Hearing the answer of the «Crimson Angel» evil spirit, the expression of «White Witch» Catalina froze on the instant, beyond her power to hold back.
«And that fellow just now — who previously needed
«I know what you are thinking — you are jealous on the one hand and, on the other, a warped desire has risen in you: to prove yourself by bedding him. You witches are truly laughable: on the one hand you must hold within your hearts that you were originally male, lest you lose yourselves and slip beyond control; on the other you must display feminine charm, attempt extremes of pleasure and intense love. Among us hunters there is none of this trouble: regardless of original sex, all that need follow is war, war, war!
«The Primordial really is a twisted thing — for the pure female, the witch path would do far better. Generation after generation you have passed harm down the line; the principal aim, surely, is to take revenge upon Fate?»
Every line uttered by the «Crimson Angel» evil spirit was as a sharp arrow, piercing the heart of «White Witch» Catalina; her pure, exquisite face faintly twitched, and her glossy black hair seemed to thicken a little.
Sauron Einhorn Medici cast a sidelong glance at Catalina and immediately laughed in low tones of amusement: «Surely I shall not goad you into losing control outright?
«What a nostalgic sensation indeed.»
The «Crimson Angel» evil spirit paused a beat and then said: «You may go now. If there is anything, remember to recite My honoured name. Of course, should I deem it needful, I shall come to you directly.»
«White Witch» Catalina's expression returned to normal; she furrowed her brow slightly and asked, as if hardly able to believe it: «You are letting me leave just like that?»
The «Crimson Angel» evil spirit gave a low chuckle: «What? You wish to bed Me? If the moment were right, it would not be out of the question — but at present there is something far more important to do.
«Rest at ease; since you have recited My honoured name and given Me a drop of your blood, you stand under My gaze, and may at any moment be influenced by Me.
«Or have you forgotten the difference in positioning between an angel and a saint? Are you uncertain of just how powerful a true high-tier being can be?
«Heh — unless you pray directly to the Primordial and receive Her response, you will never be free of My gaze. Mm, in the ordinary way an angel could manage such a thing, but only when the name has merely been recited. If you do not believe Me, I permit you to seek the aid of an angel.»
«White Witch» Catalina listened, her face turning somewhat sombre; in the end she put on a smile and said: «As you instruct, Lord Medici.»
Sauron Einhorn Medici's brow twitched once: «You do not seem so very docile; I can quite imagine the state you were in just now, facing Gehrman Sparrow. Not that I mind.
«Ah, I forgot to tell you — you had better at once check the state of those of your blood lineage. That Gehrman Sparrow found you so easily — does that not strike you as odd?»
Catalina's complexion paled a touch at first, then grew serious and weighty; she nodded slowly: «I understand.»
Having said this, she at once stepped back, re-entered that glass casement, and through the layered illusory world of mirrors went off to who knows where.
Seeing the «White Witch» vanish, a bloody, raw gash split open on the left cheek of the «Crimson Angel» evil spirit, and a voice issued forth: «A rather good theatrical actor — making out that one is not so adept at mastering one's expression, a touch restless yet not clever enough; one's intent is laid bare with ease.»
«Indeed; in that case there is no small chance we shall underestimate her and let our guard down towards her.» A grim, blood-coloured slit split open on the right cheek of the «Crimson Angel» evil spirit as well.
«Tsk — witches truly are all cunning. Still, I never make light of any quarry.» The «Crimson Angel» evil spirit spoke now from his normal mouth. «She wants to lull Me, to make Me underestimate her — not the faintest chance.»
The bloody, raw gash on the left cheek opened and closed in answer: «Then why were you, in the past, captured by
«That was because of you two.» The personality belonging to Medici curled his lips. «It has nothing whatever to do with making light of anyone or lulling oneself.»
The blood-coloured fissure on the right snorted and said: «What does it feel like to become someone else's quarry, mighty
«Not bad.» Medici's face grew somewhat sombre, and yet the words he uttered seemed perfectly at ease.
The personality belonging to Sauron spoke through the gash on the left cheek: «You are far too fond of using bluff to attain your ends; that very thing — Alista and the others having seen through your bluff — was what gave them the chance to seize you.»