V Servi Dei

By Bernice Burgos

What do you do when the Ruler of the Underworld comes to Earth and gives you a mission out of the norm? You either take it or wind up back in Hell torturing the damned for eternity.  Don't get me wrong torturing is fun, but it gets old quick. I couldn't last another century doing that job. Besides, I earned my passage to Earth by being the most cunning and loyal Demon in Hell. Alright, maybe being a traitor to Eden boosted my evil streak. A Demons gotta do, what a Demons gotta do!

On Earth, I'm one of New York City's finest homicide detectives, classic! But in reality, I'm Master Lucifer's eyes and ears on the ground. I get bored pretty quickly thou and occasionally, for the right price, I moonlight for the Vs. Earth is crawling with Vampires, Witches, and freaks all fighting for the same seat at the table, POWER.  I have to admit, the Vs are on the top of their game and everyone on Earth is severing them in one way or another, even the Humans. V Servi Dei, Servant of the V, is what they like to call us. Except, that isn't me. I serve one Master, Lucifer.

So, when my Lord of Darkness gave me a mission that was out of the norm. I took the job to a whole other level. ~ Jack Quinn Reynolds.

V Servi Dei is the continuation of Angel: The Memories of Eden and Earth. It is the second novella in the Angel book series. The saga continues as Angel, who is suffering from memory loss, is maneuvering her way around Earth under the protection and guidance of Demon manipulator Jack Quinn Reynolds. Jack finds himself making hasty decisions to protect Angel, leaving the Vs to question his allegiance. Will Jack hold true to his word and protect his Master's niece, or will he sell her out to the Vs in exchange for his own personal agenda? This book will take you on a chilling adventure through Hell and back as Jack is forced to choose between his loyalty and what he deems as important. If you love stories about Angels, Demons, and Vampires then you will enjoy the Angel series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Red Penguin Books
• Release date: Nov 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781952859700

Book preview

1

Lucifer

The balmy, late August night did not deter the interested mob that had gathered to witness the commotion unfolding at their local neighborhood pub. 

O’Riley’s bar was on fire, broken into by five men robbing the place.

The mob shot the joint up. 

O’Riley’s mistress went crazy. She trashed the place and attempted suicide.

These were just a few of the stories circulating the rumor mill due simply to the fact that no one really knew what happened. The media outlets were not giving accurate information. Multiple people were interviewed but they all gave the same answer, "I didn’t see a thing, but I heard..."  

Lucifer watched intently from across the street as the paramedics wheeled Angel away on the stretcher and loaded her into the back of an ambulance. The bar was closed off to everyone passing by and the streets were blocked due to the investigation. There was so much yellow and black caution tape wrapped around, restricting access, that it seemed as if a terrorist attack had just occurred. He eyed a young male detective who was leaning against his black, unmarked, Chevy Impala writing down notes and answering calls on his cell phone. The detective wore his police shield around his neck. His short sleeve, cotton, shirt stuck to his smooth chocolate skin in the summer’s heat, exaggerating the muscles in his arms. He tugged on the bill of his Yankees cap, lowering it to the brows of his eyes. His entire demeanor, along with the black and red patent leather Michael Jordan sneakers he wore, screamed everything New York City about him. Lucifer hated everything about him. 

Is that him, Uncle? Castus asked quietly. 

Castus and Lucifer stood side by side, with their hands in their pockets, wearing matching black designer suits. The only difference was that Castus was wearing a thin blue tie that hung down to the middle of his white shirt while Lucifer didn’t sport one. 

Yes, that is Detective Jack Quinn Reynolds. The traitor that is going to help us. Lucifer smiled devilishly as he and Castus crossed the street to approach the detective.      

Jack continued jotting down notes. Now and then, he would stare at the hustle of people around him from the corner of her eyes, remaining vigilant. For a split second, the sounds of fire truck sirens rang into the night then quickly went dead silent. Chattering, movement, and even the sound of wind went still. Jack cautiously paused and keenly listened for the sound of his own watch ticking, but he heard nothing. The clear-cut sound of zero movements geared him into battle mode. He knew exactly what was happening—time had stopped. There were only two supernaturals that he knew of with the ability to conjure that: Vs and Lucifer.  

Fuck! He mumbled to himself as he attempted to drop his notepad and pen, but they remained frozen in midair. He quickly shifted to draw his gun out of its holster. 

Castus and Lucifer immediately found themselves staring at a Sig Sauer p239 pistol. Castus rolled his eyes in annoyance. He took two steps forward, staring hard at the barrel, and mentally wrenched the detective’s hand so that he was pointing his own gun at himself.  Jack could not loosen his grip as the metal in his hands began to heat up until it disintegrated into smoky fluttery ashes. He watched the weight of his hand lighten and shook the remaining ashes off of his fingertips. 

Oh, come on! That was my favorite gun, he stated, irritated. 

The clacking of Castus’ fancy loafers grew louder as he approached Jack and hastily grabbed him by the neck, lifting him inches off the ground. 

Do all of your Demons talk this much, Uncle? asked Castus angrily.  

Jack tried to pry Castus’ hand but failed miserably. His opponent was too strong. Instead, he desperately gasped for as much air as possible. 

Oh, let the bloke down. He’s barely going to talk at all if you squeeze the air out of his body, Lucifer said casually in his smooth British accent.  

Castus stared at Lucifer and tightened his grip a little harder, deeply wanting to snap the Demon like a twig.  However, he slowly did what he was told and released him. Jack fell to his knees like a limp rag doll, clutching his throat and frantically gasping for air. He rubbed his neck, soothing the pain in his muscles. He turned his Yankees cap backward on his head and embarrassingly scraped himself from the ground. His attempt to extend to his full height of six foot one and display intense anger by the barely repressed growl in his throat and fierce glare of his eyes were blatantly ignored by his assailants. His pupils enlarged and the whites around his eyes turned pitch black as he walked towards Castus ready to retaliate. Lucifer wedged himself between the two men preventing a fight Jack would not win.  

We did not come here to torture you back to hell, Lucifer spoke. I have a job for you, one that will be in your best interest. But, before I present the job, I want to introduce you to my nephew, Castus.

I think it’s a little bit too late for polite formalities, Jack stated heatedly. It took everything inside him not to push Lucifer out of the way and begin rumbling with his attacker.

Castus huffed under his breath, not wanting to meet Jack much less share any space with this traitor. After being in Hell with his uncle for four months, but by Earth’s timeclock just a few hours had passed, he despised Demons. He managed to endure by bullying them and keeping them firmly in their place. There were constant disputes between Lucifer and Castus on the treatment of the Demons. The Demons were not there for Castus’ pleasure to torture especially since many of them were taken out of the void like he was. However, Lucifer understood his frustration, the feeling of being in Hell when you knew in your heart you didn’t belong was hurtful enough. He would eventually find a way to manage Castus’ anger when he put him in charge of designing the torture rooms. It was a job he took seriously as he devised creative and sadistic ways for Lucifer’s minions to torture the souls of the damned. 

Lucifer leaned in closer to Jack to engage him in a private conversation. "I let you walk around here to be my eyes and ears because you are the only one I’m confident can get the job done. Don’t forget that I have other eyes and ears watching you get your job done. I know about your dealings with the Vs. I’m waiting for you to report your facts before I seriously have you kicked back to Hell."

Jack’s eyes transformed back to their natural state of dark brown. Lucifer never bothered him personally for information. The mighty Emperor of Hell always sent a Demon in his place. He felt Earth was beneath him and a waste of his infinite time. For him to make a guest appearance among his Demon workers was a privilege, for he was rarely seen on the front lines unless the situation was personal. With the violent visit from his Ruler’s nephew, Jack nearly forgot who he was talking to. He speedily dropped to his knees and tilted his head down.  

Forgive me, My King, said Jack.

Don’t call me that! I am not my Father.

Jack stared up at Lucifer confused. In his mind, Lucifer was the King of the Underworld.

 Boss? he attempted again. 

Castus shook his head at Jack pitifully. 

Unbelievable, replied Lucifer. Boss?

Castus smacked the back of Jack’s head, scolding him like a child who has forgotten his customs and courtesies.  

Is that the way you speak to your Ruler? demanded Castus. 

Apologies, My Lord of Darkness, answered Jack nervously. 

Fine! retorted Lucifer. And get up! Geesh. Anyway, the Vs? 

Jack rose and faced Lucifer and Castus. He took a deep breath and launched into his report. Most V tribes are not causing any trouble. They try to stay hidden as much as possible from the human world. They’re not all perfect; some of them turned humans into Vs but were then unable to control them. They went on a human hunting rampage. The NYPD has been picking up plenty of Jane and John Doe homicides lately, but the cases turn cold. 

"I don’t want to hear about the human version of Unsolved Mysteries, interrupted Lucifer. Tell me about their involvement with the angels."

The statement threw Jack for a loop. A puzzled look flitted briefly across his face before his self-control swiftly suppressed it. His eyes darted around at the non-mobile people around him. He almost spoke in a whisper, forgetting time was still frozen. The night sky reflected a few glimmering stars. One thing the Prince of Evil could not control, shining stars.  

I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sire, Jack replied uneasily.

Don’t be coy with me. I know about the angel blood being sold to the Vs. I’ve just pulled my nephew and many other angels out of the void. Some are telling me they’ve met their fate by the hands of Vs, and I just killed one of your idiot cop friends who were working closely with them. Now tell me, what are they planning?

Castus folded his arms across his chest physically restraining himself from pummeling the recalcitrant detective, patiently waiting for answers. 

"Whoa, whoa, which cop was working with Vs? Wait, do you have anything to do with what happened there tonight? Jack asked, pointing to a disarrayed O’Rileys.

We had everything to do with that, responded Castus. 

What my nephew is saying is true. We had everything to do with that. Never mind the cop’s name, he’s dead. The less you know the better. Now the Vs, what do they want with angels? Lucifer asked, losing his patience. 

I don’t know, Sire. Seriously, this is the first I’ve heard of it. Vs have been keeping a low profile. It’s the witches I’ve been watching closely and reporting on, and I’ve given you all my analysis on them thus far.

NO MORE WITCHES! The focus has changed, yelled Lucifer.

Jack took a deep breath and inhaled the clean city night air. Since he didn’t have the information his Master requested, he decided to shift the subject.  

All right, tell me the job. What do you need me to do?

Lucifer looked around, "For starters, I want you to clean this mess up. Every piece of evidence you find that