I glared at Valore as he hefted his axe, readying to strike me down. The grin never left his lips. He had spoken the truth. I was everything he said I was. The axe dropped.

Everto caught the haft with the edge just inches from my skull. I met Valore’s bright eyes, the words of my cousin echoing through my mind. There are two types of people in life: enemies and those who will become enemies. It’s sometimes better just to kill them all and worry about sorting out the pieces later. Frank sometimes made a twisted sense. I knew then what needed to be done.

Anger welled up inside me and chased away my weakness. My grip tightened upon the hilt. I stepped left and twisted my wrist to bring Everto around. As the axe finished its descent, my blade sunk into the meat of Valore’s biceps. His scream joined those that filled the air outside. His arm fell limp to his side. A quick flick of Everto severed the tendon at the elbow of Valore’s other arm. His axe slipped from his grip to clatter to the floor.

“For all my trials to be a part of the Choir, I’ve had to scratch and claw my way to but a meager acceptance. If my torment has done nothing else, it has forced me to become the best I can be. And though the cursed blood of devils taints my lineage, it was you who stood above my bed with intent to slaughter me in my sleep. Tell me now, Valore, who is the true demon here?”

He opened his mouth to answer, but there were no words of his I wished to hear. I thrust Everto into his throat, the tip piercing through his flesh and sinking into the marbled wall behind him with a grating screech. He twitched and grasped at the blade, blood gushing between his fingers. With wide eyes, he starred at me, his smile gone from his lips at last.

Though Valore had meant to kill me, I could find no satisfaction in his suffering. I twisted my sword and freed it from his neck, letting him slide to the floor. His life spilled from his wounds, puddling about him as he breathed his last. I slipped my blade between his ribs and stopped his heart. It was all the mercy I could bring myself to offer. Though I knew He would not hear, I sent thanks to the Father that Valore’s soul would find sanctuary under Metatron’s care, and I would not be forced to consume his essence. I could not live with Valore’s spirit being a part of me.