Alastor punched the door again.

Hitting the door won’t make Enyo let any of us out, a voice from within the shadows told him.

He ignored her. She didn’t know Enyo like he did. She would keep them all locked up in this damn room if she could.

You know she’s not going to let you out after the last time right? Ioke asked from beside him.

He whirled on her.

That was 7 years ago! He thundered.

7 years or not, Enyo is very protective of the girl and you should know better than to try to kill everyone who pisses you off.

Alastor growled at Ioke but said nothing.

Gods you’re so predictable, Ioke laughed.

Alastor growled again.

Save it for someone who’s actually afraid of you, Ioke deadpanned.

Alastor scoffed and punched the door again. He was tired of everyone saying they weren’t afraid of him. He used to command fear and respect. He used to bathe in the blood of his enemies. Yet, here he was caged like an animal.

Damn it Enyo let me out! He bellowed.

Enyo opened the door.

Now, now Alastor, she admonished him like a child. You’ll get your turn with the ghoul. Just be patient.

I want my freedom you bitch, not to torture a ghoul! He snapped.

Poor, poor Alastor, she cooed. Throws a tantrum every time he doesn’t get his way. Such a child.

When will you stop bogarting control of the girl? He demanded.

Ioke, she said ignoring his question.

Is it my turn? Ioke asked with a sadistic smile.

She’s not talking to me, perhaps you can get the information out of her, Enyo replied.

Of course my lady.

Good. Go now. And she will only speak in Aramaic to answer your questions.

Ioke nodded and slipped out the door behind Enyo. Enyo turned back to him.

Why are you so eager to get out? She asked. You must know that each time we are released the girl’s life is shortened. Not by much but significant enough that it’s concerning. Especially with so many of us.

So we’re killing her? Alastor demanded.

Not exactly, Enyo answered moving further into the room. She took a seat in a throne like wingback chair before speaking again. The longer any of us are out the higher the chance there is that the girl won’t come back. Essentially, we are parasites who will eventually take control of her mind as well as her body.

Isn’t that good for us? Alastor asked.

No it isn’t. Because whoever takes over won’t have the knowledge that the girl does.

Alastor stared at Enyo in shock. One of them would essentially kill the girl by locking her in this very room. But in locking her in here meant all her knowledge went with her.

Is there any way to stop it? He asked her.

Enyo looked up at him in surprise.

What? As much as I hate this room I don’t want to sentence her to a hell like existence.

That’s rich coming from you, Alastor, a new voice said over the slamming of the door.

Alastor spun to face the new person. Standing in front of him was the girl in question, Iryal. Her mere presence startled both him and Enyo.

Enyo, under the circumstances it’s good to see you, Iryal said making her way past him to the seated woman.

Iri why on earth are you here? Enyo asked rising from her chair.

I’m not exactly here by choice ya know, Iryal told her. You just had to send her out, didn’t you.

Ioke will get the information you need.

Iryal sighed.

That’s not what I’m worried about.

Then what? Alastor snapped.

Iryal rounded on him, her silver eyes blazing with fury.

Why the hell do you care what happens to me? She thundered. I never should have agreed to let them summon you!

Iri, what are you saying? Enyo asked confused.

You’re the only one who is actually a part of me, Iri replied carefully. Years ago I was part of a ritual that went horribly wrong.