"Why am I watching the news and hearing about a mass shooting?!" Sanaga shouted through the phone.

Kazrazan stood silent, thinking of what to say. He paced back and forth in the mansion's dark living room. "I was trying to end this as quickly as possible," he explained. "We both know that I care not for human life."

"That's not the point," his boss said frustrated, "We have a code of honor here. You of all people here, know that. And look at what you did. Do you want the law to come and disturb us? As corrupt as human law enforcement is, they will act if necessary!"

Kazrazan stood confused to his response, since when do you care for human intervention? He sat on a couch that faced the window and saw a pond surrounded by trees and grass. He tuned out Sanaga's scolding and became lost in thought.

"Are you listening?!" Sanaga shouted. "You are my underboss! The best out of all my men. Don't let this apathetic nature of yours conflict with the honor of my family. I'm surprised they're not already breathing down my neck because of what you did that night!"

Kazrazan stared at the pond and slowly licked his sharp teeth. "I am sorry, sir. It won't happen again."

"It better fuckin' not! Now hurry up and get me that priest!"

There was a sudden beep from the phone. Kazrazan dropped his phone on the couch and continued to watch the pond. He widened his eyes, suddenly remembering something, and picked up the phone and made a call.

"Lucifron, have you or the others found him yet?"

"No," a deep, baritone voice responded. "My boys are still out looking for him, although there is something you should know."

"What is it," he said impatiently.

"So that other demon — y'know, the one you shot? Her body has been found missing. So… she may still be alive.

"What!" Kazrazan shouted. He tightened the grip on his phone, but with just enough strength to avoid crushing it. "I popped her skull! No one would survive that! Not even a demon!"

A snicker was heard on the other side. "Well, you are forgetting someone, aren't you?"

Kazrazan thought for a moment before giving his answer. "The boss."

"Bingo, pal. You're smarter than I thought," he chuckled.

"Do not disrespect me, demon."

"Well, then, don't go around and shoot up my clubs. I own those places, and your trigger-happy ass is gonna cost us a fortune with people being afraid to go into them. How the hell are you the underboss anyway? It should have been me."

"Silence. I already spoke to the boss about the matter, and it will not happen again. I was desperate, alright. The human kept evading my bullets, and it frustrated me. I apologize."

There was a moment of silence between them. Lucifron could be heard inhaling a cigarette and coughing it out. Kazrazan reached into his long black coat and withdrew his military sniper. The cold steel was quickly warmed by the demon's palm. "We will have a meeting at my house today. Let the other two know of this, and come immediately." He hung up the phone, tossed it back onto the couch, and sat outside. He was polishing his gun in silence when a man, woman, and child appeared through the woods. They stopped at the sight of Kazrazan. He turned his head to face them and shouted, "Begone! This is not your property to intrude upon!"

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"Sir," the man responded. "We just want to use the pond."

"No!" he shouted back. "I will not have your filth stain my grounds! Begone!"

With a saddened look, the father turned and walked away. His partner and child followed behind. Kazrazan watched them leave before returning to his work.

----------------------------------------

A black limo parked in front of his home, and three men in suits stepped out. One had silver hair and gray skin and wore shades. The other was muddy brown-skinned and had a scar stretching across his right eye, and the last one was white and had long black hair, with a smirk resting on his face.

"We're here!" Lucifron shouted.

Kazrazan stood from his pond and approached the three. He towered over them; their foreheads only reached his chest. Without a word, he opened the door for them and guided them to his living room. He sat on the couch while the three sat in cushioned chairs.

"Alright," Kazrazan said, "you, Blizzard," he pointed at the gray man, "you will keep the borders in check. Make sure your men are disguised as the law."

"I will do that. But what if they manage to get past? We have a backup?" he said with a cold tone.

"They won't," Kazrazan assured.

"Oh, sure," Lucifron said.

"Shut it," the brown one growled. His voice was gruffer than the rest.

"Blow me."

"Act your title!" Kazrazan raised his voice. "Now, they will not get past because I will keep on pursuit. The demon that follows him is still alive, even after all I did."

"I gotta wonder," Lucifron said. "You think they're related? I mean, I don't wanna jump to conclusions, but I haven't seen another demon with that kind of resilience except for the big boss himself."

"I doubt it," the muddy one responded. "If she were related, he would have told us by now."

Lucifron leaned over to his gray ally and whispered, "he doesn't know what he's talking about."

"Blizzard," Kazrazan said. "Do not let me down. Your men are much more spread out than Luciron's. I expect success from you."

Blizzard nodded, "I will not let you down."

"Azonoth. You will accompany me on this hunt. Your skills with the blade is exquisite."

He lowered his head and smiled. "That's a strange compliment, but I will follow."

"Keep the drugs flowing. The trafficking will not be halted over two cretins."

"And what about me?" Lucifron grinned.

"Keep a watch in your area. If you see them pass by at all, call me, but do not hesitate to engage in confrontation."

"Aye, aye, sir." he giggled.

Blizzard shook his head at his childish antics.

"Now, you three know what they look like, correct?

"Oh, we know," Azonoth said.

"Good. Makes less work for the boss and me."

"A question," Blizzard chimed in. "Why did you cause a ruckus at one of Lucifron's clubs? You know that we're not supposed to harm those that have no quarrel with us."

Kazrazan stayed silent for a moment before answering. "Desperation took hold of my finger. Then again, I should be glad I missed all those shots. The boss wants the priest alive."

"What?" Azonoth said. "Why?"

"He did not give me the details. All he told me was to retrieve him and escort him back to his abode. The other one can die."

"Why would Sanaga want him?" Blizzard said.

"He must see something in him that we don't," Kazrazan said.

"Oh, great. We're letting priests into our syndicate now?" Lucifron groaned and grabbed his lighter. Kazrazan reached over the table and smacked it out of his hand. It landed on the floor and dissipated.

"The hell, man!"

"There shall be no smoking in this house!"

Lucifron mocked his words and laughed to himself, which irritated the others.

"You are all dismissed. This job should be done before the next sunrise. We do not want to keep our boss waiting."

Azonoth and Blizzard both stood in sync and left the house. Lucifron didn't move. He stared at his boss with a smirk and giggled again.

"Have you been deafened? Leave the premises and do as I command!"

"You take yourself so seriously," Lucifron said and shook his head. He stood from the chair and stretched his arms, making a long and dramatic groan.

Kazrazan grabbed him by the neck, tossed him outside onto the concrete, and closed the door behind him. "I will chauffeur my own vehicle."

The Capos entered the car and drove down the hill. Kazrazan followed behind in his own smaller car.