Chapter Twenty-Four: Progress in Darkness
"You did surprisingly well," Hecate purred, barely glancing the kneeling demon's way – all eyes for the yellowish, painted page in her hand. "Better than I expected, actually."
She deigned sparing him a look then, and that made the Possessor's day – the smile could not be mistaken. Not feeling generous anymore, she perused the page again, the faint light no bother at all for her dark-accustomed eyes.
"Very well indeed," she couldn't help from adding, a smirked spreading on her own lips.
She tried to reign in the bliss that was taking over her. Nothing was certain yet. The Charmed Ones weren't outnumbered at the moment. At the moment.
She straightened in her throne, schooling her expression. "The mission was a success, even though your brother expectedly perished. Gather your men and take them there," she ordered, handing him the page back.
"As you command, my Lady." The Possessor bowed and shimmered out with the entry from the Book of Shadows.
The last remnants of his shimmering were barely gone that flames rose up from the floor. As they extinguished they revealed another demon. He bowed at once. "You have called, Mistress?"
"Time is up," she replied. "Take the potion and spread it."
"But the tests –" the demon began to argue.
Flames literally slicked the blackness of her eyes. "The tests are sufficient. We only need them to be distracted long enough to strike. Don't you dare challenge my orders again."
"I meant no disrespect, Mistress," the demon quickly blobbed out, getting on his knees.
"Then what in all that's evil are you still doing here?" Hecate's voice was like an erupting volcano. The demon hurried to shimmer out, no longer being force-flamed.