A shadow followed the young boy. The child was only nine years old, too young to have discovered many of the joys of life. But alas, he would never do so. The Shadow was a Daeva, invisible to ordinary humans, except for its creepy shadow following you. To other demons and some witches and white lighters, they were visible, but only appeared as oozing black monstrosities. Robed, cloaked demonesque humanoids with soulless eyes and long, dangerous claws.<br/><br/>These Daevas were invulnerable to most magic and exceedingly difficult to fight, as they usually were invisible. Only bright, harsh light could chase them away, yet not kill them. And only the strongest vanquishing spells could actually destroy them. Like the James’ sisters had destroyed a few dozen already the past year.<br/><br/>Yes, Sha’kos had lost several of his soldiers to the sisters, but to him, it was a game and to his Daevas, it was a test. For the sister’s too. The Demon Lord didn’t care about his minions, he did however care about killing the witches, possibly gaining their powers, but at the least getting his hands on their grimoire. It was rumoured to be one of the most powerful spellbooks in existence, as well as the most complete listing of current demons.<br/><br/>Sha’kos wanted it, and his will was law for the Daevas, even if the dark, murderous shades knew they would most likely die. Nevertheless, they still enjoyed the screams of their assigned victims, each time to lure out the sisters. Up till now, it always had been one or two Daevas at the same time, sometimes other demons, killing one victim to lure the sisters. This, however, would be the largest attack yet. Three innocents dead, three demons spanning the trap, and ensuring at least a fourth innocent, the vicar, to die.<br/><br/>The one now shadowing the vicar’s son saw his opportunity, as the boy took a shortcut through the more desolate paths in the park to get to school in time. Swiftly, like the predator it was, the demon snuck out of the nearest shadow, and dragged the struggling child deeper into the foresty parts of the park. Without hesitation, it attacked needing to satisfy his hunger, while sending a light howl rippling through the shoulders, to inform its master of its success.<br/><br/>Not much later, the ripped body of the young boy was found in the middle of said path, covered in slashes of furious claws, a large gaping hole in his chest, a pool of blood around him… The police was called, while any female seeing the corpse screamed. The forensics experts, however, would note it was a wild beast of some kind, but that the beast had for some reason torn out the child’s heart…<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>As the young saleslady asked him to sit, for miss James would join him soon, Alex smiled in delight as he felt the ripple of pleasure through the shadows. He loved it when plans came together. Now, being so close to the sisters, he might even see how they received the information, from whom and how they usually planned their actions.<br/><br/>It would be fascinating, and exactly why he had taken on this identity, even going so far as to go through a ritual to ensure a swift an smooth contact. He had sacrificed a young virgin girl a few days ago, to influence events to bring him into a position close to the sisters. The ritual had obviously worked, Alex decided, seeing the unusual coincidence of a model falling sick moments before the eldest sister met him… obviously finding him to her tastes.<br/><br/>She finally came and apologized, but as he followed her to her office, he merely replied, voice smooth, even and warm,<strong>“It was no problem at all, miss James. I still have some time, and I know that time is a precious commodity in your work.”</strong><br/><br/>Upon entering her office, they both took place on opposite sides of her desk.<br/><br/><strong>“As for a contract and such, I will trust you to make a fair offer, and I will accept it. I see no need for me to demand exorbitant rates for something which I am quite sure I would enjoy experiencing. And I would be delighted to see the photo studio. I am all yours for it, miss James.”</strong><br/><br/>He sat back as he finished speaking, gazing intently at her, studying her looks closer. He had only properly seen her in the darkest and dankest of places, from a distance. But from close by and in full light, he noticed again how gorgeous she looked, like both her sisters, with her wavy, dark, loose hair and penetrating blue eyes.<br/>