Sempiternal (Devil may Cry Book 3)

Sundays

Vergil and I reclined in the hammock in his back yard. The sky was a bright blue, and there were a few fluffy white clouds here and there. We were in the shade of a large silver maple, and the breeze caused its beautiful leaves to rustle gently.

Although the brightness caused my eyes to burn, I loved to look at the beauty the world had to offer. My head rested on Vergil's shoulder, and my hand lay above his heart. I felt his heartbeat gradually slow, and soon he was emitting small snores. I enjoyed the quiet, left alone with only my thoughts, bird song, and bugs chirping in the breeze.

I thought mostly of how it would be nice to be sitting in the sun and get a little bit of a tan, but the massive headache and sunburn that would accompany would not be worth it. Instead, I lay there and looked over at Dante, who was reclined on the front step with a beer in his hand.

We had not been bothered since our meeting with Reggie. We assumed that Reggie thought us dead, and therefore we were safe. Of course, we were on edge and ready for an attack... most days. I hated to admit it, but we were starting to get lazy. I hunted more, consumed more blood bags, but that was really all we were worried about now. For once, we had a semi-normal life. No other worries. Just work, relaxation, and carefree days.

Dante stared at the driveway, no doubt waiting for Brook to arrive. I had noticed, lately, how he had perked up whenever he heard her voice. How he paid close attention when her name was mentioned. How he looked at her when she was in his presence. His crush had turned into a full blown love for the hybrid. He was twitterpated.

Of course, I had sat up during long hours of the night to hear Brook discuss her feelings for Dante. She liked him back, but neither of them seemed to have the courage to ask the other out. So Vergil and I had made a bet; Which one would ask the other out first? If Brook did first, I would get an entire day to go shopping - and I got to pull Vergil along.

If Dante asked Brook first, Vergil got one romantic date with me, where I had go along with whatever he wanted. I could not have any say in the restaurant, the food, nor the hour. I had to go along with it. Honestly, it sounded like a win-win situation to me.

I heard an engine in the distance. It was loud... well, for me. The guys didn't hear it. A smile plastered itself to my face. I could tell it was Brook's vehicle, and I couldn't wait to see Dante's reaction. I just wanted Brook to ask him already so I could have bragging rights.

It wasn't long before Brook pulled into the driveway. The sound of an approaching vehicle stirred Vergil, and he squinted to see who it was. He relaxed back, smiling down at me. I motioned with my eyes, trying to tell him to watch Dante. He got the hint.

Dante sat up, clutching his beer. He smiled at Brook, and when she started towards Vergil and I, Dante's gaze never left her face. I smiled.

"What's this? You guys been lounging here all day? And you call me lazy!"

Vergil grinned over at her, "Oh hush, half-breed. It's a Sunday. Lazy day."

Brook rolled her eyes, "You're still in your pajama pants? God Vergil, it's like you're going through your middle-age crisis already."

He quirked a brow, "Coming from someone who hasn't even brushed out her hair today."

Brook blushed, "Hey, in my defense, it fluffs majorly when I do. I combed it though. So that's a plus. You left yours hanging in your eyes. You look like a little kid."

Vergil laughed at that, untangling himself from me, and sat up. He ran his hand over the stubble on his chin and looked her right in the eyes, "And what have you done today, Miss I'm-So-Perfect-That-None-of-You-Compare?"

Brook huffed, turning on her heel and walked to her car, "Oh, I've done plenty. I have gathered information on Reggie and how he is running things now."

I watched as she pulled an envelope from her passenger seat, waving it in the air. Vergil groaned and lay back on my legs. Dante snickered and walked to the envelope, plucking it from her grasp.

"Hey!"

I watched, bemused, as the two of them fought gently for the envelope, reaching and pushing until Brook finally managed to pull it from his outstretched hand. Brook huffed playfully, pushing a strand of hair from her eyes.

"Not yet. Wait 'til we're insde."

I started on lunch when we were back in the house. I opted to make simple grilled cheese sandwiches as no one was overly hungry. I made two for each of them, joining them at the table as Vergil sifted through the contents of the package.

It was mostly just photographs of Reggie and his men, but there were some notes that Brook had written as well. I picked up one of the notes, reading some normal daily activities that were recorded in scrawled, black ink.

Brook tapped one of the pictures, "Reggie is planning a way to open the Hell Gate. He knows that the part of the lining in the gateway is broken, and he's looking for it. If we're lucky, he won't discover that Cassi holds it. If he finds that and opens the gateway... All hell will break loose. Literally."

Vergil nodded, "We're in danger of he figures this out. As long as we are cautious, we may be able to take him down before he opens it."

I fidgeted with the blue gem on my necklace. I was definitely nervous about having such a burden placed on my shoulders, but I was ready to take on the challenge. A challenge that could easily end my existance.

"What's our next move?" Dantw asked, sitting rather close to Brook, who made no effort to move away.

Vergil thought for a moment, "We go incognito. We work from the shadows, try to get inside information."

I nodded, "Although I won't allow you to keep me confined to the house, I'll be more cautious."

Vergil nodded, flipping the hair from his eyes, "Good idea. I also think it would be wise that you don't leave thehouse without Dante or I accompanying you."

I nodded. Dante agreed. Brook smiled.

Having a bodyguard wasn't too bad, I guess.

"Well, now that we have that taken care of, I need to refill my blood bag supply. And because I can't leave the house alone, which of you two males of white skin will accompany me?"

Dante scoffed, "Was that a racist joke?"

"No, that was a reference to the doctors of the bulbonic plague." Vergil sighed. "And I'll come with you, female of vampire race."

***

We walked out of the back exit of the hospital with one crate each in our hands. Vergil had a worker who also worked the blood labs, and he gave us all of the expired or close to be expired blood. It was nice and easy.

Vergil and I were just getting into his car when his phone beeped a message. He handed it to me, and I punched in the PIN to view the message.

My blood ran cold. It was a message from Reggie.

I know you have the missing piece. I want it. Hand it over, or you will die. Toodles~