Chapter 17
"Put these on," Valentino ordered, throwing Charlie and Vaggie a pair of robes. "We're leaving."
"Why?" Charlie asked.
"Don't ask stupid questions. Just put them on so we can go."
Charlie and Vaggie did as he commanded and put the robes on. They followed the demon lord and his minions as they went up the building to the roof, where a helicopter was revving up it's rotors.
"Pilot!" Valentino yelled over the rotors and the rain. "Take us to the safehouse on the East Side!"
"Rodger that, sir!" the pilot responded, pulling the helicopter up slowly as the hurricane tried to sway it around.
Behind the helicopter, a Shadow loomed over the entire building. Vaggie could scarcely make out the form of a cobra, but she couldn't be sure.
Two red eyes glowed through the clouds. The creature in the rain moved forward to snatch up the helicopter, but the pilot saw it coming and lurched the chopper forward, narrowly avoiding the Shadow's jaws.
"Shit!" the pilot yelled. "Get ready for a bumpy ride back there!"
The helicopter flew through the hurricane, trying to hide in the dark clouds. The storm only acted as a marker, a sign that someone had done the Shadow wrong. And that demon was still alive.
"How long is this damn storm gonna last?!" Valentino shouted, mostly to himself.
"Hurricanes can last for weeks," Vaggie muttered. "Only when the source of their power is cut off will they eventually die."
A beam of red fire flew past the helicopter, narrowly missing. A scream of frustration was heard, like all the souls that were exterminated had all screamed at once.
"But what is the source of this thing's power?" Charlie asked quietly.
The wind picked up and threw the chopper for a loop. The pilot managed to right it just as another beam of hellfire shot below them. Yet another scream was heard, this one vibrating the helicopter.
"I don't think it's power that it's after," Vaggie said. "I think it's vengeance. The storm is following us, and it's only getting worse."
The Shadow appeared directly behind the chopper. It's red eyes glared at the occupants, it's gaze the most intense when it saw Valentino. The Shadow growled and fired another beam, only for the pilot to avoid it.
"I think I know who it is," Vaggie said, noting the intense glare at Valentino. She stood up at pushed the demon lord against the wall.
"What the hell?!" Valentino yelled. He pushed the smaller demonness against the opposite wall, giving Vaggie an opportunity to push open the door. The wind whistled as the door opened, the rain flooding in like a swarm of stinging insects.
"You want to meet the Shadow?" Valentino asked. "Well, be sure to say hello for me!"
He pushed Vaggie out the door. She fell fast, only getting a glimpse of the helicopter before it disappeared in the clouds. She did not scream, for she was no longer afraid of death. The only thing she feared was what could happen to Charlie.
"I love you, Charlie," she whispered.
The Shadow, however, had different plans.
It lurched forward and dove after her. It's red eyes no longer bore the angry gaze; instead, they were concentrated, and worried.
It passed over her with ease, but it used a pair of enormous, draconic wings to slow itself down. A single talon reached out and grabbed her. She held on tight as the winds abated and the rain lessened.
The Shadow carried Vaggie to a place were the hurricane was the least intense. It set her down gently on the pavement.
"Vaggie!" a familiar voice yelled. Vaggie looked up to see Angel Dust standing outside the Hotel.
"Angel," she said quietly, glad to be home, but upset that she lost Charlie.
The Shadow turned to leave. It walked toward the hurricane.
"Wait," Vaggie said. The dragon lifted it's wings, not responding to her voice.
"I will return," a thunderous voice said. It was heavy with deceit and mischief, but Vaggie recognized it.
"Trevor?"
The Shadow paused. It's head turned so one red eye could see her. Vaggie saw the look of pain and sorrow on his face.
He took of with a powerful flap of his wings. He rocketed into the atmosphere and disappeared into the clouds.
"Please," Vaggie pleaded. "Please, come back to me."
Before I go: The Shadow's (Trevor's) voice is similar to Loki's from the MCU, but with a monster growl mixed into it.
