The loud creak of an old door opening to a small trailer home, nestled in the swampy outskirts of New Orleans, announced the return of Samedi into his makeshift home-slash-altar. Dropping his hat off into a ripped-up lazy boy chair, he moved to the counter, where a laptop was set up. Flipping open the screen, he clicked at the keys with his long nails, called up a video chat window, and waited. A few moments later, the black screen was replaced with the same familiar image from the warehouse. Bible, still in silhouette, was obviously angry. "What the fuck happened, Samedi? My source in the FBI says they arrested everyone at the warehouse, and my merchandise was confiscated!?"

"Yes." Samedi didn't bother with further details, as there were more important issues to deal with. "And I may have the answer to why you've been losing product."

"Explain."

"Before the FBI showed up, two individuals invaded the warehouse and took out my sentries, one at a time. One was a man, military-trained for sure, who took out the sentries outside. But it is the other one that intrigued me more."

"Go on." Bible's voice sounded impatient.

"The man's partner, who took out the men on the inside, is a demon."

"What?" Bible's visage cleared as he sat forward into the screen on his side. He was in his early 60's with receding gray hair molded into a crew cut and a scratchy face. An ugly scar from a blade went from his cheek over his left eye, which was a pure white orb of glass, and one cruel dark brown eye glared at Samedi. He chewed hard on his cigar. "Are you certain?"

"Oh, very certain. She stopped at the dead girl's body, and I swear she cried. This is no ordinary demon. There is something special about her. And if she's working with the army man, it's likely they are the ones who have been interfering in your business for the past year."

"Describe the man," Bible commanded, and Samedi shared what he saw of him, which was very little. Mostly, he was able to describe height and body type, but the darkness of the warehouse made a facial description impossible. He also described how the two worked together to free the girls. Bible was quiet for a few minutes after Samedi's story, chewing slowly on the cigar. Finally, he said, "It seems that the information I'd extracted from those who failed me is accurate. They spoke of being scared by something supernatural, and now I think I know who it is who's working with this demon."

"Who?"

"It was Angel."

"Angel?" Samedi's eyes widened. "I did not recognize him in the darkness of the warehouse."

"Apparently, since you failed to inform me before! He must be eliminated immediately." Bible pulled the cigar out and swore, "And I will have to have a word with my source in the FBI. I ordered all links to me to be destroyed or diverted, but it seems he decided to be lax on some important details."

Samedi had never heard this tone in Bible's voice before: concern, and it intrigued him: "If Angel controls the demon, we will need to counter in kind."

"What do you propose?"

"I will summon a demon of my own and send it to kill Angel and lure his demon to me. Whatever she is, she could be very useful to us."

"As long as you kill Angel, you may do so in any way that gets the job done. When you have this demon under your control, bring her to me. She could be useful in making sure my product is secure."

"As you wish," Samedi said, while simultaneously thinking, Like hell I will. I won't gift you this treasure. This demon could be the key to taking over Bible's operation for myself. Continuing aloud, "I will begin the ritual immediately. Angel will be dead as soon as my demon is ready."

"Good. This is your last chance. Fail me, and I will see to it that you share Angel's fate." Bible cut off the connection, and Samedi swore under his breath. He was not afraid of Bible, but he had connections and power that could be problematic for Samedi's ambitions. Closing the laptop, Samedi walked over to the chair, picked up his hat, sat down and began to mentally prepare for the ritual he was about to perform. One which would bring forth a weapon equal to—no, greater than—Angel's demon.