Nicole tapped the wall, bored to be kept waiting. She wanted to be out causing some mayhem. She wanted to be making deals with idiots that didn't know any better. She wanted to be doing something other than her current project.

There was a hiss across the room, followed by a deep laugh.

Nicole turned to the darker side of the room, raising an eyebrow.

"It found him..." A voice cracked as the laughter died down.

"Barely?" Nicole asked, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "For such a damned thieving soul, he sure is taking his sweet time."

More laughter emitted from the darkness. "You planted the seeds well."

Nicole grinned. Such a high compliment shouldn't be taken lightly. "I made him receptive to the darkness, just as you requested." She leaned back against the wall and crossed her legs. "May I ask... Why so much effort into one human?"

The darkness wheezed before truly answering. "This one is important for our future."

Nicole bit the inside of her lip. There were so many people that fit the qualifications better. So many darker beings that the key could make darker. Brendon was mediocre at best.

"It must be him." The voice in the darkness rhasped, "The key will unlock him."

Nicole knew better than to question the words. She was lucky to be hearing them at all. Instead, she nodded. "Yes, sir."