FIVE

"Malevant?" Belthazor questioned. "I don't understand."

"We have been having some problems with Malevant of late," said Shalson. "Not directly, of course. We have little contact with the Source or his advisors. But his advice to the Source has conflicted with many of our plans. We have had to abort important projects and even lost operatives because of Malevant's advice to the Source."

"I see," said Belthazor. "This will not be easy. Malevant does not trust anyone easily. And he's very powerful. There are few demons that would risk going against him openly. It will require some very special planning if I'm to vanquish him and make it appear to be one of his adversaries."

"We understand that," said Shalson. "And while you have no specific time limit we would like him vanquished as soon as possible. The sooner he's out of the way the sooner we can continue with many assignments we are working on."

"Yes," said Belthazor. "Getting close enough to actually vanquish him will be the difficult part."

"We believe we may have all ready worked that part out," said Shalson. "It has come to our attention that Malevant is attempting to acquire a special book. It's a book of ancient spells that is currently in the hands of a mortal. He's all ready sent three demons to get the book and all have failed."

"A book?" Belthazor questioned. "They must be very potent spells. Any idea why three demons have failed?"

"Not specifically," said Shalson. "But it is our belief that you can approach Malevant and offer to get the book for him. Because you are half human it may give you an advantage over most other demons. Malevant is sure to recognize this benefit."

"Yes," said Belthazor. "I understand them because I am one of them. There must be something special about this mortal that a full demon isn't capable of understanding. That would be why they failed."

"Our thinking exactly," said Shalson.

"What about assistance? Which demons will be available to help me if the need arises?"

"None. As I said, the Circle of the Black Thorn must not be implicated in any way. To prevent any possibility of a leak, only the Circle and you will be aware of this assignment. You are not to even discuss it with the Brotherhood. They will understand. But you must complete this assignment without the help of any other demons."

"Very well," said Belthazor. "I assume I return to you when I've completed the assignment."

"Don't you mean if? This is Malevant we're talking about."

"I won't fail. It may take some time to get to him but I can assure you I will vanquish him."

"I like your confidence," said Shalson. "When you have completed the task return here. We will then make our final decision. And I'm sure we will be welcoming you into the Brotherhood shortly thereafter."

"I look forward to it," said Belthazor.

Shalson didn't say anything else. He simply turned and walked out of the chamber. Belthazor turned and left by the same door he had come in through. As he exited the chamber he changed back to Cole Turner.

"Well?" Baldasor questioned. "What is your assignment?"

"I can't discuss it, brother," said Cole.

"What?" Baldasor asked. "You would withhold information from the Brotherhood? Maybe we were wrong in selecting you to join us."

"Shalson said I couldn't discuss it," said Cole. "Please, Baldasor, don't ask me about it. But trust me. Once I've completed the assignment I'll have the respect I deserve."

"Okay," said Baldasor. "But if you need any help…."

"I can't," said Cole. "He said I have to do this on my own. I can't ask any demon for assistance in this matter."

"That's unusual," said Baldasor. "I've never known them to do that before."

"Well, that's the way it is this time," said Cole. "What do we do now?"

"You have to meet with Raynor," said Baldasor. "He's waiting for us in the underworld."

"Then let's go," said Cole. "I have a lot of planning to do."

Together the two shimmered out of the chamber back to the underworld. Moments later they appeared in a chamber in the underworld. Raynor and two other demons were waiting for them. These three comprised the leadership of the Brotherhood of the Thorn.

"So, you've gotten your assignment," said Raynor. "I assume it is something that will finally prove your worth to the Brotherhood."

"Oh, it will, all right," said Cole.

"What is it?" Raynor questioned. "Kill a witch? Decimate a town? Disgrace a public figure? Just what does the Circle ask you to do?"

"I can't tell you," said Cole.

"Insolent pup," said one of the other demons. The demons' name was Teltrick and he was second in the Brotherhood. "This is Raynor you're talking with. You answer to him. If he asks you a question you answer it, understand?"

"I understand," said Cole. "But Shalson said I wasn't to tell anyone. Not even you."

"Impossible," said Raynor. "I'm aware of everything the Brotherhood is assigned to do. Especially with an initiate. If you get into trouble how are we to help if we don't know what your assignment is?"

"You can't help me," said Cole. "I'm supposed to complete this assignment on my own."

"Of all the arrogant," began Raynor. "Baldasor, you assured me he would be a great asset to us. That's why I recommended him to the Circle. It seems he's not the asset we were led to believe. Apparently he thinks he's too important to follow our rules. We may have to rethink his membership in the Brotherhood."

Raynor and the other two demons suddenly shimmered away leaving Cole and Baldasor alone in the chamber.

"Baldasor, I," began Cole.

"I'm disappointed in you, brother," said Baldasor. "I assumed after all this time you'd understand about the Brotherhood. It would seem I was right about your father. I must go. The Brotherhood has to discuss what to do about this."

Cole was shaken to the core. Baldasor had used to taunt him when he was a child. Claim he wasn't really a demon because his father had been human. That his human half made him weak. It had been one of things that had driven Cole so hard to prove he was as much demon as his older brother.

Baldasor shimmered out leaving Cole alone. He was conflicted. He had been ordered not to say anything to anyone, including the Brotherhood. And he couldn't even explain why he couldn't tell them. He only hoped they would understand when he completed the assignment.

If he completed the assignment. Despite what he had told Shalson, Malevant was not an easy demon to get to. He trusted almost no one. And he hated anything to do with humanity. Being half human would put Cole at a disadvantage.

But he was a mercenary. And a very good one. He had been given an assignment and now he had to concentrate on that assignment. He was under no delusions. Although he had only had a passing acquaintance with Malevant he knew the senior demons' reputation quite well. If he failed to complete this assignment it wouldn't matter if the Brotherhood understood or not. Malevant would vanquish him without a second thought. And with Malevant's volatile temper that vanquishing might not be quick or painless.