"So, you want us to kill a nun, huh?" Blitz asked eyeing up the cheque Thorne was writing.
Thorne smiled, "Well if you kill her, you get this cheque. You bring her to me alive this cheque will have another zero on the end."
"Done!" Blitz shouted eagerly, running from Thorne's office.
Sister Katherine, Thorne's pen nearly broke under the tightness of his grip, now he could get revenge on the bitch who helped ruin his life.
Charlotte wrung her hands together as she marched to Thorne's office, her heels clicking on the dark granite floor while the anaesthetic smell of the halls burned her nose. Her call from Stolas had concerned her greatly. Blitz had given the prince the excellent news of how much money he was about to make, Stolas had contacted Charlotte, rather than Lucifer to warn her about the possibility of a human entering the underworld. Uneasiness soured in her mouth like melting aspirin.
Charlotte approached the door and knocked.
"Come in."
The princess gingerly took the cold handle and entered Thorne's office.
The lights were out. The windows being the only source of illumination for the entire room. Thorne sat at his desk, drumming his fingers against its polished surface.
"Princess," Thorne beamed, "how can I help?"
Her brow furrowed, "you can tell me what Prince Stolas means when he says you're bringing a human down here."
Thorne's brow soon matched Charlotte's. "Blitz should keep his mouth shut in the future."
"Is he right?"
"She'll get what's coming to her."
"Is that really your decision to make?"
"No." Thorne said solemnly, "but I'm making it anyway."
"But you've always been a staunch defender of logic and calm reason."
"And I have calmly reasoned that the bitch must die."
Charlotte's mouth fell open, "what did this woman do to you that makes you hate her so much?"
"It's more what she didn't do."
Thorne rose from his chair, the ambient light catching his face, small tears leaving tracks in his fur. He walked over to the dismayed princess, his shoes tapping out the pace.
"Thorne," Charlotte said reaching out a hand, "tell me what's wrong."
The doctor reached into his jacket retrieving his pocket-knife. Letting it open with a click.
"Thorne, what are you doing?"
Thorne sighed, putting both hands behind his back he smiled at his patron.
"Leaving with you so we can discuss this like adults."
Charlotte beamed and turned back to the door.
His cat-fast reflexes allowed Thorne to push Charlotte through the door, slamming his now bloodied hand on the dark wood. Such a spell like that with the other wards on his office could keep any demon out, even Lucifer's daughter. It would also prevent any noise, for what he was about to do, he wanted no interruptions.
Sister Katherine blew a loose strand of hair from her face; she was going to be late if she didn't hurry. Bible in hand she made her way to the church. Struggling against the door, she closed her eyes and crossed the threshold. And was hit by a wave of warmth. Frowning she opened her eyes.
Not the church she expected, instead a dimly lit office made from a sparkly dark stone. Turning in bewilderment, she was surprised that whatever had transported her, had now abandoned her.
"Hello Katherine," called a voice from the gloom.
Katherine squinted, but couldn't find the speaker.
"Hello," she cried out, a shiver in her voice.
"Do you know where you are?" The voice called out.
The nun took a few steps forward, edging closer to the windows, offering a marvellous city scape view, and the only source of light.
Thorne switched on the desk light, illuminating his face.
Katherine, shrunk back, as if scalded by hot water. Her hands rising to her drying mouth. Her breaths coming in short puffs. Her heart palpitating in her throat. Her face contorted.
"Oh, God," she croaked. Pulling out her crucifix. Falling to her knees.
"Hell is an absence of God," Thorne cautioned, "that cross won't help you here."
Thorne rose from his chair. Slowly making his way to the stunned nun.
Katherine's hands shook. Realisation falling on her. Thorne reached out with his trembling hands.
"Master… Thorne?"
"You do not get to call me that," Thorne snarled, drawing closer, his claws ready.
"I'm sorry," the nun whimpered, "I'm so sorry."
Thorne paused baring his teeth, "You think that makes what you did alright? You ruined my life."
"I didn't know what kind of man he was… I didn't know what he was doing. You have to believe me."
"I don't have to…"
"I'm so sorry."
"Stop saying that!" Thorne roared, falling to all fours and shifting to his more demonic form. His fur bristling, saliva pooling around his claws. His eyes now level with Katherine's.
He took a swipe at her, missing her head by inches and slicing the bible to confetti, the pictures stored inside falling between them.
"You think an apology will make you good? You're not good. I remember every word you said to me, how I was lying and that stuff like that didn't happen to little boys. You sent me back to him, to that monster and all you have to say is that you're sorry."
Katherine sobbed, fell forward, and in that instant Thorne launched forward, grabbing Katherine's neck in his jaws, her death was going to be slow, agonising, painf…
Thorne stopped short of murder when he saw the photos, they were all of one building. The building was several stories high and several busses long, ivy encrusted walls shone like emeralds. Sash windows lined the front, all of them eggshell. A heavy door was set in rough red brick, a large knocker top middle. Above the door a sign, embossed letters read.
'Doctor Thorne's Home for survivors of childhood trauma'
Thorne released his victim, skin unbroken.
"My house," he muttered, his fur retreating, his claws reforming into hands.
"I turned it into a sanctuary," Katherine sobbed "after your death, the police searched the house they found his journal… a-and I-I needed to…"
"Thorne!" Shouted Charlotte as she pummelled the door with her fists, "let me in." She tried the handle again, still the door wouldn't budge.
Blitz rounded the corner.
"Hey Charlie, how goes it."
"It's Thorne, I can't get to him, I have to stop him before he does something stupid."
"Oh, the nun. He's probably ripped her to pieces by now. Pity I couldn't watch."
The princess bit her bottom lip and renewed her assault of the door. It opened with a click. A deflated Thorne stepped out.
"Thorne, what have you done?" The princess cried out.
"Make a portal Blitz."
"Got another hit?"
"No, a return." Thorne muttered, pushing a cheque into Blitz's hand. "She's in my office, just send her back."
With that Thorne turned down the corridor, his heels clacking against the floor, he had rounds to make.