Kali bowed her head.
"Excuse us, Shepherd, we request an audience with you privately."
"Sure," Isobel sighed as she pushed past both of them and into her room. "Come on in. What can I do for you?" She sat down on the window seat to take off her shoes. Kali hovered around her like a hopping sparrow unable to direct her nervous energy. Vincent closed the door behind them and leaned against the wall, hands in pockets.
"An issue has arisen throughout the congregation. It's been a matter of concern for a while now, but I've hesitated bringing it to you until now. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it cannot be ignored any longer."
"To the point already, Kali."
"Your relationship with an Overlord is causing doubt to find purchase among your followers."
Isobel's eyes narrowed, "Is it now?"
"We have all lived in fear of Overlords for so long, scurrying in the dark trying desperately to avoid their notice, having the person we trust most in all of Hell so close to one is causing doubt that you are truly looking out for our best interest."
"Do you doubt me?" Isobel had turned cold.
"No, no," Kali waved her hands defensively. "But some others have expressed worry that in a moment of weakness you may be convinced to give some of us over to the Radio Demon, or worse sell your own soul."
Isobel nodded thoughtfully.
"I see," she replied. "So what would you have me do?"
This was the opening Kali had been waiting for. The Shepherd barely ever asked for her advice and it was only ever on trivial matters. She eagerly sat down on the window seat next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. This would be a hard conversation. Kali knew the Shepherd had a kind heart, but sometimes the truth hurt. And she would not stand by any longer and allow her Shepherd to be manipulated by a power hungry demon.
"You must break ties with him at once. Banish him from your life."
Isobel laughed, "you make it seem like I can just kick him out of the hotel, which I can't."
"You certainly can kick him out of your bed." Kali stood waving her hands as she spoke. "I don't know how, but he has convinced you to trust him in ways not even I or Vincent are privy to. It must be part of some nefarious plot to use you in some way. Overlords have nothing but ill intent and you must reject him completely."
"Are you listening to this?" Isobel turned to Vincent. He was usually a calm voice of reason. "Do you agree with this?"
"I don't know, I'm still kind of new around here," he said as he came off the wall to join them, running an uncertain hand through his hair and over his ram horns. "But," he shrugged as he gave her a sheepish look. "I have noticed that whenever he comes around, you kinda shrink yourself. Like you have to diminish who you are just to make him seem more important."
Isobel was very confused. What were they talking about? These observations of theirs boggled her mind. She rubbed her forehead and then with a half laugh she said, "no."
They both looked at her somewhat shocked. She stood and started pacing.
"Of course, no," she said. Now it was her turn to use her hands to express her frustration. "I know you don't trust Overlords. And why should you? And I know you don't like Alastor, but you're wrong. There is no plot. He and I have an arrangement, an understanding, and I will not break my word to him. If any of the others cannot accept that then, I guess, I'll just have to figure out how to return their souls and they can leave."
Kali was horrified that Isobel would so readily give up a follower just to keep her attachment to an Overlord.
"See," she pleaded. "This is what I was afraid of. He is turning you against us."
"That is not what this is. He's not even here." Isobel scanned the room, just in case she was mistaken and he was lurking in the corner shadows.
"He cannot be allowed," Kali said frantically but was interrupted as Isobel put up a hand to silence her. Isobel then spoke low and calm, standing as straight as possible.
"The answer is no," she said using her most authoritative voice. The voice she saved for making formal proclamations to her cult. "We will not have this conversation again. In fact, from now on, if Alastor is around at all, you both," she pointed a finger at Kali and then at Vincent, who looked very uncomfortable. "will leave us alone. No more pressing emergencies, or made up reasons to separate me from him. Do you understand?"
Kali had dropped her head and hunched her shoulders, looking very dejected.
"I just want what's best for you, Shepherd," she said in a quiet voice on the verge of tears.
"I think you should leave." Isobel crossed the window turning her back on them. She heard the shuffling of footsteps and then the door opening and closing.
"You know." Isobel turned around to find Vincent still standing there. "She really does only want what's best for you."
"She doesn't know what's best for me," Isobel sank down on the window seat. "She saw me at the worst of times and made up this fantasy. And she doesn't understand Alastor. He and the rest of the people here at the hotel have always protected and helped me." She slumped down, elbows on her knees and head in hands. "If it wasn't for Alastor I would be dead or worse."
"Of course," Vincent knelt down in front of her. "You needed him. You were weak and vulnerable, and needed someone strong to protect you. And now you feel indebted to him. But you don't need him any more." He took her hand in his own. "You have your own power now. You never need to feel indebted to anyone ever again. You are constantly surrounded by people who love you. People who would die for you."
He leaned closer, looking into her eyes and placing his other hand on her face. "I would die for you."
A strange knowing crossed her face. She looked down at him and took a deep breath. She opened her mouth to respond, but before the words could escape the door swung open, Alastor's form behind it. Isobel snatched her hand away and pulled back. Alastor hesitated, taking in the scene.
"What's all this, now?" His voice was dark and foreboding. Isobel crossed her arms.
"Vincent was just leaving," she said. Silently Vincent rose to his feet and, careful to keep his eyes averted, moved to the door. Alastor side-stepped allowing him to pass then shut the door, all the while glaring at Isobel.
Once they were alone, he sauntered to the window standing over her and took a piece of her hair (perhaps pulling a little too hard) to wind around his finger.
"What was he doing?" Alastor asked.
"Trying to poison the water," she replied.
"Interesting. Go on."
"Apparently, Kali wants me to distance myself from you, and Vincent says I don't need you anymore."
"Ha, joke's on him. I believe you once told me that you may want me, but you do not need me."
"It's really annoying that you remember everything I say." He walked away from her chortling punctuated by his clicks and static. Isobel sat brooding. "I don't like this. They're meddling, getting too comfortable with telling me what I should do and not do."
"Let's make an example of them. We can kill them and string them up in the lobby as a warning for others." His eyes blazed with excitement.
"Maybe not that." Isobel got up and crossed to him. "But let's stay close to each other for the next couple of days, ok?"
She reached up to place a hand on his face, but he caught her by the wrist before she could touch him. It was the same hand that Vincent had been holding and Alastor now looked at it with a mixture of disdain and disgust. Isobel realized that his good natured mood was just a flimsy act hiding the fact that he was actually quite pissed. How could he possibly be angry at her? This God-damned possessive asshole.
"You know," she said, her temper rising as well. "I didn't do anything. I didn't invite his attention."
"Then I suggest you fix the situation," he pushed her away. "Wash your hand or something. It smells like a goat."
He turned away from her, but Isobel would not be dismissed. She grabbed him by the belt buckle pulling him back. As she did she thrust the offending hand down the front of his trousers and grabbed his cock in a tight fist. Alastor hissed as he took a sharp breath in through clinched, golden teeth.
"No need to wash," she said with malice, tightening her grip. "I think this will do the trick, don't you?" They both froze in place scowling at each other until one by one, Isobel released her fingers and withdrew her hand. "Stop being a prick. I'll fix the situation."
"If you don't, then I will."