SEVENTEEN

"Wilhelm what are you doing here?" Belthazor asked in amazement.

"I'm a demon, of course. How else could I be in the underworld? And here I was thinking what a clever young fellow you were," Wilhelm finished with a smile. "My role in the plan was to decide if and when you had come up with a plausible reason for me to give you the book. You proved very ingenious, I might add."

"You were in on this?" Belthazor asked. "So all of this – the mission to get the book, the assignment to vanquish Malevant, the book itself, all it – it was nothing more than an elaborate sting?"

"Precisely," said Baldasor. "Everything from the very beginning was a test, designed for a single purpose. To test your loyalty to the Brotherhood and the Circle. Don't feel bad. All initiates go through some variation of the same test. It's the only way to find those who are best suited to belong."

"I don't feel bad," said Belthazor smiling. "I'm just trying to understand exactly what happened here. It's also hard to believe that being so completely duped would somehow prove my suitability for the Brotherhood. I'm usually much better at picking up on scams than this."

Raynor laughed. "After three years, your intelligence was not in question Belthazor. If it's of any consolation to you, you were not easy to dupe. You were more difficult than most initiates. But we had the benefit of your brother's knowledge to help us in that respect. He was able to give us some very insightful information in that area. Enough for us to tailor the test specifically to you. We've been doing this for many centuries. And given the importance of the test, we take great pride in being very good at it."

"And Belthazor will now be a great help to us in improving that, as well as other things," Baldasor interjected. "He understands humans in a way none of us do. His human half should prove to be very useful in preparing other Brothers for future assignments. I know he has taught me a great deal. By the way, brother, I'd just like to say I was wrong."

"About what?" Belthazor was genuinely puzzled.

"The things I said to you when you were ten," said Baldasor. "You are very much a true demon. You have proved me to be very short sighted in my prejudice toward humans. You have taken the heritage I saw only as a weakness and turned it into a great strength. And not only for yourself, but also for others of our kind. I am proud to call you brother, by both blood and bond."

Belthazor was speechless. He had been so proud when the Source and even Malevant had called him a true demon. Raynors' praise had pleased him as well. But Baldasors' simple admission was the greatest treasure of the day. His brother had called him a true demon. He was complete. The hollow deep within him was filled. A lifetime of fear, self-doubt and inadequacies were washed away with those few words.

He knew his brother's words were genuine. Baldasor always spoke his mind. He gave compliments only when he felt they were truly merited. And he was just as quick to criticize when he felt it was justified. He bowed his head; at once, humbled and filled with pride by Baldasors words.

"Thank you, brother," he said quietly. "You have no idea how much that means to me."

"I might be able to imagine," Baldasor said with a small smile.

"I do have one question," said Belthazor looking at the markings on his arms curiously. "How did I get the markings? Malevant did torture me but then the Healer demon treated me. There wasn't time to put them on."

"It was the elixir she gave you," Raynor explained. "It was designed for two purposes. The Slicer demons actually created the markings on your skin. The elixir the Healer gave you was not only designed to ease your pain but its magic also causes the markings to become permanent and more pronounced. The tattooing is akin to branding. These markings reveal your association with the Brotherhood. And they can never be removed."

"I see," said Belthazor.

He again examined his arms, pride replacing curiosity. He had been successful. He was now a member of the Brotherhood and his body would forever bear witness to his triumph. It was a satisfying conclusion to a mission that had become much more than it had appeared to be.

"I think I'll take a few days off from school before I go back," said Belthazor. "I could use the rest after all of this."

"Well, as long as you're on time for my class Monday morning," Wilhelm reminded him. "You do have a test. And it's worth nearly half your grade."

"You can't be serious?" Belthazor questioned in disbelief. "After everything I've just been through?"

Strauss laughed. "You appear to have survived well enough. The law doesn't wait for your excuses. Promptly at nine a.m. and don't be late. You'll need the entire period to complete the test."

Belthazor just stared in amazement at Strauss as he shimmered out of the chamber. Baldasor began to laugh uproariously at his brother's dumbfounded expression.

"Well, brother, if you don't have any more questions, I should be leaving you now as well," said Baldasor.

Glancing around the chamber, Belthazor realized that only he and Baldasor remained. Or so he believed until a small movement from the corner caught his eye. Angelique. Apparently she had waited through all the explanations.

"Just one question," said Belthazor. "Malevant said I should maintain this form for awhile to aid the healing process. Any idea how long that will be necessary?"

"You're probably fine now," said Baldasor. "The elixir works quite rapidly. Why do you…?"

Baldasors' puzzlement was replaced by comprehension quickly when he followed the direction of his brother's gaze. The air was momentarily disturbed as the form of Belthazor disappeared and reformed into that of Cole Turner. With a sardonic lift of his brow, he crooked a finger in Angeliques' direction.

"I seem to recall something about a celebration," he said with a grin.

She slid up next to him and wrapped an arm around him with a smile.

"I wasn't sure if I had been uninvited, all things considered."

"Nonsense," said Cole. "It wouldn't make much sense for me to hold any of this against you. I succeeded and you did help. And now it's playtime," he finished, dropping a kiss to her forehead.

Baldasor shook his head in amusement at the exchange.

"You do realize that you could celebrate in either form, brother?" he inquired dryly.

" Of course I do," said Cole. "But, and trust me on this one, this particular form goes over much better on a beach in Tahiti."

They shimmered out to the sound of Baldasors' laughter echoing off the chamber walls.