Chapter 9

The Morning After

-x-

Blitzø woke up in the soft silk sheets of Stolas' bed. He wasnt sure how he got here. He remembered hearing the satisfying thump of Striker's body hitting the floor. He remembered lifting the dead man's phone, but after that...nothing.

He sat up and looked around the room. Books lay open on every possible surface and yellowed scrolls were piled on the chaise. He threw back the covers and walked around the room looking for his clothes. The balcony door was open and the cool breeze felt refreshing on his skin. For a moment he entertained the idea of strolling outside naked, but thought better of it when he remembered Via might be home and Stolas may not appreciate his daughter seeing a naked Imp emerging from his bedroom. He found Stolas' robe and put it on. It was comically huge on him but he tied the belt and rolled the sleeves as best he could. He turned to leave the room and Stolas walked in, floating a book in front of him and carrying a large cup of coffee. He failed to see Blitzø as he entered, engrossed as he was with his readings.

"Hey, Stolas." Blitzø greeted the owl.

Stolas hooted in suprise dropping both book and coffee.

"Sorry" Blitzø mumbled looking at the new stain on the rug.

"Good Morning, Blitzy! Its not a problem at all. Stolas retrieved his book and cleaned the spill with a wave of his hand.

"You look adorable in my robe, by the way" Stolas blushed.

"Don't start." Begged Blitzø. "It's too early."

"How are you feeling?" Asked Stolas

"Good. Hungry. Why?"

"I'll have Impington bring you breakfast. It was quite an eventful evening for you."

"Yea, I guess it was." replied Blitzø "It's all kind of a blurr."

Stolas cocked his head "Really? Interesting." He moved toward the phone. "I promised your daughter and employees I would call when you awoke."

"Why am I here and not at home?" Blitzø questioned.

"Your employees said you passed out and they weren't sure if you needed magical healing so, they decided to bring you here."

"Where are my clothes? I took Striker's phone. It's in one of the pockets.

"Your gun and both phones that were on your person are here on this table. Your clothes were so covered in blood we felt it best to just dispose of them. Replacement clothes will be delivered soon."

"Right. Thanks. I was gonna keep his horse too. Where is Bombproof?"

"I took the liberty of having him delivered to the Goetian family stables. He will be well cared for there."

Stolas took a moment to call Loona. Blitzø wandered about the room. Stolas had been studying something big to have this many books laying around. Blitzo read over a few of the titles:

The History of Demonic Evolution

Dynamistic Idignation

Marbus' Anatomy: Imps

Stolas ended his call.

"Studying something big?" Blitzø asked

"Yes, actually. Blitzø, I would like to ask you about your experience last night."

"What about it. We killed everyone we set out to. It was a successful night."

"Well, my question is specifically about your attack on the cowboy." Stolas clarified.

"Okay. Im not sure what there is to ask. I fucked with him a bit before I killed him. I ran circles around the asshole. Literally. It didnt seem like anything special. "

"Do you recognize these marks? Stolas showed Blitzø the picture of the warehouse floor."

Blitzø looked at the image. "What am I looking at exactly?"

"The marks burned into the floor appear to be parts of a sigil. According to Moxxie these marks appeared during your tussle with the cowboy."

"They weren't there before the fight?? That doesn't make any fucking sense. No one was in that fight but Striker and me."

"All the same, something about the interaction created them."

-x-

All the members of IMP and Stolas sat at the 12ft dining table at the palace. Millie had brought all the phone records from Striker's previous phone to compare with the new one Blitzø had procured the day prior.

"Stolas, can you cross reference the numbers like you did before?" asked Blitzø.

"Of Course"

"Moxx. I'm gonna need you to cosplay daddy again."

"Sir, Im begging you not to call him that." Moxxie glared.

"Daaad, one of Uncle André's servants is at the door for you. What's going on?" Octavia walked into the room and over to Stolas who had papers spread accross 10ft of table space.

"Via! Hello darling, I thought you were out shopping."

"I decided not to go. What is all this?"

" Just phone numbers. Blitzy asked me to cross reference some sources."

"What about the Imp from Uncle?" Via asked.

"Why did he say he was here exactly?" Stolas questioned while shifting printouts.

"Something about papers."

"More revisions?? That woman nees to stop trying to steal your birthright."

Blitzø got up from the table. "Let me handle this."

He walked down the corridor and up to a tall Imp in an icey blue uniform.

"Hey there, Stolas is busy, what can i do you for."

"Who are you?" sneered the imp.

"Im his spokesperson of the day, now what do you want?" Blitzø crossed his arms and glared.

"Madam Stella has requested his presence at Master Andrealphus chateau tomorrow afternoon."

"Why?" Demanded Blitzø.

"Why! To discuss the contents of this Manilla file. These are sensitive topics of which sevants like ourselves are not privy to."

"Listen friend, I think your confused. Im no servant." Blitzø snatched the folder from the other Imp.

"You tell the Lady of your house that the Lady of this house said to fuck off. He'll let her know when he's done reading."

"Miss Via is not a part of..."

"Ohh, buddy," Blitzø patted the messenger Imp's cheek "That's so cute." He leaned in close to the imp, wrapped his tail around their waist, and whispered in a seductive voice "The Lady is a Man..." He smiled and let a finger run down the blue vested chest.

BANG!!

Blitzø threw the Imp out of the palace slamming the door behind him. The creature rolled down the stairs then sat confused at the bottom. The Lady is a... Oh, shit! Madam Stella would kill him if he brought back that information. He would relay the info to the Master. He was really the only one who could deal with the crazed woman anyway.

"Stolas, that twit brought a new divorce draft for you." Blitzø dropped the file on the table." I sent him away with a message for his Bitch and Bastard."

"Blitzy. What did you say?" Stolas asked nervously.

"I just corrected my station here. He thought I was your servant."

"Your...station? Blitzø what did you say?!"

"Dad? Did you give him a title?" Via asked suprised.

"No! Blitzø WHAT did you say!?!"

"When you get done with all that," Blitzø blatantly ignored the questioning from the Goetia and waved his hand referencing the phone numbers, "Im gonna need you and Via to take a vacay to the living world. Find someplace safe and dont come back until I call. Loony," Blitzø turned to his daughter " Sweetie, if you can go with them to keep an eye out, I would appreciate it."

"Fine, Whatever" Loona smiled at Octavia. This would be fun.

"Via, I need you to understand, I'm gonna have to kill your Mother before she murders you or your dad."

"Blitzø, I understand mum has lost it. I know it was her that tried to have Dad killed. She's sent me a couple of threatening texts earlier today."

"She did WHAT!!??" Stolas trembled as he held his anger in check.

Via walked over the lanky Imp and hugged him.

"I appreciate you protecting us...old man." then in a whisper, "If there is a way to resolve this without killing mum, will you try?" Via asked Blitzø.

"Sweetie, I'm an assassin by trade. Crazy knows crazy, and your mum..is CRAZY. Her life is not worth more to me than you and your dad's. I have no intention of sparing her... I'm sorry." Blitzø stiffly patted Octavia's back and she released him.

" You and your dad will be safe with Loona." Blitzø cleared his throat and continued. "Just dont answer any calls from your Mom after tonight. Dont open her texts. Dont. Engage. No matter what. I need her to believe that your dad is dead. Okay? She cant kill what isn't alive. You get me?" Octavia nodded.

"Stolas! Did you get that. NO. FUCKING. CONTACT."

"Yes Blitzø. No contact after tonight."

"Good. And Stolas, Im gonna need those fuck feathers."

Stolas blushed and the room filled with explatives.

-x-

At Andrealphus icy chateau:

"The Imp said that!?" Remarked Andrealphus. "Well, this does not bode well. Stella will loose her mind to believe her title has been transferred to a low class creature like that."

"What shall I tell her about the meeting tomorrow, Master Andrealphus."

"Nothing. I shall speak with her."

-x-

Andrealphus walked down the hall to Stella's Suite and knocked. At her prompt he opened the door and entered.

"Stella, Dear, I have decided to delay our meeting with Stolas for a couple days."

"Why?" Stella asked.

"His new liaison has apparently more control over the process than anticipated. He wants to review the revisions with Stolas." Andrealphus casually lied to his sister.

"What!! What liaison!"

"No one I've met, I can assure you." Replied Andrealphus. "According to the messenger who delivered the revision, he has a new Imp on staff."

"A new Imp?? DON'T TELL ME THAT TOAD IS LIVING THERE NOW!!" Stella picked up a nearby vase and threw it at Andrealphus.

"DON'T THROW SHIT AT ME YOU STUPID COW! I CAN END YOU SO EASILY!!" Andrealphus glowed a brilliant turquoise as his peacock tail appeared and ruffled in anger. "IT'S NOT MY FAULT YOU FAILED IN YOUR DUTIES AND CREATED THIS MESS!"

"MY DUTY WAS TO FUCK THAT TWINK STOLAS AND LAY AN EGG. MY REWARD FOR THAT WAS AN ETERNITY WITH A STATUS POSITION WITHIN THE GOETIA FAMILY. NOW YOU'RE TELLING ME A 5 FOOT IMP WITH A HORSE KINK HAS REPLACED ME!!!!" Stella screamed.

She rampaged throughout the room pulling a tapestry off the wall and tossing furniture.

"STOP DESTROYING MY HOME!! YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A NEW SINNER!"

Stella moved to her desk, opened a hidden drawer and removed her Ice Like phone.

"What are you doing now?!" demanded Andrealphus, still aglow in his ire.

"I'm done with them all! If I cant have Stolas killed, I will end the life of his impish little fuckboy!"

"How many assasins do you have on speed dial, Sister? As I recall your last one wasn't very effective."

"Enough. Now, excuse yourself from my presence!"

"Stella, if you fuck this up I won't be able to help you."

"André, if I break Stolas soul with the removal of one insignificant creature, then he will agree to anything. Even death."

"Stella, I reiterate: Dont. Fuck. This. Up."

Andrealphus folded his tail within his robes, turned and exited the room.