“What? Who are you?” asked a thoroughly confused Tim.
“I am called Zaphrael,” said one of the men in a commanding, authoritative voice. “This is my companion,
Femestofeles. We have been waiting for your arrival... Timothy Sherman.”
“NO!” screamed Tim. “Don't call me that name! That isn't me any longer.”
“It is your true self,” said Femestofeles in a strangely androgynous sounding voice. “You have only
forgotten.”
“Your latest victim here shall be well taken care of by some 'friends' of ours,” said Zaphrael. “We have quite
a little network throughout this town, indeed throughout this region. For reasons we needn't go into at the
moment, this region has been become something of a hotspot in the Celestial War.”
“Oh, shit,” cursed Tim. “You guys are fucking angels! Of all the damned luck. My first mission as a demoness,
and I run afoul of you losers.”
“We are no longer aligned with the forces of the Allfather,” said Femestofeles in a sad, faraway voice. “I
regret to say, my friend and I remained... on the fence, so to speak, during the opening moments of the great
war in heaven.”
“However, do not mistake us for allies of your wicked master either,” said Zaphrael. “We do all that we can to
fight him and your kind, in hopes of someday earning a place for ourselves again in paradise.”
“What are you going to do with me?” hissed Tim, blindly trying to feel an escape path from these two zealous,
do-gooders.
“We should like to rehabilitate you,” said Femestofeles. “We're entirely aware of your unusual situation. We
know all about Paul Hodgson, Evelyn Campbell, and you Timothy Sherman.”
“However, we cannot help you without your permission,” said Zaphrael. “Unless you give yourself to us freely,
there is nothing we can do but restrain you in a magical prison – possibly forever. I warn you, this is quite
serious. We have imprisoned in various lamps, flasks, gemstones, and other artifacts countless other demons,
imps, and ifrits just like yourself.”
“So what say you, Timothy Sherman?” asked Femestofeles. “May we help you restore your humanity, your
innocence, and a mortal life?”
What next?