“You called me ‘Ronnie.’ I like that nickname. I’m glad to see you in a happy mood.” She paused. “I know that such a thing exists, Poisonous, but it’s foreign to me. What’s ‘happiness’ like?”
Poisonous thought about that for a few moments. “It’s like all the trouble in your heart has gone away.” Her gray-green eyes brightened. “You’ll never believe what I did the other night.”
“What? Tell me!” Now, even VD smiled. “Nothing you tell me any more surprises me, even though your thoughts still seem strange to me.”
“I talked with Lord Yehovah.”
“No!”
“Yes! Would you believe, He listened to me, and didn’t say something like, ‘Depart from me, evil doer.’ He didn’t strike me down, or make me quake in fear. In fact, I think He cares about me. I can hardly believe it.” Looking up, the sadness in VD’s eyes showed, which caught her off guard. “Are you all right, Ronnie?”
“I’m envious of you, Poisonous. I’m beginning to think that maybe Lord Yehovah isn’t so bad after all. You know what my demonic colleagues think of that. In fact, I’m pretty sure that Lord Lucifer is going to want to talk with me soon.”
“You know what? I am going to pray for you. Now, don’t be scared. I sense that Lord Yehovah and the Spirit of Light will watch out for you.”
“Are you sure this is a good thing to do?” VD fidgeted uncomfortably.
“Don’t you worry: Lord Yehovah is actually very nice, Besides, I want to. You won’t take this away from me, will you? Please?”
VD started shaking.
“Now Ronnie, you and I are old friends. You’re going to have to trust me. Make up your mind to face Lucifer, and don’t let him intimidate you, no matter what. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“May I pray now?”
“Go ahead, Poisonous,” said VD, still shaking.
“Lord Yehovah, I’m grateful to feel so free of such a heavy burden. It’s too wonderful to put in words. Make my friend here know the same happiness that I do.” She paused, thinking. “Oh yes; if Lucifer gives her a hard time, could you please help her be strong? Thank you.”
She laughed as VD shook all the harder. “Oh, now. Don’t be afraid.” She put her hands on VD’s shoulders. “Lord Yehovah will protect you.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
Purpose and resolve gently radiated to her friend. “Yes, Ronnie. I’m very sure.”
* * *
Sure enough, the call came. “Virtue Destroyer!”
VD sighed. “I knew it was coming. Guess I’d better face the music.” She walked up to the throne, where a putrid, vile stench covered its owner. VD held her fingers to her nose. For the first time, the smell bothered her. “I’m here, Lord Lucifer. What do you want with me?”
Lucifer gave VD a wary look, but she didn’t care.
“Since when are you repulsed by evil?”
She said nothing and stared at him defiantly.
“I don’t understand why that blasted Lamb of God would let you talk with Poisonous, but her humanity and The Light are affecting your ability to be an effective demon. This isn’t good.” He shook his head, and sneered at her.
Her head shook too, but ruefully. “You are truly pathetic. I feel sorry for you; and so what it I enjoy talking to Poisonous? What’s it to you? You yourself know that I have permission from The Lamb, and you wouldn’t dare stop me. Maybe you would be wise, you fallen Light Bearer, just to leave me alone.”
Lucifer’s face contorted with rage. “The absolute insubordination!” he hissed. “Do you know what I could do to you?”
“Maybe, but I certainly know what I can do to you... ” The words came out of her as if someone else were saying them, “May The Lamb rebuke you!”
Lucifer’s face contorted as held his hands tightly to his ears. “Do not say those words again in my presence,” he yelled. “You sound like a traitor to evil.”
“Then may the Lamb doubly rebuke you.”
Lucifer doubled over and coughed as a bright ball of light hit him square in the chest.
“Well; looks like old Lucifer isn’t so formidable now.”
Lucifer skulked away, alternating between keeping his hands over his ears, and rubbing his chest.
She turned around to walk away, and stopped dead in her tracks. Two bright warrior angels stood before her. “Michael and Gabriel... the Archangels?” she said, still not believing her eyes.
“Yes,” Michael answered. “You’re not seeing things. It’s really Michael and Gabriel. You may want to think about the power of what you say. You’ve heard of the saying, ‘be careful of what you ask for?’ Well, keep in mind that those words are true: they’ll come to pass.”
VD still shook as they walked away. “Wow. The two most powerful angels in the Heavenly army.” She looked at herself, wondering if their swords had somehow sliced her to bits. After taking inventory of herself, her body remained intact. Then her words to Lucifer came back to her. “I don’t believe I said those words— to Lucifer nonetheless.” Not only had she said them, she meant them. Smiling broadly, she said, “I’m not the same old VD I’ve been for too long. Thank you, Lord Yehovah.” Walking away, she added, “and I’m glad.”
Twenty-two
Saturday October 4th
VD watched him leave his condominium, and wanted to be sure that she talked to him in a place conducive to conversation. She followed him to the Café Après, where he sat in a corner by himself, a cup of coffee in his hand, his head laid back against the back of the chair.
Now was the time. Her attire and makeup
