A bothersome rapping awoke Alastor from sleep. He grumbled but did not rise. Isobel would tell them to leave soon enough. After a brief silence the rapping came again, a little louder this time.

"Your admirers crave your attention," he said, draping an arm over his face. How was it possible she had not heard them? The rapping came again a third time. "Isobel."

He reached an arm out annoyed that she was being so lazy and would not address this nuisance, but his grasping hand found nothing. Finally opening his eyes and lifting his head, he saw an empty place where she should have been. It was cold, she had been gone for a while. After the night before he had thought she would have been tired and wanting to sleep in or spend the morning curled up close, subjecting him to her insufferable cuddling.

The rapping came again. Would these fools not leave?

With an angry growl, Alastor rose and padded to the door. He swirled a finger in the air and used his powers to replace his PJs for more formal attire. He only allowed Isobel to see him in such a state and whoever was behind this door was going to get the full brunt of the Radio Demon's presence. Angry glare and jagged smile, he yanked the door open.

"What is it?" he said sharply. Kali and two other sinners stood in the hallway. He peered down at them with disdain. However Kali met him with a smile on her face and pleasant demeanor. The other two were small females as well, one with the face of a cat and the other with a pair of rainbow striped horns. Between the two they carried a large covered tray. They smiled too, though it was obvious they were both fighting the urge to cower away.

"Good morning," Kali said all too cheerfully. "We have brought you breakfast."

"Your… shepherd," he said the word like it left a bad taste in his mouth, "is not here."

"Yes, we know," Kali said, side stepping around Alastor and into the room. She began to make the bed. The other two were less forward, but they too entered. "She left very early this morning, but before she did she gave very clear instructions that we were to take care of your needs whatever they may be."

"Did she?" he asked suspiciously.

"Yes," Kali motioned to the other two and they laid the tray down on a small writing desk in the corner. They raised the cover, revealing a stack of raw meat and crawdads. (Some of which were still crawling.) "Please, enjoy the, uh, food."

Alastor eyed the plate. He could smell the aroma of the uncooked pile of tissue and muscle. It made his mouth water, but he did not move. The three stood awkwardly as if there was more to say.

"Is there something else?" he asked dryly.

"Yes, we wanted to apologize." Though she motioned to the others, he had the suspicion this apology was wholly the idea of Kali's. "We did not fully understand your relationship with the Shepherd. We thought you were just another power hungry, ruthless Overlord. But now we know your devotion to her is the same as ours. You saved her from a treacherous non-believer and for that we are forever grateful. Being that you are the Shepherd's paramour, we will of course extend to you the same respect and favor as we do to the Shepherd herself."

"Her what?" Alastor's eyes narrowed darkly, perhaps he didn't quite hear that right.

"Her paramour?" Kali began to try to elaborate. "Her, well, mistress isn't the right word. Her companion, consort?"

"I know the meaning of the word."

"Is there something else you would prefer us to call you?"

"The Radio Demon."

Kali nodded, "Of course." She looked at the other two and motioned to the door. They both looked overwhelmingly relieved to be finally going. "We will leave you to your breakfast then." She did one last little curt bow and left, closing the door behind her. As she disappeared, Alastor made the decision that one day he would disembowel her.

He stood there for a long moment, arms held behind his back thinking.

He left the room without touching the meal they had brought. It was all too fresh anyway. He preferred his meat aged.

Alastor had to spend the rest of the day making uncomfortable eye contact with Isobel's peons. They continually tried to engage him in small talk or ask if he needed anything, and they kept calling him the Shepherd's Consort, which put his teeth on edge. They're sheer presence irked him and worse, none of them seemed to know where Isobel had gone off to.

It was late in the afternoon before she showed back up. She walked into the hotel laughing and carrying on with Angel. It appeared that they had been together this whole time. However, the minute she locked eyes with him across the lobby, she excused herself and came directly over. As it should be, after all.

"Good afternoon, Alastor," she said with a charming smile.

"Good afternoon, Isobel. And where have you been this entire fine day?"

Her eyebrows raised. He was extremely grumpy for some reason.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Very simple question," he replied, trying to sound unbothered. He adjusted his tie and fiddled with his cufflinks. "You woke very early today, and no one seemed to know where you had scampered off to."

"Oh," she shrugged. It never bothered him before, her comings and goings. He was possessive and controlling at times, but had never had the need to know her whereabouts at all hours of the day. "I went to the library early and then when I came back I ran into Angel and we decided to go out for the day. Nothing special."

"Yes, well, your disciples woke me this morning and have not given me a moment's rest since."

"I guess that's kind of my fault. I did tell Kali to take care of all your needs today, and to be nice about it."

"Apparently that equates to following me around endlessly all day asking inane questions."

Isobel laughed her caustic cackle and smiled shrewdly up at him. "Are you mad that they're not scared of you?"

"I would prefer that."

"I'm not afraid of you, and it doesn't bother you."

"That's entirely different."

"Is it because I'm special?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him. He was done with her teasing and turned away.

"I am tired of this conversation."

"Ok, ok," she grabbed his elbow. "I'll tell them to leave you alone. I just thought you might like to be waited on a little."

"If I want that, I do not need your minions. I have my own."

"Why the hell are you so pissy today?" At that moment Isobel received a tap at her elbow. It was, of course, Kali.

"Good afternoon, Shepherd. I just wanted to ask if you and your consort would be needing anything before the redemption class started."

Isobel cocked an eyebrow and she turned a very amused smile toward Alastor as a realization set in. He turned his head away, not deeming to look at the two women. He was now fully convinced that Kali was doing this on purpose in an effort to grate at him.

"Uh, no, thank you. We're fine." Kali bowed her head and slunk away. Isobel rounded on Alastor. "My consort, huh? Have they been calling you that all day?"

"Yes." He again tried to sound unbothered.

"My, my, how the tables turn. No wonder you're angry."

Alastor turned a dark eye to her and placed a finger under her chin.

"Your followers do not understand our arrangement, but you do. These people may have given you a modicum of power, but do not forget, at the end of the day you belong to me."

Isobel smiled. "My power is your power."

Alastor didn't believe that for a second.