It was dark inside of the cathedral. No one had bothered to install electricity and the boarded up windows kept all moonlight at bay; not that you could see the moon on such a cloudy night as this. The snow that fell quietly outside gave no warning to the sleeping village of the treachery that was about to occur within the old church.

With a wave of her hand, Kira lit the candles that had been left when the place was abandoned. In moments the cathedral was illuminated with the eerie light of a thousand small yellow flames. Kira looked up at the high ceiling with its arches and shadowed corners, wondering where he could be hiding. She walked slowly down the aisle way that was covered in a torn red carpet and shot a glare at the cold, marble angels on raised pedestals scattered throughout the church. Some had their arms spread in welcome, others, their hands folded in prayer. All of them filled Kira with hatred. Angels had never helped her.

Where is he? She thought. Why did they have to meet in a church? He probably had some symbolic meaning for it like rubbing evil in God’s face. He made life so much more complicated than it had to be.

Suddenly, organ music sounded all throughout the church. The notes were horribly out of tune as they worked to form a melody somewhat similar to the Phantom of the Opera.  Kira’s eyes shot to the front of the church where the ancient pipe organ sat, a forgotten memory of the small town nearby. She ran, faster than any human, to the instrument and stood quietly a few feet behind its player as he finished out the song.  Both of them were silent for a time, waiting for the music’s echo to leave the air.

Finally, Kira could take the silence no longer. “Vladimir.” She stated simply. She was always the first to speak.

“I’ve been waiting.” His voice was soft and cold- an evil voice that matched the dark blue tint of his skin perfectly. His pointed tail twitched back and forth like that of cat preparing to pounce. It had been three days since he had sent her on the mission. He was surprised that she had finished so quickly. He took in her appearance with a swift glance at a surprisingly shiny silver jar that revealed her reflection.

Kira’s light, blond hair was as perfect as always. Nothing was out of place. She was dressed in a tight blue t-shirt and jeans of a darker wash. The leather jacket that he’d gotten her for her birthday was her only protection against the cold. The only imperfection was the drop of blood on her cheek. The scarlet bead appeared to be such a dark burgundy in the candle light, that it looked almost black in contrast to her beautiful white skin.

“The Septovia has been captured.” She said in a strong voice. It was the voice that she used when she was addressing business.

Vladimir turned on the bench where he sat so that he faced her completely. He leaned backward, putting his elbows on the keys of the organ so that it released a blood curdling racket; neither of the beings so much as flinched. “And I suppose you make Taras do all of the work.”

Kira laughed exuberantly. “My younger brother is back at camp, nursing his wounds.” She walked over to one of the nearby angel statues and, with a smile on her face, grasped its stone wings and yanked them clean off. She tossed them towards one of the boarded up windows. The wings splintered the plywood and shattered the ornate stained glass on the other side.

Vladimir lounged in silence, allowing her to take her inner anger out on the lifeless marble, wood, and glass. She stood still, leaning against the abused statue, watching his tail swish from left to right. His eyes glowed with an evil, yellow flame, smoldering like the embers of a burning city- one that he had set aflame. He stood in one swift, fluid movement, black trench coat swirling about his legs. Kira stood straight and took a hesitant step toward him. He closed the short distance with inhuman speed and kissed her passionately. When they finally parted, he spoke again. “The Septovia is a powerful creature.” The beast of which they spoke was one of legend. The Septovia was an awe inspiring creature with two heads, one of a snake and one of a wolf, seven tails, and claws sharper than those of a lion. Its strength far surpassed that of the strongest animals and its powers were second to God alone. “You have done well in ensnaring it. I take it you used deception.”

Kira laughed again and leaned once more against the mutilated statue. “What else?” she asked sarcastically.

Vladimir chuckled and took her left hand lightly in his right. “We will rule well together, my love.” He kissed her hand lightly, like an old fashioned gentleman with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Cruelty and deception, hand in hand, reigning for all eternity.” Then, with a wave of his hand, he sent the wingless angel flying through the church, smashing it on the wall in the back. He turned back to Kira, sweeping her lovingly into his arms.    

“All will fear us.” She said into his shoulder. “They will cower at our shadows and none will compare to out beauty and might. Forever we shall rule the world in darkness.” Kira let out a slight yelp and fell backwards limply. Vladimir supported her with his arm and smiled at the wound his dagger had made. Placing a hand over the bloodied area, he whispered the words that would bring forth her soul for him to consume. When he was finished he spoke aloud to the lifeless body. “Wrong, my Kira. I shall rule the world in darkness. Farewell, love, may we never meet again.” He dropped her. “Your brother is next,” he said aloud, “And then the Septovia.”