Silence fell over the library office. Apollyon had just finished expining what threat the FBC could pose if left unchecked. This was unthinkable to the librarians present, but even more so for Superintendent Clementine Muller, who had returned this morning from a failed meeting with the head of the FBC. She was staring out the window behind the desk, looking past Kate and Apollyon, when she decided to break the silence.

  “I’m afraid your assessment is correct. All six people at the FBC I spoke to made it quite clear that they have no intention to respect the Treaty and believe that the previous staff was weak. They all have this staunch belief that you are not nearly as powerful as you cim to be, that God is alive and on their side, and that anything demonic needs to be cleansed from this world.”

  Apollyon sighed. “That means an attack on this pce is all but inevitable.”

  “Not just on the library. They will target your friends... our friends, family, anyone associated with you.”

  The old devil conjured a piece of paper, wrote something on it and teleported it away. “I just told Azazel to meet us here, this involves people beyond our reach. Asmodeus is out there just traveling this world, Valefor and Thrasir live among humans with an adopted human child, and there are many more.”

  Azazel teleported into the office but let Clementine answer before she spoke.

  “According to my sources, right now the FBC only knows about the library and no other demonic operations.”

  The high inquisitor took a seat on one of the couches along the walls. “They cannot be allowed to find out. We do not have the means to properly defend everyone at all times. That would require a degree of preparation that we don’t have the time for.”

  Clementine nodded. “My people are scared too. We are all targets now. There is one positive thing to take note of though. I have spoken to the other European agencies before I departed for the US. They all agree that if the FBC becomes too much of a threat to anyone, human, demons, angels, doesn’t matter, the FBC must be dealt with by any means necessary, including dismantling them and punishing every member in accordance with the Treaty.”

  “That would mean their execution.”

  “Everyone is well aware.”

  “Good. I still hope to find a less lethal solution, but I don’t have much hope.”

  “But there is something we can do right now.” Kate spoke up. “Right before this meeting I have spent some time going through the research results regarding the chariot shields. I had hypothesised that we could use an adapted version to properly bolster the library’s defences. I suggest not just implementing it here, but in the homes of every single one of our associates and every facility in our jurisdiction.”

  Azazel nodded approvingly. “A good pn. After this meeting I will put the other inquisitors to work immediately. Apollyon, since the original was your project, I would also like your permission to construct more chariots. The blessed ammunition already proved humans to be a threat that we need to take seriously and the FBC has now proven that our usual approach of deterrence and diplomacy won’t always work.”

  Apollyon frowned. “Permission granted, but speak with Freya, it was her project. I was merely her superior. But I want to request one thing. Do not make them pure war machines. Adapt the design to make them useful for something else. No matter what humanity does now, I will not permit re-militarization.”

  “I understand. It will take years for the first new chariot to be finished. I hope that by then, we won’t need it anymore and it can be a scientific ptform instead.”

  “Good.”

  “Kate, I want you to accompany me to the FBC tomorrow. Since you represent the library and this pce is the only demonic operation they know about, it is imperative that we keep that illusion up. Officially, you are leading the only demonic facility with the only demons that are in this world. So, I need you to make the demands tomorrow.”

  Kate nodded. “Of course.”

  “Clementine, Sariel has justiciars standing by to assist in protecting you and the other RICA employees here. Just say the word and you will have our support.”

  Clementine stared at the floor. “I hope I don’t have to accept that offer, but it all depends on how your talks go tomorrow. But thank you, I appreciate it.”

  “We count RICA as among our allies now, you will have our protection if you accept it.”

  “Thank you, high inquisitor.”

  “I will go talk to our other human associates to see if they want justiciar guards. Losing even a single person or just one of their belongings is utterly unacceptable. I feel the need to reiterate that the existence of the FBC and the survival of humanity was our merciful compromise. The Treaty only protects humans because we say it does, they didn’t uphold their end of it. If we didn’t cling to it the Treaty would have been void already.” Azazel’s frustration was felt throughout the room.

  Kate took a deep breath. “So, when are we leaving tomorrow?”

  “Three in the afternoon. I would like you to be fully geared up for combat. Not that I want to start anything, but to show that we are not pying around.”

  “Understood. Polly?”

  Apollyon nodded. “Yes?”

  “Everyone here should be ready to defend this pce in case things go badly. Maybe don’t sit at the reception desk in full armour, just don’t have it in the wash tomorrow.”

  “Of course.”

  “Adelina, since you’re the only librarian without instant access to combat gear, your job will be to be ready to run to the door, out the library on Hell side, through Dis and to the pandemonium to call for help. That is assuming the others will have their hands full.”

  Adelina frowned. “Alright. I assume we will have to evacuate any visitors we have. Where do we put them?”

  Kate took a second to think. “Everyone on the upper floors should head to the closest conference room. The basement floors though… we can’t have anyone head up the stairs, that’s just putting them in the line of fire. The only option will be the first floor of the vault.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “If you don’t have to call for help because someone else already did, help with keeping everyone safe. Sarah?”

  The young human turned to look at Kate. So far, she had been staring at the floor. “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry that you have to even think about this… you’re the only one not immortal here, your job will be to stay safe. You can’t help with keeping this pce safe, so you don’t even need to be here but if you are, just get to safety, get to Hell if possible. If not, then get to the conference rooms or the vault. I would prefer if you stayed in Hell until this all over, but that is your choice.”

  “Lilith asked me to visit more often anyway. If I can give my mum some form of excuse as to why I’ll be gone for a little while, I am sure Lilith would love to have me over. So, yea, I’m happy to stay in Hell. I just need someone to pick up the uni assignments and lecture notes for me.”

  “I can do that, not a problem. I’m gd you two got this close, you both seem happier for it.”

  “I can’t speak for her, but I definitely am.”

  “Then let’s keep it that way. It would be best if someone accompanied you home today, if you need to pack anything.”

  “I should, even if it’s just to keep the cover story intact.”

  “And what do you intend to tell your mum?”

  “That I am going on a work trip for a while and that it will be very beneficial for my journalism career because I will get to write some important things for important people. Of course, it won’t be in the way of my education, it will actually benefit that as well.”

  “All the things your mum would worry about covered, nice.”

  Sarah nodded. “She will just ask me to be safe and I will tell her that my fictitious girlfriend is joining me. You know, the one whose pce I’ve been staying at whenever I visit Hell.”

  “So that’s that sorted. Unless anyone else has something we need to deal with, we’ll be meeting again tomorrow after Az and I are back from the FBC meeting.” Kate looked around, no one added anything. “Alright. That will be it then, I’ll see you all tomorrow.”