Realistic or Modern Wages of Sin [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

“You never should have stopped sleeping with a gun under your pillow,” Matteo deadpanned as Evangeline seemed…okay with this situation so far. At least she didn’t trust the mercenary, but Matteo still felt she was playing too dangerously close to fire. Not that it was a bad thing for him, but occasionally, he had nagging irritations of concern for her.

It always happened with the van Helsings.

Sometimes, he liked them. Sometimes, he didn’t mind all the trappings.

But most of the time, he loathed it. “Why did you call for me?” he opted to get to the point, rather than dwell on such thoughts, or continue on a fruitless topic. It was likely more for Seraphina than for him, but all the same – she had summoned him. He wanted to know why so he could go on with his day.

~***~

It was incredibly amusing to Tamar that Astrid seemed convinced she was being genuine with Andrew. Well, that certainly meant she sold it well to have her mercenaries questioning where her loyalty was.

Given, it was to money.

But even if Andrew had more money than the Lady Monster, he had betrayed her. She’d jam a sandpaper wrapped dildo up his ass before she worked with him again. As such, she wasn’t above extorting him and abusing the trust he had in her, since ass-raping didn’t pay as well. Making him pay her more before his inevitable death would be better in the long run, anyways.

“Oh, non,” she said to Astrid, “mais! I can make him trust me, and that will work in figuring more out about him and the Church of the Daddies.” Schaeffer audibly groaned at her new name for the Church of the Fathers, “which the Lady Monster wants from us.”

 

[cleopat]

Evangeline smiled at Matteo. “Be careful, or I might actually think you care about me.” In his own strange way. Just as Evangeline cared about him far beyond the van Helsing servitude. “I just figured you would wish to know about how you’ll see more of those mercenaries in the future,” she said with a shrug.

He may have already figured that out.

But that’s not the main reason both were there. Her eyes went to the other woman. “Seraphina Vittoria Fiorentino.” Seraphina raised an eyebrow at her full name. “I know everything must be very confusing and overwhelming for you.” That was certainly stating it lightly.

Seraphina remained silent, allowing Evangeline to continue. “I felt guilt over your early death. Between being the target of the attack, and Matteo shooting Father Donnigan, and as a result, you.” Seraphina sharply turned her head to look at Matteo, not knowing he was the one who shot her. She had honestly thought it had been that sniper girl. “I do not doubt you could have subdued him if given just a few more seconds.”

She scoffed. Well, wasn’t life just unfair? Seraphina definitely would have had that bastard unarmed and subdued if given just a few more seconds. Oh how many times in her life had she had a gun held to her head!

“I had a friend from MI6 to send over your file, which was very impressive.” Seraphina straightened up in her chair. It had to have been someone very high up to even have such a clearance. “If you hate your new life, then you can blame and hate me for it, as you are what you are due to my commands.” Seraphina recalled Matteo saying that he had to follow the van Helsings.

“If you want to continue your old job, I can talk to a few people, only a few within the agency would know what you are, and you could continue working with the necessary adjustments, although none of this is guaranteed yet. ‘Well, that certainly sounds ideal.’

Something in the back of her mind tugged in the direction of Matteo, hating the idea of separating from him. ‘Was that the bond he mentioned earlier?’ Seraphina hated that. She hated that her mind wanted her to be…reliant on someone else.

“I can also offer you a job, and a place to live, here. I could certainly use someone of your skillset.”

Seraphina could hear the steady heartbeat of the van Helsing. That would take some getting used to. “You certainly don’t beat around the bush.” Evangeline merely smiled at her.

~~~

Astrid smirked. Naturally she would be tricking the man who hired her due to his betrayal. She wondered how Tamar would be killing him in the end. Something slow and painful to make him regret that betrayal? Or something quick so she wouldn’t have to think about him anymore?

“Just make sure you make it interesting for the rest of us,” she said with a grin.

Like Tamar continuing to call that little church the Church of the Daddies, especially with Schaeffer nearby to hear it. It was only too easy to annoy and fluster the Germans, Schaeffer being no exception. "Maybe we could even have fun with him and the rest of that church."

Unless the church was innocent in everything, but in her eyes? They were just as complicit as Andrew. Plus annoying.

 

[Lucyfer]

Matteo remained silent as Evangeline began to speak to Seraphina about what she knew, and how she’d gathered her information. The information had come quick, evident of her connections. Seraphina was likely becoming increasingly aware of just how powerful Lady van Helsing was, not only because of him, but because of all the connections she had. It was no wonder someone would want her dead.

And Evangeline offered her a chance at her old life.

And a chance to work with them.

“No, she doesn’t,” Matteo noted when Seraphina mentioned how Evangeline was to the point. He folded his arms over his chest, “how long does she have to decide?” this was a lot for Seraphina to take in. He could tell that already by the way she responded downstairs.

Having to pick immediately would be…a lot.

But he wouldn’t put it past Evangeline, either.

She was, indeed, direct, and ruthless, when she wanted to be. He wasn’t sure how long her guilt would guide her actions with Seraphina.

~***~

“We’ll have our fun when we have the order to kill them all,” Tamar said, the ‘patience’ implied in her tone. It wouldn’t take long. The Church of the Fathers were revolutionaries.

They’d give themselves away only too quickly.

Not to mention, all of Astrid’s searching for information. “I’ll visit Andrew tomorrow. Arrange a meeting with the Church. Get things…back on track,” she chuckled, “we’ll have all the information for the Lady Monster giftwrapped by the weekend, I think.”

If not sooner.

 

[cleopat]

There was a pause after Matteo’s question. All of it really was time sensitive, and while Evangeline felt for the woman who’s life had just been upended in an instant, an answer would be needed very soon. She couldn’t wait forever for an answer.

“Two days. You have two days to make your decision.” Seraphina frowned at the news. Already she had to make a decision about whether or not she is to be considered dead to her family, and now she had to make a decision about her future employment.

Could vampires get headaches? She imagined if they could, she would have a giant one right then.

“Alright, I’ll give you my decision then.” So many decisions to be made very soon that would greatly affect her life, all because the bastard sitting next to her got a little trigger happy.

Seraphina was great at decisions! Only if they didn’t involve her own life.

Evangeline nodded at her answer. “In the meantime, I can supply you with what you need until you’re able to go out and get your things, including…” she trailed off, an amused smile gracing her face as she noticed the bare feet and tight fitting shirt, “clothes for the next day or so.”

~~~

Astrid grinned. Oh, no doubt they will all have their fun very soon. Maybe she would even post embarrassing information about this Andrew on the internet before he’s killed.

Let the last chapter of Andrew’s life end with a hilarious scandal. Let him die without dignity.

“And you even want to gift wrap everything for the lady. How sweet!” It was all too easy to tease her boss over the Lady van Helsing, even if she knew Tamar would redirect that back at her. Sure, the lady was intelligent and easy on the eyes, but she wasn’t Astrid’s type. And she had far, far more fun teasing Tamar.

A mercenary falling for her target. The perfect romance novel!

“What are your current thoughts regarding that generous offer she handed us?” It was typically the life of a mercenary to always be looking for the next job, to be constantly moving around, but Astrid would admit that she wouldn’t mind settling down for a while. Finally have a chance to breathe.