Monday, 9th November 1992

Ash pressed down on the switch with his foot and the vacuum cleaner stopped its infernal drone. Surveying the room before him, oddly satisfied with his first and last attempt at housework, he unplugged the machine and wrapped the cord around itself; a significantly simpler process than it had been to actually work out how the damned thing operated in the first place. If only Gammick and the others could see him now. How they would gloat at the depths he'd allowed himself to sink to, in the last few days.

Ordinarily he wouldn't have cared a hoot about the mess he left behind, and this mess wasn't anywhere near as bad as some, but in this instance it was best not drawing any further attention to this location. Even if the girl had no memory of the last eight days, the state of the house would cause problems, especially since the girl's parents had left a phone message to say they were returning the following day.

Having polished around the surfaces with a cloth and removed the last traces of his former help, he went upstairs to the bedroom to check on the girl. With some colour back in her cheeks, she slept soundly. He doubted there would be any lasting damage to her somewhat, vacuous mind, after wiping away what he could of their time together.

He was just about to leave when the the doorbell rang. He peeked out from behind the curtain to see the boy Becca had run off from the previous evening. So far he'd left three answer machine messages, which Ash had remembered to erase, each one wanting to discuss his concerns about Becca with the girl. A knock on the door came next, followed by a "Bloody hell, where are you". Finally the boy gave up and drove off.

Ash thought back to their conversation he'd managed to overhear the previous evening. He was still surprised she had said anything to the boy, but then she was Nadine's daughter and Nadine hadn't been the best at keeping secrets in the end, had she? He had hoped the boy might stay away given his disbelief at her story, but now it didn't seem that way.

Ash approached the creature cautiously. Still furled around the spheres, it spat at him.

"Don't take that tone with me," Ash warned.

The creature hissed, its head rearing, fangs exposed.

Zyanathons were notoriously territorial and while this one had been indentured to serve Ash several millennia earlier, that didn't mean it had to like it, especially when it cradled the pulsing spheres of soul energy within the curled up rings of its scaly body.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You choose."

They stared each other down until the creature gave a whimper and slowly unwrapped itself, retreating into the shadows.

"Good girl."

As Ash collected up the spheres, he briefly considering leaving one behind for posterity. She wouldn't miss one, would she? He could almost hear Nadine's shrill objection, so he gently picked up the last one, stowing it away on his being and was about to set off for the vicarage, when he noticed the wooden case positioned in the corner. He approached it slowly, dropped onto his knees and ran his fingers across the surface, leaving trails behind in the dust. It had been fourteen years since he'd opened it; a blink of an eye. Knowing he had no choice, he unclicked the locks simultaneously, causing puffs of dust to float up into the air and then turned back the lid on its hinges. Inside, everything he still had of hers, sat untouched on the flocked surface inside. A lock of her hair, a pressed flower, faded pictures of the two of them after a reckless visit to a fun fair together. He delved to the very bottom of the case and found the picture he was looking for. It was of Nadine and Becca as an infant, or Sophie as she'd been known back then, sitting on a blanket in the park. The child wore a wide sunhat, her porky little arms wrapped around her mother, hands clinging onto strands of Nadine's hair; both of them unaware of what the future was to hold for them. Nadine was gazing down at her child with pure joy, her life unsullied by him.  Her mind and soul at that point, intact...at peace. Ash looked for a little while longer, then pocketed the picture. With a clunk, the lid was closed, locks re-engaged, and Ash left for the vicarage.

He knocked once on the front door.

After a minute or so, the door opened to reveal Stokes flanked by two men.

"You came. I had my doubts."

"A word, alone  if you don't mind." Ash looked at the two men pointedly.

Stokes nodded at them and they made their way back down the hallway. Ash stepped inside the vicarage, his skin smarting in reaction to the enhanced protection wards placed within.

"This had better not be some trap, Stokes."

"I could also ask that of you, Ashmadalak," John Stokes eyes narrowed. "There is no trap here. Return her soul and you can walk away from here, unhindered."

Ash sniffed at the air. He could only detect Stokes, the two Custos guardians and the girl.

"Becca is upstairs in bed. I caught her packing some bags so had no alternative but to restrain her. She's out cold for now, but perfectly safe."

"Good. Let's get this done, quickly."

Ash followed Stokes into the living room. The curtains were closed and candles burned brightly around the room. The two men who Ash didn't recognise were setting up a table in the middle of the room. A burgundy velvet cloth had been draped over the surface and several Custos ceremonial objects were placed around the perimeter.

"Could you fetch Rebecca," Stokes requested.

The taller of the two nodded and they left the room.

"New goons, I see?" Ash said.

Stokes chose to ignore him.

"Are you not dressing up for the occasion then?" Ash asked, making reference to the brown gowns the two men were wearing.

Stokes ignored him again and began to light more candles. Ash had heard stories of this ceremony but understandably had never been present to witness one before.

"Will this hurt her?" Ash asked.

Stokes tutted as he lit another candle. "What an odd question to ask, Ashmadalak. If I didn't know you better, I would think you were going soft in your old age."

"I'm asking out of interest, not concern. I find the whole process fascinating.  Though I have to question why your lot relies on mortals to do such tasks, when we both know that you have other more... senior being, who could do such things."

Stokes looked down his glasses at Ash. "If a time came when we needed them, believe me, Ashmadalak, the gates would open and they would come. But for now, why go to such lengths when mere mortals can handle such things? Just do your part when the time comes and we will take care of the rest."

"And have you thought about what is to follow, how you will protect her?"

Stokes' right eye twitched. He turned his back to Ash and lifted up a bottle of water, removing the lid and pouring it into a waiting vessel.

"Hell's hounds! Tell me, they're not going to try that again." Ash laughed bitterly.

"It is of no concern of yours, demon, where Rebecca ends up." Stokes' voice had a slight catch in it.

"Did you lot learn nothing from the time before? She gets her soul back, but you then lock her away for the rest of her natural life!"

Stokes swung around and took several steps forward. "You don't get to interfere this time. We will keep her safe, even if that means she has to lose her liberty. That is how things have always been done and how they will be done this time. If she is as powerful as you say she is, we will not take such risks again. If Nadine hadn't listened to you, she would be safe right now. Becca, too."

Ash felt the heat rise up within. "You stupid man! Nadine didn't listen to me. I begged her to go with you. I pleaded with her, but she chose to stay, rather than be held as your prisoner. When will you lot learn that you cannot give people free will and then be annoyed when they act upon it?"

The tall goon re-entered the room, carrying the sleeping girl. Carefully, he placed her down on the table, resting her head on a small, gold-trimmed pillow.

Stokes approached the table, scooped up a palm full of water from the vessel and began to trickle the water all around her, repeating the action several times. He then made the sign of the cross on her forehead, before beginning to chant. It was in the old language and Ash winced at some of the vicar's incorrect pronunciations. The chanted prayers continued, getting a little louder and more hurried with each repetition. The prickling in Ash's skin was becoming more than a little uncomfortable, but he stood fast, fascinated.

The girl's eyes suddenly snapped open, yet she remained unconscious. Ash felt the familiar tug, but this time, it was as if he was attached to heavy chains coming from her body and they were pulling him towards her. The old saying about the eyes being the window to the soul had never sounded more ridiculous. Her eyes weren't windows, they were more like wide-open doors to an all-you-could-eat buffet. He could feel, smell and taste the raw, untapped energy, pulsing within her. Ash thought about all the effort that he'd expended trying to splinter off little pieces and yet here it was, in its entirety- exposed, vulnerable and ripe for the taking. Ash looked at the two goons who were watching him intently, their swords unsheathed, their hands on the hilts, poised. The one on the left would be easy to take out first. If he moved quickly enough, Ash could force the sword up and back on itself. A bolt of energy aimed at the chest of the second would be enough to stop him. They wouldn't even have time to swing their weapons. Stokes would be the tricky one, he'd need to ...

"How nice of you to serve her up to me on a platter, Ashmadalak."

Ash spun around, as the two Custos fell to the floor, their swords still in their sheaths.

Lucifer stood in the doorway, lowering the hand that had just taken out the two Custos guardians. Strickeon appeared behind him, sporting a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Stokes let out a string of obscenities, aimed mostly at Ash.

"Sorry to interrupt your little party. Seems like we were left off the guest list. How very unsporting."

Strickeon giggled.

"I knew you'd gone weak, Ashmadalak, but this... This is a whole other level. You will pay for your dissension, you mark my words, but for now you are going to sort out this mess."

Ash sensed movement from where Stokes was standing.

"Don't..." Ash warned, but it was too late.

Lucifer raised his hand again, sending out a pulse of energy that hit Stokes square in the chest. As his body began convulsing, Stoke's eyes met briefly with Ashmadalak's, conveying a message of disgust and fear. With a final jerk of his body, Stokes dropped out of sight behind the table.

"You are as resourceful as you are traitorous, Ashmadalak. Tell me.  How on earth did you get them to open her up like this? What deal did you strike up?"

Two more of Lucifer's minions entered into the room from their portals, their eyes fixed on the girl.

"The house is entirely surrounded, so I wouldn't think of trying to escape anytime soon." Lucifer walked gracefully toward the table, his own eyes widening as he approached the girl. He inhaled deeply and his body shuddered in response. Tentatively, he reached out and caressed the girl's cheek with his little finger. "Such a prize." His voice sounded a little breathless.

"Indeed, Sire. She is my gift to you." Ash bowed his head a fraction.

"Oh, so you hadn't planned on keeping her for yourself then? Silly me. Here, I was thinking you were being greedy, or worse, in cahoots with these... idiots, but now you're telling me she is a gift." His head snapped towards Ash. "What kind of fool do you take me for?"

Ash lowered his head as he took a few steps forward. He could now see Stokes out cold on the floor. "Sire, you are no fool. I've merely been plotting to deliver her to you, whole."

"How whole?" Lucifer asked.

"I have sampled a little, it's true." Acutely aware of the soul spheres stowed on him, he continued carefully. "But her soul is almost fully intact. It is also of the highest quality one could hope for."

"Interesting. Check the perimeter," he ordered to the two demons who were looking longingly at Becca, their mouths positively dripping with saliva. Once they had left, only Strickeon remained. In the privacy of the room, Lucifer held his hand above her face and closed his eyes. Ash watched as he sampled her energy, seeing the familiar expression wash over his face. Ash had spent a lot of time with addicts of various substances, for addicts were all too eager to trade what was left of their souls for their next fix. Right at that moment, Lucifer reminded him of a heroin addict, only better dressed and without the multitude of track marks down his arms.

As Lucifer let out a satisfied groan, his hand dropped to his side, while his body visibly relaxed with a contented delirium.

From the corner of his eye, Ash saw the fingers on Stokes' right hand move a fraction, then move a little more. Next, Stokes slowly moved his head so he was now looking at Ash. Silently his lips began moving feverishly, and Ash could feel the air around him electrify as he spoke the ancient words. Lucifer was too far-gone, and Strickeon, too dumb to notice Becca's eyelids close.

Stokes' lips suddenly stopped moving indecipherably, instead, he was now clearly mouthing two words to Ash, over and over. "Do it."

Unsure what he meant, Ash watched as the vicar said it one more time.

"Do it."

Ash's eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and horror when he realised what was actually being asked of him.

"But," Ash mouthed, looking down to the girl. The colour was rapidly returning to her cheeks.

Given their current circumstances, there was no way he was going to be able to give Becca her soul back like they'd planned, and if nothing was done, within in a matter of hours Lucifer would leave her nothing but an empty husk of a girl. Ash had no choice if he wanted to honour his promise to Nadine, no matter the consequence.

He gave Stokes a final glance, nodding slightly, just as the girl's eyelids twitched.

It was now or never.

"I'm not sure if I should forgive or exterminate you, Ashmadalak." Lucifer had emerged from his delirium, his formerly black pupils, now glowing an intense violet hue. "That is quite possibly the finest meal I've had in a millennia. Strickeon, contact Tenevorl and tell him his services are needed immediately."

Strickeon nodded and backed out of the room, leaving just Ash and Lucifer on either side of the table.

"Sire, might I enquire as to how you knew we would be here tonight?" Ash saw Becca's eyes twitch again. She was coming round quickly. He had to act.

Lucifer laughed, while smoothing his hair with the palm of his hand.

"Nothing ever gets past me." Lucifer turned to examine the ancient bible, lying open on the table, taking care not to touch it. An incense burner situated next to the bible, spilled out the strong, astringent aroma of myrrh. His features screwed up in distaste.

"Is that so?" Unable to hide the small smirk creeping onto his face, Ashmadalak pulled at the soul spheres with his mind. Silently, their delicate shells cracked, spilling out their contents. The liberated energy pulled forward, wanting to reunite with the girl, but Ash summoned it back and it began to absorb into his body. It coursed through him, repairing old wounds, deleting pain, reinforcing bone. He could almost feel himself grow and strengthen. This feeling was beyond that of bliss. This was pure, unadulterated power, and it felt so good.

A strangled cry came from the back of the girls throat and her eyes, shot open.

"Why is she awake? What is going on?" Lucifer had turned his attentions to the panicked girl who was now slowly recovering the use of her limbs.

"I thought nothing got past you, Lucifer?" Ash drew on every molecule of energy coursing through his body and visualised it as giant balls of blueish-tinged white flames. With an almighty push, he sent the first one hurtling into Lucifer at such speed, shock wasn't able to register on the demon's face before he was instantly vapourised, leaving a fine, white dust suspended in the air.

"Get the girl," Ash barked, his own voice unfamiliar and terrifying. The sensation of power was overwhelming.

The girl groggily looked up at Ash, her body trembling, mouthing the word, 'no", over and over.

Stokes struggled up onto his feet. "Becca, for now you have to trust me... us. He is your only hope of escape." Against her protestations, Stokes picked her up, cradling her in his arms.

"Stay behind me." Ash led the way, incinerating anything that had the audacity to move. Along the hall, the wallpaper had begun to come unstuck, the curling ends blackening, then turning to flames. By the time they had exited the vicarage, Ash had taken out ten of their number. He spied number eleven shrinking back into the shadows. Strickeon looked upon the new and improved Ashmadalak with a combination of awe and raw fear. Waiting for his turn to burn, he closed his eyes.

"Go back. Tell them that Lucifer is no more. Tell them that if they so much as come after her or me again, I will reduce their number to zero. Go!"

Strickeon didn't respond immediately. Cautiously, he opened one eye to see that, Ash was indeed talking directly to him. Not wanting to risk a change of mind, he nodded and fled into the dark night.

"What the shitting hell is going on here? Becca!"

Ash and Stokes turned to see the girl's friend, Ben, getting out of his car.

"Becca."

The girl could barely lift her head, her hand moved toward him, limply.

Ash and Stokes ignored the boy entirely and ran over to the car. Stokes dumped Becca into the back seat and then jumped into the passenger seat in the front. Ash joined Becca in the back.

"Get in and drive," Stokes ordered the boy.

"Not until you tell me what's going on." Ben looked into the back of the car, directly at Becca who was slumped in the corner. His eyes then turned to the Ash. "Who is that?" he asked to no one in particular.

"My demon," Becca replied and then blacked out.