The brush of legs against his own made him crane his neck and he looked up. A smile began to play on his face as he leaned his head against the wall behind him, and his back against the couch. She kind of had him surrounded there, but not to the point of being unable to detach himself from the hold. It was no surprise to him that she was present. He noticed her presence between the moment that he moved the cigarette to his lips and the moment she stepped out of the shadows. The way she had made her presence unnoticed in the beginning was not inscrutable to Erlind's understandings of how things worked. He would have thought that she, of all, would want to make sure that her existence in the same space as others was kept low-profile.<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">“Why so blue, Asmodei?”</span>Darcy inquired with a rich throaty voice.<span style="font-style: italic">“I see you are all alone. Did the tart prove too boring for your tastes?”</span>The blonde woman was obviously referring to her red headed cousin.<span style="font-style: italic">“You are meant to greater destiny that the one you would meet should you continue to be entangled with her tiny, bleeding heart. Come join me and my son. Together we would replace that trinity of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. We could provide an unholy trinity and what an adventure we would have.” </span><br/><br/><br/>As she went about her sepulchral desperation, his lips slightly pursed around the tip of his cigarette. He took a drag on this one and then slowly let out the smoke towards Darcy with his head titled to the side. If anything that made him unable to put his hand around her throat, and inundate her body in the flames of hellfire, was the protection that was bestowed on her and her minions by the Master himself. This is why he needed Raphael's help, as much as the Archangel needed his aid.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">''Demon of lust, when you tire of your sterile virtuous abstinence, you will know where to find me.'' </span><br/><br/>He eyed the woman as she made her way back to her corner.<span style="font-style: italic">''The good news, is that things could have turned out much better for you and I.''</span>He said with  a mocking grin on his face.<span style="font-style: italic">''The bad news, is that you're playing on the wrong side of the field.''</span>Erlind added with a sneer.<span style="font-style: italic">''Wealth, prestige and power! Hah hah, 'cause you strongly believe that I need YOU to offer me such.''</span>At one second he was rising from his seat laughing, and at one second he was standing before the Witch. He leaned his body towards her, both of his arms on each side of her hips, fists digging into the material of the couch.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">''Such audacity, mhm? Pretty straightforward of you. Would still not call it courage.''</span>He glared into the woman's eyes, his face a few inches from hers; his shadow falling over her.<span style="font-style: italic">''You touch one hair of hers again...''</span>He continued, hissing between his teeth, a low yet rough tone was produced out of his mouth.<span style="font-style: italic">''... and I swear to that who enslaved your greedy, blinded; pitiful condemned soul, that I would make you hear the rattling breath of your own death as I draw your tainted blood. I'll cut you open Witch and feed your rotten flesh to that pitiable son of yours. One day, and I promise you soon enough, that protection which was granted to you shall disperse. Consider your next steps wisely Witch,''</span>The abyssal Demon backed off from Darcy, fixing his posture.<span style="font-style: italic">''... and please, get your nose out of your fucking arse. I shall leave now, before your insecurities give me internal bleeding.''  </span><br/><br/>His anger was so intense that his mind clouded and his shoulders tightened. He had so much to lose and Darcy had her hands on his each and every weak points. He thought it was going to be easy now that he regained control. He was wrong.<br/><br/>The Seal... It was protected by a strong spell and he must now find a way to break it. It is only then that he could officially reclaim control on his vulnerabilities.<br/><br/>Picking up his hat and coat, he began to walk away. He paused for one moment, flashing the Witch a forced white smile and a wink.<span style="font-style: italic">''Nice try though. Better luck next time.''</span>