Author note - Welcome back readers! After making revisions to the last chapter, I give you the next part of the story. Thank you to the 36-43 supporters and the new review, all of it helps!
Chapter 49: Exorcism
Taylor's head shot up and they saw the red-haired woman sitting primly on the couch, head tilted in amusement.
"You." Taylor breathed before they steeled their expression.
The woman's brow quirked up.
"Well, that's a fine hello. A thank you is in order, little one."
Taylor stood up in a flash.
"And why would I do that?"
Their patron chuckled.
"For expediting your return to your body, of course!" They said brightly. With a flick of their wrist, a fiery scale model of Pentagram city floated between them, complete with the pentagram in the sky and the two moons.
"I was preparing to pay you a visit, but for all my searching, I couldn't sense your presence in the city nor the Pride Ring for that matter." A little flaming Taylor appeared inside the city and waved before their patron grinned darkly.
"So I naturally assumed you went and got yourself killed and were waiting in the black abyss." The mini-Taylor pantomimed writhing in pain before going limp and the body floated out of the city borders.
"As I couldn't want to wait for you to come back on your own, I went and dragged you back." They waved their finger and a flaming string stretched between their index finger and the mini-Taylor's neck before their patron reeled them in like a fish back into the city limits.
Taylor watched the demonstration with a neutral expression, but inside they were seething.
"I don't recall asking for your assistance." They said in a clipped tone.
The woman laughed before waving their hand dismissively and the model dissipated.
"Oh, that was merely a parlor trick, little one!" They stood from the couch before sauntering over to stand over Taylor. "But I couldn't help but notice that upon your arrival, you didn't immediately return to your body." The woman leaned in close and grinned wickedly, causing Taylor to tremble slightly despite their efforts to keep their nerve. "You met your end by an angelic weapon, didn't you? You don't have to say it, it's as plain to see as the nose on your face." The woman said smugly before gently booping them on the nose.
Taylor swallowed hard and their patron laughed, high-pitched and soft.
"Poor little one, you must have been so frightened. After floating in that blank void, thinking that was the end of it, you find yourself back in familiar waters, only you're unable to return to your body and you start to dissipate into ether once more. Who wouldn't come apart at the seams?" Their voice was both mocking and delighted as they savored Taylor's unease.
'What are they talking about?' Taylor thought confusedly before their patron continued.
"No, I wasn't going to let a little thing like death by celestial means keep you from fulfilling your duties. To that end, I used my power to furnish you a new body to house your homeless spirit." They said superiorly before pinching their cheek roughly in a mock show of affection. "And for that, I expect an appropriate display of thanks for sparing you such a fate."
'That would explain why my Hell form came back.' They thought resentfully. "So the reason contracts get broken after someone is felled by angelic weapons is because the soul can't return to their body?" They asked as they took a step back and rubbed their sore jaw.
"Correct! The tether connecting the soul and body is severed in that instance, leaving the lingering essence to wander into inanimate objects or simply fade into nothingness!" They replied animatedly before adding. "But you don't have to worry about that, little one. I'll be sure to step in should it happen again."
Taylor took a step back to get some space as they took in the information.
"Thanks, but no thanks, I had things well in hand without your help." They said resolutely.
The woman chuckled condescendingly as they cocked their head to regard them.
"It's adorable when you think you have a say in the matter." They said with a smirk. "Well in hand, you say? Now you've piqued my interest. Do enlighten me as to why you would refuse my assistance?"
Taylor said nothing, keeping their cards close to their chest as they realized they said too much. They two stared at each other for a moment before the woman's shoulders shook as they began to laugh derisively. They turned their head to the side before speaking.
"You slay me, little one! As if I'd let you go before you've worn out your usefulness! The idea is ludicrous!" They chortled, wiping a tear from their eye. "Ha ha, 'well in hand' indeed. You speak as if…" their snickering died down before their brow furrowed and their eyes darted back and forth as they were going over something in their mind. "As if you…"
They turned to face Taylor with an intense gaze and a thin smile.
"Pray tell, where did I pull you from, little one?" They asked, voice honeyed and warm.
Taylor shifted back farther, distrustful of the sweet countenance. They swallowed thickly before answering.
"Like you said, the dark void." They answered, fear bloomed in their chest as they kept up their slow retreat.
The woman's expression darkened before they stepped closer.
"Now, now, haven't I warned you about not being entirely truthful with me?" The woman said with a dangerous edge to their voice, causing dread to snake up Taylor's spine.
Another step back, then another, and they felt their back hit the wall before master and thrall were standing toe to toe. The woman loomed over them with narrowed crimson eyes that glowed brightly.
"I'll give you another chance, so do make it count. Where did I drag you back from, little one?" They asked as the deep reverberating echo of several voices hurt their ears.
Taylor could hear their pulse hammering in their ears as their instincts screamed at them to run, and fast. Sweat beaded on their brow before their breath came in short, painful gasps.
"Heaven." They said, voice low and trembling as they forced the word out.
Their patron's eyes widened and their white pupils dilated in shock. Taylor watched the taller being stare transfixed at them, making them more nervous by the minute. Suddenly, hands gripped them at their sides and they were lifted into the air before the room around them moved quickly.
"You marvelous creature! I knew you were worth the investment! Oh, well done, well done!" Their patron cried out in elation as they held Taylor aloft and swung them around like they were a small child. Before Taylor could recover from the mood whiplash, they were crushed to their patron's chest as the woman chattered on excitedly. "And here I thought the Princess's asinine ramblings and infantile plans had no chance of bearing fruit! I loathe being wrong, but in this case, I will happily make an exception!"
"Let. Me. Go!" Taylor grunted as they tried to push themselves away, but their patron held them securely in an iron-clad grip.
The woman giggled madly at their struggling before Taylor was quickly flipped around so their back was to the woman's chest. Their patron began pacing about the room breathlessly while stroking their hair like a pet.
"Perish the thought, little one! I already had ambitious plans for you, but you've gone and shattered those to pieces! New possibilities have just opened up! Oh, you truly are the gift that keeps on giving!" They gushed as they squeezed them tighter.
'New possibilities? Why don't I like the sound of that…' Taylor thought with apprehension before they kept trying to escape while being carried around.
After yammering on about their luck, praising themselves on their dealmaking abilities, and how envious their fellows will be, their patron slowed their marching and sighing contentedly.
"Haaa, yes. Quite the stimulating turn of events." They said before their voice took on a dark tone. "Although… I can't help but feel that you've marred my jubilation by virtue of trying to keep such momentous news from me, little one." Their patron said before they felt sharp claws painfully dig into their scalp and shoulder.
Taylor took a shuddering breath. A part of them knew it was coming, it was only a matter of time, especially after the revelation and their patron's track record, but it didn't stop their heart from seizing in their chest as their anxiety spiked.
"We have a lot to talk about. Such insolence cannot go unpunished."
They closed their eyes before putting on a strained grin.
'Let's hope you're right about smiles ensuring you're in control, Alastor.' They thought grittily as they prepared themselves.
"Husk, if ya keep cleaning the counter, Niffty is gonna feel threatened. Charlie thinks she's harmless, I don't trust her not to stab ya while ya sleep for moving in on her turf." Angel said casually as he sipped his drink while the winged cat demon angrily scrubbed down the counter for the umpteenth time that night.
"Go fuck yourself." Husk replied testily as he kept up his cleaning with a huff. When Angel gave him an askance glare, he muttered a sorry before he threw his cleaning rag onto the counter and muttered under his breath.
Angel gave Husk a sympathetic look before putting down his cocktail and reaching over to pluck his hat off his head.
"What the fuck?!" He practically shouted as he tried to get his hat back, but Angel's long arms kept him from snatching it back.
"Pipe down, you'll wake Fuoco up!" He hushed quickly before sparing a quick glance at the sleeping fire demon across the way. In the clear, Angel placed Husk's hat on his head with a flourish. "Seems to me yer the one that needs a bartender to talk to this time. I might only be an actor, but I can improv this shit." He said with a friendly wink.
"I'm not putting on a show fer ya." He grumbled as he tried again to retrieve his hat, only for Angel to lean back out of his reach.
"C'mon, just give it a shot! Or were you feeding me bullshit when ya said 'letting yer walls down can set ya straight' earlier?" He said with a mischievous grin.
Husk facepalmed before grumbling. He put his hands on the counter and sighed before speaking tensely.
"Look, I don't know if this redemption business is gonna pan out or not, but even a drunkard like me can see what the Princess is doing is helping folks." He said with a hint of admiration before he frowned. "Well, all but the kid over there." He glanced over and noted the fire demon shifting in their seat with a furrowed brow.
"They were already guarded about anything related to them, but I had hoped that after going through the program and us pulling you from those shark demons, they'd open up to someone, anyone, but they're cagier than ever!" He sighed before his eyes narrowed and his wings flared up.
"Now they're tangled up with that pinstripe bastard after I warned them to keep their distance! While the Princess ordered him to keep them safe, I've known Al for a long time, and I know when he twists things so he comes out on top." He growled before his expression turned grim.
"Kid's in a dangerous place, and not just because of the Overlord business; they're in debt to Alastor, and sooner or later he's gonna want something and then they'll have to pay up." He said with a note of concern in his voice.
Husk felt a hand on his shoulder as Angel regarded him with a look of understanding.
"I get it, I'm worried about them too. But what's done is done and all we can do is be in their corner when they're ready to come forward. We losers got to stick together, right?" Angel said before gently placing his hat back on his head.
Husk was about to reply, but his ears pricked up and his eyes narrowed as he looked toward the parlor.
"Shit, not again." He uttered as his fur started to stand on end.
Angel turned around to follow his gaze, and Taylor was twisting and turning in their chair while breathing rapidly.
"Fuoco!" Angel cried out before running over to the squirming demon. He reached out to shake them awake. "C'mon, wake— OW!" He yelped when he made contact and clutched his burned hands to his chest. "Fuckin' Christ, that hurts!"
Husk was at his side and grabbed his wrists, examining the damage with a wince.
"We've got to remove the gloves and get your hands under water. Now." He said firmly as he began dragging the spider demon back to the bar to get to the nearest sink.
The front door slammed shut and footsteps quickly made their way into the lobby.
"Que carajo?" Vaggie cried out, fuming. "We leave for an hour, one hour, and you're already at each other's throats?"
Both Angel and Husk began indicating and explaining, talking over each other.
"Oh my gosh, what happened?" Charlie exclaimed when she saw Angel's injured hands.
The clamor in the lobby was interrupted when a thump and stifled scream drew everyone's attention. The fire demon had thrown themselves off the chair and were jerking on the floor with their back to the others.
"Taylor!" Charlie shouted as she moved over to them.
"Don't touch them!" Husk snapped. "They're superheated right now!"
Charlie hesitated for a moment before reaching over and turning them over. Taylor shook as their face was contorted in pain and their panic-stricken eyes stared unseeingly up at the demoness, their grimacing smile hanging on by a thread. Charlie sat on her knees before shifting their friend's head onto her lap, causing the fire demon to recoil at the contact and lash out as their eyes narrowed and they tried to push Charlie away.
"Get. Off. Me!" They growled viciously, their smile turning into a snarl.
"Charlie, be careful!" Vaggie cried out.
The blonde demoness held Taylor down tightly before looking up with determination and addressing the others.
"Get ready."
Vaggie looked shocked before she stood back and summoned her spear. Angel and Husk, not knowing what was going to happen, readied their Tommy guns and sharpened playing cards in response.
Charlie nodded before she took a deep breath and she changed into her full demon form. Her blonde hair swirled around her maroon horns as her sclerae turned red with white irises and her eyelashes elongated before a long black tail with spikes and triangular tip appeared and lashed behind her. A pentagram glowed beneath the two demons before a tornado of fire and musical notes encircled them.
AS PRINCESS OF HELL AND HEIR TO THE THRONE, I HEREBY ORDER THAT YOU LEAVE!" Charlie bellowed, causing the room to shake.
Taylor's body seized upwards as an ear-splitting screech came from them. From outside the flaming circle, Vaggie, Husk, and Angel saw a passerine outline surge from their friend and flew up with blazing eyes. The trio aimed their weapons, but the figure turned and quickly flew out of the circle and passed through the wall, leaving a scorch mark behind before disappearing.
There was a moment of tense waiting before Charlie extinguished her demonic flames and she reverted back to her normal form with a ragged sigh. Looking down, Taylor was still as they laid atop her lap limply with their eyes closed.
"Charlie!" Vaggie ran towards her girlfriend and gently held her face. "Are you okay?"
Charlie nodded and gave her a warm smile before looking a bit bashful.
"I, uh, decided to be aggressively kind and command a little more authority." She said with a swell of pride in her voice. Vaggie chuckled and hugged her.
"What the Hell was that?" Husk sputtered, still in a state of shock.
Charlie hesitated before they looked back to her unconscious friend and answered quietly.
"Taylor's dealmaker."
A hand on their forehead.
A solid surface beneath them. A fluffy weight on top.
The crackling of a fire nearby.
Taylor groaned as they came to.
"Guys! They're awake!" came a chipper voice.
Taylor opened and blinked their rheumy eyes. A colorful arrangement of blobs slowly came into focus and sharpened until they were greeted by a circle of faces, some smiling, others concerned, looking down at them. A jolt of panic hit them before they bolted upright with a gasp, the blanket on their torso falling away. They winced as their vision swam with stars before a wave of vertigo hit them and their muscles screamed in protest.
'Where am I now?' They thought achingly before their head tipped back and the world began to go black.
Arms wrapped around them and eased them back to lie down on the couch. The darkness receded when they were supine again.
"Whoa there, take it easy." Charlie said gently. "If you're not careful, you'll hurt yourself."
"Charlie? What…." They started before their raw throat seized into a coughing fit.
"Here! Water will help!" Niffty chirped as the cyclops demoness appeared next to them with a glass of water.
"Thanks." They said hoarsely before they slowly propped themselves up so their upper back rested on the arm of the couch and they took the drink.
"What happened?" They asked once their parched throat was quenched.
"Well…" Charlie said reluctantly.
"Yer dealmaker came a knockin', but Charlie here sent them packin' and crying home to mommy!" Angel said proudly.
"Angel! Show some tact! They only just woke up!" Vaggie fired back.
"Why? Charlie really kicked some ass! Ya should be singing her praises, she— "
"I already told you; I don't have a dealmaker." Taylor cut in firmly.
"Taylor?" Charlie said worriedly.
The fire demon sat fully upright with their head in their hand, keeping their gaze on the scorch mark on the wall.
"Let me say that I appreciate you all helping me out after another one of my night terrors. But while I can't say as to what you saw, it wasn't a dealmaker, much less mine." Taylor said curtly.
"Fuoco, ya don't need to lie about it, why won't ya let us help ya!" Angel pleaded, with indignation rising in his voice.
Taylor's head moved to glare at the spider demon intensely.
"I don't think you heard me. I can't say that it was a dealmaker, much less mine." They slowly emphasized as they sat up straighter.
Charlie, Husk, and Vaggie's eyes widened in realization when Angel stormed forward.
"Why ya gotta put up a front with us, Fuoco? Don't ya trust us? Why— "
Husk placed his hand on Angel's arm, causing the spider demon to whirl back at him.
"Angel, just stop. They can't." Husk said calmly.
"Whaddya talking about? They— "
"Shut up and listen! They can't say. Ain'tgot nothing to do with being cagey or trusting us." He said grimly.
Understanding hit Angel as they glanced back at Taylor, who had gone back to observing the blackened wall with a look of unease.
Charlie broke the tense silence.
"Can you say where you've been? We've all been worried."
Taylor's head swiveled around the room. Husk and Angel shook their heads in disapproval, Sir Pentious and Niffty gave a vote of confidence or excitedly nodded, and Alastor's grin was unreadable to them. They shrugged and figured they might as well. As they settled in to give their third recitation of their day, their sense of foreboding made the room feel frigid despite the blazing fire in the fireplace beside them.
There was going to be hell to pay when their patron visited next.