SIXTEEN

Belthazor swelled with pride. The only demons the Brotherhood referred to as "brother" were other Brotherhood demons. With the exception of Baldasor who was Belthazor's true brother. By referring to Belthazor as "brother" Raynor was signifying that he was no longer an initiate. He was a full-fledged member of the Brotherhood.

"The entire Circle of the Black Thorn asked me to convey their congratulations," said Shalson. "They are all extremely proud of your accomplishment. In the entire history of the Brotherhood all demons have eventually broken under the torture. That's what it was designed for. To see how much torture it would require to break one of them. You withstood the torture and never revealed we had 'hired' you to vanquish Malevant."

"He remained defiant to the end," said Malevant. "He even spat in my face. An insult I would normally have treated extremely harshly. But considering the circumstances it was very refreshing. Before I am finished most demons are begging for their lives. Belthazor never once balked. He remained resilient to the end. In true demon fashion."

Belthazor smiled. That last sentence finally confirmed what Belthazor had dreamed of his entire life. What he had strived his entire life to attain. To be considered an equal among demons. Malevant had called him a true demon. While others may still belittle him for his human heritage this was confirmation that he had finally attained his goal.

"Agreed," said Shalson.

Raynor was nodding his head yes as the two spoke.

"And I shall keep my promise to you," said Malevant. "The entire underworld will be informed of what you did here. Something that most, if not all, of them could never do."

"That will be unnecessary, Malevant," said a figure from the entry to the chamber. "I think it would be more appropriate if that announcement came from me."

"Source," said Malevant bowing slightly.

The only one who showed no deference to the Source was Shalson. But then Shalson was a member of the Circle of the Black Thorn. He would be considered an equal to the Source.

"Thank you," said Belthazor. "I've dreamed of this day for a very long time. There will be many changes in the future."

"I am quite pleased with your performance," said the Source. "When he," he nodded to the robed figure standing in the room, "informed me of Belthazor's performance I felt it was necessary that I congratulate him myself."

"Thank you," said Belthazor, bowing slightly. "That means a great deal to me."

"I remember when your mother presented you to me," said the Source. "She said you would do great things for me. It appears that at least in this respect she was quite correct."

"I serve to please you," said Belthazor.

"I shall inform the underworld of your accomplishment," said the Source. "All demons should celebrate your achievement. It shows what a true demon can do when he sets his mind to it."

Belthazor just smiled as the Source turned and left the chamber. Again, he had been called a true demon. And from the Source himself. Now there would be few demons that would openly criticize him. He had found the favor of the Source. That was an accomplishment as great as finding the favor of Malevant.

"Who are you?" Belthazor asked the robed figure.

The figure stepped up to Belthazor and pulled back the hood on his robes. The man stood just over six feet tall. He had closely cropped black hair and wore a goatee. Belthazor could tell that underneath the robes he was wearing a black shirt.

"We've never been properly introduced," said the man, shaking Belthazor's hand. "Shalson asked me to keep an eye on you and report on your progress. Imagine my surprise when you enlisted Angelique to help you with your assignment. Considering your target was apparently a human I couldn't figure out what you would want with one of our most successful Dark Lighters."

"Our?" Belthazor questioned.

"Yes," said the man. "Oh, I didn't tell you my name did I? My name is Talent."

Belthazor looked at Angelique. He had never met Talent but she had told him about the Dark Lighter. He was a senior Dark Lighter. He was at least three hundred years old but no one seemed to know his true age. And he was apparently no ordinary Dark Lighter, either. According to Angelique, Talent was also half demon.

"Angelique told me about you," said Belthazor.

"She's told me about you, too," said Talent. "Especially about planning to set me up for Malevant's murder. That would have been a very nice touch, may I say? Something I might have come up with were I in your shoes. But you would have found it much more difficult to rid yourself of me than that. I'm not without considerable influence. And power."

"Apparently," said Belthazor. "It wasn't anything personal. It was just business."

"Oh, I understand that," said Talent. "Business is business. I am familiar with the mercenary code. Well, I should be off. The Council is meeting and there's a lot to be done."

"He's a member of the Dark Lighter Council?" Belthazor asked as Talent vanished from the chamber.

"Yes," said Angelique.

"You never mentioned that," said Belthazor.

"Belthazor," said Malevant, "there are matters that require my attention. You may remain here until you have recovered."

"Thank you, Malevant," said Belthazor.

Malevant shimmered out of the chamber leaving everyone else there.

"Well," said Raynor, "now that you're a full-fledged member of the Brotherhood I supposed you'll want to be getting right to work."

"Actually," said Belthazor, "I was thinking about something Malevant asked me when he hired me to get the book back. He wanted to know what human profession I had. I told him I didn't have one. I've never needed one before. But I've been thinking. Maybe it's time I got one. I can play the soldier back from the war bit only so long. If I had an actual profession it would go a long way to helping me blend in better with humans."

"Good idea," said Baldasor. "Just what type of profession did you have in mind?"

"Well," said Belthazor, "I've been doing rather well in the classes I've been taking as my cover to get the book. I thought maybe a law degree. That would afford me many opportunities."

"Now that sounds like a sensible plan," said a man, walking into the chamber.

Belthazor just stared at the man in amazement. He was literally the last person he expected to see in the underworld.

"Wilhelm? Belthazor questioned.

"I see you're no worse off for your ordeal," said Wilhelm Strauss. "Gretchen sends her regards."

Belthazor was at a loss for words.