“ Good ,” Anna said . “ See if you can get any more information from her .”
“ You ’ ve done well , Ivy ,” Bao said , “ but your mission is far from complete .”
I know ,” Ivy said . “ I won ’ t quit until Lannus is dead In any case .”
“ One cannot simply kill a demon in a man ’ s body ,” one of Bao ’ s associates said . “ You can kill the body and torch their nests , but they can find new men to sway and inhabit . There are few ways to kill the spirit of what ’ s inside them .”
Ivy looked away . She hated to be scolded by strangers . She hated it even more knowing he was right . Bao had said a dozen times that when the body of the man dies that the spirit of the demon would return to Hell .
“ There is a way ,” Bao said . He spoke in Chinese , and Anna ran off , leaving the room . She returned moments later , carrying a wooden box . She placed it in front of Bao .
“ This ,” Bao said , taking the top off the box and removing a knife . “ Is metal forged from an angel ’ s bone .”
The others in the room bowed their heads , except for Ivy . “ How does it work ?” she asked .
“ Pierce the neck , chest , or stomach ,” Bao said . “ The spirit will meld with the body , and both will die .”
Ivy looked at the knife . It was beautiful . The metal shimmered as if it were made of feathers , and the hilt was made of white bone .
“ When it is time ,” Anna said , taking the knife from Bao and placing it back in its box ,
“ You will use the knife to vanquish your enemy . Until then , you will complete your tasks .”
“ Yes ,” Ivy said , longing to hold the knife herself .
8
Weeks passed as Ivy worked undercover at the Flaming Ruby under Bao ’ s command . She stripped , gave private dances and fucked ; everything she was told to do . She worked five days a week , earning a fresh enveloped of bills varying in size depending on how well Samantha felt she fared . She never counted it , but gave it directly to Bao or Anna to use toward their cause along with anything she observed or overheard .
Dawn came , ending a slow night . Ivy got dressed in her street clothes next to Simone . “ I didn ’ t see your boyfriend tonight ,” Simone said .
Title : “ Before the Storm ” Artist : Brent Foster