14: Brewing Storms
After quickly moving through the catacombs for sometime, Miranda had finally caught up to Igor. She entered the lounge area were Igor was seated with the arcane tome open. Igor glanced up from his reading when Miranda asked "Have you found anything yet, Igor? I have something I need to tell you,"
"Nothing definite, my lady, but there is this," he said handing her the book. She looked at the picture of the demon and a particularly nasty looking demon at that.
"That is Flavros, the truth telling demon. He's been dormant for generations, but I think we may have woken him up," Igor told her.
She shuddered as she began to read the passage on the opposite page. *"Flavros, grand-general of hell, commanding twenty legions of hell. Flavros appears in the shape of a savage, strong leopard. In human form he has a frightful face with burning eyes. He knows of the past, present and future and can turn demons and spirits against anybody attempting to exorcise a victim of his."*
"Well that certainly explains the voice I heard. He must be floating around now. Is there any indication on how to safely expel him back to hell?" asked Miranda.
"As far as I can see from this text, it's got the summoning ritual but no way of expelling him. I will probably need to find an exorcism book," Igor replies.
"Fine, but don't breathe a word of this to Markus," Miranda warned.
"I won't my lady," Igor said.
"Good, I will be back later. We need to find a way to at least trap this demon. He could prove to be very useful," Miranda mused.
***
"Carl, what's wrong?" asked Aaron as he sat down next to Carl who was looking rather glum.
"I miss Joy but I have to stay away from her to keep her safe from this. I'm worried that I'll lose control and hurt her," Carl said sadly.
"That's hard to deal with. It's been a month since you were changed, Carl, and there also hasn't been any activity lately. Miranda and her goons seem to be keeping quiet," Aaron mused.
"I know, but I'm still worried that I haven't got it completely under control," Carl told him.
"I'm your friend right?" asked Aaron.
"Yeah of course," Carl replies, nodding his head.
"Trust me on this; you need to take a leap of faith. Or you'll always be worried about losing control. If you're well fed before you meet Joy those impulses won't want to come up and demand you feed," Aaron tells him.
Carl sat there considering that for a moment then said to Aaron "Thanks mate. I'm going to do something about this now. I feel like my heart is being torn further each day," Carl told him.
"Good, I'm going to see what Jake is doing," Aaron told him as he then left the room.
Carl walked to the infirmary and asked Cindy who was sitting at her desk, "Cindy, would you mind doing something for me?"
"Sure, what do you need Carl?" asked Cindy
"I'd love it if you would go to the jewelers and help me get something really nice for Joy. I need the help because I can't do it and I want it to be for tonight," Carl told her as he pulled out a credit card.
"Sure, Carl, I can do that for you, but I'm really busy right now. I'll be able to do it in about an hour. Would it be good then?" asked Cindy, happy that Carl is finally going to see Joy again.
"Yeah, that would be great, Cindy. Thank you and now I have other things to plan," Carl told her, smiling at her.
"That's alright. I'm glad I could be of help, Carl," grinned Cindy.
"Thanks. Hey, do you know where Laura is?" asked Carl.
"I think she's sleeping actually. She should be in her room though," Cindy told him.
"Thanks, I need to talk to her," Carl said.
"Alright but be careful. If you wake her up she might want to bite your head off," Cindy teased. Carl chuckled and walked off towards the mansion's largest room.
He knocked on the door and waited for a reply. "Just a minute," called Laura from behind the door after a few moments.
She answered the door in a long flowing robe and asked "Carl? What can I do for you?"
"I need some advice real fast. I'm going to surprise Joy tonight and I want to make her dinner. Can you suggest anything?" asked Carl.
"Sure, come in," said Laura sitting on the bed next to Aaron who was lying on the sheets in his boxers. Obvious to what he had interrupted seeing the sweat on Aaron's chest. Carl would have blushed if he was still able.
"Did I interrupt anything?" he asked.
"No, its ok, Carl. What did you want to ask me?" questioned Laura as Aaron chuckled and grinned next to her.
"I want to cook her dinner. Do you have any romantic tips at all?" asked Carl, clearly uncomfortable with Aaron lying there next to Laura.
"Yes, I do. First, get some candles, don't use any lights. Does Joy have any favorite smells?" asked Laura.
"Yes," Carl replied.
"Get some incense of her favorite scent and burn it through the place. She'll smell the scent as soon as she gets through the door," suggested Laura.
"Thanks Laura," Carl said, smiling.
"No problems, Carl," said Laura as Carl left the room and shut the door. As soon as he left the room she pounced on Aaron and said "Did you have to tease him like that? The poor guy was uncomfortable there. I think its great he's getting back with Joy though,"
"I know, but it was fun though. I haven't seen Carl uncomfortable before. I couldn't resist," Aaron told her, struggling to get out of her grip.
"Well, I think you teasing poor Carl there deserved something," said Laura teasingly, before she leaned over and bit his shoulder causing Aaron to groan.
"Baby, I'm sorry," begged Aaron.
"You're not getting out of this now, Aaron," teased Laura as she grabbed his growing hardness through his boxers. Aaron groaned as he squirmed under her.
***
"Ok, I'm ready to go Carl. Is there anything else you would like me to get for you? It's a special night for you," Cindy said as she grabbed her stuff.
"Yeah, can you get the items on the list as well?" asked Carl.
"Wow, are you cooking a feast or something Carl?" asked Cindy examining the long list Carl gave her.
"Sort of. I want everything to be perfect for Joy. It's going to be a complete surprise for her," Carl replied.
"That's so sweet, Carl. She'll love this," Cindy assured him.
"Thanks. I just have to call Adam and make arrangements. Can you call me when you get to the jewelry shop? I want to get the best for Joy," Carl requested.
"Sure, Carl, I can call you when I get there" said Cindy as she picked up her bag and walked out the door.
Carl pulled out his phone and called Adam. "Adam speaking," Adam said as he answered the phone.
"Hey Adam, how are you doing?" asked Carl.
"Carl! I'm going great buddy. I'm really busy right now though," Adam warned.
"It's ok. Listen, I have a surprise for Joy tonight. Can you take her out to a club or something tonight? It's because I need to get into her apartment to get everything ready since I'm going to cook her dinner and I want everything to be a surprise," Carl told him.
"Sure, I don't think that would be too hard. We'll be getting out of here late because we have a conference at the end of the week consolidating that deal you made a while back. They are bringing the plans for their businesses to the meeting, we need to be prepared and it's all really crazy right now," Adam told him.
"I wish I could help you mate, but I'm going to be stuck here for awhile longer," Carl told him.
"It's ok, Carl. Look I'll distract her. How much time do you need?" asked Adam.
"Probably about two hours. I need to cook the food and set everything out," said Carl.
"I'll give you three hours. I'll call you if Joy leaves early," Adam replied.
"Thanks, I have to go. I'm expecting another call," Carl says.
"It was great talking to you again, Carl. We really should catch up soon," Adam said in response.
"I'd like that, but not for now," Carl said.
"Alright, I'll see you sometime then. Goodbye,"
"Bye" Carl said, hanging up the phone.
***
Carl answered his phone with a "Hello?" as soon as it rang.
"Carl, I'm at the jewelry store. Joy's going to love whatever you get her," Cindy replied.
"Yeah, what is the most expensive item?" asked Carl.
"It's a necklace of diamonds" said Cindy.
"How much is it?" asked Carl.
"40,000," Cindy said.
"Wow, that's a lot. I don't even think Joy likes diamonds very much. are there any rubies there?" asked Carl.