AN: Sorry 'bout the gap in updates again. Homework blows. Here's chapter 3!


John had another nightmare that night. More vivid, more desperate, more bloody. It felt so real that the second thing he did after he awoke from it was to take a shower to try and get the feeling of Chas's blood off his body, even though there was no real blood.

The first thing he did after the dream was to draw a sketch of the necklace that he'd seen around Chas's neck. It was a jagged charm, made up of spikes and thorns, about the size of a silver dollar.

He didn't wait for a call from Midnite; he went straight down to the club, which wasn't open this time of day, but he knew Midnite would be there. The bouncer seemed to be expecting him, and didn't even show him a card, just opened the rope and let him through.

"I assume you bring more information," Midnite said, waiting at his open door.

John didn't answer with words; he pulled out the sketch he'd made and handed it to Midnite, who studied it with a frown.

"This is not possible," he said after a few moments.

"It was on the necklace around Chas's neck in my last dream. He showed it to me, specifically. And something else was there…and that something didn't want me to see that necklace," John said slowly, calculating Midnite's every expression.

Midnite nodded, but his face was still set in solid disbelief. He turned and walked to the back room, and John followed, knowing that Midnite was on to something.

Midnite walked to a large set of bookcases in the back, all the books arranged carefully by subject, and then alphabetically by author in each subject section. He pulled out a large, old, brown leather book with no title or author, taking it to a nearby table and flipping on the light.

He didn't say a word as he laid out the sketch beside the book, and then began flipping through the worn pages, past dozens of pictures of charms and talismans of all types.

"Here. The talisman of Caligula," Midnite said, the book falling open to a page that had a picture that matched the sketch identically.

"Caligula…you're kidding, right?" John asked, shaking his head.

"In his descent into madness, Caligula dabbled in the black arts. He had the help of demons, half breeds that were not deported when they should have been," Midnite explained, looking over the old Latin text. "They created this talisman, but it was almost thought that the talisman was destroyed when Caligula fell from power. Destroyed with all his other foul works."

"That's a bad assumption to make. What does this talisman do, anyway?"

Midnite read on, his lips silently reading the text, translating it with practiced ease. "The talisman, in the hands of a half breed demon, allows him to remain here on this plane. With the talisman, he cannot be deported."

"But there's always a catch."

Midnite nodded again. "There was a problem with the talisman. It binds to the soul of its carrier, binds until death. In other words, if the talisman is taken, the soul is immediately and forcibly deported."

Something clicked in John's mind. "The talisman wasn't ever destroyed. It fell into the hands of angels."

"And if Chas is the carrier now, then that may be the reason he is in danger," Midnite continued. "I doubt the demons have him, since he is able to send the messages, but for some reason the balance has shifted…he's unable to reach heavenly aid."

"So he's getting through to us."

John and Midnite fell silent for a few moments, the information sinking in. John felt anger growing inside him; anger at heaven for placing such a burden on such a young soul, anger at the creators of the talisman, anger at the demons now taunting Chas, and even anger at Chas for getting himself into this mess.

"Will you help me?" John finally asked Midnite, his fists tightening. He knew Midnite still wanted to cling to his neutral standing, but this was different. This was Chas. Their angel.

And nobody messed with John's angel and got away with it.

"I will help you on this matter, John. As much as I can without further disturbing the balance," Midnite said with a smile.

John's expression was all business now. "We need information, and we need it fast. I need to talk to any half breed or demon who would have information about Balthazar. And I need to speak with a half breed angel who can tell me why Chas isn't being helped on that end."

"You know I cannot reveal my contacts here at the club, John. Neutral ground."

John groaned with frustration. "Midnite…this is Chas we're talking about. He needs our help. I'm not going to wait until it's too late before taking desperate measures. I…I failed him once already."

Midnite, for a split second, saw the pain and sorrow in John's eyes before the façade of bravado was back up, firmly in place. He smiled.

"You can ask around tonight. But I won't have you causing a stir, John…be careful of who you speak to and what you say."

John smirked. "Aren't I always?"

Midnite simply shook his head, and then picked up the book and held it out to John, the sketch tucked in it, marking the page the talisman was on. "You may need that. Keep it as long as you like."

"Thanks. I'll keep you updated on what I find out."

"Good luck, John."

John smirked, and then walked out. He finally felt like he was doing something right, doing something that might make up for letting Chas die before…

He could only hope…and pray…that he wasn't too late.


AN: Bwahahaha…next chapter, the nightclub. And other fun candy and shtuff. Review, please!