I knelt before the Abominations, trying to control the wild, cold pulses of fear that swept through me.

What did they want now?

"We have watched you, Darius, Warlord of the Dark and Deep. All you have been doing these past weeks is to possess a human male and seek out the company of women. While we applaud lust in general, this is nor your mission."

It bothered me that they were paying closer attention to me. In truth, though, I wondered that I had not been watched constantly, given how important the Son of God was.

"My lords, I overheard Jesus' in coversation with someone. He said that women were his secret weapon, that he'd chosen only men for his apostles, at least in part, so that no one would pay attention to those who were most important."

The abominations whispered among themselves. "Go on," said a feminine voice. Did they have genders still? Could they change their voices at will?

"There is a girl at Delphi, a prophetess who is possessed by one of the pythonic spirits who can see the future. I went to her and asked her what was to happen, what I could do to thwart the Son of God."

Here, screams interrupted me. I could not tell for certain whose they were, or even how many. I had the impression that a fissure had opened up between this place and some nether realm far down along the Dark Stair.

"When I arrived at her temple, she came out in the street to greet me, her eyes dark and hollow, her cheeks pale, and her brow slick with sweat.

"She fell to her knees before me and said, 'I know you, Warlord of Hell, and I know your mission."

It had been flattering, honestly. I'd enjoyed the look of fear and awe on the girl's face. It's nice to know that, even after many thousands of years, I've still got it.

"If you know me, I said, give me information that I can use to undo the one whom I am charged with undermining."

At the time, I thought it prudent not to state who I sought. In part, because a small crowd had gathered around us. Also, any who overheard it might seek out and follow Jesus. I had no desire for that to happen.

"My lords," I continued. "She told me that even before I came to her, she had a dream about a woman who would aid the Son of God on his mortal quest. The prophetess said this woman would wipe his brow, wash his feet, and speak encouragement to him--that she would be a bulwark against my every effort to undermine him. That is why I take mortal form and seek out the company of women--even prostitutes, since Jesus seems to have special concern for them."

What I did not say was that the girl with the prophetic spirit had come close to me and whispered to me where to find the woman I sought, as well as the woman's name: Mary Magdalene.

I'd thanked her, given her gold, and turned away.

As I was taking my leave, the prophetess had called out to me again.

"One more oracle have I for you, Warlord."

I had turned to her. She grinned up at me with a mocking leer. "There is one whom you seek to help," she'd said. "You have already brought great harm to her and will be her undoing."

"Tell me more," I had demanded. "Who is this person of whom you speak?"

But at this the spirit fled the girl, leaving her all but unconscious in the street. I'd carried her back inside the temple and deposited her frail and sweating body at the feet of one of the priests.

The Abominations hissed loudly, bringing me out of my reverie.

"Alas, once again, we find that you do well, Warlord Darius. Go, find this woman, and destroy her."

"I shall, my Lords. May I leave?" I lifted my gaze to them.

They whispered among themselves for several seconds and thrashed their many limbs.

"We have an errand for you," they said at last. "One that we hope you will enjoy. Go and find Cassia where she and the human she loves have found a dwelling in the wastelands on one of the upper planes of sheol. Tell her that we know where she is and that we are coming for her and the one she cares for."

I bowed, in part to hide the sadness I felt at their words.

"Thank you, my lords. You are correct. I shall enjoy this task."

No sooner had I spoken than winds buffeted me. I was carried in a whirlwind up through sheol and deposited on a rocky outcropping, overlooking a pit of sulpher and magma. Screams arose with fumes. Clouds of anguish and despair blossomed amidst the flames.

I turned away. The brief time I'd bought for Cassia to be with the one she loved was nearing its end. Had I helped her, or had I been her undoing as the prophecy suggested? Maybe she would never leave the pits of sheol again after this, residing forever in her crypt along the Dark Stair.