Suburban Vampire: Redemption, Book II: Leviathan

Chapter 28

Bobby Starr and Jack stood together in Starr's luxurious office, watching the large-screen television. Jack had made Starr aware of a certain bit of local news that Starr most definitely was not happy about. It was then that Robert Malheur entered the office, still exultant over his latest conquest.

Bobby Starr did not need to turn around to know who it was that had entered his sanctum. "Ah, Malheur," he said. "You've been busy."

"Yes, I have, my lord," Malheur said as he headed over to join Starr and Jack in front of the TV screen. "I most certainly have. I have great news!"

"I think we beat you there, Bob," Jack said.

"Yes," Starr agreed, "Jack was most kind to draw my attention to the afternoon news. It appears that a Professor at Simeon College was found dead in her office. The authorities are not commenting on whether or not the death was suspicious."

"Oh, it was not suspicious at all," Malheur chortled, "I killed the whore."

Without warning, Starr turned around and struck Malheur in the face. He stumbled then fell on his back. "You fucking idiot! You went and slew Jardine without my permission, without even asking for my opinion on the matter? You fool! Do you know what this means, Malheur?"

Malheur tried to back away from the advancing demon god. "B—but, my liege! Jardine had taken substantial steps toward arming herself against you! I thought it would be most prudent to act sooner than later!"

"You thought it prudent? No, Malheur, you didn't think, not at all. Now I can see why my brother took great umbrage at your attempt to bring about the end of days! It was both clumsy and stupid. You are clumsy and stupid!"

"Please, my lord, be reasonable!"

"Reasonable? You showed our hand to Malek and the Redeemed One, not to mention my brother. Oh, unless you took action against Dr. Campbell. Did you take any kind of action against Dr. Campbell?"

"Uh, well, maybe a little action..."

"Please. Do go on."

"I left him a message of warning."

"You what? You left a message of warning? This just keeps getting better. What sort of message of warning?"

"Well, I trashed his office."

"Oh, you trashed his office. That's quite frightening."

"It's not as easy as you think it was! Campbell's office is warded against demons. I was able to enter, but I was weakened, so I did it the old-fashioned way, by actually picking things up and throwing them about."

"How awful! You had to vandalize his office manually. What, are you a pre-teen who is angry at teacher for giving him a D minus?"

"And then I wrote something on his door."

"Oh, and the hits keep coming. What did you write on his door? Please tell me that it was something juvenile, like a dick picture. Was it a dick picture?"

"It said 'you're next'."

"Oh, that's just convenient. You're letting your greatest enemy know that you're around. Very thoughtful of you."

"Please, do not demean me further. I merely thought I would—"

"You merely thought of yourself and your desires above mine. That is what you thought; your petty desire for personal revenge is more important to you than I am. Did I not promise you revenge, Malheur? Did I not promise you all that which you desired? And this is how you repay me? With incompetence?"