John had never met the man called Dago before, probably because he lived and worked primarily in Germany. He'd been impressed. On the outside, Dago was striking in looks: a full beard, long hair, tattoos; your basic hardcore biker look. He stood around 6'5 from what John had figured. He'd greeted Elizabeth warmly. When he'd gotten to John, Dago had lit up like a Christmas tree.

"You're the John Constantine?" he asked, his voice deep and tinged with a German accent.

"Yeah, that's him." Elizabeth grinned, moving into the hotel room to set down her bag.

"Oh, this is an honor. Ve have heard about you in Berlin, how you conquered Mammon."

"Really now." John's brow furrowed, his face remaining impassive at the news. Sure he traveled in certain underground circles and studied most things the general populace had never even heard of, but he was known in Germany?

"Oh ja. It is a great honor to meet you, and to be given the opportunity to ink your vife's tattoos!" Dago offered his mighty hand. Constantine had taken it, letting his inner eye open and scanned the huge German while they shook. He was purely human, but possessed his own magical gifts. He knew the score, and knew the rules.

Midnite is somewhere laughing his ass off at me.

Oh give it up, John. Dago's a big sweetheart. Elizabeth smiled at Constantine, unpacking the vials Dago had requested. "Everything's in order Dago."

"Excellent. The date was consulted and picked for its fortunes." The mighty German turned, towering over the small woman. "I have brought everything needed and ve vill be able to consecrate the seals as soon as I finish."

"You've warded the room?" John crossed the threshold and entered the hotel room. He felt a spirit guard wash over him then fade away.

"Ja." Dago nodded his massive head.

"Ignore my husband. He's just leery when it comes to my safety."

"Then he is a good husband." Dago grinned, his teeth yellowed by years of smoking. "Let us begin then, Elizabeth. I have set the pallet on the bed, so you may be comfortable."

"Thank you, Dago." Elizabeth smiled up at the tall German then closed herself in the bathroom to undress.

"You have a beautiful voman, Herr Constantine."

John pulled at his tie, loosening it a bit. Elizabeth was looking in the mirror as she undressed, letting him watch through their link. God, she was a cheater! "Thank you, I know." He managed. Dago only grinned.


The buzzing of the tattoo gun sent John's thoughts off into the past. At first they brought up the death that had claimed Beeman, the thousands of flies that had hatched from inside his body. Then to the general sounds of hell. The hundreds of thousands gnashing their teeth and weeping, paying eternal penance for the lives they led on Earth.

His mind wandered back when the buzzing stopped, Dago loading more ink into the needles. Constantine looked back over to the bed, where Elizabeth was stretched out on a cushioned pallet that held her steady while Dago worked. She laid flat out on her stomach, naked, a towel draped over her hips for modesty. Dago sat in a tall chair, leaning over her to tattoo the symbols down her spine.

"A year ago, I don't think even I could have gotten you naked." John smirked under his breath. It was hard to imagine that she'd been the blushing virgin only a year ago. And here she was now, laid out in front of a virtual stranger. He stretched a bit then sunk more into the overstuffed hotel room chair.

Dago drew the paper towel over the ink he has just embedded, cleaning the area. "After this last line, I will be inking Mercury. Did you do as I asked?"

Elizabeth nodded slowly, her awareness coming back. For hours she had practiced meditating, in order to separate herself mentally from pain. It was easier for her then Constantine; having her soul captured inside of a bone fetish gave her somewhere to go.

"Good, ja." Dago smiled and patted her arm, returning to his work. Constantine's lipped twitched. It had been decided to use a tiny bit of real Mercury mixed in with the ink for the pentacle. He'd been opposed at first, until a safe enough procedure had been devised. He reached out, his hand against the side of Elizabeth's calf.

Are you sure about this?

I spent six months working up immunity, John. Dago will test it, and if he doesn't find it satisfactory, then he won't do it.

Constantine let her feel his emotions through their link. He was apprehensive. Mercury poisoning wasn't something many survived, and those that did were never the same. Elizabeth turned her head slowly, careful not to jostle too much, and met Constantine's dark brown eyes with her own dark blue ones.

I don't want to lose you.

I promise. I'm not going anywhere.

I'm going to hold you to that. Eternity and beyond.

I love you too, Constantine.