Page 59 of Virgil's Demons

It was like the world finally made sense again, like I found the part of myself I didn't even know I'd lost.

And in that moment, I realized Virgil had gotten his miracle. God hadn't abandoned him. He'd led me right back to him.

Tous.

EPILOGUE

VIRGIL

3Months later…

It had been months since the last incident. Months since I'd heard of any demons or possessions. Hellsing had been brought into the MC by Saddle. He had a fatherly affection for the boy and who could blame him, he had like six nephews.

Cipher had been missing for a few months, tracking down the motherfucker who had tried to get at Bulldog. But now everyone was wondering where he was. It wasn’t like him not to communicate, which put everyone on edge.

In my book, paranormal shit was easy. Black and white, demons and angels. You had some holy water and a prayer, and you just might get through it. But when you had the Mafia at your back, they didn’t fuck with you how demons did. They made sure your purgatory was here on earth. That was a whole different set of weapons.

After everything we’d gone through, I wasn’t leaving Barythaya’s side, nor did I want her giving up what she loved, which was the Sanctuary. Instead, I moved in with her, and she accepted the fact, that every once in a while, I’d have to leave to take care of otherworldly things. Gratefully, I was always able to keep a watchful eye on her. Made us both feel safe knowingthe Royal Bastards had our back. It seems the rune she tattooed on my arm served more than just a protection to ward off demons. It was a ward on angels too. And it was how she was able to remember everything, although at times, when she woke up screaming in the middle of the night, I wished she had just remembered me and not everything else.

Tonight, the silence was defeaning with what should have been peace, but instead, there was tense energy around me.

I was about to drift off to sleep when a faint, deathly whisper slithered through the air.

"Keep them close, Exorcist. Don't let the demons catch them."

"What?" My eyes flew open and I sat up abruptly. The weight of those words echoed and tightened around my chest. Panic quickly ensued and I took a calming breath, watching as Bayrthaya stirred beside me.

I slid a hand over her thigh, needing her warmth to soothe this cold fear that was gnawing at my soul.

"He's watching. Waiting for you," the whisper became clearer. And I quickly jumped out of the bed, grabbing my preferred weapon of choice, a crucifix.

"Who's there? If you're trying to scare me it won't work. I've sent worst things back to hell."

"Oh I know," it laughed and I flinched at the scraping sound. It was like sandpaper gnawing at your skull. Not pleasant at all.

"What the hell do you want?" I murmur to the darkness, hoping for an answer, but nothing comes. My voice cracks with frustration. "Just fucking tell me."

The air thickened and then I felt it. The old familiar feeling of Death. It always had this way of creeping in, quiet and foreboding, waiting in the shadows.

"Hello again, friend," the familiar rasping voice echoed, and I clenched my fists.

I don't even turn to look at it. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Death's figure appeared at the foot of the bed, its hooded form more tangible this time, a grim reminder of all the things that have tried to destroy me. Its voice is a dark, mocking lullaby.

"I'm not here to harm you, Virgil. I've learned my lesson. I was brought to the gates of hell and prosecuted, but I still owe my debt and until then, I am chained to purgatory.

"How did you get out?"

"I was in the area. Someone on the floor below has died."

"So what? You decided to stop by before claiming your bounty?"

"Something like that. I cannot forgive what you did. You hurt me so deeply..."

"Cut the crap. You damn well know that you were manipulating this entire situation. I nearly lost her because of you. I. Hate. You," I growled at it.

"Yes. I suppose I am deserving of that hate. That is my price to pay for wanting something I cannot have. Either way I am here to give you a message."

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