A gasp rose from the crowd of followers as Isobel appeared at the top of the stairs. Barefoot, covered in blood, and stinking of Alastor's musk, she seemed more like a dreaded demon Overlord than their stalwart Shepherd. She surveyed the group. She had never seen them all in one place and realized she had been underestimating their number. She should have been keeping count of how many hands she shook.

The throng filled the lobby, pushing the original occupants, Charlie, Vaggie, Angel and Husker, to a corner of the room. Even they had shocked expressions at Isobel's appearance. Though, the shock was not enough to prevent Angel from whispering in Husker's ear a crude joke about the consequences of having sex while menstruating.

Out of the crowd Kali stumbled forward. She was still trembling from the shock of the radio broadcast, and seeing the Shepherd in such a state did little to settle her nerves, but she was the voice of the followers. She was the closest to the Shepherd, she had made sure of it, boasted about it, and now she must see to her duty.

"Shepherd," she said tentatively. Isobel fixed her in a cold green stare. "What has happened to you?"

"Nothing," Isobel responded, and then turned her attention to the group as a whole. She raised her voice loud enough for all to hear. "I spoke to the Radio Demon. I'm sure you all heard his broadcast."

There was a murmur of fear throughout the crowd. Someone from the back cried out, "it was Vincent! I recognized his voice." The murmurs grew louder, this time the fear was mixed with anger. It was annoying to Isobel.

"You're right," she said almost mournfully. "Those screams you heard were Vincent."

"Why couldn't you protect him?" Another voice from the mass followed by sounds of agreement.

"Because Vincent was not what he seemed." Isobel's tone had changed. She was now commanding. "The truth is Vincent was never a true believer. He never shook my hand and never put his soul into my protection. If he had, things might have been different, but turns out Vincent had been here for false reasons.

"Vincent came here to gain power through me. He had a plot to get close to me, earn my trust, and seduce me. He wanted to turn me away from my trusted companion, so he could take that role. Vincent fooled us all. He fooled me. Kali," she turned to the small goat-eared woman. "Did he fool you too?"

She understood what was happening. Isobel knew she had brought Vincent there and that it was probably her own plan to use him to disrupt Isobel's connection with Alastor and her other friends/confidants. But now the Shepherd was giving her a gift. An out.

She dropped her head, but said loud enough for the crowd to hear, "yes, he fooled me as well."

"His own sister," Isobel said with a lilt of disapproval. Kali looked up, her eyes wracked with guilt over her lies. No punishment would be severe enough for her.

Isobel continued.

"When his real intentions were found out, the Radio Demon took care of Vincent and dealt a punishment that I could not. I know you all fear and hate the Overlords, but the Radio Demon saved me from this treachery. And the truth is, I'm afraid, you all have made an Overlord out of me."

The crowd gasped and murmured again.

"Your souls have given me power and strength I have never thought possible. But I want to assure you all that I will keep my promise to you. Even if I am an Overlord I will never use you as slaves. I will use the power and strength I have gained to protect your souls."

There was a heavy silence. Isobel waited for the judgment of the masses. The quiet was broken by a loud thud as Kali dropped to her knees, hands up raised.

"The Shepherd of the Lost is truly kind to watch over our filthy, decaying souls. We do not deserve your benevolence," she sobbed.

One by one, the crowd followed her example. They shouted their praises, raised their hands in the air, and cried. Isobel nodded fully confident there was no mutiny rising, and with a small, dark smile she turned and climbed the stairs. Charlie, Vaggie, Angel, and Husker, who had been edging around the crowd the whole time, quickly followed her.

"What in the ever loving fuck was that?" Angel exclaimed as they entered the quiet hallway.

Isobel shrugged, never slowing her gait.

"They were all scared. They needed some reassurance."

"This is reassurance?" He gestured to the whole of her.

"Angel's right," Vaggie said. "Look at yourself. You're covered in blood and talking about being on Overlord. Not sure this is what you intended when this whole thing started."

"Whose blood is that anyway?" Charlie asked very concerned. Isobel stopped and looked at her arms, perhaps there was more blood than she had initially thought. She had yet to see herself in a mirror. She didn't realize that there were still smears across her mouth and red hand prints on her face.

"I'm not totally sure," she admitted. "Probably mostly Vincent's."

"And you're ok with that?" Angel demanded.

"I don't think 'ok' is the right word." Isobel resumed her march, the others followed.

"This is getting out of control," Vaggie tried to reason. "I think we may have to shut this whole thing down. These people have got to go." Isobel stopped suddenly and turned around. Ignoring Vaggie, she addressed Charlie directly.

"These people actually seem like they want to change. Most don't even understand why they are in Hell. They want to be redeemed, you just have to educate them. Isn't that what you've been waiting for?" Charlie's eyes dropped to the floor, thinking. This was the first time that so many had been actively trying to achieve redemption. This may be her best chance to prove it was possible. "They will do the work."

"Yeah, if you tell them to do it," Vaggie said under her breath, hands on hips. Isobel eyed her for a moment, then turned on her heel.

"I'm going to my room," she said as she walked away. "It's late, and I obviously need a shower. You all do what you have to do and tell me your decision in the morning."

"What about all these people's souls?" Charlie called after her.

Isobel stopped just as she was about to turn the corner. "They gave their souls to me for a reason."

She disappeared around the bend leaving her friends standing confused in the hall, each looking at the others for guidance. But Angel was not satisfied. With a huff he quickly followed after her.

"Hey!" he called down the hall. She had just gotten to her door, her hand on the knob. With an exasperated sigh she turned around.

"What?" she said, sounding a bit softer than before.

"You once asked if I was mad that you didn't listen to me when I warned you about Alastor. At the time I said no, but I take it back. This isn't you. This is crazy."

She hesitated.

"I know," she said quietly. "I know this," she gestured to the blood, "is not a good look. I know things are getting complicated, but I also know I can handle it." Angel looked down at her dubiously. She took his hand. "I'm still me, and I will figure it out. I promise."

Angel chewed his lip unsure, but nodded. She smiled and gave his hand a little squeeze before retreating into her room. He stood in the darkened hall with a very bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.

On the other side of the door, Isobel found Alastor. Pristine and waiting, not one spot of blood marred his appearance. How did he do that? And so quickly too.

"Did you allay the fears of the masses?" he asked.

"They're placated for now." She said shedding her slip and making her way to the bathroom. "No more broadcasts without talking to me first." She shut the door and Alastor stared after her, eyes narrow and brows furrowed.

Did she just give him an order?