Woe is Me pt.2

"We bonded over the couple of years that we lived together and yet today was the first time she ever opened up like that. It was not always pretty and fun living with her. She can be such a bitch sometimes. But I've grown fond of her presence. It was as if I was the one needing her assistance."

"Awww. Who's getting sappy now?"

"You never opened up to me either, we were never this close."

"I know, I was too proud to admit that I have insecurities and problems. But I always try to stay close to you. Dad really broke us up, huh?"

"He is such a douchebag."

"Good thing I clocked his leg," he joked.

"The bastard deserves it," Lust agreed.

"So, what about you? Any lady in your life or thought?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Um… Any gentleman in your life or thought?'

"Shut up."

"No way! Are you into dudes?"

"No! You know perfectly well who I'm thinking of."

"I guess we have to compete then," Pride challenged his brother and offered to shake it.

"Don't cry if I win," Lust shook his hand.

**********

Wrath locked the door behind her and turned off every light in her room. She set the candles down in circles and lit them in an anticlockwise sequent. The flames were dancing on the wicks of the red candle. Its melting part dripped slowly as she drew a sigil in the middle of the circle with a bowl of black salt. She placed the black stone on top of the salt as a vessel.

"Tarde venientibus ossa," she whispered into her hands.

She carved the same symbol on her left forearm with her silver dagger with a golden two headed snake on its handle. All 31 of her sentient companions surrounded her in an orderly manner with Eros standing opposite of her with arms folded. For once he actually looked serious though he was still the jolliest of the bunch. His pale face accentuated his dark undereye and sharp facial feature under the dimly lit room.

"O spirit I welcome thee with the power manifested in my blood. Come forth and join thy humble circle."

A dark figure appeared in the form of a smoky shadow. It towered over her as she sat cross-legged in front of the sigil. The large figure bowed its head, her long silky hair became apparent as it draped over her bare chest. Her skin was radiant even though it was just as pale as the rest of the demons. A dangerous glint in her eyes reflected her authority and power over everyone in the room. Wrath bowed her head as chill went down her spine despite her best effort in trying to keep her cool. The presence was unlike any other demons she had encountered previously.

"Why hath thou called upon me tonight? Thee of great courage and curiosity, whom possessed quaint wisdom and virtue. Thee whom hath conquered my previous master. What is it that thy sought?" the lady's voice was comforting and stern at the same time.

"Tis thy guidance and blessing that I sought, my lady. I offer thee shelter and protection with this stone. I pledged to free thee upon any curse or binding. I will fight thy nemesis and subdue those whom hath crossed thee," Wrath looked straight into her gleaming eyes.

"Thou hath my word. I am thine to rule and so art my servants. Call upon my spirit in times of need or struggle and I shall appear. A small offering every fortnight shall suffice. I am Eliza, thy humble servant," she bowed once more before disappearing into the stone.

Despite not much being said during the short exchange, both parties understood the severity of the bond and what was to be expected from it. A gust of wind killed the flames and the deal was sealed. Wrath had gained 20 new demonic followers, excluding Eliza. The rest of her spirit friends scattered except for Eros.

"So, what now? You didn't need to be that much extra power," he asked.

"I have to make a ring to hold the stone. Then we are going on a trip to the mountains again. I need to regain my balance and self-control. Let Pride stay over until I get back, he can have my room. Who should we ask to look after him?" she looked over to him.

"Simbi?"

"Yea, okay. Now I just have to arrange everything with the boys, and we are ready to start. Do you remember the first time we did this?"

"I do, you were so young and reckless back then. But this will be good for you. And we don't know how Eliza will affect your body."

**********

The hall lights were off, the only light source in the living room was the tv playing an old silent movie. It shone enough light to illuminate the brothers' faces, they were both half asleep on the couch under thick blankets with an empty bowl in between them.

Pride snored softly into his sweater sleeve when Lust saw Wrath walked up to the balcony holding her phone with a headset on. She sat on the chair and light a cigarette as the sliding door opened. Lust sat next to her and looked down on the scenery below them.

"Stressed?" he finally asked.

"No, I just missed this."

"So, how did it go? What's your plan now?"

"Make a ring to hold the stone, I filled it. Then I need to revisit St. Helen again, I hope you understand."

"Oh, so it went well then. I'm really glad. And yea, it's ok. I can take care of the house," he smiled and rubbed her hair.

"Pride can take my room while I'm gone. You two seemed to reconcile."

"For now. I'm not gonna promise that I won't punch him though."

The two headed back in to escort Pride to Lust's room and set up an air mattress for Lust in Wrath's room.

"I'm gonna miss this," Lust confessed.

"Nothing's gonna change between us, I'll always be your baby," she turned around to face him and held out a hand.

He took her oddly warm hand and placed it on his cheek with his hand on top, "Yea my giant whining baby," his cheeks perked up as he smiled.

"Shut up!" she tried to hide her smile under a pout.

"Bet."