Minor Demons (23 page)

“I need to see my cousin.”

“Did you kill Andres?”

“No he’s alive... which is more than I’ll be able to say for you if you don’t let me see my cousin. Now.”

The guards both pointed their weapons at him. The door to the warehouse opened and Diego stepped out.

“Put the guns down.”

His guards lowered their weapons.

“Pretty ballsy, cuz. What makes you think you can command my men like that? Where the hell is Andres?”

“He’s in the back of the van. I caught him skimming off the top of your prices. While he slept in the van, his customers were overpaying me like crazy.”

Carlos pulled the cash out of his pocket and tossed the rolled up stack of bills to Diego.

“That’s several hundred bucks right there. He wanted me to just hand it over to him and take 15% of the normal drug prices. I decided I’d let you deal with him.”

“Where is he then?”

Carlos grinned.

“Back of the van.”

Diego nodded at one of his guards, who approached the back doors of the van and opened them. There was blood all over the floor of the van and Andres was barely able to lift his head to see what was going on. Diego started laughing.

“Damn. You fucked him up good. So you shot him in his legs and drove him back here to hand over the extra money?”

Carlos nodded. Diego approached the back of the van and looked in.

“Diego, I’m sorry. I figured that guy was a pussy and he wouldn’t say anything. I didn’t mean to...”

Diego pulled a gun from inside his jacket and shot Andres in the head. He snapped his fingers as he was walking away and his guards approached the van to dispose of the body.

“Carlos. My office. Now.”

Carlos followed Diego inside the warehouse to his office.

“Shut the door and have a seat.”

Carlos did as instructed. Diego thought for a moment and then tossed the rolled up stack of bills to his cousin. Carlos looked confused.

“What happened to your lip?”

“Andres punched me right before I started working and he... started doing nothing in the back of the van.”

“Not bad, cuz. I guess he wasn’t selling more than the other dealers; he was just occasionally throwing in some of his extra cut that he was taking. Just enough to beat the other dealers and then he pocketed the rest. I can’t believe I didn’t watch that asshole closer.”

“To be fair, I think you watched him plenty close. You sent me to work with him, right?”

Diego grinned, as the thought hadn’t occurred to him.

“That’s a really good way to spin it.”

“So what do you want me to do with the extra cash from today?”

“Keep it. It’s your reward for bringing that jackass to me.”

“So I can get my full 30% from now on? I don’t need anyone else to train me... I understand how everything works now.”

“Sure.”

Carlos was going to just leave it at that, but Leech prodded him to make a play for Andres’ job.”

“And the cocaine dealer spot?”

Diego raised both eyebrows.

“I have someone else in mind for that. I’d say I’ve been more than generous in rewarding you for your loyalty today, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t overreach. You just started and I would hate for you to start thinking you deserve more than you’re getting right off the bat. There’s room in the ground for more than that asshole that I just killed.”

“I’m happy with my cut. I was just curious if the spot was available or not. Clearly, it’s not. I don’t mind making the cash I’m making dealing meth.”

Diego moved closer until he was uncomfortably close to Carlos’ face.

“So we don’t have a problem here?”

“Nope.”

“Good. I would hate to be down two dealers in one day.”

“Trust me. We’re good. I don’t want to be greedy. All I care about is Junior getting the care he needs. I’m going to go see him now, if that’s alright. I’ll see you tomorrow... or you’re welcome to come along if you want.”

“No, I have to figure out how to deal with this whole Andres thing. Go see your son. Tell him Uncle Diego said hey.”

Carlos briefly considered reminding Diego that he wasn’t Junior’s uncle, but immediately thought better of it. Diego was probably in a foul enough mood that he would kill the next person to look at him wrong. Carlos simply nodded and left.

As he was getting into his car, Carlos got a call from a number that he didn’t recognize. He answered his phone as he sat in the driver’s seat.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Romero?”

“Yes?”

“This is Dr. Frank at the University hospital. We hit a rough patch with your son and we need you to get here as soon as possible.”

“W
hat’s wrong?”

“He’s in surgery. The disease spread to his heart. We’ll know more in a few hours.”

“And the odds of him living through this?”

The doctor stayed silent for a little too long.

“Well?”

“Not good. Maybe 25%.”

Carlos sat in the waiting room with his head in his hands. Even all the money in the world hadn’t mattered because he was already too late. He should have turned to his family’s business a long time ago. This was all his fault.

The demons let Carlos wallow in his despair. As they planned their next move, a small demon entered the waiting room. He bowed in front of Shadow and held up a message.

“Master Shadow, your uncle, General Cain, requests your presence back in Hell.”

“What does he want?”

“I don’t know, Master Shadow. I am simply a messenger.”

Shadow took the message from the small demon’s hands and read it. Leech and Lilith watched with interest.

“Leech, you’re going to stay here and keep working on Carlos. Lilith is going back to Hell with me. Both of you need to be ready to fight. The department of lies is coming for me, but the two of you might get caught in the crossfire. My uncle suspects Lucian is after him.”

Leech shook his head.

“If they’re after you, bro, I’d rather go with you to Hell and help you fight.”

“There’s something these ancient assholes don’t understand. They’re fighting, bickering, and dick measuring contests are getting in the way of soul collecting on Earth. I won’t be the same way. You’re to stay here with Carlos. We’ve led him a good ways down a dark path and he’s about to lose his son. We can’t have the angels taking another crack at him while we run back to Hell. I need to leave someone here.”

Lilith put her hand on Shadow’s shoulder.

“The last time you left Leech alone, he was attacked by angels. We can’t leave him here. He has to stay safe.”

“Don’t worry about me, Lily. I’ll be fine.”

“Stop trying to be a tough prick. Leaving you here alone is
not
a good idea.”

Shadow considered his options for a moment when he realized that the messenger demon was still kneeling.

“Stand up, little guy. What’s your name?”

The demon stood and Shadow realized that he was a good foot shorter than even Leech. He wore a screech owl on his head and a loincloth but nothing else. As Shadow looked him over for weapons, he saw two small daggers made from bone attached to two belts that crossed his chest. A small blowgun was attached to the little creature’s back. Leech backhanded the messenger demon in his face and he stumbled back several steps.

“Shadow asked you a question. What’s your name?”

The demon bowed once again.

“My name is Muan. I am a demon-in-training serving General Cain and all of the middle and minor demons in the department of murder.”

Shadow looked the small demon over once more. It wasn’t a great idea, but he was left without many options.

“Muan, if I give you a command are you sworn to obey?”

“Of course, Master Shadow. Any command given to me by a minor demon from the department of murder is a command I will obey.”

“You’re to stay here and assist Leech in dragging our target, Carlos, down to Hell. You will obey all of Leech’s commands. Understood?”

“But...”

“Yes?”

“Never mind.”

“If you have a problem, I want to hear it right now.”

Muan glanced nervously in Leech’s direction.

“With all due respect, Master Shadow, Leech is a minor demon in the department of idolatry. I am sworn to serve the department of murder.”

“Muan, I’m also sworn to serve the department of murder. If the message you just delivered to me is true, I have to get to Hell
now
and fight for my uncle. I don’t have any choice but to leave you with Leech. It’s either that, or I can kill you.”

“As long as he doesn’t give me any command that would dishonor the department of murder, I will do as you ask.”

Leech pulled Shadow aside and the two of them turned their backs to Lilith and Muan.

“Are you sure this is a good idea? It seems like that little guy might stab me in the back the second you guys leave simply because I report to General Baal.”

“He’s used to following orders. I’m guessing this order just kind of... confuses him. His department loyalty is conflicting with his need to follow commands. He’ll be alright. Besides, we don’t really have a choice here.”

“We absolutely have a choice. We could kill him; we could send him back to Hell. Leaving him here with me might be more of a problem than a slight inconvenience if he decides to stop following me.”

“Look, Leech. I’m not trying to baby you and I’m not worried about you getting into trouble. I know that you can hold your own. I would just feel better if you had backup. We’ve already come across angels once, what do you think will happen if I’m not here and the angels come back?”

“Well if that Sarah chick shows up again, it won’t really matter, will it?”

Shadow removed his angel’s short blade and handed it to Leech.

“If that bitch comes back, kill her. Put it on the back of your belt under your cloak. Don’t let the little guy know that you have it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t need it where I’m going.”

“Alright bro. The second it becomes more than you can handle, I want you to send for me. I’d rather lose Carlos’ soul than lose you in some turf war between Lucian and Cain.”

“I will. In the mean time, I need you to focus and not worry about me or Lilith. We’ll be fine down there.”

An abrupt cracking noise made both Leech and Shadow turn back around. They saw that Lilith had snapped her whip to get their attention. She walked up to Leech, wrapped both of her legs around his waist, and started to kiss him. Once Leech got over the initial shock, he gave in and started to enjoy the kiss, but she ended it abruptly, hopped down off him, and shoved him away.

“I don’t want you to do anything stupid and get yourself killed.”

Leech grinned mischievously and then winked at her.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Lilith walked over to Muan and stroked his chin. He closed his eyes, enjoying the experience. Once he regained his composure, he blushed bright red, stepped back several steps, and bowed to Lilith.

“I want you to keep Leech safe. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes, Lady Lilith, I will keep him safe.”

Lilith turned back to Shadow and Leech.

“He’s adorable. Just like an obedient little puppy. I want one.”

“Take that one, Lily. I don’t want him.”

“We’ve already had this discussion. Muan is staying here to help you. Shadow, let’s go before Leech throws a tantrum.”

Shadow put his hand one Leech’s shoulder one final time.

“Stay safe. I’ll send a messenger to call you down to help us if we need it. In the meantime, just keep working on Carlos and don’t die.”

Shadow turned to Muan.

“You are to do everything Leech tells you to do without questioning him. His father is Malcontent, a middle demon who served for a long time in our department. I also trust Leech with my life. The fact that he’s in Baal’s department shouldn’t be a problem for you. Understood?”

“Yes, Master Shadow. I will do as you ask.”

“I’m not kidding, little guy. If Leech dies, I will kill you myself.”

“Understood.”

Satisfied that he had given his all to convince Muan not to betray or otherwise cause problems for Leech, Shadow turned and left. Lilith followed.

“I know Shadow was pretty clear with his expectations, but I get the feeling that you still don’t like me. Would you like to explain why that is?”

“Master Shadow would not approve of me speaking ill of one of his servants. I will, therefore, remain silent on this matter.”

“No, Muan, you won’t. Speak your damn mind.”

There was a few moments of silence as Muan decided whether he was obligated to obey the order or not.

“Fine then, Leech. I can respect Master Shadow and Lady Lilith because they are both born of major demons and they placed in the top three in the trials. You placed fourth and you are the son of a minor demon. You only even obtained fourth because of the armor gifted to you by General Cain. You serve General Baal and I feel like my time is being wasted by following you here on Earth. I would rather pay my dues delivering messages until I am promoted to minor demon myself. That, as requested Leech, is my damn mind.”

Leech saw Muan grip the two bone daggers attached to his chest, as if he expected a fight. Leech laughed.

“Wow. You seriously hate me, don’t you? Let’s clear up some things that you clearly don’t understand. First off, you aren’t the offspring of a major demon either. I’m not sure why that really matters. Technically, Shadow is the
nephew
of General Cain, not his offspring and Lilith’s mother wouldn’t even claim her until after the trials. Second, I’m not sure why you place such great importance on the trails. Did you even place in the top ten?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t remember you. What place did you take?”

“Tenth.”

Leech grinned and Muan scowled back at him.

“Now I remember. I couldn’t get a clear view of the demon that placed tenth when they announced it. It’s because you’re so short. I don’t say that to demean you, there’s nothing wrong with being a little guy. I’m a small demon myself.”

“Is that all?”

“No. I’m not the son of a minor demon, my father is Malcontent, the middle demon in charge of demon training and, finally, your time is not being wasted here. You’re not very good at fighting
or
tempting humans, so I think you could learn quite a few lessons from me if your ego allowed you to get over whatever the hell you have against me.”