The beginning

India spun and gripped the pole tighter. "Are you the one stalking me?" she demanded.

Soren held his free hand up. "No, no, dear. I'm an exorcist. We heard screaming and investigated." He indicated the two behind him.

With the woman distracted, Seth took the chance to pounce from the dark and tackle her behind a large, rigid slab of cement standing straight up in the ground.

"Dammit!" Soren cursed, rushing forward. "Cala, binding scroll, now!" He slammed the heel of his staff down to the ground and chanted in an ancient language.

"Stop," Five said with a sigh. "He's a latent Miser. He's harmless." He walked behind the cement slab grabbed Seth by the hood. "I told you to watch for the girl, not scare her to death."

Seth slumped into his coat. "What the hell was he just going to do to me!?" he yelled, pointing towards the man and woman. "This is my turf! Don't come to my home and try killing me, you jerk!"

India crawled away, screaming and trying to run. "Keep that monster away from me!" she screamed. "I want to go back to the safe camp!"

Cala looked at Soren, confused. "Sir, should I stop?"

Soren frowned at the man screaming at him. "Perhaps if you were to be less brash about your apparent duties..." He looked to Five as he spoke, "Then you wouldn't have an exorcist and his apprentice breathing down your neck." He lifted his staff from the ground, ending the incantation. He turned to Cala. "If he is 'harmless,' then it is not our duty to exorcise him." He walked to the woman on the ground and extended a hand, a polite smile on his face. "It's okay, ma'am. Nobody is going to hurt you."

"Who made you God and let you decide who can live?" Seth hissed. "I don't possess you so don't try exorcise me." He jumped away from Five. "Why do you keep bringing people like this here?"

India hid behind the man. "I hate Misers!" she yelled. "I hope they all die!"

"That is enough," Five said loudly. "There's no exorcising in the city," he said, looking at Soren. "And there's no more Miser death talk," he said, switching his focus to India. "He's just a kid fooling around and no one's hurt."

Soren smiled at Five. "My apologies, kind sir." He leaned against his staff as he looked at Seth. "However, you'll do well not to attack others in the city yourself."

Seth's attention turned fully to the woman standing next to the exorcist. His senses peaked. What's that feeling? He leaned, looking curiously at her. She feels familiar, but not familiar at all.

Cala's attention was turned to the Miser. She looked at him as curiously as he looked at her. She walked halfway to him and stopped.

Seth crawled on his hands and knees to where the woman stood. He sniffed at her. I don't smell Hades on her. She doesn't smell like sulfur... her eyes are blue, not red. Why is she familiar?

Soren watched the two curiously from where he stood. What's this, now?

Cala knelt down and looked at Seth. "Do I know you?" she asked, holding out her hand.

Seth moved away slightly, avoiding her hand. "No," he said, putting his nose up. "I don't know any exorcist and I never want to."

"I'm no exorcist," Cala said quietly. "I'm simply serving under one."

"Same thing. Miser assassins." Seth moved away quickly, hiding behind the car.

Soren chuckled under his breath. So this is what they think of us.
"Well," he sat up and stretched. "I believe we have an immensely powerful demon to stop, yes?" He looked around at the faces. He paused a moment, looking at the woman behind him. "Mister Five, may I first ask why you were having this young lady watched?"

"She's a doctor from a city up north or something. But since I'm here, I might as well get her to where she's going. Seth, since you like causing trouble, you can be their guide." Five tossed his cigarette. "Take them to the summoning circle."

"What?! No way!" Seth peeked out from the car. "I'm not taking Miser assassins anywhere!"

"Notice I didn't ask," Five said, waving the woman over. "I can reverse the order to not exorcise you if it's better for you."