“I was damned by your mother a long time ago.”
I sigh. I don't fully understand all the dynamics of things that happened before my conception, of course, but it’s not really that complicated.
“You know what the worst thing about this is? That you didn't learn anything from anything. You just got angry, and stupid, and more toxic than ever.”
“Revenge is a dish best served cold. Those who cannot hold onto their anger are weak. I held onto my anger. I knew my time for vengeance would come. I knew…”
“CRAIG!” Someone shouts his name from the outside.
“Yes?"
“Fresh bananas coming in soon.”
“I'll be ready.”
Who is he talking to? I wish I could see more of the room, but it is just generally beige. I can see an old countertop with a jug on it and a small collection of mismatched mugs. With those clues, I could be almost anywhere in England. But judging by the sound of cash registers and specials being announced over a nearby speaker, I am guessing I am in the back of a supermarket. Maybe an old janitorial office. Probably Craig’s tedious lair.
Bryn
We had to let him go. We had to let him walk right the fuck out of the abbey, because if we didn’t, he said Nina would die. I had to believe that, because being wrong would be completely unacceptable.
“He knows all our tricks. He knows all our means. And he knows all our methods.”
I have once again assembled the Brotherhood, and ensured that they are, in fact, actually the Brotherhood. I am cursing myself for letting my guard down. We have all gotten lazy. Even with the demon attack the other month, we haven’t become any more alert. We hyper-focused on the possibility that we would be assailed by demons and dismissed Craig entirely.
I dared imagine that marriage would be the end of the chaos. Nina would be settled. I would be settled. Happiness would ensue. All would be well. Platitude on top of platitude, all of which turned out to be absolute bullshit.
"Should have killed him when he dared show his face in the garden,” I growl. “It was only fear of destroying another member of her family that stopped me.”
"We have to take stock of his resources,” Steven suggests. "What does he have? What does he not have?”
"I've seen him at the supermarket. He works in the produce section,” Mrs Crocombe says. Yes, she has been summoned too. All hands are on deck now, and service demons can be immensely useful. “He stacks the avocado poorly.”
“Not the insight I was hoping for, but thank you, Mrs Crocombe.”
Unfortunately, there is not much else in the way of inspiration coming from my little cabal. We have been surprised in many ways. An attacking army would have been easier to deal with. We have many weapons. We were unprepared for a softer, more mundane incursion.
“Wait. I have an idea…”
I begin to explain myself, and as I do, I see expressions of outright reservation begin to change into expressions of absolute disapproval and then, disgust. I am revealing myself in this plan, and myself is a vicious, depraved, and vengeful creature. I am prepared to do anything to get Nina back. I will break every vow, I will destroy every person who stands in my way, and I will not allow any petty rules to stop me.
“All of you who will not be a part of this are free to depart. Go in peace, but go. We cannot afford distractions in the pursuit of my bride.”
“Bryn, you have forgotten your vows,” Cosmos says. He has an ice pack and a bruised pride. He wasn’t out the door before, but he will be now. “We’re demon hunters. To bring one through from the depths of Hell is to invite a chaos and a…”
“Alright. Bye now,” I wave. They asked to be here. They claimed to want to find and serve the vessel of the angel blood. But they are not truly prepared to sacrifice themselves. They balk at the breaking of their principles. Their little rules matter more than the woman who contains the essence they vowed to serve.
An hour later…
“Still here, Thor? Steven? Elvin?”
I am left with a quarter of the original Brotherhood. Outside the abbey, a long line of taxi cabs is ferrying the rest back to their homes. I could be angry that their dedication was ultimately hollow, but I cannot forget that it has been a very long time since most of the Brotherhood was tested in their resolve. We have been weakened by a lack of opposition, and most of us have become little more than priests who enjoy a little sword play from time to time.
"We're here,” Thor says. “For better or…” he trails off, realizing he’s quoting wedding vows, which are clearly a sensitive subject.