“Three hundred,” Tess answered.
Everyone clapped in appreciation.
And Tess bowed.
“Zeb will introduce you to your new stomping grounds,” Jasper said. “Right, Zeb?”
“Of course.”
“Next, let me introduce you all to Ganbold the Mongol, who served with Genghis Kahn as one of his top lieutenants.” A short wiry man with Oriental features and an impressive mustache and goatee stood and bowed, then sat down abruptly in a no-nonsense way. He wore the long, traditional Mongol, robe-like coat of leather armor belted at the waist. Jasper envied its style. Perhaps he would have one made for himself. “We are honored to have Ganbold here with us, along with his scimitar, Blood Maker.”
They all looked at the ornate weapon propped against the wall behind Ganbold.
“’Tis said that fifty million foe were killed by the khan’s armies, many of them under Ganbold’s command,” Jasper told the others, then said to the new man, “I particularly like one of your famous tortures that involved pouring molten metal into your captive’s eyes and mouth and ears. Perhaps you can teach one of my hordling tormentors how to do that?”
Ganbold just nodded.
Jasper wasn’t sure he liked Ganbold’s silent demeanor, as if he were too good to join their ranks. Or rather too bad.
“Ganbold will take over Haroun’s territory in the Arab lands. An important post, as you all know, with the rise in terrorism. Do you accept, Ganbold?”
“As you wish, master,” Ganbold replied.
Right answer, even if the Mongol said it without a smile of pleasure. He should be pleased at such a plum assignment.
“One last action before we move on to new business. I have a promotion to make. Beltane the Creole will become a member of the council, as of today.”
His announcement was greeted with silence. Beltane, frozen in place where he stood near the buffet table, gaped at him in stunned disbelief. “I know what you are all thinking. Beltane is a mere hordling, and never has there been a hordling on the council. But then, there has never been a mung, either.” He glanced pointedly at Heinrich, who was still futilely tapping away on his cell phone. The idiot! “And I know that Beltane has no warrior skills to speak of. But his loyalty is unquestioned, and he will serve not as a Lucipire operative in the field, but as director of operations, a coordinator of all activities. ’Tis what he does already.” He paused. “Any objections?”
There were clearly many, but Heinrich was the only one who spoke up. “Outrageous, that’s what it is. It demeans the office of council member.”
“Some would say that a mung on the council is demeaning,” Hector pointed out.
“Who really cares?” Yakov said. He was still gloating over leaving Siberia.
“As long as Beltane serves no military role, I have no objection,” Zeb said.
“Tess and Ganbold?” Jasper inquired.
“As you wish, master,” they both said.
“So it is agreed, then,” Jasper declared, then smiled at a still-stunned Beltane. “Congratulations, my boy.” There were actually tears of gratitude in Beltane’s eyes. It was enough to warm a demon’s cold, cold heart.
Jasper asked for reports from Zeb, Yakov, and Hector on recent dealings, and Beltane gave an update on kills and turnings during the past year. They now had a thousand full-blown Lucipires and eighty-seven in training. Business was good, despite some losses in Nigeria last year, including the passing of Haroun. Heinrich grudgingly reported that Satan was happy with the proceedings here on Earth.
As if Jasper didn’t already know that! It’s not as if Satan didn’t communicate with him, too. Jasper cleared his throat. “I have a new mission in mind for all of you, as evidenced by my attire today.”
“What are you supposed to be? Hopalong Cassidy?” Heinrich asked.
Jasper gritted his teeth and responded, “You date yourself, Heinrich. I am John Wayne. The Duke.”
“Of what?” Heinrich scoffed.
“The Old West.”
Jasper turned away from the moron before he asked more asinine questions intended to embarrass Jasper, and continued, “As I was saying, my attire should be a clue as to our next mission. Zeb and Tess and I will be working on this particular project in the United States. All others will be working out of your own territories. Same mission, different locales. And it all involves ISIS, that extremist Muslim group that is terrorizing the world, praise be to Satan.”
There was a communal “Ah!” of understanding. At least, somewhat. He hadn’t yet explained the Old West connection.
Now that he had everyone’s attention, he explained. “ISIS is by far the most evil entity in the world today, thanks be to Satan. We already know that the world’s population is increasingly more immoral. ISIS banks on that propensity to wickedness and hardly needs to recruit new members. They seek the terrorists out. Especially in the United States but also in Europe and South America, as well, young people are flocking to join in their terrorist groups. Cults, that’s what many of them are, conduits to terrorist evil on a massive scale. The Internet makes it all so much easier. Social networking for sin.”