Agent Pendergast sat back in his plush chair, comfortable in the surrounding darkness of his library at 891 Riverside Drive. The small fire in the hearth across from him, the only source of light as the windows were covered in thick curtains, lit his bare chest and allowed him enough light to read the manuscript in his hands. Proctor had come and gone, attempting to offer his employer breakfast. Pendergast of course declined preferring nothing more than a small glass of brandy. He closed the book as a small vibration began in his pocket. Unknown caller.

Pendergast opened his phone and placed it to his ear. "What did you find?" he said, emotionless.

There was a dry chuckle, followed by a thin and raspy voice. "Chill out. I finally got what you were looking for."

Pendergast smiled to himself. "Mime, tell me everything."

"Well it took some doing but I was able to dig up her past, or at least a good part of it."

"Then you did not find what I was looking for."

"Not entirely."

Pendergast sighed in annoyance. "Quickly now, Mime."

A keyboard was clicked before he began. "Iris Denali, age twenty-eight. When she was born her mother fell ill. She would die four years later after the birth of Endrance Denali, Iris' little brother. When her mother died the father seemed to go crazy. He took his children to a desolate wasteland and raised them there. He apparently taught them all the survival techniques they would ever need, including how to kill another. Now I know what you are thinking: how is this known if the father kept them so far from civilization? Well, the grandparents reported the children missing and a massive manhunt started. Everyone thought that the children were in extreme danger, and they were. When the father caught wind of the police closing onto his compound, he killed Endrance. Iris was able to run away, but her father hunted her down. When he caught her, he stabbed her in the chest. Apparently she was able to pull the knife from her chest and slit her father's throat. The police were able to find them from her screaming. She spent six months in a hospital in seclusion while she healed. Iris would attack anyone that came near her. Her grandparents tragically were victims of her rage. The police didn't take her to prison, rather the law allowed her to undergo therapy to reacquaint her with the world.

She showed a massive intellect and quickly was able to get a diploma at the age of fourteen. Iris was allowed to use a trust fund her grandparents had sat up early to enroll in college. She pursued a career in psychiatry and the rest you should know, right?" Mime paused, he quickly added when Pendergast did not respond. "There is one more thing. There was a police report from the night of the attack with Logan Briar."

Pendergast stirred from his thoughts. "Anything of note?"

He could hear the computer genius shift uncomfortably. "She killed him. According to the report: Logan Briar killed the two police officers escorting him before surprising Iris. He was able to restrain her. Logan carved different symbols into her arms and back. I mean you should see the aftermath pictures. Flowers, swirls, and other abstract designs were scarred into her flesh. Well somehow, she didn't elaborate to the police, Iris was able to get out of her bonds. Even though in pain and losing blood rapidly, she was able to fight Logan off. Iris knocked him out using a statue in the office. She took the same knife that he was using to carve into her flesh and she..."

Mime had stopped. Pendergast felt his annoyance returning. "She what?"

"Well she decapitated him." Mime said in almost a whisper.

Pendergast furrowed his brows, placing the manuscript on the small table beside him. "That's impossible. The shear force needed to decapitate a human would far exceed what she would have been able to do in her condition."

Mime took in a sharp breath, "I'm looking at the crime scene photos. She did it."

'Impressive. So she was trained by her father for survival and protection. She witnessed her brother's murder and in turn killed her father. Not exactly what I was expecting.' Pendergast roused himself from his thoughts. "Who was the lead officers on her cases?"

Mime clicked on his keyboard. "Agent Jack Doughter of the FBI. Do you know him? He was responsible for both her cases."

Pendergast felt a jolt of electricity run through his veins. 'Jack? So there is a connection between her and that egotistical maniac. He tried to blackmail me into this, unaware that I already agreed to help Vincent with this Reaper. She must be working for him.' Pendergast said his good-bye and hung up the phone. He sat back in his chair letting his fingers tent in front of his chest. Iris must be trying to get information on him for Jack. It was no secret that Jack Doughter was a corrupt man. Three years ago, Pendergast had no choice but to kill Jack's brother for he was attempting to bomb the Trump Tower. Jack had never let that go and it seemed instability ran in his family.

While lost in his dark thoughts his phone vibrated again in his lap. The feeling jolting him back to reality. "My dear Vincent to what to I owe the pleasure of this call?"

"There has been another one." was the gruff greeting. Pendergast could hear the sirens in the background. "I'm on my way now. It is in an alley off Broadway."

Pendergast stood fluidly, heading to his bedroom on the second floor. "I will gather my watcher and be there within an hour."

Vincent cursed as traffic refused to move. "You might want to reconsider bringing the good doctor. Apparently this one is bad."

Pendergast chuckled darkly. "Unfortunately I do not have a choice."

Vincent laughed loudly. "Maybe a few of these scenes and she'll be begging that Doughter to stop following you. Or at least just push through your 'I'm sane enough for duty' paperwork."

Pendergast finished shrugging into his black suit coat. "We can only hope."

Within seconds Pendergast was down the stairs and out the door. He slipped into the driver's seat of his 1959 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith angling the car towards the doctor's office and home. He pulled the car to the curb infront of the quaint house. He knocked on the door and waited. Nothing could be heard moving inside. Pendergast raised his hand to the door lock, he fingers seeming to glide over it as the door sprang open. He silently moved through the office, up the stairs to the apartment, and into the young woman's bedroom.

As quietly as a cat he approached her bedside. Iris was sound asleep, the blankets pooled around her shoulders. Pendergast reached a hand out to her and gently touched her shoulder. With a scream Iris grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the bed, mounting him in one fluid movement. Surprise was evident on Pendergast's face as Iris pinned him to the soft mattress. She held his two wrists in one of her hands, the other hand wrapped around his throat. Her eyes were glassed over. Pendergast stretched his neck, allowing him a small reprieve enough to talk. "Miss Iris, it is Aloysius Pendergast."

Slowly he felt her body relax and life appeared in her dark emerald eyes. She sat back onto his hips, brushing his privates. A blush crept onto her face at the feeling of him under her. It was only then that Pendergast let his eyes roam over her form. She was in a night dress, emerald green with a lace pattern overlay, the tops of her breasts exposed from the push up bra built into the dress. He felt a heat enter his cheeks, there was no denying that she was an attractive woman but he could not let himself get too comfortable with her. Especially if she indeed turned out to be Jack's spy. Iris quickly rolled off him to his great relief. His body was beginning to betray him as he felt a sudden tightness in his pants. She grabbed the emerald silk robe from the bed, slipping it onto her body. Pendergast followed her movement and for a quick second caught a glimpse of her scarred back. She looked back at him after collecting herself. Anger was evident on her face as she growled, "What are doing here?"

Pendergast stood from the bed, after gaining control over his body once again, and straightened his suit. "Where did you learn that?"

Iris crossed her arms over her ample chest. "Learn what?"

"How to flip someone over and pin them?" Pendergast wanted to test her, see if she would open up to the truth.

Iris walked to her closet to retrieve an outfit for the day. "I took a self defense class. You never answered me. You broke into my house, why?"

Pendergast moved to the door, the half truth not missed to him. "There has been another victim. Get dressed and I will meet you in the kitchen."

While waiting for Iris to finish her morning routine, Pendergast located a teapot. He boiled water and soaked the green tea leaves. He heard a throat clear behind him and turned. Iris stood in the doorway dressed in a black slim, long sleeved dress. It ended at her knees and she was wearing a set of small professional heels. She blushed softly as his eyes took her in. Running a hand through her hair, straightening a few loose strands, she accepted the offered teacup. "I didn't know what to wear so I hope this is good enough."

Pendergast smiled softly, "You look fine though I fear you will quickly become too hot. It is May after all and we will be outside for quite a while."

Iris finished her tea. "I am used to it. No need to worry about me." Pendergast led the doctor out of her office and heard her breath catch in her throat. In amazement she said, "This can't be your car?"

Pendergast opened the passenger door for her to slide in. "Why yes it is."

After he resumed his place in the driver's seat and began to drive to the crime scene, did Iris speak again. "I've always wanted to ride in one of these. So is there anything I need to know about what we are headed into?"

Pendergast did not miss the sound of apprehension in her voice. "The Reaper has a tendency for the theatricals. He tends to select a pattern and stick with it until that theme is exhausted before selecting a new one."

"Yeah I heard about the children stories victims. I will have to say, I'm a fan of his creativity." Iris ran her hands over the smooth dashboard, taking in the richness of the vehicle.

Pendergast pulled up to the line of increasing emergency vehicles. He watched as Iris looked around, grasping the door handle. He reached out and held onto her arm, noticing the twitch of her face and slight attempt to withdrawal from his touch. "Miss Iris, you should be prepared for anything before you step from this vehicle."

Iris stared into his eyes and he felt the excitement radiating from her, apprehension gone completely. "I'm ready. Remember I have to keep an eye on you. Nothing you say will stop me from doing my job, I can't quit now."

Pendergast narrowed his eyes as he watched her exit the vehicle. The determination of her resolve lingered in his mind. 'There is something she is hiding, a reason she has no choice but to do what Jack has required of her.' He pulled an ID badge from the glove compartment and handed it to her as he joined her outside the car. "This will show that you are a liaison for the Bureau. Never remove it so long as you are with me on a case.

Pendergast showed his badge to the officer at the blockade. They were ushered in and he spotted the Italian. Vincent looked ragged, tired. He grasped Pendergast's hand and sighed. "This one is rough. Maybe you can tell the new theme."

Pendergast led the small party to the victim. An audible gasp issued from the woman at his side. He glanced over to her. Iris had her eyes locked onto the victim, trembling slightly. Pendergast returned his silver eyes to the body in the alley. The woman was young, about the age of the doctor with him. She was sitting with her back to the wall, her legs drawn up to her sides to expose her nether regions. White flowers were stuffed into her womanly parts, sticking out as if in a vase. Burned brands covered the woman's legs. Her hands cupped her breasts and her head was thrown back as if in the throws of climax. A single word was carved into her chest and Pendergast whispered it softly, "Voluptatem."

Vincent stood beside the silent doctor as Pendergast stooped over the woman. "Do you know what it means?" he simply asked.

Pendergast produced a few vials and tweezers from hidden pockets of his jacket. He collected seemingly invisible evidence. "It is Latin for Lust. Anything on the identity of our female?"

Vincent withdrew a small notebook from his uniform. "Erica Green, age twenty-seven. She is known to the cops around here, a frequent flier in the local jail. A prostitute but not known for any other illegal activity. Green was reported missing about thirty days ago by her roommate."

Pendergast crouched down, inspecting the flowers in the woman's private area. "These were very carefully placed, lovingly almost." Pendergast slipped on a glove as he traced one of the brands on her inner thigh. "This is the symbol for a male."

"Yeah." Vincent shifted uncomfortably as he watched Pendergast in between the victim's legs. "So why the flowers?"

They both turned in surprised as a quiet voice sounded beside the officer. "White lilies represent innocent and purity. Namely the purity of the virgin mother. The male symbols must represent all of the lustful acts she has committed with Johns. His theme appears to be biblical."

Pendergast stared into Iris' eyes. After a few moments she took her gaze from the corpse and stared back at him. "The seven deadly sins."

Iris nodded. Vincent was writing down this new information. "So you are telling me he is planning six more of these gruesome scenes."

Iris continued to stare into Pendergast's silver eyes. "To start with. He will not stop until he is captured. The boldness of leaving his victims out like this shows me that he likes what he does. He likes showing off his...artwork." She looked away and approached the body. She knelt beside Pendergast, letting her eyes take in the victim.

"What are you thinking, Doctor Denali?" Pendergast asked, stepping away from the body.

He watched as she slipped her fingers over the woman's eyes, closing them for good. "He has a medical background. The Latin and general cleanliness of the wounds show that. I think he was trying to save this girl."

"Save her?" Pendergast questioned.

Iris nodded. "From sin. Fire purifies all and the lilies are to bring her back to innocence." Iris turned her gaze to the wall behind the corpse, leaning closer. "There is something on her back. Can we move her?"

Vincent motioned for the awaiting medical team to come. They laid her body down on a tarp and he felt himself choke back his breakfast. "Holy hell."

Green's back was partially missing. A portion of her lower back was flayed off. A simple sentenced carved into the flesh above. "And now she is free." Iris read. She stood and backed away, standing next to Pendergast. "It appears he removed something from her back."

Pendergast nodded. "It seems he likes to keep trophies."

"What kind of trophies?"

"He will remove the canine teeth and any tattoos from the victims body while they are still alive. He will then torture them. You would be correct in assuming he is of a medical background. It seems he can keep them alive while he conducts his, torturing. He kills his victims all the same though, no matter his methods while they are alive."

Iris looked over at the tall agent. "Which is?"

"He drains them of all blood. Harvesting it from the victims." Pendergast motioned for Iris to follow him, returning to his car.

"Drains them? What does he do with all that he takes?"

Pendergast slipped into the car with her. "We are not sure yet." Pendergast began to angle the car into traffic. He glanced at his watch and smiled. "Are you hungry my dear?"

Iris laughed softly. "You can eat after all that? I'm surprised."

Pendergast softly chucked as he pulled up at a small restaurant. The five star atmosphere would do nicely to unwind. "You will get used to it, trust me." Pendergast turned the car off while thinking 'Though I am sure you are not entirely uncomfortable with all that you have seen.'

Pendergast quickly came to the passenger side, opening the door for Iris. She laughed softly. "Such a gentleman. I get the feeling you are only trying to butter me up. You aren't trying to persuade me to release you from my care already?"

Pendergast smirked as he led them inside and then sat at the table. "Not at all Miss Iris. I was simply raised in the deep south where manners are still in abundance."

They ate in silence. Pendergast watched his dining partner quietly, amused at how she seemed to radiate confidence yet stood out from the other upscale diners. While she had the look and appeal of an aristocrat, her eyes harbored an invitation to something more. Fierce and unwavering courage, something that the rich upper class seemed to lack. Something that she lacked upon their first meeting. He couldn't help but notice that she seemed to be coming back to life with the recent events of the day. After their lunch, Pendergast leaned against his vehicle, waiting for her to return from the restroom.

She stepped out into the dusky light. She smiled warmly at him. "You do realize this the first I have been in public like this in a year."

Pendergast smirked again, running a hand through his platinum blonde hair. "I am honored to have been the one to take you out. Now shall I take you home Dr. Denali?"

"Iris. Please call me Iris." She smiled at him and looked up to the dusky sky. A small and pleasant breeze blew through the air, causing her long ebony hair to dance with it. Pendergast caught the sent of honeysuckle and vanilla drift from the woman.

"Iris, then. Would you like me to take you home now?" he repeated his question, gesturing to his vehicle.

She smiled warmly at him. "Actually I was considering walking home since we aren't that far. The evening is young and it is about time I enjoy life again."

Pendergast bowed slightly and extended a slip of paper to her. "This is my private mobile phone. Do call me at anytime if you need something or if you have anything to add about the case."

Iris took the paper and slipped it into her shoulder bag. "Aw, I can't call you just to talk?"

Pendergast extended his hand. "A gentleman never ignores the call of a lady."

Iris hesitantly placed her hand in his, an act not lost on the special agent. He raised her hand to his lips, brushing the soft skin of the back of her hand against them before dropping her hand. They said their good byes and Pendergast left the young woman.

Iris smiled as she walked down the street, reflecting on this morning's unfortunate set of events. 'I can't believe I did not hear him enter my room. He surprised me and I just acted instinctively. I never intended to give him a cause to suspect my...abilities. The last thing I need is him finding out about...that.' She felt a heat rise in her cheeks. 'I was so close to him this morning. No doubt he is a handsome, older man but...' Iris stopped in her tracks as she was pulled from her thoughts.

The night was falling and the civilians around her where turning to the warm of the indoors. A small form in an alley to her right caught her attention. A child was frozen in place, looking down the dark alley. Iris turned to approach the boy, not wanting to leave a child alone in this city. "Hello, are you lost?"

The boy did nothing to acknowledge that he had heard her. Iris knelt beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He still did not look to her. Iris lifted her head and followed his eyes. Something was at the end of the alley working diligently on something underneath it. Iris felt her blood run cold at the familiar sounds of flesh tearing. The boy at her side gave a soft cry and the thing at the end of the alley turned to the pair. Iris would never get this image from her mind. A great demon rose from the corpse at its feet and turned its body completely to face her. He was dressed, head to toe, in what appeared to be a wolf skin. The Grey fur covered any semblance of the human underneath it, the fur only stopping when it reached the head. The head was covered from the nose up, the color of blood. The eyes were in shadow from the mask, hiding the orbs beneath it. There were great horns coming from the forehead as if the devil himself was standing before the woman and child. The mouth twisted grotesquely into a frown, the lips covered in the thick red of blood.

Iris grabbed the boy's hand and turned to run. She could hear the beast behind them closing in, his footfalls heavy on the pavement. Iris scooped the boy into her arms so she could run faster. She was unarmed, foolishly believing that she would be with Pendergast for the day. She never thought an innocent stroll home would turn into this, a mistake that would surely haunt her.