Agent Fox Mulder (i_want_2) wrote in multi_fiction, @ 2008-08-14 08:03:00 |
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Entry tags: | angel, au, buffy, het, kindred, magnificent 7, rated: adult, slash, wolf lake, world of darkness, x-over |
Fic: State Of Grace 1/1 M7 AU Xover
State of Grace.
By: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own Magnificent 7, Wraith: the Oblivion, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel: The Series, or Anita Blake series.
Summary: In the eyes of god, all are beloved, all are cherrished, all are forgiven. Josiah is not god.
Author's Note: Religious overtones are in the vain of how the author percieves events in the World of Darkness.
Warning: Violence, Language, Character Death, Rape, Religious Fervor/Desicration.
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Autumn - 1960.
"Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." The voice continued reciting the prayer as wind blew the golden leaves in waves. Floating higher, the leaves danced in and out of the center, over and under each other.
Looking up, Josiah watched the leaves fly towards the sun. The brilliant light made his eyes tear up with joy. Raising his arms, he called out along with the voice. "On Earth as it is in Heaven!"
Josiah's eyes opened. The crickets chirping were the only sound in his bedroom. Smiling, he pulled up the covers and rolled over.
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Mid Spring - 1968.
Josiah picked up the paint brush and wiped down another coat over the rectory wall. The building had been damaged when his baseball went through the window. Now he was spending his Saturdays fixing up the old church to pay for it.
The whispering behind him made him sigh in impatience. They had been praying every minute since he had been here, every Saturday. They just wouldn't stop and it was driving him nuts!
Twisting around, he growled at the nuns. "Would you shut up!"
The nuns ignored him.
"God doesn't hear you, you know!" Growling, he splashed the paint on the walls of the church and continued lathering.
"Why are you so impatient, my son," a calm voice whispered in his ear.
Josiah spun around, the paint brush slinging paint on the priest behind him. "Watch it, man, you almost got hurt!"
"I am not worried about being hurt. It is you who should be careful." Walking around the paint cans and tarp, the old man folded his arms behind his back. "Do you know what you do here?"
Watching the old man carefully, Josiah wiped a sweat drop from his brow. "Fix shit."
"Cute, but no." The priest tapped the cans with his foot. There was six with their lids off, four with them on. He smiled. "Do you know what you do here?"
"I am fixing this to pay off my debts." Pointing at the window, Josiah glared. "Once I worked that out, I am gone."
"Why do you do it?" The priest cocked his head to the side.
"Because I damaged the house of the lord," he spoke with extreme sarcasm.
"This is not the house of god. It is a building built by humans for them to congregate and express their beliefs, nothing more. No god resides here." The priest pointed at the wall, his mouth twitching in amusement. "There, look, it's already done."
"No it isn't." Josiah turned to look at the wall and froze. The entire wall had been fixed, the original mural repainted. Slowly, he looked back to where the priest had been only to find it empty now. He glanced around the church, seeing the nuns still praying, Josiah smiled. Who was he to question something like this? It was done and so was he with this place.
He took off his smock and tossed it to the cans of paint. 'Let them put it away,' he thought. In the flickering light of the candles it appeared as if the paint on the walls started to melt away. "Okay, okay, I'll clean up here."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Autumn - 1970.
"What are you thinking about?" Josiah stared at his sister with concern. They had been sitting there for half an hour and she hadn't said a word. A new record for the twelve year-old.
Amanda shrugged.
"Are you still upset she didn't buy you that ice cream? It was two hours ago, get over it." Sudden movement behind them had Josiah looking up.
It was the old man again. This time he was in a black waist coat.
Josiah smiled. "Hey, Gabriel."
"Salutations, Josiah, Amanda." Setting down between them, the old man wrapped an arm around each of them. "How are you today?"
"Amanda won't speak. She is upset about not getting ice cream when the truck was by earlier." Josiah tried not to, but every time Gabriel appeared around him, the old man's presence made him feel comfortable and open up.
Gabriel gave them a mock look of surprise. Leaning over to the girl, he tilted his head. "Is that true?"
Amanda nodded.
"Okay, how about we go around the block, I think I hear the ice cream truck." Standing up, he held on tight to the kids' arms and gently guided them happily down the side walk. They passed a light pole and made a right. As they headed down the street, a shriek of tires filled the air, followed by an explosion.
Josiah glanced over his shoulder as they continued walking. A car had jumped the curb to crash land where they had been sitting. Fire covered the vehicle and set several dry patches of grass ablaze. Shuddering, Josiah looked up at Gabriel. "Shouldn't we go help them?"
"They are beyond your reach, Josiah. My brother will take care of them now." Gabriel smiled at the sky and walked on.
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Early Summer - 1973.
Taking his diploma, Josiah walked down the stage to the steps. He descended them and shook the paper for all to see it. Time seemed to slow down as he glanced about him. The sky darkened despite the lack of clouds.
Ravens flew over head, landing among the crowd. Several took the seats his friends had occupied, while others filled out among the crowd. One particularly bold Raven flew to squawk at him in the face.
About to raise his hand to shew it away, the sky brightened up again and the Ravens flew away. People pretended as if they hadn't seen them and Josiah continued on back to his seat.
The rest of the ceremony went by rather quickly by his perception and Josiah started to feel odd. Before he knew it, his girl friend Sherry was pulling him up to stand at attention. He smiled at her and tried taking back his hand. "What?"
She removed her cap and adjusted her hair with it. Dragging him away from the crowd, she pulled him towards a school bus loaded with their friends. "Come on, Josiah, we are going to Wald's pond for the graduation bash before our parties tonight. Some sorta school function that is mandatory but isn't. We'll show up, say our good byes, then go out and have a little fun of our own."
He started to follow her when he heard the Raven cry again. Looking up, a flash of feathers filled his face and the Raven clawed at him. He cried out and knocked it away, but not before it had cut his eye brow and upper lip. Bleeding profusely, he tried using the hat to block the flow.
"Oh my god! Josiah!" Sherry tried using her own hat to stop the blood flow, but the water reflective material prevented it from working. She ripped off her gown and pulled out her shirt. Using the hem, she placed it to his face. "Hold on, we'll get you to a hospital."
Josiah could only nod as his family joined them in rushing towards the car.
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Two Hours Later.
Josiah sat up on the stool, touching his stiches tenderly. "How long do I have to keep them in?"
"Two weeks. Come back, and I will remove them." The doctor patted him on the shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry, I think it actually adds to your appearance."
"Yeah, now I look even more like Frankenstein." Snorting, he picked up his gown and headed out of the exam room. On the way back to the entrance, he was pushed aside by several people pushing stretchers. He waited until the last of them had passed before he went back to the entrance. Just before he reached it, Gabriel appeared. "What happened?"
"You chose a new path." Holding close his black waist coat, Gabriel turned and walked down the hall.
Josiah stood rooted on the spot until the old man disappeared around the corner. When he was gone, Josiah moved to follow. He came out at the entrance and was immeadietly grabbed in a hug by Sherry. Holding her, close, he whispered into her hair. "What is wrong?"
"The bus!" She shook, her chest quaking from lack of air. "The bus crashed!"
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Spring - 1975.
Standing on the edge of a cliff, Josiah stared down upon the hills below. Ten massive armies ringed the edges of a walled province. Inside the walls men fired arrows into the armies, but their numbers were so great that any deaths had no effect. At the center of the great province stood a citadel that scraped the bottoms of the clouds.
He felt the fear and the questions of the people in the citadel as they cried out for their god. They screamed at their deaths, falling where they prayed as the armies combined forces finally broke through. Soon all that remained were the bodies and the enemies.
Josiah felt himself being lifted and looked over his shoulder. Countless ravens covered the cliffs, poised for flight. He switched back to the citadel and felt something different. It was no longer bright, no longer right. It and the city felt cold, offal. "What has happened?"
As he spoke, the citadel began to colapse. The ground shook and the walls of the city fell to the ground. Soon the entire province was only so much sand.
The ravens took flight and he floated after them. "What happened?"
"No god resides here."
Josiah awoke in his dorm room, the sounds of fluttering at his window making him look around. On the sill stood a raven, wings flapping in the wind.
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Early Autumn - 1975.
Nathan stared at his son in shock. "You can't be serious. A priest? A Catholic priest?"
Josiah tried not to laugh at his father's bulging eyes. "No, father, a Methodist."
"Great, Diet Catholic!" Nathan turned to his wife, who was glaring at him. "Did you hear your son? He wants to become a priest. I knew it, from the day he was born and looked like you but for my hair, he was nothing but trouble. This is all your fault!"
Laurie stood up and slammed her drink on the counter. "Don't blame this on me, you are the one who named him after that damned Nun."
"Because giving him my slave name would only serve to tie him down," he shot back.
On her feet, Laurie grabbed his hand. "Oh, so I'm cheap enough to earn the name?"
"I told you not to take it! You were the one who insisted we keep it. What about 'remember your heritage'?" Grabbing his hair in frustraiton, Nathan tugged at the fro.
"Dad, Mom, calm down. This isn't the end of the world." Josiah held up both his hands and thanked the divine god that his sister was away at college freshmen year.
Laurie busted out into tears and fell back in to her chair. "My baby is becoming a priest!"
"You see what you did to your mother, you made her cry!" Nathan turned on his son, his eyes narrowing in anger. "Are you absolutely certain you want to be a priest? Can't you be, I dunno, gay or something?"
"It doesn't work that way, dad. I have always wanted to be a priest, just like you always wanted to be a pilot." Josiah watched his father turn away. "Oh, sorry, right, forgot about your age thing."
Nathan plopped down in his chair, stunned disbelief clearly written on his face. "My son is going to be a priest, what is this world coming to?"
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Spring - 1983.
Standing in the doorway of the large church, Josiah ran his hands lovingly over the hand wrought doors. Having finished the last touches on the building, today was the dedication. He had his own church and his own congregation.
Amanda stood at his side, silent as ever. She was the youth minister of the new church, having just completed her own studies. The bell was being rang by the Jenkins boy she had helped bring into their fold from the streets and today promised to be the first time he actually sang in front of a large group of people.
That is if they would show.
Josiah's smile never faultered. He had faith people would come. The money had come when he prayed for it. The materials had come when he prayed for it. The building had been built when he had prayed for it. Now he prayed for the people.
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Two hours later.
"They aren't coming, Josiah." Terri Lyons, the choir leader, sat down his book of hymns and dismissed the five people of his group. Patting the preacher on the back, he started towards the door. "May be next Sunday."
"Yes, next Sunday, they will come, you'll see." Smiling, Josiah watched the last of the choir leave through the church doors. Things were not going to get better, he knew. This church was built in what was called the worst part of Los Angeles. He had hoped to inspire others to feel safe. All that he had were the choir, his sister, and a few old women who helped clean the building.
He began picking up the bibles as he walked down the isle of pews. Picking up the first one, he felt a weakness in his hand and dropped it. Bending down to retrieve it, Josiah was spooked by the sound of feathers. He twisted around to come face to face with Gabriel.
"No god resides here."
"What do you want, feather brain?" Josiah turned back to his task and continued to pick up the bibles.
"This is not the house of god." Gabriel appeared in front of him, picking up the bible before Josiah could. "This is not the words of god. They are stories told by man about man, nothing more."
"You're wrong, that is the good book you hold there. It tells the story of the chosen people and his son." Giving the man the once over, Josiah took back his bible and stacked it on top of the ones already collected.
Placing a hand over Josiah's heart, Gabriel tilted his head. "No god resides here, just stories, nothing more."
Josiah looked down at the hand on his chest and flinched when it turned into a bird wing. Looking up, he jumped back as the raven flew away.
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Winter - 1983.
Josiah sat down at the round table smiling at the assembled people gathered. The three men and three women who sat with him were dressed ordinary enough, but he knew they were all surprised by the presence of the others. "I bet you are wondering what we are doing here, why I invited you?"
A black woman with large ear rings and a wooden beaded necklace rubbed the back of her neck. Her hair shook in the wrap as she looked at him. "I would assume this was some attempt at making a unification church."
"Yeah," said a Tibetan man. His fingers around a small cigar, he fingered it a couple times before continuing. "We get a few of those every month."
"What are you offering us this time, some money, or do we have to pool our resources for a grand building fund?" The tall native american smacked the table as he leaned forwards. Obviously on a roll, he met Josiah's eyes with a sneer. "You are not the first white man to come to us promising a unification for the greater good and that line of bull shit!"
"Hardly. I wouldn't want any of you in my services." Glancing at their shocked and outraged expressions, Josiah smiled. "I am not here to get your money, and I am not here to make you all christians. To do so would be pointless, you are obvious leaders of your own faiths, as am I."
"Okay, so that takes down three of three. Now what do you want, white man?" A young black man with an expensive suit on adjusted his cufflinks. "I've got services to get back to tonight."
"At the YMCA, oh what a turn out that will be. Preaching to the homeless about the evils of alcohol." The white woman in a burka snorted. "You forget the truth of the streets, alcohol is not a problem, it helps."
"So says the woman who's very religion says that it is evil."
Snapping, the woman stood up, hands slamming on the table. "There you go again, assuming you know everything! Alcohol is not evil, it is simply not preferable. One only imbibes to celebrate, not to become a drunken fool, which I can tell you do not require any help with."
"Settle down, both of you. Fighting amongst ourselves has gone on too long. This solves nothing." Hands rubbing over her forehead, the woman touched her bindi speaking of an act long born from frustraition. "We are the least popular groups in this section of the city, yet we out number the Judeo-Christians by ten to one. Perhaps if we joined together, not as a single church, but as a council, we could solve some of our differences."
"Oh, forever the Ghandi, eh, Sahki?" The black woman shook her head and raised an eyebrow. "Don't bother with this, I am through here anyways." They all agreed and started to walk out.
"Sit down." The softly spoken words had an immeadiet effect. Every person at the table complied. Smiling, Josiah stood up and walked around the table. "We are here to decide what to do with this building."
"Tear it down? Put in a parking lot for the KFC next door?" The black man snickered at his own joke, slapping the Tibetan on the shoulder.
"Actually, I was thinking of turning it into a sanctuary for all our people. The building costs too much to have open every day, but what is the purpose of using it only once a week? So I have talked it over with my few parishiners and have come up with a compromise." Stopping at his chair, Josiah put his hands on the back of it.
He watched their faces as he continued. "We have decided that there is more than enough room for each of us to have our own office. Since its construction, I have been wondering what to do with all the extra space. The seven of us get one day each in the main hall. You clean up after yourselves and keep your icons in their assigned store rooms when done, and you can have it."
"What about your 'icons'? I do not particularly like seeing a man strung up on a cross in a holy shrine." Sahki Dulzet turned her hands over as she spoke, her body language minimizing the hostility of her words.
"Nothing was ever carved in stone or bolted to the walls. It was designed so that everything of value could be taken down and hidden at a moment's notice." He gave a sad smile. "A disgusting truth is that the precaution has spared me thousands of dollars since I opened my doors four months ago."
"Aint that the truth. Damned thieves!" Standing, the black woman moved around the table, gesturing at the doors and windows. "You are too trusting, they would steal the glass from the seals if they could reach it."
"An electric fence is also part of the deal. Only the front gates are untouched, but they are monitored constantly." Josiah knocked on the wooden table. "The offices are on the second level. There are beds for the homeless or needy in the back. Each office comes with a cott, bathroom, and privacy room. There is a kitchen on the first level and a roof top garden that serves most our needs. Sorry, but we don't grow exotic spices and herbs for incense."
"They are easy enough to come by when we need them. I have suppliers." The Tibetan bowed his head to Josiah. "I am one of six, we would require residences for all ours."
"They can bunk in your office for now, but you would have to get them a place of their own. Other wise, I see no problem."
"Excellent, white man, I think we can come to an agreement here."
"About that, have you ever heard of a bi-racial baby..."
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Winter - 1987.
It was a late saturday night and Josiah was helping the Buddhists take down their Buddha statue to be stored in the shrine, a converted storage closet. In the four years since they had begun, the followings had grown in size. Many of the people from the various religions visited even when their groups were not in worship. Despite the changes, they claimed to feel the presence even then.
The Buddha had been placed upon the moving cart when the doors at the far end blew open. Amanda came running in with three Buddhist men still in their robes. They slammed the doors shut, while one grabbed the barricade to slam it over the entrance. Twisting around, she stared at Josiah pale as a ghost.
Josiah moved to her side with those not needed to move the Buddha safely to cover. Holding her up, he stroked her back. "What is it? More gangs?"
"No!" The doors shook violently from an attack and she shrieked in fear. "They got Ju Mi!"
"Who..." but he never got an answer. The doors were blown back in the next instant. Josiah, Amanda, and the five Buddhists crashed to the floor or landed on the pews. Two were dead instantly. Josiah turned his head to watch as a man with a twisted face and fangs grabbed Amanda by the neck.
"I told you not to run to your priest, bitch! Grab him!" He motioned for three of minions to hold down Josiah. "He can watch as I show you just what the hell I do to your kind!"
Josiah tried to struggle up, but his face was slammed down in to the floor every time he moved. Soon he was dazed and bleeding. He could only watch in horror as his sister's clothes were torn from her. Silently he vowed to see them all in hell for this.
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Two weeks later.
Piles of ash covered the Earth, Josiah standing in the only sunshine. He looked about him as figures moved in the shadows, trying to touch him. Each time something resembling a hand reached towards him, the light would burn the being to ash.
From the shadows emerged a flock of ravens. The largest landed in front of him and shifted in to Gabriel. "You are needed, Josiah. The time is now."
"What do you want?"
Gabriel's old man visage shifted to that of a younger version. His jet black hair and yellow eyes stood out in stark contrast to his pale white skin. "You are needed to fight." Around them the light flashed, brighter then weaker. "They grow stronger each day."
"What can I do to stop them?"
"Nothing." Gabriel shrieked and the ravens echoed his call. "Never give up the faith. It is your greatest weapon and your weakest strength."
"Why did he allow it to happen?"
"He didn't. She has no control but what we give him." The light flickered again startling the ravens. "Your faith is the source of light in the world. Without it, the darkness spreads further."
"How can I help spread it?"
"You don't. The link is never severed, just ignored. She does not act, he can't." Gabriel spread out his arms and the ravens took flight around them. "We are their voice. When the chosen do not see, she sends us to speak for him."
"What am I to do?"
"Your light flickers. Do not give up hope." Lowering his arms, Gabriel began to flap them. "Keep your faith, nothing more."
"Why does god let it happen?"
"She has no choice. It is not his world."
"Who's world is it?"
Gabriel smiled as he shifted back to a raven. "Yours."
Josiah opened his eyes slowly, groaning from pain. The woman at his bed side near fainted as he sat up. He would keep the faith, and they would guide him.
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Winter - 1987.
Nathan set down his bag in the first pue. Walking along the near deserted church, he ignored the elderly couples who gave him strange looks. His long beaded locks swayed with each step, hammering against his tribal clothing. The rainbow colored woven hat held most of his hair from his back.
At the end of the long aisle, he stopped at the knieling priest and tapped the man on the shoulder. When the man looked up, Nathan held open his arms.
Josiah surged up into his father's arms, wrapping himself around the larger man. "Father!"
"I came as fast as I could. Your mother sends her love, you know she can't travel anymore. The doctors say she could go any day now. Your sister's death hit her hard, and if not for you, I wouldn't have left her." Pulling his son with him, Nathan sat them down on the pue. "Tell me what happened."
"They came out of no where, just like you said they would. They entered the church and set it ablaze. She tried to stand against them, father, but she wasn't strong enough. There were too many. I was beatin down and made to watch as they..." Josiah looked away, his voice cracking and tears running down his cheeks. "I am sorry, father, there was nothing I could do."
Nathan nodded. "I understand. What will you do now?"
"I will hunt them down and smite them. The lord's angel has come to me in my dreams, he has told me of his plans for me." Looking to his father, Josiah lifted his head. "I am to be his instruement, I am to guide his hand against his enemies. He whispers that Gehenna is upon the damned."
Closing his eyes, Nathan lowered his head. Biting back on suppressed emotions, he took a deep sniffling breath. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, father, I know my calling and I have faith."
"Then there is nothing more I can say except I wish you peace, Josh." Nathan stood up and walked away.
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Two weeks later.
Naghi Singh wiped the tears from her eyes as she settled down at the round table. They had been summoned for Josiah's farewell. She wasn't the only one moved to tears, but she was the most vocal about it. "I understand your wishes, Josiah, but I do not understand why you must do it alone."
"I can not ask any other to take upon themselves the tasks of hunting these beasts down. It is with a heavey heart that I leave what we have created here." Gazing about the people gathered, he smiled at them fondly. "What we have done is a miracle. The work you will continue to do will honor those who have fallen."
"Then we will wish you luck on your journey, Josiah. May you find peace in your own way." Naghi removed a string of prayer beads from around her neck and placed them around Josiah's. "May Buddha watch over you and guide you along the path."
"And he you, all of you." Josiah smiled one last time and slung his travel bag over his shoulder. Moving past them, he walked out the back doors and into the night.
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Mid Spring - 1998.
The wooden door to the confessional closed with a quiet click. Muffled sounds of cloth against the hard bench alerted the priest on the other side of the window. Slowly, he slid the divider open and awaited the person. He didn't have to wait long.
Smiling, the kneeling figure crossed himself. "Bless me father for I have sinned."
"What are thy sins?" Fingering his rosary in one hand, the priest adjusted his tool for absolution with the other.
"I have been a very bad boy," he snickered and hunched over. Kneeling up right again, he leaned against the clothed window. "I've been very naughty, father."
"I cannot forgive thyne sins if thou doth not confess."
"Very well, I have commited a cardinal act of sin. I have killed people, father." Giggling, he tapped the window. "I have killed many people, many many, people." This time he busted out laughing. His body shook so hard he fell against the side of the confessional gasping for unneeded breath.
"God has damned thee. I, his messenger, am to enact his wrath. May thy death be swift."
"What..." Was all he got out before three swift clicks filled the chamber followed by his body turning to dust.
The priest crossed himself and replaced the silencer in his coat followed by the hand gun. Standing, he exited the priest's box and smiled at the old lady lighting candles near by. He tipped his hat to her as he passed by. "Sister."
Exiting the church, the man removed his priest's collar and tossed it at a passing clergyman. "Thanks for the loaner, but its a little snug." He pulled out a pair of sun glasses and put them on. The cool morning air stung his cheeks and made him smile. It promised to be a beautiful day when it warmed up.
As he strolled down the street, a black limosiene pulled up beside him at the curb. The window rolled down and a black gloved hand stretched out. "Josiah Sanchez, please get in the car."
"Sorry, not interested, sister." He knew her type just from looking at her pale skin. Figuring to lose her in the next corner, he stepped out into the sun light and smiled. The amusement on his face and his bowels quickly went south the moment she stepped out of the car and followed him into the light. "How the hell?"
"There are many things you do not know about, Mr. Sanchez. My fellows and I have a purposal we believe you will find most interesting." Holding out her hand like a lady expecting it to be kissed, she waited for him to accept it. "My name is Lilly Langtry, primogen of the Kindred to the High Council. Your good friend, Nathaniel Jackson, said you might be amenable to our cause."
Rubbing a hand down his bristled throat, he watched her with narrowed eyes. "Oh he did, did he, and what did that young white devil have to say about me?"
"The black, former slave told us of your cause against those who drove you from the cloth. We do not condone the actions of those few and offer you a chance to make sure they never harm another individual again." Stepping back towards her car, she held out her hand once more. "We know where they are, Mr. Sanchez, and we can give you whatever you need to dispose of them permanently."
Josiah hesitated. "What soul do I have to sign over for this devil's deal?"
"None. The only contract you will sign is with your own government and nothing in blood I promise you."
"That doesn't mean I won't have to give up my soul in order to achieve your goals." Josiah took a step towards her limo.
"If you wish, we have people who can bind your soul to your mortal form or sign it over to a god of your choice." Lilly grabbed his armed and dragged him into the limo. "All of it is perfectly legal and legitimate with your god. We do have a few people who speak with him on a regular basis among our staff. Besides Nathaniel, you will be working with a team of other people who share..." The door closed and the limo pulled away from the curb.
THE END...................