EMPTY WORDS
Renounce Pagan Ways
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—"
—Ephesians 5:6-8
—
NOVEMBER 17TH 2039
1:06AM CST
TORREÓN, COAHUILA
Esteban glared at the words on the paper, pointedly ignoring the man before him, smiling and waiting for a reply. He stared at the words and the only word his mouth could form was: "No."
The messenger made an amused noise and held his hand out for the letter. Esteban did not hand it back.
"These are the terms."
"I agreed to your wretched terms twice over now!" Esteban bellowed. He flaunted the half-sheet of paper before the taller man's face. "I am tired of your conditions. I will not be utilized in this way."
"Are you no longer seeking retribution?"
"I am seeking justice on God's behalf! I have settled to act within your stipulations—the girl stays with your native rat and the boy receives privacy that my army is not afforded—and now you thrust more upon me?"
"You were the one who declared your own competence above those of your fellow southerners."
Esteban exploded at that, his voice rising. "I am not in the business of fetching sinners. I send them to the only one who can bring them to justice!"
The messenger hummed, "Yes, you tend to seek out a different kind of deliverance."
"One I will achieve."
"With our assistance, of course. Lest you forget the world you live in."
"The mercy of your Master is one I do not take lightly," Esteban's words were quieter, but not calmer. "I will erase those he wishes in the way that I see fit and I will express my gratitude when I am able to travel to Monterrey as well."
"Not things to be taken lightly, I'm sure."
"Certainly not. But, if it exists, to take such a power from this man will not be simple."
"You need what then, time?"
Esteban laughed. "Do not assume my needs. I will still complete what is necessary by the end of the year. The assumption that it will even take that long is equally offensive so do not speak of such a thing."
"What do you need?" The messenger asked again, all traces of humor gone from his face.
"Describe the demon to me. Do not spare details. If you have to hide from it so thoroughly that you are unable to perform this task yourself, then you are aware of its ability more than this message describes." He slapped the paper with the hand that did not hold it.
Esteban had received cursory information. The coven was reportedly large for a peaceful one. He now knew of the seven demons that lived alongside the Major, and two individuals that had been reported as 'other'. When he'd demanded to know what that entailed, the messenger had initially waved away at his concerns, comparing their strange ones to the girl they'd gifted him.
The information he'd received on the Major's allies had been interesting. The best way to prevent a call for aid was to remove said aid from the picture, so Esteban familiarized himself with the people the Major might call upon for help. The northern coven had intrigued him but the two nomads—"Southern War vets, just as Whitlock is"—had been an easy choice to focus on first.
"I do not want any calls for help to go answered," Esteban had said during their first meeting. That was when he'd begun to plot his first move. A test to see whether or not the noisy girl could really be used to trick the 'all-seeing' witch. If Whitlock's coven possessed such a woman, his test would prove it. But still, Esteban had his doubts.
Esteban listened with irritation as the messenger claimed ignorance. He reported to have never met the woman, and urged caution, suggesting that Esteban train his followers well enough that they wouldn't impulsively kill any of the women on first strike. At least, not until the seer was in their possession.
"Fine," Esteban eventually relented with a sneer after several more minutes of arguing. "I will figure out who it is and retrieve your witch. I will not kill it."
"Don't let your feral beasts kill her either," the persistent annoyance in the messenger's voice forced Esteban to reach into his pocket and thumb his rosary. "She is to be transported into my care alive, or the agreement is void and your protection is stripped."
"I implore you to instruct your Master: no more demands. I have acquiesced enough."
"I make no promises but will send along the message when I'm able to."
The messenger turned and nodded to his companions. Esteban despised the way a member of the Volturi guard felt bold enough to flash his unguarded back to him. It was insulting to a man of Esteban's caliber and disrespectful to God.
"One more question," Esteban spoke loudly before the group could leave the room and the house.
"A thing you want, finally?"
"Relax yourself, as I only desire one more piece of information before releasing you from my presence." The messenger spoke nothing. Esteban continued. "Does Major Jasper Whitlock possess a mate?"
The messenger made a peculiar face at that question, as if smiling to hold back his own anger. He nodded toward his companions who continued moving ahead without him.
Esteban devoured the information he received. The confirmation invigorated him.
Another gift from God. Another miracle made flesh. Another soul destined for Hell.