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Who knew what treasures might be found there?

Sensing that the stranger was ready to depart, a sphere of light ignited in the center of the room, allowing the demons to emerge.

He could sense them behind him, waiting, but he did not acknowledge their presence. They were always in such a hurry-so impatient-and he found it good for them to have to wait.

Waiting was what it was all about.

“Sir?” one of the three demons called.

He was going to ignore the request, but decided that since he’d pretty much found everything that he was going to find, he’d respond.

“Yes?” the stranger answered, still not looking at them.

“We felt that you were ready and…”

“You sensed correctly,” he said, turning to face them.

They hated him-he could feel it in their horrible gazes-but they could do nothing about it. He reached over and casually twirled the ring on his right ring finger.

All they could do was obey.

They had no choice.

The stranger stepped toward the foul, pale-skinned creatures and entered the glowing circle on the floor.

“Take me home,” he commanded, his thoughts already racing. He had to find another sorcerer to serve him, seeing as neither of the two that he had been considering had worked out. If he’d been a betting man, he would have thought Stearns to be the victor, but Deacon had managed to prove himself quite the surprise.

If only one of them had survived.

It was just one more detail to be added to his list of chores for the coming days. There is still so much to do, he thought as he gave the demons a barely perceptible nod to activate the sphere of transference to take them from this place.

So much to do to start a war.

And bring the dominions of Heaven crashing down.