Levi poked at the dying embers in the fire, trying to picture how well this anticipated meeting would go over. "My Lord, a word with you?"
Rowan walked over to Levi, keeping his distance so the others wouldn't hear.
"I'm not sure this is the best course of action," Levi protested.
"What? Why the hell not? Everyone seems to think Dantalion is the answer to all our prayers," Rowan sneered. "Since his demonic powers are obsolete, lets see what the angel's got!"
Levi was curious about Dantalion's new found supernal powers but wanted to make sure Rowan wasn't taking his role as Dantalion's predecessor too lightly.
"With all due respect Master Rowan, Lord Dantalion was my friend and confidant throughout his condemnation. His status as archangel was hand selected by him so he could remain Guardian to the girl. She still remains under his watch."
Rowan smirked at Levi's loyalty, pushing him back slightly with his claws extended. "Hmmm… so I guess he's not doing his job. That's where I come in, remember? The new master in command of Dantalion's thirty six legions," he chuckled.
Rowan turned to the room filled with demons, curling his clawed fingertips and gesturing for them to come closer. All one hundred demons stood at perfect attention in allegiance of Rowan's command. He addressed every one of them, making sure his voice echoed to reach the rest of the thirty six legions within their own separate chambers far in the back.
"We all know why we're here. We're gathering up our allies to take on the Four Kings of Hell…. They have seized Laurel and are forcing Dantalion to sign the oath. I'm sure he has his own plans for them. Mine are what you can call a back up plan. Once we summon him here, Gwynnedd the 'Succubus' will pay allegiance to me."
The demons' eyes rested on Rowan's every word. Levi looked somewhat relieved… like a teacher who had been rewarded by his student for a lesson well learned. Erin, Lucia, Druitte, Vine, Halphas and Sitri all stared in awe at Rowan's confidence, and together, they nodded in approval to begin Dantalion's invocation.
Levi lit candles and incense throughout the chamber. The familiar scent of pine and roses filtered through the air, taking Rowan back to the Courtyard… images flooded him of fire, blood, and brimstone. Every trace of his memory of me in the Courtyard before this was somehow erased, he could only respond now to his demon instincts… those of blood and war. The Courtyard was neutral ground where both angels and demons could tread, but it was also a graveyard for those who had been broken.