Death Among Us Read online

  “I also hope you do not mind, but I needed the closet space for my stuff.” I looked over and sure enough her stuff was everywhere. Granted, I never used it, so I had no complaints.

  “I guess you are moving in then?”

  “Of course and not a moment too soon. For someone as old and as powerful as you are, you sure do live a bit down from that standard.”

  Somewhere off in the distance I could hear Khloros laughing at me. “What can I say; I just don’t really care anymore about appearances. I’m old and tired.”

  She winked at me again. “You did not seem old and tired last night.”

  Defeated, I sat on the bed. “Well the place looks great. You didn’t have to do it though you know?”

  She sat down beside me. “I know, but I wanted to. I might be a Lust demon but I am also a home caretaker. When I was not required in Beelzebub’s bed, I took care of his estate.”

  “I’m sorry I don’t have a big palace or anything fancy. I gave them up when I came to Earth to live permanently.”

  Her hand touched my shoulder. This time there was no sex pouring off of her. “Don’t be sorry Derrick, this place is perfect. It is almost romantic in its own way.”

  “Thanks, I think?”

  She looked around. “Yes I do think I will be much happier here than I was elsewhere. It is nice to have a home again after years of exile.”

  It was still weird to think that she was technically my servant or whatever, but here she was. Wanting to change the topic, “So who’s this Darius that I heard you asking Albion about?”

  As soon as they name crossed my mouth, she started to shudder. “Darius is Beelzebub’s most favored general. He makes Albion look like an imp.”

  Even though it didn’t take me long to finish the Wrath demon, his tenacity and willingness not to die was impressive. “I’m guessing there is more to the story?”

  “Yes. I seduced him at a time I knew Beelzebub would be around. When he caught us, his rage was unparalleled. As I ran for my life, I was sure Darius was going to die for his transgression, but I guess that was not the case.”

  Oh boy, the deeper I dug, the more shit I found. “So this guy is as pissed off at you as one can be, correct?”

  “He certainly will not be happy to see me if that is what you are asking.”

  “Can you give me an idea of what we are going to be up against if and when this monster decides to strike?”

  “Well,” she stopped, as if trying to think of the right words to use, “in Beelzebub’s court, only he is stronger than Darius. Being a Pride demon you would think his physical strength would not be so great, but the opposite is true. The war axe he uses in battle he took from the great Wrath demon Ifrit himself.”

  Before we continue, let me break down the different kinds of demons for you. Feel free to come back to this point any time if you have questions. Demons are named after the Seven Deadly Sins, each group personifying the sin they embody.

  First up we have Wrath demons. They tend to be large, angry, and strong. When you hear Wrath demon, think an enraged charging bull. Due to their volatile and aggressive nature, most Arch-Demons use them as a sort of military force in Hell. Albion was a Wrath demon and a rather mild mannered one. Most do not talk as much as he did.

  Greed demons are next and they are awful creatures. Not physically impressive, their strength is in manipulating the situation using their target’s greed. Greed demons make wonderful politicians and hence why no one knew that our Vice President was one.

  Roxanne here is a Lust demon. The stories about the succubus were inspired by Lust demons. They entire lot of them is female and they use their overt sexual nature to seduce anyone into performing their will. Men are most likely to fall victim, but women are not immune to their wiles.

  I’m going to combine Sloth and Gluttony demons into one group, because they are closely related. Sloth demons generally work their way in by befriending you and then convincing you to sit back and relax. The more you relax and fall under their spell, the easier it is for them to kill you as they don’t move very fast.

  Gluttony demons generally want you to overindulge in one thing or another to the point you kill yourself. Their motto is you can never have enough of a good thing.

  Envy demons have no physical form; instead they try to work themselves into the subconscious of someone close to their target. If successful, they make their victim so envious of their actual target that it drives them to kill said person. It takes someone of a strong mind and will to fight off the effects of an Envy demon.

  Last but certainly not least is the Pride demon. These nasty pieces of work think their shit doesn’t stink. The problem is they can usually back it up too. Whatever inherent talent the demon shows, they work mercilessly at it until they are unbeatable. Pride demons are the rarest of the Seven, but without a doubt can be the strongest.

  You might have heard me also use the term Arch-Demon. They are the Fallen Angels, rulers of the realms of Hell. Beelzebub would be an Arch-Demon as would be Baal. They only one they answer to is Lucifer, the oldest and strongest of all the Fallen.

  But I digress, back to the story here. “He stole Ifrit’s war axe? Heaven help us, that is one strong demon.”

  “You don’t get to the top of the food chain being weak.” Roxanne did have a good point.

  “I’m sure with Beelzebub being behind this whole kill the President plot that at some point we will run into Darius, but for now let’s slide him to the back burner.”

  Roxanne’s eyes lit up. “Speaking of this plot, what did the angel have to say this morning?”

  “Verified your story, which comes as no surprise. What did catch me off guard was how little they actually knew about it. They have no clue where this plot is coming from or who is behind it.”

  “Does the Almighty not share his wisdom?”

  I didn’t know where this was going, but this was sensitive subject. “No, if He did, what would be the point of living? We fight for his ideals and the beliefs He inspires but we do not expect to be omnipotent as well.”

  “Whoa, I am sorry Derrick, for I did not mean to offend you if I did. I was just curious.”

  “No you are fine. I may not be an angel, but I work for the Almighty.”

  She started to laugh at me. “You Horsemen are an odd bunch aren’t you?”

  That we are. My brothers and I fulfill certain roles in this world, but no one ever truly understands our need.

  “Speaking of the others, why do you live alone? Where are the other three?”

  I sighed, another story for later. “The four of us do not always see eye to eye. This extended vacation from them is as much my choice as it is my exile.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I appreciate your concern Roxanne, but for now we will leave it at that. Right now, we need to prepare ourselves to leave for Washington D.C. in two days.”

  Her face was confused. “You’re taking me with you?”

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

  “I thought it was obvious?” It wasn’t. “I used to work for Beelzebub. I figured you would be worried this was a trap.”

  When she first came to my apartment last night, I thought it might be. But with the angels verifying her story and Albion demanding her return, that seemed unlikely. “The best place for me to keep a watch on you is right beside me, wouldn’t you say?”

  Chapter 6 – George Washington 101

  I was walking around the campus of Mt. Wolf University. I enjoy the learning atmosphere (and the coeds, who are we kidding) so every so often I will enroll in a new university. The last time I was in college was back in the late eighties when I attended Union.

  The reason for my visit to campus was to meet with a historical professor by the name of Dr. Margaret Larson. I hadn’t taken any of her courses, but word on the Internet was she was the foremost expert in the formation of the United States and its post Revolutionary War history. I knew quite a bit myself as I
was an active participant with General Washington (I promise I will get to that story) but I had some questions.

  When someone does not grow old, it makes it quite uncomfortable to stay friends with someone who does. Washington started to notice in the lead up to the war that I appeared the same age as the first day he met me. It was at that point I vanished from sight, only to see him again when it was him time to pass over.

  To bring this tangent full circle, what I really wanted was a perspective on something. I know Roxanne said that Washington’s axe was in the White House, in some secret vault, but I didn’t know if I truly believed that. I knew George very well, that axe was very important to him.

  I made my way into Thomas Wolfe Hall, home of the history department. According to the university’s web page, her office was on the second floor. I hoped she was there, as I had no picture to go on.

  It was easy enough to find her office and I knocked on her door. “The door is unlocked, come in.”

  That voice sounded really familiar. I opened the door and to my surprise, “Maggie?”

  She looked up from her desk. “Derrick?”

  She quickly got up from her desk and pulled me in and shut the door. “Derrick, what the fuck are you doing here?”

  “I was coming to see Dr. Larson, I swear I had no idea it was you.”

  The Almighty she was gorgeous. Tight pants and high heels, a blouse and her glasses on, how did anyone concentrate in her lectures?

  “I’m sorry, but damnit you caught me off guard. My husband wants to kill you. To quote his words, if he ever catches that scrawny ass cunt bucket, he will cut your dick off and shove it down your throat.”

  It’s not a day unless threats are being levied at me. This time from a mortal, what a nice change. “I hope I didn’t get you in any trouble.”

  “Please, our marriage has been awful for years. You were unfortunately the first one he ever caught in the act. It’s me that should be apologizing.”

  “It is no big deal, honestly. But enough about your murderous husband, I came here today to ask for some help.”

  She took her glasses off. “What can I do for you?”

  “I have always been interested in early American history, especially the life of George Washington. I was wondering if you would be able to shed some light of his later years for me.”

  Her eyes narrowed at me. “Are you being serious right now?”

  “As serious as a heart attack. As our first President and a major reason we were able to defeat the British, I feel it is important to know as much about someone so vital to the founding of our great country.”

  Bingo, my little speech worked. I could tell she had a rebuttal coming, but that was quickly quelled. “I stand corrected; it seems you are very serious. What information are you hoping I can share with you?”

  “I was hoping to get an idea of what the man was like the last years of his life.”

  She turned in her chair and grabbed a book off of her shelf. It was a very large, old book and it took her a few minutes to get to the pages she wanted.

  “Here we go, the section on the life and times of George Washington. Now to truly understand a man, we need to start at the beginning.”

  “I know quite a bit…”

  She cut me off. “Who is lecturing here, you or me?”

  “Very well, continue.”

  “Thank you Master, I aim to serve.” Ughh women. “Before I was interrupted, as I said, we need to start at the beginning. Most historians would agree that from a young age, Washington showed a great aptitude for leadership. Everyone knows the cherry tree story, but personally I think it is very important in who Washington became.”

  “You think so huh?”

  “Of course! It is a little known fact, but that axe he used was his most treasured possession.”

  This was going better than expected. “Really? Why is that?”

  “It has been so long since I’ve had the chance to talk about such things.” Excitement was evident on her face. “Depending on who you believe, the axe was a gift from a man who would eventually become Washington’s best friend.”

  “Are you going to keep me in suspense or tell me who this man was?”

  She flipped a few more pages in the book. When she got to the point she wanted, she pulled out an old piece of paper and unfolded it.

  “This was a note given to my mentor who handed it down to me. In it Martha Washington tells historian Tobias Ware the importance of the axe and the man who gave it to him. The man was never named, but it is clear by her words the impact he had on Washington’s life.”

  If only she knew the truth. Part of me wanted to tell her that the man was me, but clearly she would not believe me. Besides, the fewer mortals who know my true identity, the safer we would all be. “It is a shame we do not know more about this mysterious man.”

  “Yes, it is one of the great mysteries of American history. To finish this line of thinking before we move on, the axe has a special spot in the Freemason doctrine. Washington’s axe stands for truth, wisdom, and bravery.”

  And that is how the second condition was fulfilled. I had been a Mason for a time and knew the importance. I made it and mortals turned it into an everlasting symbol. “Where is the axe now? On display in a museum somewhere?”

  The look on her face told me she didn’t know. “Another mystery, the axe has been missing for a very long time. Some say the Freemasons have it locked up in a secret vault somewhere but others assume it is lost somewhere on the grounds of his Mt. Vernon estate.”

  The Freemason vault sounded a lot like the hidden treasure room in the White House. That was likely, but still something nagged at me. “Where do you think it is? I feel a man like Washington would want to keep something close by to him.”

  “My personal feelings? I don’t know if you know, but Washington’s body was moved several times before finally left in peace at his Mt. Vernon home. If the axe was buried with him, we would have accounts of it. If I were to wager, I bet the Freemasons got their hands on it.”

  It wasn’t often, but I was wrong. It seemed the secret vault in the Oval Office was the resting place of my old friend’s possession. I had hoped that would not be the case. “Well look at the time, I think I took up enough of it over idle banter.”

  “Not at all Derrick, to be honest I am quite surprised. I just took you as a booty call, but then you go and spark my intellect.”

  I’d do more than spark her intellect, but I had no time. I had to prepare for a trip to D.C. “Maybe when I get back from visiting family in our nation’s capital, we can have more intellectual conversations.”

  She winked at me as she got up. “Conversations, of course. I do love a good in depth conversation.”

  A good innuendo is as good as a bad pun in my book. She came around the desk and gave me a hug. This was nice, her breasts felt so good.

  Then it happened. As Death, if a mortal life is about to end and they touch me, I can see it. Maggie’s husband was at home, with a gun. As soon as she came in, he would end her life then his.

  “I guess I will go home. I can only imagine what was good for nothing husband has lined up for tonight.”

  I was about to break my own rule. Never interfere with life and death. I smiled at her and touched her forehead with my finger.

  “Derrick, is everything okay?”

  “It will be.”

  Her eyes closed, not really sure what was going on. I did not use my powers often around or on humans, but I made an exception. Khloros was about to have a field day.

  Chapter 7 – So You Want to Die?

  Maggie was laying in the backseat. It was a good thing I put her under the death sleep spell, because Khloros was not keeping his voice down.

  “You have always been a bit of a rogue, but now you are tampering with someone’s death. You created the rules fool! When a mortal’s time is up, it is up.”

  “No one bitched when Famine brought Ireland to a standstill by killi
ng their potato crop. I’m pretty sure he crossed a lot of lines there.”

  “Great, compare yourself to your younger imbecile on a brother. This is on your head if this comes back.”

  He was pissed and for good reason. While it was true I could return a soul if I so desired, I never have. This was going one step further, preventing someone’s death. Realistically, Maggie had no fate after this day written. Yeah, Khloros was right to be pissed.

  Due to me just running away from her house not that long ago, I knew exactly where to go. I pulled up to the driveway. “I know I am breaking the rules, but this man threatened me personally. I am pulling the don’t be a dick and threaten Death card.”

  “Very well, you know I will always support you. But I warn you, his life is supposed to end today as well. It is bad enough that one is escaping, do not make it two.”

  He was right, I could not let her husband live. “Understood. I will personally reap his soul.”

  “I will watch the female mortal.”

  I got out of the car. It was dusk, a perfect setting for what was about to take place. I waved my hand, making sure if anyone was looking this way, they would be compelled to go somewhere else. With the enchantment in place, I pulled out Leviathan and it blazed to life.

  Reaching the door, I placed my palm on it and blew it off its hinges. Sitting on the stairs with a gun in his hand, was Maggie’s husband. Pieces of the door had flown at him and he was covering his head with his off hand.

  I instantly knew his name. When you are the victim of a reaping by Death, nothing is secret. “Mark Larson, your life is forfeit.”

  He looked up at me. “You? The fuck up college kid? What the fuck are you doing in my home?”

  I waved my hand and he started gasping for air. “You no longer get to talk. Mark Larson, I have judged you and the verdict is guilty. Your sentence is death. May the Almighty judge you and give you your proper fate.”

  I pointed Leviathan at him. Tears were welling up in his eyes. Once you have been judged by Death himself, the façade is no longer there. He knew exactly who I was.