Devil at the Vatican (BL)

Chapter 31

Jonah made it quite a far way before Marcel managed to catch up to him. In the darkness of night, with sheets of rain muddling his view, the priest caught sight of Jonah approaching a bluff higher up the mountain. He called out for Elio, but knew it was futile, so he quickened his pace as much as the elements would allow. 

There was a steep slope with now wet gravel and mud that led to the bluff, which overlooked a rather angry riptide and sharp rocks. Marcel climbed up the slope on his hands and knees, tearing through his trousers and scratching some of the flesh from his palm in the endeavor. 

Once he made it to the top of the bluff, he breathlessly went after Jonah, who now stood at the very edge. From here, Marcel could see the roaring ocean and other cliffside towns in the far distance. Trees growing from the cliff ledges danced in the wind, bending in ways they should not.

"What do you plan to do demon?" Marcel asked the vile creature that possessed Elio. The priest was in a terribly weakened state after performing the rain and holy water miracle earlier. It was surprising that he could still stand.

"I like this boy very much, Marcellinus. What do you think I will do?"

"Surely you will not throw yourself into the sea. You are evil, but not mad."

Jonah turned around to face him. Marcel winced at the sight of those blackened eyes. Even his lips were black, with dark veins stretching across his cheeks and chin. Elio's handsome, sweet face, which was always so easy to read, had been corrupted by a wicked mask.

"You failed this boy. You let that creature on the ship defile him. And now you will let your Vatican superiors tear his soul apart to get rid of me."

"Then leave his body. Flee back to Hell where you belong!"

"We are too entangled for that now. I am close to a full awakening. But I would rather toss this boy into the ocean for the rocks to rip his body apart than to let your priests do worse."

"I supposed you have become altruistic now?" 

Marcel and Jonah both laughed. They laughed heartily and long, with Jonah holding his sides and Marcel leaning forward. Then there was silence. 

Jonah took a step back, closer to the edge of the bluff, and Marcel leapt a step forward. He shouted at the demon to stop. The priest reached a hand forward, as though he could reach him in the great distance between them. If Jonah fell, there would be nothing Marcel could do but watch. 

"Speak you demands, devil!" Marcel shouted. When he blinked, he could imagine Elio's body bursting in the water below, being snatched around the rocks until his limbs tore apart. Marcel's knees quaked with unsteadiness. 

"Form a pact with me, Marcellinus."

Marcel turned his head away, but his gaze forced itself back to Jonah. He couldn't stop looking at Elio's corrupted face and those oil-black eyes which were normally a beautiful hazel shade. Elio's gaze held flecks of dark gold and copper with a soft splash of forest green.

"That is one thing I cannot do," Marcel said, trying his hardest to keep his voice from faltering. He needed time to think, but the demon wasn't giving him that.

Another step back brought Jonah's heels barely over the edge of the cliff. Any more movement would send him plummeting. Startled, Marcel jumped forward again, but it was still not enough to close the gap.

"Do not for a moment believe I am bluffing, priest. I have known death. What awaits me at the bottom of the sea is far better than what awaits me at your pope's doorstep. Until I awaken, I cannot best you. So this is the choice I give you. Form a pact with me, or I will make Elio my eternal companion in Hell."