“I suppose this was inevitable.” Kate sighed.

  Azazel nodded. “They were bound to find out eventually. This way we can at least control when we talk to them about it.”

  The high inquisitor had just informed Kate about a meeting at the pandemonium in a few days. The archangels were invited to discuss the future of organizations like RICA or the FBC and what to do about humans who were still worshipping God.

  “Might be for the best this way. Should I come alone or can I bring an… advisor?”

  “Polly can join you, of course. The angels are also allowed to bring a guard or advisor each. Sariel is bringing Yumi and I am bringing War as backup.”

  “Good. That will make things less problematic for me.”

  “That doesn’t sound good. Are you holding up well?”

  Kate shrugged. “I don’t know. I told Adelina I’m not doing well, but talking to her has helped quite a bit. Still, I’m far from moving on. It might help to have the office fixed but that will take a few more weeks. This was my safe space…”

  “It will be again. While you were out st night, Sekhmet approached me about preventative measures. I won’t allow another attack like this. The library isn’t just your safe space, it’s a refuge for many demons and humans alike. I’ll make sure it stays that way.”

  “I would appreciate that but I’m not ready to talk about all that. Let’s get things fixed first.”

  Azazel nodded. “Of course. I will need time to pn things anyway.”

  “Let’s hope the angels aren’t too annoying. Once we don’t have to worry about them for a while, I need a vacation. I need a few days, maybe a week or two, away from everything.”

  “Take however long you need. We’ll be here to make sure things keep running.”

  “Thank you. Let’s get shit fixed first though.”

  “Of course.”

  That night, Kate had asked Apollyon if they could spend some time together. Right now, they found themselves snuggling on the old devil’s couch after a wholesome and filling dinner.

  “Polly?”

  “Kate?”

  “I’m tired…”

  “We can head to bed if you want.”

  “Not in that way. I’m exhausted even though the past days were really quiet. I hate it.”

  “I see. Do you want me to take over more responsibilities in the library and potentially attend the meeting with the angels for you?”

  “No, I will deal with the meeting, just be there with me. As for the library… can we take a step back after the meeting? Just a few days.”

  “We can. Will you be alright until then?”

  “I think so.”

  “I will be there if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Always.”

  “Any suggestions where to go for a vacation?”

  Apollyon made a thinking noise. “There are many pces you might like. Maybe we should finally visit the Deep Abyss.”

  “A strange pce from what you have told me.”

  “Yes, it is very different from the usual pces we spent time in. That makes it perfect for time away from your usual life.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Then we have a pn. Honestly, I could use some time away from things as well. A few days with you will be good for me.”

  Kate smiled. “It will be fun.”

  “Yes, and rexing.”

  “Definitely.”

  “Jeff was asking about you. Will you warn him about your vacation pns?”

  “Jeff? Right, the HEMA club… I missed like two weeks now. Yea, I should talk to him. It’s been hard to even look at most humans without disdain. I started getting used to humans again, to their stupid selfish negativity and their dumb antics and then I get kicked back all the way back to the start. All that misery feels like it did on the first day of reading human minds again. It’s almost overwhelming but…” Kate sighed.

  After giving her friend time to continue, Apollyon raised an eyebrow. “But what?”

  “But back then I just wanted to get away from them, now I feel so much hatred. I actually avoided detective Hodgins because I expected to hate her. Instead, I found someone who also didn’t like humans much. She just doesn’t let those feelings break out.”

  “I understand that hatred. I have felt it too. That’s why revenge is so important. Yes, just like humans, we can move on in time, but we take so much longer. Revenge is a quick and dirty shortcut to not allow those feelings to fester. It has to be fast and merciless. It will bring you turmoil in the short term but you will find closure so much quicker. The human notion that revenge is useless or even harmful is ughable at best. It is such a limited perspective.”

  “I never understood it. Spite fuels so much of human existence and revenge doesn’t have to be violent. It just has to cause misery.”

  “I have heard a human saying. Revenge is a dish best served cold. I disagree. Revenge must burn and leave nothing but ash.”

  “I guess humans would disapprove, but I think that comes from not being powerful enough to actually enact their revenge properly.”

  Apollyon ughed. “You truly are a demon. Even in the very attractive vilinous ways the humans prescribe onto us.”

  Kate started blushing. “Oh… thank you. Evil Polly is quite sexy too. That armour and the way you put people in their pce… that definitely tickles me in the right pces.”

  “Good. There are times when it feels good to be, well, evil Polly. Do you remember what I said about my encounter with Uriel during the second war?”

  “That you butchered him and you regret going too far?”

  “Yes. Part of me regrets not going far enough and it felt almost relieving getting to finally kill him. I wonder what would have been if I let that part be in charge. Could I have saved Matilda? Would there be a city around the library now? Would I have met you?”

  “Matilda? The girl who was taken from you during the medieval times?”

  “Yes, that was her name. I never told you. I suppose I couldn’t have saved her even if I had been more brutal in trying to protect her. It would have alienated her and the city would have burned. You and I would have never met. There is a time and a pce for evil Polly, but I am happy being librarian Polly.”

  “My favourite.”

  “That is high praise, thank you.”

  “It’s the truth. I do wonder now… that vision of the future, potential future, of the evil me. The worst path. She still met you but turned against humanity fully. I don’t want to be like her but it feels like I’m slipping.”

  “I remember you telling me that she ordered the death of multiple young human males. You haven’t done that.”

  “I… she ordered you to kill them. I guess the difference between her and me is that I am more hands on.”

  “She certainly missed out on closure. Still, we don’t know who those men were. It might have been a moment that was long prevented when the FBC reformed.”

  “I know, well, I have an idea who they were. The guy who she interrogated in the vision was Henry. They were his friends.”

  “The male who drugged you?”

  “Yes, him. He had drugged someone else and she intervened.”

  “I see. So, it was a moment long prevented. Good. I don’t think you need to worry about becoming like her. Your desire to avoid those paths should be enough to keep you from them. Besides, Jolene has taken a liking to you and I don’t think she would let you suffer through all that.”

  “Fair point. Have you ever looked into that relic?”

  Apollyon shook her head. “No. I have not.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I am afraid of it. I am the Destroyer, I will leave a scar on each of the three worlds. I know that not all scars are carved yet and I don’t want to know what they will be.”

  “Okay, that’s a very good reason. Do you know if the other librarians have?”

  “I know Adelina was offered a chance to look but refused. If anyone else used the relic, they haven’t told me. Outside of the library, Sariel has accepted the offer. She told me that it convinced her that she chose correctly when joining us and that her dedication to Hell is unwavering. This is her home now and she will protect it.”

  “Yea, that sounds like Sariel alright. Any details as to what drove her to be so sure?”

  “No, none.”

  Kate snuggled a little closer to Apollyon. “And you? Are you sure about your path?”

  “I am very sure I am where I need to be and you are too.”

  “That means a lot and I’m gd you feel that way.”

  “The library is our home. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”