Chapter Text
The bright afternoon sun shone in the sky as small birds sang in joy at God's glorious day. The cheery power of such a beautiful day was lost on Erryn's exhausted eyes. She stood in front of a mirror staring at her reflection in it. Slowly she ran a finger across the top of her chest where mysterious black symbols had suddenly appeared on her one day. A hiss escaped from her lips at the heat they emitted. Sometimes they burned and sometimes it didn't. She could not figure out a rhyme or reason for it. Nothing really made sense anymore. She had tried everything she had ever been taught to rid herself of the unwanted branding. At first glance, they looked like tattoos, however the markings were actually slightly embedded into her skin. Secretly she had always wanted a tattoo, even if they were preached against at church. But this wasn't a tattoo, this wasn't her choice, it was a weight on her chest that threatened to crush her very soul.
Desperately she had sought for any solution, she had looked to her God for help and did everything she was taught to do. Nothing worked and the methods got more and more unconventional as desperation grew. Even dipping her toes into witchcraft, crystals, all different types of heresy and even in some known snake oil tinctures. Everything but the hospital, how would she even begin to explain her situation? She didn't want to be thrown in the psych ward because of tattoos that somehow weren't tattoos. Not to mention she didn't want to lose her job or apartment. Then at church one day, in a small closet, she had found a strange book, the cover gave her pause. It did not belong in the creepy closest supply at her church. Someone clearly was trying to hide it and even if she couldn't fully read the title, she knew what the word grimoire meant and figured that anything with the symbol of sulfur on it was up to no good.
It had a look of antiquity about it and Erryn was pretty sure that such a book had no business being in such a God-fearing church. So, as soon as she could without being caught, she took the stolen book. In the safety of her own home that night, she went through its pages. Noticing that several pages were ear-marked, she turned there. Her world had come to a screeching halt at one page. She started in disbelief as the same markings that were on her skin stared up at her from the page. At last some answers, however they were cruelly just out of reach. Not a single word was familiar. As mounting frustration threatened to spill from her eyes, something finally recognizable jumped out at her from the last page. A few words she could actually read were on the back cover. A small blurb about who this book belonged to and an address were the only details she could understand from this treasure trove of information. After looking up the address online she managed to find out it was a church of sorts. A satanic church she hadn't known even existed and conveniently enough, it was not too far from her home. She stalked the devil church online, even driving by to scout out the area. Finally Erryn got up the courage to contact them. Emailing them and letting them know that she had something of theirs. All of this is how Erryn; a devoted, bible-believing Christian got in direct contact with whom she found out was the leader of a satanic church. A ping from the phone brought her out of her reverie.
"Thank you for your time and letting us know about our missing book. We did check our library and confirmed that it is one of ours."
With a shaky hand she read the message and racked her brain for a response.
"No problem, I can drop it off somewhere or ship it to you if you want.
She watched the text bubbles dance in the corner waiting for his response.
"That's so kind of you I don't wish to impose on your time but that book is important. I will need it soon."
Erryn chews on her nail as she thought.
“I do work till 5 tonight. I can give it to you after or on Sunday around 1:30 at the earliest.”
Terzo hummed to himself as a thought came to him, didn't this kind stranger mention finding the grimoire at a church? He quickly read through the first email they had sent. Yes, and the tone of the message made him think that it was in fact their church. What kind of Christian would give back a Satanist their spellbook? He wondered to himself, the person on the other side of the phone was peaking his interest. He half expected this person to just burn the devil book. It was something that had happened before. The possibility that this was a trap of some kind entered his mind. He would give them the benefit of a doubt for now but he would not be without backup.
“Whatever is easier for you is best. We can meet somewhere close by or wherever you're comfortable.”
He watched the text notification disappear and reappear, the stranger evidently struggling with what to say.
“To be completely honest, it would be easier for me to meet you tonight.”
Erryn didn’t want to juggle church and meeting this man. She let out a dry chuckle at the thought of it. Participating in worship to a holy God then going off to meet some profaner on the same day. She could definitely see the irony but it still made her a little uncomfortable.
“Perfecto! Can we meet at 6:30? I have a mass to lead tonight and that would be better for me.”
“No problem.”
After thanking her, Terzo suggested a small café where they can meet. After they agreed to this location, he dropped the directions to the café. Erryn just stared at her phone screen. Whelp, she was doing this. The mandatory notation that this could be a dangerous meeting flashed through her head. She knew it was a bad sign that she couldn’t bring herself to care but she couldn’t help it. It was all too much and she was so tired. At least this should be interesting, hell, she might even get a few answers out of this whole thing. At that last though she sighed and began to get ready for work. She decided to pack some clothes with her. If she was going to die, get kidnapped or something else, she would at least be in a comfortable outfit. Finally, she squared her shoulders and was ready to face the day.
The work day flew by, it was so busy, Erryn didn’t have time to even think about what was going to happen later. After she changed out of her uniform, she double checked the directions and decided to just go early. That way she could check out the area and get a feel for how busy or secluded that area would be. Pulling up to a cute café, she saw that it was public enough to feel comfortable but slow enough to not feel crowded. Slinging the book bag over her shoulder, she headed in. After getting a drink, Erryn grabbed a table in the corner outside. She still wanted to be a little bit out of sight. Paranoia had slowly been creeping up in her life and she felt watched and scrutinized. Especially at church, she had become so jumpy there that it was a struggle to even pull in the parking lot. Not that she ever particularly enjoyed going to church in the first place. She stretched out her legs as she waited for him. Now there was nothing to but wonder about how a mass would be carried out in the church of Satan and about the man who was leading it.
Terzo sat in the passenger seat and watched the building from inside a car, searching for anyone looking suspicious. A particular patron caught his eye. A young lady in a t-shirt and jeans with a pair of sunglasses had an air of nervousness about her. Her knee was bouncing and she was chewing on her nail. Oh? He thought to himself. He leaned closer to Omega and pointed her out to him.
"Do you think that she is our mystery person?"
Omega shrugged, still gripping the steering wheel. Terzo reached for his phone and shot her a text. The young lady's knee stopped as she read her phone. A few seconds later a reply was sent to his phone. Now he could put a face to his little stranger.
"Looks like that's her." Omega mused.
Terzo nodded and with a quick smirk and said
"I think, perhaps, I should go in alone. Our little friend over there did make the effort to reach out. We don't want to scare her off, now do we?"
Omega's shoulders relaxed when he saw a group of people he recognized walk into the café. Some people from the church decided to get a drink before going out tonight. He reached over and placed a hand behind Terzo's head pulling him closer to give a quick kiss on his forehead.
"Ok." He mumbled, lips still against his skin. "I'll still go in to get a drink and make sure nothing else is going on."
Terzo smiled, he loved how much Omega cared for his safety. How he saw him for what he truly was, that deep down, he was still just a man. Even though he was a Papa, the leader of an entire church and concerned with everyone else's well being under him, he also needed someone to look out for his safety as well. Omega pulled back, taking one look around before returning his attention to the man next to him.
"I know that you already think she's cute, try not to scare her off, ok?" he asked, slowly tracing his jaw until it came to rest under his chin.
"Yes sir."
He said in a husky drawl, leaning in to the touch. Omega grunted and turned off the car and began to head in