A Holy Alliance

Kenjiro watched Seraphina's back as she walked deeper into the desecrated cathedral, the faint praise she'd given him—"it is effective"—ringing in his ears. It wasn't enough. He wanted more. He wanted her to see him not as a "pouting boy in a skirt," but as a man. A powerful man.

He jogged to catch up with her, falling into step beside her. "So," he began, trying to sound smooth and confident. "Now that you've seen my strength, maybe we can—"

"No," she cut him off without breaking stride, her voice sharp. She held up her left hand, displaying a simple but elegant gold ring on her finger. "Look. I'm married."

The rejection was swift and brutal, but Bombom's old ego wouldn't let it lie. A smirk played on his lips. "He doesn't need to know."

Seraphina stopped dead, turning to face him with a look of profound sadness mixed with anger. "He's missing," she said, her voice losing its icy edge for the first time. "But I have faith in him. I will find him. Maybe you can give me a clue where he is."

She pulled a small, enchanted photograph from a pouch on her belt. It showed a smiling, handsome man with a chiseled jaw and muscles that strained the fabric of his shirt. Kenjiro's brain screeched to a halt. It was him. The rich guy. The one who had given him a ride and his number.

A slow, wicked grin spread across Kenjiro's face. "I know him," he said. "Have his number, too. He was kinda rich... and was hitting on me."

Seraphina's serene composure finally cracked. A flash of fury lit up her blue eyes. "You have his number? Give it to me! And what do you mean, 'hitting on you'?!"

"Look," Kenjiro said, seeing his opportunity. "Let's have a deal. I'll call him and say I want to have a... a date... and you will—" He felt his face flush hot, the words catching in his throat as his body's infuriating shyness took over. The cool, confident proposal he had in his mind came out as something completely different. "—join my party!"

What is WRONG with me?! he screamed internally. In the back of his mind, he could almost feel his shadow laughing at his pathetic attempt at flirting.

Seraphina stared at him, taken aback by the bizarre request. But her desire to find her husband overrode her annoyance. She let out a long, weary sigh. "Deal," she said. "I just want some peace. And I hope he's okay... 'cause I'm gonna hit this son of a bitch."

She walked over to a heavy, iron-banded chest in an alcove that seemed untouched by the demonic corruption. She bent over to unlock it, her posture giving Kenjiro a view that made him blush even more. She retrieved a beautiful golden pendant, intricately carved with the symbol of a sun, and handed it to him.

"This will protect you from the worst of the demonic influence here," she explained. Just then, his LilyPad chimed. A massive sum of Femboy Coins had been transferred to his account, courtesy of the Holy See.

"An advance," she said flatly. "For your cooperation."