The Devil's Ex

Chapter Eleven - Brimstone

"Sir?"

His body stiffened at the voice of his trusted aide, but he did not turn from the view of the crimson sky. This had been his favourite view, once upon a time. Towering above the population below, he'd had his palace built on the precipice of this cliff, for this exact reason. The view of the seven circles.

Well, technically he'd had it built for her because she loved this view so much. It was a shame, really, that it had not been finished in time for her to see it. Maybe then...maybe then she wouldn't have left him?

He drew in a deep breath and set his face into a mask of distain before spinning around to face Wesley. "What news?" His voice, clipped, brisk, silenced whatever question had been on his aide's tongue.

The man, though frail as age continued its rampage through his frame, squared his shoulders and pushed down the rising panic that the devil could practically smell. "There's been no sightings, sir. No mentions."

Anger ticked in the muscle of his jawline and he narrowed his eyes at Wesley, before his eyes flickered to the sky outside. "And the intake lists?"

Wesley flipped through pages of tiny script, checking each line twice before shaking his head, "I'm afraid no. No matching names or face profiles, and all of the watch commanders reported no sightings."

The devil let out a noisy, angry breath and ground his teeth together. When he looked back at Wesley, the man flinched. After 70 years by his side, you'd think he'd be used to it. To the presence of true evil.

Yet, it was the continual fear that made the devil choose humans for his aides. He didn't want assistants that got used to him, or didn't fear him. He liked their fear. Most days.

"And her house? There were no bodies?"

Wesley's head shake was quick and violent. The devil sighed again and clasped his hands behind his back before the frail man could spot the slight tremor. No need to scare him anymore than he had done.

"Report to me again tomorrow."

Wesley's breath of relief was audible, as he bowed and nodded his head, "yes sir, of course sir, always, sir." He rushed from the room, leaving the devil on his own once more. A day of meetings lay ahead of him, meetings he wouldn't be able to focus in. Meetings he'd probably end up missing.

Once more, he stared out across the seven circles of his domain. "Where are you, little witch? Where are you?"

*

Jenny shuddered, pulling her jacket closer to her body. Her spine tingled as though someone had walked across her grave.

Fenton, did not notice. He was too busy pouring a glass of spiced plum tea into cups. With a broad smile, he handed one to Jenny and gestured for her to take a seat besides the fire. An old armchair welcomed her into its embrace. She basked in the warmth for a moment, maybe two, before she slowly opened her eyes to find Fenton watching her intently.

"It's been so long, Jennifer. I wasn't sure I'd see you again..."

Jenny nodded and took a sip of tea, cursing as it scolded her lip. "I know. I wasn't sure you would either. Trust me, I wouldn't be back if I didn't need to be."

Fenton leaned forwards in the armchair opposite hers, setting his cup onto the small table between them. All was silent for a moment, except for the crackling fire besides them. "Why are you back?" Fenton asked gently, his eyes, though normally black like most demons, turned amber in the glow of the fire.

Jennifer shifted in the seat, suddenly uncomfortable. She wasn't sure how much to share, how much to hide. "I-I'm here as a favour, to a..." How did she describe Luca? "..a friend."