinaru Izumi for their contact to come to me. As for why I'd chosen this place, since they asked me where I wanted to meet,  well I'd chosen this place because if this went wrong I could go full power without risking collateral damage as the place was already abandoned.

I felt it before I saw it, the power of a Demon's teleportation portal opening up, my hands resting on Absolia and Excelsior I prepared for a fight, I was hoping it wouldn't come to that but if it did I was ready.

"Well this is a surprise," Mortis spoke emerging from the portal, a Demon in his grasp. "First you turn us down, and now I find out you want to join us?"

I shut down my hatred of the creature, Mortis was a stain on exitance and I wanted nothing more than to end him right here, but unfortunately I needed him alive for this to work. 

"Let's get this straight, I don't want to work with you." I paused making it look like I didn't want the next words to leave my mouth. "However, I have little choice."

"Interesting," even through his armor I could hear the smirk to his tone. "Prove your loyalty and kill this Demon." 

He threw her at my feet, currently she had her hands tied behind her back, and looked at me with abject fear.  Long strawberry blond hair framed her Coral red eyes and she had caramel skin. 

"How will that help your course Mortis?" I asked, drawing my blades so as to look like I was going to do it.

In truth I knew how but I was trying to get out of this, she was clearly here against her will and I had a rule of not killing unarmed prisoners, and she was a hostage at that. I swallowed nervously, this was already turning badly.  

"If a supposedly loyal Exorcist kills a Demon in cold blood the war will reignite." 

I hesitated for a moment, then knelt on the ground, cutting her free of her bounds and whispering in her ears. "Run."

She didn't instead she stood looking over at Mortis. "I trust my use is over?" 

It was a damned trap... and I fell right into it. I let out a frustrated growl, wishing I knew who this Demon bitch was so that I could report that. 

"Yes, thank you. Go back to the Underworld and prepare for the attack on the Game of Rite." Mortis Ordered and she obeyed.

"You caught me, I'll give you that. Seeing through my little trap with that test was a good idea." I spoke but internally cursed that I had let her go.