Part 2

A few nights later Romero was pacing through the large basement of his mansion, his favorite room. He kept his huge black coffin and a few items from his human life. Hope Chest, his old mahogany desk, trinkets from before the world changed for him. Continuing to pace back and forth. He kept thinking, getting nowhere. Conflicted as to rather or not he would help the demon. He didn't mind helping other creatures, even demons once in a blood moon, but with Syluss, something seemed off. He wasn't sure the demon was telling him the truth, or atleast the whole truth. Why would he want to possess a mortal ? What business could he possibly have in the mortal realm? Was he starting a demonic war? Romero had more questions before he could possibly give the demon an answer.

When he'd helped others, there would be a fee. He didn't expect much, a half pint of blood would usualy do it. Not enough to kill, but enough so he wouldn't starve. However in this case it was different. He had an aversion to demon's blood. It didn't agree with him. It made him ruthless and vindictive with an uncontrollable thirst for blood. It was as if he'd been possessed by the essence of pure evil. The last time it was horrific, he shuddered as the memory resurfaced, again.

There were bodies everywhere. The mortals called it a Black Plague, there was no such disease. It was Romero's demon thirst that caused the thousands of deaths across europe. He then went into hiding, smuggling onto the first ship he could find, destined for America.

He shook those memories back, he needed to concentrate on the present, not his wicked past. Demons were not known for their patience. He knew if he didn't give the demon an answer soon, he'd hunt him down. When a demon wanted to hunt someone down, they didn't stop until they found you. If the demon had to track him down it wouldn't be a pleasant meeting and he knew it. He needed to think straight. He was willing to help, but didn't want to screw himself in the process. What if it was some sort of plot for revenge? Romero felt stuck in a crossroad. He'd most likely help Syluss, but would he regret it? He was almost positive this would end badly. Demons never did anything out of the goodness of their hearts. He must need to do something important, but what? Growling, aggravated by the entire mess, sick of thinking about it, let alone dealing with it. He didn't know what to tell the demon, if he should help him or not. It was maddening.

As Romero was conflicted, Syluss was fuming. Where was the vampire and why in the hell did he need to think about it? Why did he care what happens to a random human? They were his food. Syluss never understood the dramatic behavior of a vampire. A bloodthirsty monster with morals, come on now. Why was the vampire taking so long to give him a straight answer? It was just insane.

He never understood these upper realm creatures. Not just vampires and other supernatural creatures, but humans as well. They had to think about everything, all thought and no action. It was an irritating trait. The whole thing boiled down to free will; a pain in the universe. He must have been up here too long because now he was doing it, too. Sitting in a small cave, thinking. He hated it here, but needed his Jayelle. If nothing else, he needed to make sure her current incarnation wasn't a miserable one.

He couldn't help but sulk around the cave, with nothing better to do; no word from the only creature that could help him. He loathed asking for help. A self rli9ant demon who didn't care for any other creature besides his mate. Why did the angels have to forgive her sins and make me come up here? He liked it down below, it was home. It was warm, comforting. All of his things were there. He'd been born a demon, rarely leaving the underworld... until now. He wasn't real happy with fate right now.

Out of frustration, ramming his fist through the cave wall. It hurt, but not enough for him to worry over. He was of high demon rank, pain and suffering didn't bother him. Until he'd met Jayelle, nothing mattered to him. He hated being at the mercy of another, especially a vampire of all things. What was taking so long? What was Romero's big problem here? All he had to do was turn the mortal and hand it over.

A few nights later, after much consideration, Romero went out in search of the demon. It wasn't hard to find him. All creatures along the dark path gave off a mild scent that he was able to track. After an hour, he'd found the cave. Syluss had been surprised to see the vamp standing in front of him in the cave. He stared at him, wondering if the vampire was really standing there or if it had been a trick of the mind.

"Have you decided to do what I asked?"

"I have questions."

"Fire away."

"Why?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me demon, why."

"What do you care?"

"Answer me you underworld parasite."

"I need to have your complete secrecy."

"I need to know it's not a demonic take over, you'd be cutting into my food supply."

"Is that what you think I want?" He replied, slightly offended.

"Would you just tell me already?" The vampire snapped, tired of this little charade.

Syluss knew he was cornered, had to tell him and hated it.

"I need to possess a human in order to find someone important to me."

"Who is it?"

He slumped down in the cave, letting his guard down and finally spoke the truth.

"Long ago my mate was a soul damned for her earthly sins. One of the angels came and got her, forgiving her of the sins and she was reincarnated on earth. I wish tp possess a human so that I can see she's okay."

The vampire paced through the cave, aggravating the demon. After a long pause the vampire looked at him.

"I will help you, for free.. I'm taking a leap of faith here."

"Thank...you."

"I was in love once, I'd do the same if I were you."

"My mate and I were together over a century, we even bonded her soul to me."

"When do you want to do this?"

"When you feed next."

"I have already done my hunting this evening.. I will find you in a few nights." The vampire replied, when the demon looked up; he was gone.

Syluss waited, a nervous wreck. He wanted to get this done and find her. Annoyed and out raged, sulking in the cave. As the next few days passed, Syluss was on edge, wondering what was keeping the vampire. He began to mutter alone in the cave. He said a few nights, it had been a few nights by now. Syluss did the only thing that ever calmed his demonic rage, thought of her. All of this was for her. He missed her. It was strange as he'd never cared this much for another.

Long after the demon had calmed his frazzled nerves, the vampire appeared before him in the dark musty smelling cave. After a long period of silence, the vampire sighed, then glaring at Syluss he spoke up.

"Are you ready to do this?"

He nodded yes and followed the vampire out of the cave and several miles into a small city. The vampire spoke up,

"Choose your human, but remember you can't change your mind, be selective about it."

They walked on into the city, creeping into the dark alleyways, unnoticed.

"Are you sure you wish to proceed?" Romero asked.

Syluss nodded yes to him, then the vampire scanned the streets for a possible victim. It should be a strong male, young but not stupid young. He thought about it, until after the longest time he saw a young male with a briefcase, probably a lawyer. He was perfect.

"Over there, that's the one you'd want." Romero pointed.

"Yes I'll take him."

As the vampire got into position, the demon reacted too soon, possessing the human before Romero could turn him. It happened so fast, he didn't have time to warn Syluss as to what he'd caused by a split second error in judgement. He felt awful but it happened and now he must deal with it. Romero took the now demon possessed vampire home. As Syluss slept, Romero wasn't sure how to handle it. As the demon began to wake the vampire fed him, getting the change over with.

"Is that better?"

"Yes but you don't have to take care of me."

"It's part of the vampire code. There's something I must tell you, and you're not going to like it."

"What is it?"

"I tried to stop you, but it all went down too fast to warn you."

"What? Everything worked out just fine.'

"No you fool.. It's not fine."

"What?"

"You possessed the mortal before I could turn him."

"So?"

"It means you are trapped in that body, immortal. You'll never go back to the underworld."

"What about my Jayelle?"

"Go to her, spend as much time as you can.. Before her mortal death."

"Or turn her and she can spend this wretched eternity here with me."

"What if she says no?"

"Hello, demon over here."

"What if she's married?"

"She won't be."