DEVIL, DEVIL (Michael Langdon)

v.

Michael ventured out to the grounds late that night, or perhaps even early morning. He left Judas curled in his bed, completely unaware that he had even left.

Through the darkness, he spotted Miriam Mead's raised arms and he smiled as he ran to the woman who was like a mother to him. She was smiling as well, catching him in a tight hug. "Oh, my dear boy," she said, and when they let go she examined his face. "Oh, look at you. You're skin and bones. You're wasting away. Don't these people feed you?"

Michael seized her by the shoulders, concern filling his tone. "I'm fine. Just tell me you took care of the problem."

"The problem is now a stack of overcooked country barbecue," Miriam replied. "They can bury him in a shoebox. If they can find him."

"Good," Michael said. "These people are the only ones who could pose a threat to me. Once I become Supreme, I can destroy them from within, eliminate their whole fucking coven. Then the road will be clear for me to do what I was born to do."

"Stop stop worrying," Miriam stated. "Look how easy it was for you to win their trust, to get into their school. They may be wizards, but they're not exactly wizzes. Everything is going beautifully."

"I still have to pass the Seven Wonders," Michael pointed out.

Miriam met his gaze fully. "You will own the Seven Wonders, and then all of their covens, and then the world."

"Like a king," Michael said, thinking of Judas' words, and he very nearly smiled.

"Not a king," Miriam said. "A God."

Michael hesitated a moment. "There has been a complication," he admitted, and Miriam raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of complication?" she said.

Michael bit his lip, running his hand through his hair. "A boy," he said. "His name is Judas. He said that he loves me, and I've told him I love him back."

"Well, do you?" Miriam demanded.

"I think so, yes."

"Judas is a fine young man," a voice interjected as Ariel stepped into the clearing. "You should be glad you've earned his favor, he doesn't like many people."

Miriam nodded, the matter settled. "He knows about John Henry," she said as Ariel moved closer.

"He does?" Michael demanded.

Miriam's voice lowered to a whisper. "Just don't tell him about your father."

Ariel smiled as he moved to Miriam's side, squeezing Michael's shoulder with a laugh. "You think we'd let that fool blow our chance to have our own Supreme? Not in this lifetime."

Miriam spoke up. "Ariel was the one who told me when John Henry was leaving so I could intercept him and do the deed. We couldn't have done this without him."

Michael offered Ariel a nod of approval. The Grand Chancellor smiled again. "I for one can't wait to see those bitches squirm with a man in charge. Finally on top, where we belong."

At that, Michael grinned.

As he said, Judas went with Michael to see him perform the Seven Wonders. Behold, Baldwin, and Ariel had no qualms. But Cordelia Goode raised an eyebrow at the sight of the young man. "And who is this?" she asked.