Exiting Melissa's home, Casseus couldn't help but grin as he made his way towards his car. The plan to antagonize Rick into making a fatal mistake was proceeding as planned. Even better, Melissa was aroused by his deviousness. If Casseus didn't have to worry about an early day, he would have spent night. Regardless, he had left Melissa satisfied after several sessions of love making. Whistling, the Dark wizard now entered his car, ready to return to Normal HQ.
"Hello there."
Casseus gasped, quickly glancing in the rear view mirror. Sitting in the backseat was a well dressed young man with dark hair and eyes, sporting an eerie smile. Casseus sneered his eye glowing a brilliant red as he prepared a spell. "You have made a grave error boy," he snarled. "One you won't live to repeat."
"Is that anyway to greet a guest?" the man asked, the smile still plastered on his face. "After all, Casseus, our interests are connected with one another." Casseus now paused. How did this man know his name. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Oh where are my manners," the man replied. Cautiously reaching into his jacket pocket, he now held a badge and ID aloft for Casseus to see. "Geshp, agent of S.P.E.A.R."
"S.P.E.A.R," Casseus growled. "Let me guess? You've come to eliminate me."
"No, no, no," Geshp replied. "In fact, they don't even know I'm here. Your friend, Rick, did quite a number on our organization. As we speak, she's taking some personal leave in order to regroup. No, I'm acting as an...independent party."
Casseus raised an eyebrow, if S.P.E.A.R hadn't sent him then why was he here? The Dark Wizard had heard of Geshp, a devil on loan to the agency after an agreement was reached between Director McMillan and Lilith. Now though, Lilith was dead and Sarah McMillan was away for some personal leave. A devil left to its own devices could prove dangerous to all sides of this conflict.
"I've been listening to you as you talk with that human woman," Geshp continued. "You wish to eliminate your so called friend, Rick. Not that I blame you, teenagers and their egos can be quite annoying. Still, there is one thing you have not considered in your machinations."
"And what would that be?" Casseus asked.
"My sister," Geshp sneered. "Camelle, your friend has bound my sister to him as a guardian angel. Even if your plan to were to succeed, Camille will protect him. In the end, your plan will fail and Rick will accomplish the impossible with the help of my sister." Casseus frowned. The plan he had painstakingly orchestrated was destined to fail, based on sheer luck of this teenager enslaving a guardian angel and former devil.
"Judging by your expression your disappointed," Geshp said, rousing Casseus from his brooding. "That's why I'm here to help."
"What?!" Casseus exclaimed. "Why? You've aligned yourself with S.P.E.A.R! Why would you betray them?" Geshp chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, I'm not betraying them," he said softly. "You see, the way I see it I'm helping them out. The enemy of my enemy and all that jazz. I want to stop my sister, you want to stop Rick. An unlikely tag team to take-down a mutual foe."
"I'm no fool devil," Casseus grumbled. "There's always a cost to dealing with your kind. What's your angle?"
"Well," Geshp mused. "Certainly not your soul. That tattered thing wouldn't get me a cup of coffee in Hell. What I am interested in though, is Rick's Ring of Change."
"His ring?"
"Yes the ring," Geshp replied. "For keeping my sister at bay, I ask that you give it to me." Casseus raised an eyebrow, he was aware of just how powerful the Ring of Change was. Even if he drained Rick of his magic, the ring itself was an artifact that would eclipse most magic users within the world. A devil with such power would be dangerous indeed. "Why do you want the ring?"
"My sister cost me an opportunity to court a vampire," Geshp replied. "She now has eyes for another and I hate playing second fiddle. Perhaps with that ring I could impress her or another. Power, after all, is an aphrodisiac."
"Too true devil," Casseus replied. "But courting a vampire seems like a waste of the ring's power."
"You are correct Casseus," Geshp replied. "And I've moved on so to speak. Still, stealing the ring and preventing my sister from fulfilling her angelic duties seems to be an appropriate use of my time. The ring? I would consider it a promotion from my current station in life. A mere trifle that someone such as yourself wouldn't be interested in." Casseus chuckled, flashing a grin at Geshp.
"Your silver tongue won't work on me," he smiled. "But, I think we can reach a compromise. Keep your sister from assisting Rick and let me drain the boy of his magic and you will have the Ring of Change."
Geshp rubbed his chin, an impish smirk spreading across his face. "You drive a hard bargain wizard," he replied. "But I accept your terms. I'll keep Camille from aiding Rick and in return you give me the Ring of Change." Geshp now extended his hand to Casseus, his dark eyes lighting up. "Put it there...partner."
Casseus reached behind himself, shaking the devils hand and completing the deal. All he had to do now was spring the trap and Casseus would eliminate his greatest competition.