Dealings With Demons

The Club was typically quiet during the daylight hours of the week. There was a boring silence that laced the place, making it look empty and closed. It was absent of the activity that brought on the liveliness of the night and the chairs that rounded the tables about the dance floor were resting atop their surfaces.

The bar was still open, but only two Half-Breeds and an occultist lingered there talking quietly amongst themselves. Midnite was gone - perhaps doing business somewhere - and the Bartender was a different one who worked the dayshift; and Ellie was stuck sweeping the floors.

There was one table beside her where a chair had been taken off of it and a deck of cards had been abandoned beside a half empty wine glass on the surface. Ellie sighed with much annoyance at this, resenting her job and cursing Balthazar for making her beg for it; but before her hands could retrieve the wine glass, a cold gust rushed past her, blowing the cards all over the floor and scattering them about her feet.

"DAMN!" she hissed. "What the hell was that?"

As she bent forward, another queer thing happened; a hot breath began to speak words tainted in a British accent into her ear - the cold presence sent a swift shiver throughout the room. It spoke to her with cool confidence, but there was something in those male vocals that revealed a nerve-racking insecurity.

"Ellie," he spoke, "Ellie I need to see you outside."

"Balthazar," But as she turned around to peer at him, she saw that he was nowhere, yet he was there - she could feel his cold hands pricking her upper arm like little needle tips. "Bal-"

"Just meet me outside. Keep walking westward. You'll see me."

"But I-"

"Now."

That cold gulf of wind rushed on past her towards the exit. The Bouncer jumped slightly and looked around with a minor form of suspicion before returning to the playing with his cell phone, which he deemed more amusing than the lingering upon a suspicious occurrence.

Ellie found herself bound by trepidation, feeling both compelled to finish her work and do as Balthazar ordered her to do all the while. Her tired eyes looked towards the bar and after seeing as how no one paid any mind to her she inhaled and leaned the broom against one of the columns of shiny glass tiles before making her way out the exit herself.

The road was rather quiet outside, being a small one as it was. There were a few cars parked lining the sidewalks and a homeless man zoomed by slowly on his bike - his eyes flaming green.

Ellie began to walk onward just as Balthazar had told her and not long after he came merging out from a small corner road, finding his place at her side in an instant - he was once again visible and whole.

"What's the scoop?" she asked, unpleased.

"I'll tell you what." he hissed. "The Dodson woman is going to be taking you down to the L.A.P.D. to interrogate you about the murder in Ravenscar. She'll be coming down to the Club soon."

"What? How do you know this?" she asked as they walked onward.

"I was at the Bowling Alley last night." he said, straightening his tie nervously and looking at the road ahead. "I was sitting there in the lobby, keeping my eyes open and waiting for Constantine to show up. Instead, I caught glimpse of the Dodson twin trailing up to his flat. I waited patiently, and when he came at last I followed. I managed to hear the two of them carrying on in conversation while standing beside his door. He told her all about his little intervention with you in Midnite's office, saying he didn't get far. And now she wants to take you in for questioning herself."

"So what do I do?" Ellie asked, trying to disguise the shakiness in her voice. "I've never been interrogated by a cop."

"You'll play along with her the same way you did with Johnny Boy."

"Come on Bal, it's so much easier with John. All I have to do with him is dress like a tramp, distract him a bit, but her…"

"It'll be easy with her as well."

"She's a cop. She's a pro-fes-sional." Ellie retorted slowly.

"And you're a professional at deceiving." Balthazar reminded her.

"I may disappoint you." she said with an honest spitefulness.

"If you do Ellie, I may have to punish you…and I would hate to be forced to punish such a," he licked his lips, gliding his finger against her cheek, "beautiful little serpent."

Ellie trembled at his touch. It felt frightfully warm against her face, but she pulled away abruptly, not wanting to give him the pleasure of thinking that she found him a comfort to be around.

"Why can't I just forget this stupid job you've assigned me to take and go home? I'll get much further just spying on them…if spying is what you want."

"That's my job." Balthazar spat the words in her ear.

"Then what's mine, huh? Because you haven't really cleared that up with me yet."

"You know, Ellie. You know."

"I don't know!" she snarled at him like an angry wolverine, stopping in her tracks and ending their little stroll. "Why do I have to be kept in the dark? What the hell are you trying to achieve here, huh?"

"Ellie," Balthazar began to rekindle his more sympathetic tone with her, brushing one of the loose strands of her brown hair away from her lovely face, "I can't afford to risk your safety, your vulnerability."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" she demanded, keeping her voice low.

Balthazar's flaming eyes rendered the street way, ensuring that no prying eyes or listening ears could hear or see them. He went on,

"I know how very clever you are, but if I were to put you in my place right now, I could very well be risking your freedom in this world. It's a great burden, Ellie, and to put such a burden upon you right now could be overwhelming. To lead you around is safer for your part. Please try to understand. John already suspects you. If he catches you by yourself, you may be deported."

"Are you trying to sweet-talk me into shutting up?"

"Of course not." he said. He leant forward then, pulling all of her hair back away from her ear as he whispered into it, "Ellie, I need you to trust me. I have big plans for you, they just haven't been," he paused demurely, "completely revealed yet. Stay here and play the fools like you've beendoing. The less they know, the further we'll get…you and I." As he pulled away, he gave her a grin of vengeance.

"Constantine can't deport me. If he did, he'd be tipping the balance. That's breaking the rules." she argued.

"Not necessarily with you, Ellie. Aren't you forgetting that he still owes you a demise? You turned on him and he let you live. If he kills you, he'll just be finishing a job he's forgotten."

"Very well then." she said, her lips tipping upward in approval.

"Good. And just remember; if it gets too hot in there, you have the right to walk out. They can't do anything about it without evidence that points to you personally." he told her as he bestowed a brief kiss upon her forehead.

It stung her skin, that kiss of his, and it sent a shockwave of fear throughout her veins; yet somehow she rather liked it. He plunged back into the alley then and left her alone.

Ellie was mindful in all that they had spoke in words between each other, not to mention these strange feelings he had left her to dwell on. She despised him terribly and resented him bitterly, but now all that rage was fading into some other emotion she couldn't quite name.

She absentmindedly stroked her hair behind her ears again, still thinking of him. He was alluring, attractive - anything you could concoct with a fantasy born from a female mind - yet to stand next to him would send a chill to your heart, making it sweat and beat rapidly as if you stood beside a beast - and to stand by Balthazar wasto stand beside a monster. That was what he was; or was it? Ellie was beginning to challenge her own perspective of him.

†††

Balthazar stepped briskly down the backstreet where charity cases dwelled and where children looked upon him with startled faces. His presence was malice, an agonizing domination that lurked seemingly in every shadow that cornered Constantine's world. And yet, despite his demonic qualities, he could be so charming, and to the typical mortal eye he could so easily come off as a dream - even Ellie (a Half-Breed herself) was becoming drowned in this.

Balthazar thought everyone and everything around him a futile, meaningless existence. Any creature who ever loved or cared for another would never comprehend the mind and emotional feelings of this Demon. He was cold and ruthless, taking any life that stood between him and whatever goal - just like he took Beeman's life.

Turning a corner and shadowing his way down a long road of silence, he was eventually greeted by a crowded downtown street way where cars were jam-packed and where citizens clamored about the sidewalks, talking on their cells and just going about their daily routines in general. To see this brought a sneering frown upon Balthazar's face.

They're like ants, he thought, like filthy, annoying little ants that sting you in the sides. How pathetic, these children of God as they so egotistically think themselves to be. None of them are worth anything, save being more for the Scavengers to feast upon in Hell for all eternity…which is where their damned souls belong.

When the light looming over the street flickered into red, the cars halted and the civilians passed through the street to the other side - Balthazar blending in along with them. He had somewhere to be and once his feet reached the other side, he began to pace quickly, striding along in great steps and stopping for no one.

"Would you like to buy some flowers?" a friendly Mexican woman kept asking each passerby. When Balthazar passed her, she asked once more, "Would you like to buy some flowers?" But once the Half-Breed was some feet down from where she stood beside her brightly colored flower cart, she became hysterical and disarrayed at the sight of every plant wilting so quickly without any substantial scientific reason. Other people who had taken notice of the drooping, shriveling plants became concerned also.

At the end of a couple of blocks, Balthazar boomed through the sliding doors of a rather modernistic skyscraper where the atmosphere was clean and the air was breathed comfortably through his nose. As he stood in the grand lobby where a chandelier of glistening crystal hung over the room's center, he could hear the echoing steps of high heeled shoes clamping towards him against the marble floor.

He stood staring in provocative fascination at the sight of an attractive Half-Breed female clad in a business suit with a clipboard held firm against her side. She was at least as beautiful as Ellie with her big eyes decorated by the square black rimmed spectacles she wore, and her blond hair pinned up in a tight bun. Her lips were painted with fresh blood.

"They're waiting for you in the meeting room." she said to him, her voice demurely seductive.

"Thank you." Balthazar spoke to her in the same seductive volume, smelling the sweet scent of perfume as he brushed past the Demoness.

"You've been absent for some time." she added. "It's good to have you back, sir."

Balthazar grinned deviously her way, knowing that her voice was tainted by knowledge that they all kept secret amongst themselves.

He stepped quite gracefully into the elevator, pressing the buttons that would take him to the fifteenth floor - the same conference room where John had deported him to begin with - and he would soon be speaking in business terms with two gentlemen he had been anticipating on meeting with.

As the elevator began to move upward, Balthazar clutched his knuckles, glancing them solemnly as he thought, subconsciously missing the pleasant calming that the rolling of his coin often brought - he had lost it during the murder of poor Beeman.

It was nice to have all that he had. Lucifer looked out for his own quite well, one might state - and that fact was true. Here Balthazar was; a successful C.E.O. of a company - using this as a sheet to cloak himself with in an attempt to hide what he really was; a servant of Hell.

Now, standing firm before the large doors that closed the conference room off from the corridor, he could faintly feel the pulse of a human being's heart beating fairly rapidly in the form of one who was drenched in anxiety. And after opening the door, his cold eyes cast upon a man (not even half as well dressed as he) sitting partially sideways upon a chair and drumming his fingers atop the surface of the long table.

Everything here was clean and in its place, and the damages caused by Constantine had been cleaned up quite a good while back.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting." Balthazar said, rounding the table and finding his place near the far back wall, his hands folded behind his back.

"It's fine, it's fine." said the weary gentleman. He was a tall fellow, slim yet thick in build. He was wearing a leather jacket and tattered jeans and his middle-aged face was accented by unruly stubble. His dark brown hair was short with a slight curl at the tips, and in the light of the room one could easily see the thin layers of grey that gave him age.

"Tell me Elijah, where is your friend Walter? I was told that two gentlemen were waiting for me, not one."

"He went to the restroom. Said he'd be back in a minute." Elijah said gruffly. Every reply he gave sounded like a gangster trying to cover up for himself - but he couldn't help it.

"Then we'll wait silently until he returns."

"Fine by me."

"I'm not seeking your approval." Balthazar sneered.

Elijah Varner was a man who ran a small Occult clan, he was the head honcho second to Walter who was by far the decision maker and a legend in the practices of the Dark Arts. Neither of the men were Half-Breeds but rather mere human beings, human beings who were mixed up in the involvements of such Demons as Balthazar himself. Elijah was typically strange in behavior, but it was all due to his constant running from the law. He had foolishly slipped up many times, losing his guard and letting things slip out to the wrong people who often ran their mouths to the ones who were after him for his dealings with the Occult - the Law. As for Walter, he was more quiet, more stealth in the places he dwelled in and he watched his back carefully, never slipping up once - he was a professional. The two of them were quite close in business relations with Balthazar who only called on them in dire times - one reason behind Elijah's current restlessness.

The doors flung open and a tall blond man stepped in, his body clad in a fine button up shirt - the sleeves rolled up on his arms - with leather dress shoes and casual slacks. He stepped in confident strides, nodding once at Elijah before taking his seat at the table. Once he was in his place, Balthazar eagerly took his own seat at the head of them.

"I apologize for keeping the two of yas' waiting." said Walter. His voice was deep and his accent raw and highlighted with the obvious origin of a Northerner.

"No need." said Balthazar with a calm sigh. "I've only just arrived myself."

"I thought that you might like to have this back." said Elijah who pulled an ancient relic from the boundaries from his pocket - the coin of the realm. As he tossed the coin, Balthazar caught it with a swift hand, eyeing it with a pleasant satisfaction as he opened his palm. "I've been keeping it for you."

"And I thank you." said the Half-Breed. The two wandering eyes of Elijah watched with an almost transfixed state as Balthazar began rolling the coin upon his knuckles. "Let's begin our discussion, shall we?"

"That's what we came for." said Walter. Balthazar shot him a cold glance beneath his arched brows, but it was brief.

"Maybe we should begin where you tell us how and why you're back on the Plane." suggested Elijah.

"And that is just what I plan to do." Balthazar grinned devilishly. "It all began with a promise, a promise to the Prince of Hell that I would personally see that he reclaims Constantine's soul, granted that I return to this world. Obviously, I managed to get Lucifer to agree to that and now through me his power is working. I am restored not just fully to what I once was, but rather anew."

Walter and Elijah listened attentively as he went on.

"Whilst returning me to Earth he sent along a small arrangement of Scavengers. One of them has already informed me on the return of Angela Dodson, the twin of Isabel - you know the one. Lucifer has also requested that I gather the soul of her as well, taking into consideration that he has no way of gaining claim over the dead twin since she is now free in Heaven. I've already got one assistant working alongside me - Ellie, Constantine's old flame. I'm not letting her in on all of my plans, because to be honest, I don't trust that she is capable of carrying them out successfully on her own; that is one reason why I've called on the two of you - both of you drabble in the same things as Constantine himself has drabbled in - and I'm allowing you the roles of spies you might say. Lucifer has agreed himself."

"One question," Walter began, leaning himself against the chair leisurely with his eyes closed and his palm extended towards Balthazar, "if yas' don't trust this Ellie, then why bother with her in the first place?"

"Because she is still handy." Balthazar replied, vainly gliding his hand over his slick hair. "Even if I have to guide her around on a leash - I'll be the one to worry about that. She knows how to get onto Constantine's weak side when she wants to."

"I see." Walter smirked. "Well then, I guess it's only reasonable to do such. Hell dweller or not, anyone who's ever been involved with Constantine should never be trusted entirely."

As he said this, his eyes aimed away from Balthazar and he appeared to take better pleasure in looking upon the surface of the table - he looked almost fidgety. Balthazar mused in a very brief bout of suspicion at this, but brushed it off quickly - he wasn't easy to trust humans.

"So how do we do it, Balthazar?" Elijah asked.

The Demon leaned back in the comfort of his chair, crossing his legs and raising his brows, the leather squeaking beneath him.

"How are we supposed to damn these souls to Hell?" Elijah went on.

"I'll tell you." Balthazar had a cocky grin that spoke volumes for itself. He had something up his sleeve; a devious card no doubt. "The Boss has recently informed me of a Solar Eclipse that will unfold in approximately seven nights. There will be an alignment of the Earth, Moon, Mars and its two moons. It will be the only night available to transport any soul we wish to Hell - provided we succeed - but we'll need to perform a ritual; and you know which one I speak of."

"We sure do!" Elijah grinned pleasurably at this.

"Now, there is a lot to be done for all three of us. The Scavengers, what few accompanied me, are flooding the city and I am waiting for news prior to any gathered information that may have slipped past me from one of them. I cannot follow Constantine and the Dodson woman everywhere myself."

"What do you need us to do?" Walter requested with sensible firmness.

"I need you to make sure that Constantine has a bad week whilst Elijah gathers," Balthazar paused, his face was almost emotionless, save the steely glare in his devious eyes that aimed at the sight of Elijah, "the most renowned occultist group on this side of the world."

The two men exchanged glares as if coming to some silent agreement amongst themselves. When they glanced back upon the sight of their Half-Breed leader they nodded and Walter said quite straight to the point,

"Consider it done."

Balthazar's grin couldn't say enough about the malicious appeasement that was flaming pleasantly within him. He watched quietly as the two men paced steadily out of the conference room and once the two of them were gone, he trailed from his seat towards a glass mirror mounted on one far end of the room - a new one installed for his own use - but it wasn't to admire his reflection, it was rather to look into the eyes of Hell and to send the message to the Boss.

The sight became quite vivid. His reflection seemed to disperse with flame as a new image appeared. There he could see Lucifer perched arrogantly upon his thrown with four female Succubus seductively submitted about his feet - his wives. They were all about as human-looking as he presented himself, but their backs boasted black wings, almost like that of a Bat, and their eyes were completely red and their mouths full of fangs.

The scowling sneer expressed upon Lucifer made it quite clear that he was expecting Balthazar's report.

"So?" he hissed, partly frowning and partly smiling.

"I've spoken with Elijah and Walter. They're carrying out the plan; at your wish my Lord."

"Walter…" Lucifer spoke the name with bitter disgust as he reached for some morsel that awaited his hand on an iron plate. "I would not be too quick to put all of my trust in this one. He may have sold his soul to me years ago, but he is not who he claims to be by name."

"I understand, my Lord."

"And what of Ellie? When do you plan on making better use of her, Balthazar?"

"Do not worry. The Dodson twin will be coming to take her into headquarters. I will give Ellie her assignment afterwards."

"Oh I'm not worried Balthazar, but you should be. Remember our little deal. You succeed and I'll reward you generously. But if you fail, I will wipe you clean out of existence."

"I have not forgotten."

"And you'd better just remember." Lucifer said, licking his lips. "Seven nights, Balthazar. Seven nights. No screwing around." And the image faded into black and Balthazar's nervous reflection reappeared in a smog of a swirl in the mirror.

He gave in to a deep inhalation of air that was slowly released through his nostrils. He was full of ambition to carry out the task, but there was still that slight tugging feeling that was questioning his abilities. He couldn't afford to lose. If he made one little mistake, one little fault in the plan, he would be ended for good. Lucifer was a Fallen Angel of his word; and trusting Ellie had not been an easy task for Balthazar. Suggesting her in accompanying him had been a last resort more than anything. If she failed, he would be the one feeling the sharp end of the blade.

To Be Continued.