We thank you again for all the C&C we've gotten so far, and are glad
that so many people seem to like the story so far.

This is the last half of Chapter three, and again, this is a first
draft, so we welcome any and all commentary on it.  Wheather you like
LoveStruck or hate it, we value your input, because without it we'll
never know if we're writing something people will read and enjoy, or if
we're just engaging in wishful thinking.   Let us know what you think.

Without further ado...


	$Yeah.  More C&C from me.




     Bhaalor's palace was a huge medieval style keep that had been
reinforced over the ages as technology had created new

	$medieval-style

 weapons.  A single tower rose like a knife into darkling sky of hell,
surrounded by a molten lava moat from which a wall of fire howled into
hot winds.  The parapets of the tower lined with ancient ballista, pots
of boiling oil, and Vulcan AA cannon.  Mortars stood atop the towers
flanking the gates and red hot barbed wire coiled through the walls of
flame, while a pathway paved with shards of bone

	$Sure, it looks homey, but it's hell on bare feet.

 led down into the ranks of the army advancing on the tower.

     Lilith found Bhaalor on the parapet watching as the wargames
commenced.  She found a convenient cranny and settled in to watch, her
wings' buzzing lost amid the roar of the flames and the crash of the
mortars shelling the army.

     Several runners advanced across the field towards the keep, and
Bhaalor grinned licentiously.  Explosions ripped across the field as
several of the runners tripped the mine fields.  Bhaalor couldn't
contain his laughter as a bloody rain fell across the field.

	$I laughed at Saving Private Ryan, too.

     Bhaalor's lieutenants watched the wargames with him, mostly burly
male demons like himself.  Many wore the insignia of the armies they had
served in life, or that they had been influencing recently.  Nazi
swastikas mixed with Taliban flags and the loose black Gis of Viet Cong.

	$gis

  A few of the more anachronistic of his lieutenants wore ornate
nightmare armor, mixing and matching across centuries of blacksmiths'
tortured dreams.  They creaked as they laughed at the poor unfortunates
perishing below.

     A young infantryman ran up to Bhaalor and nervously handed him a
scroll, trying to bow and retreat as Bhaalor took the message.  Bhaalor
grabbed him by his neck with a loud snapping noise and threw the gagging
footman far out over the field.  He gave a choked scream as he passed
through the fire wall before descending in a flaming arc into the mine
field.  He ended his short flight in a fireball as he landed on a woman
trying to defuse a line of mines.  The multiple explosions rocked the
field.

     Bhaalor grinned viciously as he opened the scroll.  "I love
landmines."  He watched as several more explosions ripped apart the
first ranks of the army.  "I'm glad I took out that tart before she had
a chance to disarm them."

     "Yes," laughed one of his Nazi cohorts.  "I love watching them
explode as they try.  Especially children.  There is something so
satisfying about watching them force their children into the fields to
save themselves."

     "No, expectant mothers," cried another wearing the grab of a Roman
legionnaire.  "The sound of the souls of the unborn screaming in their
death throes..."  He laughed maniacally.

	$No Aztecs?  Ah, I understand.  This is kind of a pathetic show
compared to the orgys of death, pain, and blood they held.  They
probably decided Bhaalor was a pussy and went back to their sun god,
even if he did get his ass kicked by the G.O.D.

     "Oh please," scoffed a woman's voice.  "Haven't you been watching
the surface?  Landmines are passe."

     Various creaks and rustles arose as the group turned to the lone
woman in their midst, a Nubian goddess wearing a silver breast plate and
little else.  Her skin glistened, its deep chocolate hue contrasting
with the silver breast plate and white loincloth she wore.  Her long
white hair hung in thousands of tiny braids adorned with glass beads
that sparkled in the light from the fiery wall, held aloft in a crest by
a coil of silver.  Her sword hung by her side, its long curved blade
crested by a hilt carved into the shape of a roaring lion, its jaws
spread wide as if to snap off the hand that dared to wield it.  She
fixed the others with a malicious smile, her white teeth gleaming from
her dark lips.

     "Biological weapons are much more effective," she continued.
"Anthrax, E-bola, Influenza... You boys and your toys went out with
feeding Christians to lions.  The Creator gave us plenty of natural ways
to kill, if you know how to use them."

	$Don't forget nukes and chem weapons.  They're the gift that keeps on
killing.  I gotta side with her, though, for sheer nastiness gimme a bio
weapon any day.

     "Humph," the Nazi dismissed her sniffing.  "I killed two thousand
in one day with my 'passe' toys'."

     The woman laughed.  "Just like a man to explode and roll over.

	$Now that's a cute line.

  I unleashed Anthrax in a subway in Japan.  People are still dying from
it."

     "Eichmann, Frost, shut up," Bhaalor commanded, his jovial mood
gone.  He was tapping the scroll against his hand.

     Eichmann looked away, disgruntled, but Frost stepped up, her dark
eyes on the scroll in Bhaalor's hand.

     "News of the angel and the succubus from Above?" she asked eagerly.

     Bhaalor nodded.  "It seems Miss Darkfell had a few assets on the
Mortal plane she did not acquire from the Department of Corruption," he
said darkly.

     "I would think you would be pleased we found them," Frost replied,
puzzled by his sour mood.

     "Do not presume to tell me how to feel," he snapped.  "There is
more than just the D.O.C.'s laziness to this.  Remember our old 'friend'
Thor?" he asked with a grimace.

     "That blasphemous traitor!"  Eichmann spat.  "He has mocked the
glory of our cause repeatedly.  Has he now dared to join with Seraph and
her lover in this rebellion?"

     "No," Bhaalor said in a tone that indicated his patience was
exhausted.  "It seems he works for her.  And has for some time.
Apparently, Seraph has been so busy wooing that bitch angel she didn't
know until a few days ago."  He glared at Eichmann for a second before
continuing.  "Thor was the Norse god of War.  The G.O.D. may have
consumed the Norse religion and destroyed his followers' faith, but Thor
is still a god.  He was never stripped of his powers and abilities, and
he's a War deity.  He may be a problem."

     "The Warlord of Hell speaking caution?"  Frost scoffed.  She
crossed her arms and took a defiant stance.  "And for a god with no
religious base?"

     Bhaalor turned a murderous eye upon her.  "Thor was Lucifer's first
choice to be Horseman, Frost," he said in a venomous growl.  "Long
before he settled for that hothead Ares.  He's an able general and was
trusted with Asgard's defense by Odin.  Of all the wandering gods, he is
the most dangerous.  Of all of you, I'm the only one who could take
him."

	$Maybe.

     "You mean the tyrannical G.O.D. actually let a deity of power run
free?" asked one of Bhaalor's other Lieutenants, a former head of the
Inquisition.

     "On the contrary, Paolo," Bhaalor chuckled.  "Most people think he
works for us anyway.  He's been approached several times, but he refuses
to join either side, and it's not worth the manpower needed to force
him."

     "Perhaps he has simply not been approached the right way," Frost's
smile gave the others a hint of what she had in mind.  Several of then
nodded reluctantly.

     Bhaalor gave her another cold stare.  "Thor's recruitment is not
the issue, Frost," Bhaalor stated.  "He is simply a minor obstacle,
easily overcome by just avoiding him.  He's not protecting the succubus.
And now that we have her located, we can deal with her permanently."  He
turned to the Nazi, busy watching as the army tried dealing with a horde
of tanks tearing through their ranks.  "Eichmann, didn't Vrock have a
run-in with Seraph when he was working for you in Germany?  I think it's
time to arrange a little reunion."

     "What, you plan to pummel her with another squad of troops?"  Frost
asked acidly, the sarcasm heavy in her voice.

     "Elite troops, Frost.  Assassins.  You'd do well to keep your
tongue to yourself."  Bhaalor's eye burned at her.  "You may be the war
goddess of your puny Nubian tribe, but you are nothing compared to me.
I AM THE WARLORD OF HELL, I answer to no-one but myself!

	$And Lucifer.  Lillith, too, probably.  And ultimately to the G.O.D.,
assuming.

  You would do well to remember that."  He turned and stomped back into
the keep followed by his entourage.  Eichmann gave her a gloating look
as they vanished into the castle.

     Frost watched, a grim smile on her face.  "One day, Bhaalor," she
whispered to the receding crowd, unheard by anyone but the large gray
spider watching her from the shadows of a gargoyle.  "One day, your back
will be turned, and you'll be alone...  But I'll be with you..."

     With a faint tinkling of glass beads, she walked off along the
parapet, leaving Lilith to ponder on what she had seen.

     It had been a most pleasant diversion...

     * * * * *

     Peter looked up from his desk as the vidcom blinked.  He pressed
the button at the sight of his secretary.  "Yes, Catherine?"

     "Saint Paul and his assistant are here to see you, sir."

     "Send them in."

     He waved his hands at the papers and sent them scurrying to a side
table as he stood and met Paul at the door.  "What did you find?"

     A small woman with large glasses came in and nearly bumped into
Paul before noticing him in her way.  She fumbled the door closed behind
them as Paul steadied the pile of papers she was carrying.  He grinned.
"It's definitely suspicious."

	$Who said that?  Reword to make it clear.

     "Yes, sir, very suspicious." came the woman's chirpy voice.  Mary
was a saint so minor even she couldn't remember what it was for, but the
day she'd become Paul's assistant had proved a godsend.  The girl had a
knack for navigating red tape that was miraculous.

     "Your signature was forged.  Copied from another document by a
spell.  Couldn't tell by who, but it was definitely an angel."  Paul
confirmed.  "Everything else about this case is equally suspicious.
First, Heart has been exiled, and declared Fallen."

     Peter raised an eyebrow.  "Define declared."

     "That's just it.  She's been declared Fallen officially, but there
is no indication of its actuality.  I checked the Directory.  She's
still listed as a Virtue, First Class, Love.  Her robes of office were
taken and her golden halo, but neither her sword, nor her halo could be
removed by the Exile Clerk.  The G.O.D. has declared her regardless."

	$sword nor

     "So she is still a full Angel?"

     "Yes, sir!"  Mary chipped in.  "She's under a glamour to conceal
the fact, but it doesn't appear she is aware of it.  Also, I managed to
find out she is still being observed by Agents.  I also discovered that
Mephistopheles has made a few attempts to capture her.  I managed to
snag part of one report that seems to show she was rescued by a
succubus."

     "A succubus?"  Peter asked disbelievingly.

     "Yes," Paul confirmed.  "Actually, the succubus she was assigned to
neutralize as her evaluation assignment.  Seraph Darkfell."

     "Mephistopheles's best agent.  I've heard of her.  Go on."

     "Miss Darkfell fought her own kind to save Heart," Mary gushed.
"She managed to beat six of Bhaalor's agents.  I can't tell what else
the report contained.  I didn't get to look at it very long.  Someone
else came into the filing office and I had to hide.  I did manage to
snag a copy of Heart's last official report before the files were
destroyed."

     "Destroyed?" Peter asked, eyebrow raised.

     "At Theliel's orders."  Paul nodded.  He held out a paper to Peter.

     Peter read the report in amazement.  He whistled and read the last
lines aloud.

     "I believe that the Love Seraph holds for me, and that I share,
will be the key to her redemption.  With time, and love, she can be
brought out of the darkness of Hell and the lessons she has taught me
may be shared for Heaven's glory and the good of all mankind..."  Peter
looked at the other two.  "She's in love with a Succubus?"

     "Apparently.  Her Exile followed immediately on the heels of that
report."

     "Without any type of review or anything."  Mary added.  "By the old
laws, she's done nothing to merit exile.  She has attempted to
neutralize her opposite using the Virtue she represents.  It's
unorthodox, but not punishable."

     "Not even by the New Law," Paul admitted wryly.  "Were she still
human, it would be a sin, but she's not.  She's an Angel and Mortal law
does not bind her anymore."

     "You're sure of that?"  Peter probed.

     Paul and Mary looked at each other and nodded.  "We've reviewed all
the pertinent laws," Paul confirmed.  "If Heart had vowed her love to
Seraph, and Seraph returns her Vow, by Holy Writ, they are bound in
marriage.  No allowance is made in the Writ for sexual orientations,
because Angels are in truth, neuter.  Heart legally has no gender.  She
may have been born female, but once she became an angel, it ceased to be
a consideration."  He sighed.  "Believe me, I looked, Peter.  I came
down rather hard on same-sex love, because I believed it was what God
wanted.  It's what the original Jewish law stated.  I never considered
what the Master had intended.  I wanted to make sure they weren't using
my 'law' as justification for this."

     Mary nodded.  "Heart hasn't broken any laws, or committed a sin.
That's the only reason she has retained Angelic status.  Had she sinned,
the Clerk would have been able to take her halo and sword, and she'd be
listed as Fallen in the Directory."

     Peter nodded.  "So Theliel had no legal basis for this Exile."

     "None!"  Mary exclaimed.  "He cited in item sixteen that Heart had
exhibited poor job performance, but no specifics are named.  Since she
became a Virtue, Heart has had one of the best records of any Angel of
Love.  Only Valentiniel matches her."

     "The Mad Angel?"  Peter asked with a raised eyebrow.

     Paul nodded.  "Yes.  Before she tried to murder Theliel and the
other Archangels

	$Which apparently shouldn't be a crime anyway...

, Valentiniel had a record similar to Heart's, at least after she
transferred into the Office of Love."

     "Yes...  She was an Angel of War before that wasn't she?  That's
why they say she went crazy."  Peter mused.  "And her record was as
exemplary as Hearts?  That's interesting."

	$Heart's?

     Mary nodded.  "I heard she killed more than a hundred of the
Archangels' Guard before they overpowered her.  She wounded Theliel
pretty badly too.  A friend I know said they took her directly to Hell
in chains.  I imagine the demons tortured her to death."  She shook her
head sadly.  "It would have been kinder to have executed her cleanly."

     "Most angels exiled to earth seem to share that fate,
unfortunately.  Young Heart avoided it through the intervention of Miss
Darkfell," Peter noted dryly.  "Anyway, the gist of this is that Theliel
exiled her with no concrete evidence of wrongdoing."

     "Yes sir," Paul nodded.

	$Yes, sir."  Paul

  "And the records seem to have been deliberately tampered with to hide
that fact.  If you hadn't questioned the Exile order, no-one would have
noticed.  Theliel ordered the destruction of several important
documents, particularly anything to deal with her evaluation assignment.
Item sixteen should have a full list of all cases Heart has worked on in
the last century, as well as all of her reports on her evaluation
assignment.  She was up for promotion to a Power, and this would have
been her last normal field assignment.  Had Mary not been able to snag
that report, we wouldn't even have known what Heart was working on."

     "'Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice,'" Peter mused.  "This smells
like week-old fish.  There's a definite cover-up.  I don't like it.
This Exile should never have happened.  It's too full of holes.  That it
did implies that the Department has been compromised."  He strolled over
to the bay window and gazed down at the milling masses of souls.  "I
want this gone over with a fine tooth comb, along with every other case
of Angelic Exile.  This was a Virtue First Class, it's not like tossing
Julius Caesar or Queen Victoria out for trying to screw everything in
sight."  He began pacing back and forth in front of the window.
"Hellfire!  If this has happened once, it could have happened before.
Go over Abraham's records too.  He may have recorded something before I
took over."

     They both stood and nodded.  "Yes sir."

     "If you find something, let me know at once."

     He turned to watch the crowds below again as they departed, leaving
him alone with his frustration.  Once again, someone was taking
something he'd worked hard to achieve and was trying to steal it out
from under him.  First James with his Master's favor, then Paul with the
church, and now the G.O.D.

     But maybe, just maybe, this was the mistake he could use to bring
them down...

     * * * * *

     Seraph pulled the 'vette to a stop in front of the club, her long
white hair settling in a cloud around her horns.  She smiled impishly at
Heart as she got out of the car, her tail doing a merry little dance
before she licked the end of it

	$Nice imagery.

 and grinned even wider.  "Coming, Beloved?"

     Heart struggled to catch her breath as she straightened out her
skirt.  She gave a Seraph a return smile.  "I did.  Repeatedly."

	$Only the cheeziest sexual pun there is.  I approve, of course.

     Seraph laughed.  "You did ask for a demonstration."

     Heart laughed.  "Yes."  She stepped out of the 'vette and waved to
Thor before Seraph linked arms with her and they strolled up to the
door.  Behind them, the 'vette pulled itself off to a parking space to
the side of the building.

     Thor watched the car drive off with a raised eyebrow as they
reached the door.  "It do that often?" he queried.

     Seraph looked over her shoulder.  "Sometimes.  It knows we're going
to be here for awhile.  Don't worry, it behaves itself when people are
watching."

     Heart blinked at the car too.  "I didn't know it could drive
itself."

     Seraph smiled.  "It doesn't usually.  It's been helping you out
though, because I asked it to.  It likes you."

     Thor shook his head.  "You animated the car?"

     Seraph shook her head.  "Hell no.  I don't know that kind of magic.
I had a friend work on it.  He replaced the engine with something he
made.  It acts like a cross between a horse and a cat most of the time.
I can tell it likes Heart because it purrs when she's in the car."

     Heart giggled.  "So that's what that is.  I thought it was engine
noise."  She hugged Seraph's arm tighter as she addressed Thor.  "How
are you today, Mr. Odinson?"

     Thor shrugged.  "Not bad, I suppose.  I should warn you though.
There was a cop here last night interested in you two.  Didn't seem a
bad sort though.  Also, there was a pair of angels too.

	$There were a pair of angels, too.  (also is kind of redundant)

	And I though they were all there when she was dancing?  Why would Thor
tell her now?


  They behaved themselves, mostly, though they seemed to have pissed the
cop off.  I would have told you last night, Miss Darkfell, but you
hightailed it out of here before I got off the door."

     Seraph blinked.  "A cop and two angels?  I wonder why I didn't see
them."

     Thor shrugged.  "The cop's just human.  He wouldn't have stood out,
but he's got Sight or something, because he saw the angels and they were
glamoured.  They most likely didn't want you to see them.  Wasn't a
strong glamour or I'd likely not have seen through it.

	$Wasn't a strong glamour?  But they're trying not to be seen by Seraph?
That makes NO sense.  Revise.

  I'm not the best at magic myself."

     Seraph raised an eyebrow.  "That normal around here?  To have
angels show up?"

     Thor grinned.  "Angels?  Occasionally.  There have also been
several other succubae who've worked here off and on.  I knew you were a
succubus because Aphrodite knows you."  He nodded at Heart.  "That's why
I didn't believe you two were together, Miss Serefina."

     Heart smiled.  "That's okay Mr. Odinson.  I know I never expected
to love Seraph so much, either.  And please, call me Heart."

     "Then stop calling me Odinson.  It's Thor."

     "If either the cop or the angels show up again, could you let me
know immediately?"  Seraph interjected.

     Thor nodded.  "Yeah, I'm not at the door tonight or the rest of the
weekend.  I'll keep an eye out."

     Seraph nodded as she led the way into the club.  Inside, they
stopped and took in the changes.  The club was brightly lit for the
moment as workmen hauled the last of the mirrors out and set up the old
furnishings Seraph had asked Tony to put back.  Elegantly erotic statues
stood once more in alcoves around the room, and the massive murals were
nearly finished.  Heart took in the place and gasped.

     "It's lovely.  I can see why you were so upset about the mirrors."

     Seraph nodded.  "Yeah.  I worked hard at making this place just the
way I wanted it."

     "It's... incredibly erotic."  Heart blushed at the scenes painted
behind the stage.  "But it's... tasteful?"

	$One would guess that some of the things they were doing would leave a
lingering taste in the mouth, yes.

     Seraph beamed.  "I'm so glad you think so."

     Heart burrowed under Seraph's arm.  "It's a reflection of you,
dear.  How could I not like it?  It feels so much more comfortable in
here than it did the other day.  Like the building has relaxed."  She
looked around the place again.  "Yes.  It's happy you're here again."
She looked up at the tall demoness.  "You invested enough of yourself in
it that it has a spirit of its own, and it knows its creator."

     Seraph smiled.  "I gotten so busy over the years I'd all but
forgotten this place, but it always did feel like my second home."

     Heart nodded.  "I've never had a chance to make someplace like
this.  When I wasn't working... well, it wasn't forbidden to visit
Earth, but it wasn't something you were supposed to do either."

     Seraph hugged her tight.  "Don't worry about it, Beloved.  We'll
find a place for us to live permanently, and we'll make it your place."

     Heart smiled.  "I love you."

	$I need insulin now.

     Seraph smiled as she led the way to the office.  Heart smiled at
the change a good cleaning had made in this place as well.  Minus the
gray of dust, the room actually had a comforting atmosphere, done as it
was in shades of pink and red.  She sat down on a low couch as Seraph
went through the shopping bags she'd had delivered earlier.  She watched
as Seraph pulled out a variety of skimpy outfits and hung them in a
closet, then her eyes were drawn to a curtained wall opposite the desk.
She rose and parted the curtains to find a large glass partition that
looked out over the dressing room.  Several of the dancers were
preparing for the club's opening.

     She wandered around the room, noting the door leading out to the
dressing room,  peeking into the private bathroom with its huge tub, and
at the high ceilings.  She nodded.  "I think I know why Tony didn't use
this office much.  You made it for you, didn't you?"

     Seraph looked up from where she was putting on her thigh-highs.

     "Yeah."

	$Yeah should be with the line before.

     Heart placed her hand against the door frame between the office and
the bathroom.  "The building didn't want him in here.  This is your
office.  He must be at least marginally psychic and picked up on it."

     Seraph shrugged.  "I suppose."  She straightened the sheer black
hose and attached it to her garter belt.  She lifted her leg and
smoothed the open-bottomed stocking down to her ankle before pulling the
triangular front piece down between her hooves.  She pulled the elastic
strap between her hoof halves and looped it back around the outsides.
She looked at Heart with a smile.  "Do you have any idea how hard it is
to find someone who'll custom make stockings for someone with cloven
hooves?"

     Heart looked down to her own human feet.  "Umm...  I can't say that
I do, dear.  In fact, I've never worn hose before you dressed me up the
other day.  I'm still getting used to most of it."

     Seraph grinned.  "Well, you're incredibly sexy in lingerie.  And
one thing I can say for New York.  It's got some of the best stores in
the world for good lingerie."  She smiled.  "Also, be happy it's the
third millennium.  Clothes are much easier to find these days, and
personally, I like the styles better."

	$But the fit isn't always perfectly comfortable.  Thongs still give me
wedgies.

     Heart smiled as she sat back down on the couch.  "I've been used to
simple robes all my life."

	$Don't knock a robe.  Sure, it's not the most alluring thing, but
there's usually room to invite someone in to join you, so long as
they're friendly.

  She straightened the high slit of her pale blue skirt, showing Seraph
the tops of her stockings in the process.  "But seeing the kind of
effects these clothes have on you, I like them."  She watched as Seraph
adjusted her breasts in a tight backless teddy and smiled.  "And maybe
eventually, I'll even be daring enough to wear clothes like those.  At
least for you."

     Seraph laughed as she adjusted the g-string to accommodate her
tail.

	$I could definitely see an advantage to a thong there.  Or crotchless
underwear turned backwards.

     "Dear, it doesn't matter what you wear.  I'll still find you sexy."

     Heart trailed Seraph back out into the main bar area and found a
secluded seat.  As Seraph began demonstrating steps to some of the
dancers, she pulled out a sketch pad and began drawing to pass the time.

     Several hours passed as she sketched, happily occupied with a hobby
she'd always had far too little time for.  She'd started drawing when
she'd been assigned to Caravaggio, letting him teach her as a means of
getting him to open up.  Seraph came by between sets and watched Heart,
smiling softly at the picture of her Heart was drawing.  As she was
nearly done, Thor sat down beside her.

     "Any reason you're drawing her wings and tail?"  He asked after
looking at the picture.

	$tail?" he

     Heart nodded.  "Because she doesn't shapeshift when she dances.
Haven't you noticed that?"

     Thor looked to where Seraph was slowly sliding down a pole.  "Yeah.
Doesn't really matter since no-one can really see her as she is."

     Heart shook her head.  "It does.  She doesn't shapeshift because
she's not dancing for them.  I've been watching her all night.  I was
afraid I might get jealous seeing all those people lusting after her,
but it really doesn't matter.  She's not dancing for them.  She's not
even dancing for me.  She's dancing for herself, because she enjoys it.
That's why I'm drawing her the way she really is, because it is the real
her, the Seraph I fell in love with."

     Thor studied the small angel for a few minutes before shaking his
head.  "I think I may have misjudged you, Heart.  You're so naive, I
figured you weren't too bright.  I'm glad to see it's just
inexperience."

	$She's just all Wai! and stuff.

     Heart shrugged.  "We weren't encouraged to experience.

	$Quite the opposite, actually.  There are far more Thou Shalt Nots than
Thou Shalts.

  Just do our duty and return for the next assignment.  I've helped
thousands in my existence as an angel, but I can't really say I've spent
much time learning about the world at large, or even alternatives to the
Code I was effectively enforcing with my manipulations.  Now, I'm going
to be free to be just a matchmaker, not a match breaker."

     "And free to love her with all your heart, huh?"  Thor smiled.

     Heart nodded.

     Thor grunted.  "I like you girl.  First angel I think I've ever
said that to.  You're pretty gutsy to defy the G.O.D. that way.  They
ain't gonna be happy."

     Heart shrugged again.  "I don't think I care anymore.  I have
Seraph's love.  I don't need their approval."  She reached up to adjust
her halo, still shining brightly.  "I think I agree with Seraph that
this shows I have His.  With that, I'm not worried what Theliel thinks."

     Thor gave her a lopsided grin.  "Good for you.  Give 'em hell."

     Heart smiled as she gazed at Seraph teasingly hiding behind a wing.

	$You should be more specific about her form.  The characters talk about
it, but there's not enough narration.

     "No, I think maybe we'll just make our own heaven..."

     * * * * *

     The night passed quickly, and all too soon, yet not soon enough,
Heart and Seraph found themselves alone in the club.  Thor had
volunteered to stay and escort them out, but Seraph had been going over
the books to make sure everything was in order and had sent him home
when it became apparent she'd still be another hour or so going over
everything.  Heart had occupied herself with exploring the various nooks
and crannies of the old building.

	$And it was tied close enough to Seraph that it quite enjoyed the
sensation of Heart exploring its nooks and crannies.

  She'd come back with a big trunk she'd found in the attic as Seraph
was finishing.

     "I found a bunch of your outfits!" she'd exclaimed happily when
Seraph had asked what was in the trunk.  Seraph had smiled and given her
a long kiss before putting the trunk aside to go through later.  Heart
had beamed.

     After a final tour of the club to make sure it was locked down,
they had exited the rear door and Seraph had armed the alarm.

     "I'm glad that's done," she sighed.  "It looks like Tony's straight
with the books.  I don't have to try and juggle running the club on top
of dancing."

     "You were very beautiful on stage tonight," Heart said as they
headed for the car.

     "You weren't too bored, where you?"

     Heart shook her head.  "No.  I had fun watching you and drawing."

     "I'm glad.  I was worried you might-"  She broke off as large
figures materialized out of the dark clinging to the edges of the
alleyway.  They stopped as the shadows circled them.

     A match flared as the face of a huge demon was revealed.  He lit
the end of a cigar and puffed.  "Bhaalor ain't real happy with you,
Seraph."

     "I really don't give a damn, Vrock," Seraph answered.

	$Aww.  I'd have been happy.

     "You should.  I got lucky and got the order to bring you to him.
Not all of you, though.  Just your head."  The bulky demon smiled
maliciously.

	$Not her tail?

     "I warned you the last time we crossed that I'd kill you if you
bothered me again."  Seraph growled.  Purple fire crawled down her hand
and formed into her trident, it's heads glowing softly.  Heart reached
into her purse as well.

	$its heads

     The cigar puffed brightly.  "You got lucky, bitch.  I was drunk."

     "Make all the excuses you want, Vrock.  I'll still kill you if try
anything."

     "We'll see."

     Heart screamed a warning as the demon to Seraph's right attacked
without caveat.  Seraph tried to dodge but the blade still caught her
leg and cut a long bloody slash down her calf and hoof.  She yelled in
pain and anger as her trident lashed out to intercept the next strike.

     Heart's sword flashed into the night, the blue fire along its blade
illuminating the alley as she intercepted a sword stroke aimed at
Seraph.  She ducked under another sword as she spoke the words of a
spell.  Electric sparks danced around her target as the demon howled in
agony.

     Seraph's trident caught another demon in the chest and purple fire
poured out of his eyes and mouth before he collapsed.  She tried to turn
to face another demon rushing at her, but her hoof gave way and she fell
to her knee.  She turned the fall into a roll and knocked the demon's
feet out from under him.

     Seeing Seraph in difficulty, Heart leaped over the body of the
demon her spell had killed to impale her lover's attacker on her sword.
Another hastily cast spell wrapped Seraph in a shimmering aura of blue
light.  She narrowly dodged another attack as she yanked her sword free
and parried yet another sword thrust, then she was stunned by a blow to
the back of her head.

     Seraph had managed to get to her feet when she saw Vrock bludgeon
Heart.  She screamed in rage as her own purple fire merged with the blue
aura around her.  She parried the sword of one of the attacking demons,
shattering the glowing blade with a twist of her wrist.  She buried the
axe blade in the demon's skull, then wrenched it free to do a sweep that
gutted the remaining demon charging her.  She turned back to the last
demon as Vrock stepped over the woozy angel, and gave him a savage grin.

     "I'm going to enjoy killing you," she promised.

     Vrock gave her his wicked grin.  "I was just about to say the same
thing."

     Seraph leaped high, her wings sprouting from her back and growing
as she sought more room.  She landed with a thump on the roof of the
club.  Vrock laughed as he hung his huge club back on his belt and dug
his claws into the brick, creating his own ladder up the side of the
building.  "Running away is only going to make the hunt that much more
fun, Seraph."

     "I wasn't running, asshole," Seraph replied, her wings once more
shrinking into her shoulders.

	$Quite the waste, actually.  Wings would be useful in a fight.  Bring
them back, and your body is shooting forward for a kick or slash, flap
them forward, and you're back out of reach twice as fast as you could
run.  Flap the one on one side forward and the opposite backwards, and
you're twisting really fast.  Add a sweep kick to that and you could
probably tear a man in half.

  Her trident spun in her hands as she waited for the other demon.  He
reached the edge of the roof and took in her stance.

     "You should have.  You were barely a match for me when I was drunk
and you were in perfect health.  You don't stand a chance with that
wounded leg."  He lifted the club and gave her a evil leer.  "Though
I'll give you points for leading me away from your angel.  It doesn't
matter though.  I'll kill you and drag her to Hell anyway."

     "Over my dead body," Seraph growled.

     "That's the plan," Vrock laughed, then he attacked.

     He was twice Seraph's mass, but he moved almost too fast for her to
parry.  She blocked blow after blow, only her preternatural strength
allowing her to deflect the deadly club, but slowly, Vrock forced her
back.  Realizing finally she couldn't beat him in a straight-up
slugfest, she changed her tactics, blocking a blow, then leaping above
his repost.  She flipped in mid air above him to strike at his back, but
her wounded leg had prevented her from getting the height she had needed
to twist completely.  Her trident ripped along Vrock's arm instead of
being buried in his back.  She landed badly on her wounded hoof and
stumbled as Vrock whirled, his club streaking towards her.  She fought
to raise the trident in time, the pain screaming in her leg...

     Musical syllables washed over Vrock in a flood of silver fire.  He
was thrown backwards several steps as the stream of bright energy ripped
 and tore at his substance.  He screamed in mortal agony as Seraph
turned to the source of the fire.

     A still woozy Heart stood at the edge of the roof by Vrock's
makeshift ladder, her hand stretched forth as she continued the angelic
chant.  Silver light streamed from her hand, matched in intensity by her
brightly glowing halo.  She stumbled as she finished the chant and
steadied herself against an air conditioner.  She glared at the demon,
still screaming as he was consumed by the silver fire.  "I'm not going
to let you hurt my love."

     With a final scream of rage and agony, Vrock exploded...

	$exploded.

     * * * * *

     From the roof of a building looking down on the club, a cloaked and
veiled figure watched as Heart saved the demoness with an angelic spell,
and cursed softly.  It watched with hate-filled eyes as the pair hugged
and made sure each other was okay, before the demoness took Heart down
to the car.

     Temporiel's hands clenched on the brick rail, the old mortar
crumbling under the pressure.  She noticed what she was doing and
released her hand, brushing the brick dust from her shapely fingers.

     There had to be a way to ensure she'd never have to see that...
*demon slut* or her lover back in Heaven, whatever the Old Man had said.

     That bitch succubus would never defile her home!

     As Heart and Seraph climbed into the 'vette, she turned and
vanished into a shadow...

	$shadow.

	Watch the elipses.

     * * * * *

     Lipton was returning to his car when the sound of a scream echoed
from the tall buildings surrounding the club.  He saw a flash of light
from the roof as he threw down his cup of coffee.  A second later, small
chunks of the exploded demon landed in a bloody rain, none of it
reaching his car.  He watched Seraph wing down from the roof top to her
'vette, carrying the red-headed angel.  She stumbled on landing, nearly
falling, and only saved herself by propping herself up with an ornate
trident.  The angel shook her head as the succubus leaned against the
car and dug into her small purse, pulling out a length of bandage.  The
succubus kept an eye out as the angel quickly wrapped up her leg.

     Lipton noted the tatters of Seraph's dress and cursed himself.
He'd sat here most of the night waiting to catch the two, and because
he'd gone to get something to eat and coffee to keep awake, he'd missed
seeing them emerge.  It was obvious they'd been ambushed, and he'd
missed a perfect opportunity to observe how the two had reacted in a
fight.

     Still, it was obvious the angel was being caring towards the
succubus.  He watched the angel get Seraph settled into the car and
climb into the driver's seat, then he pulled out behind them and
followed.  The angel drove sedately, and never seemed to notice him
trailing.

     * * * * *

     Mary wove her Harley through the late evening traffic behind Lipton
and pondered what she should do.  It was obvious he was following
someone, but she couldn't tell who.  She'd run across him a few blocks
from the club she'd heard about, and it was obvious he'd come from that
direction.  Knowing him, he was probably following a lead.

     She followed him across town until they drew near a hotel, and she
finally caught a sense of the aura he was following.  She sighed.  That
aura she knew too well, and it meant Lipton was chasing the wrong
target.  She'd hoped maybe he would lead her to the succubus Seraph.
He'd found a succubus alright, but it wasn't the one he was chasing
either.  She grumbled to herself as she turned off and sped away into
the night.  She should have know that the rumor of a succubus dancing at
an upscale club would have been _her._  She'd always been a flamboyant
and vain bitch.  Still, she wasn't her quarry, and she was technically
out of bounds, so a confrontation was pointless.  She smirked.  The
blonde bitch would have Lipton for a snack if he tried what he'd pulled
on that minor succubus with her.  The slut would fuck anything... she
was almost as bad as Lilith.

     She gave a low chuckle as she disappeared into the night...

	$And again.  The elipses really aren't helping here.

     * * * * *

     "Are they going to keep attacking us like that forever?" Heart
asked as they exited the elevator.  She rubbed the knot on the back of
her head.  It was still sore despite the healing chant she had used.

     "I don't know," Seraph replied, still favoring her foot.  "Those
were higher level demons than Bhaalor has sent before.  He's really
going to be pissed."  She stopped at the door of their room.  "Heart?
Did you leave the door ajar?"

     Heart shook her head as she drew her sword from her purse.  Seraph
held off to the side, too battered from the previous battle to take the
offensive.  She hoped whatever it was they could deal with it quick, she
was in no shape for another protracted fight yet.

	$drawn out fight.

     Heart pushed open the door with her sword, peeking into the room
around the door.  Soft sultry music came from within

	$Soft, sultry...within,

accompanied by an overwhelming floral scent, and hundreds of flickering
candles lit the room.  Seraph sniffed.

	$I never understood the candle fetish that seems so popular nowadays.
Makes me sneeze.

     "Jasmine?"

	$As evil as Disney is, I doubt she was a succubus.

  She sighed.  "I know that scent anywhere."  She stepped past Heart
into the room.  "Okay Aphrodite, show yourself."

     Heart closed the door behind her as a voice came from mid air.

     "You're never any fun when you're hurt, Seraph."

     A fall of motes of light sprang into existence by the bed, leaving
behind an incredibly voluptuous figure with long

	$Falling motes of light fell over the bed and vanished, leaving

blond hair.  She was nude, and the spread legged pose she had on the bed
showed that off to the extreme.  Heart was immediately struck by the
aura of raw sexuality the woman exuded, and she found herself fervently
wishing the woman would leave so she could drag Seraph into the bed.
Curious as to where the urge came from, she studied it.

     Seraph for her part sighed.  "That's probably because I'm _hurt._"
She stripped off the tatters of her dress.  "So what

	$Seraph, for her part,     because I _am_ hurt.

brings you by?" she asked as she sat down and started to unwrap the
bandage from her hoof.

	$No introductions?  That's very rude.

     The blonde gave Heart a long appraising look.  "I just had to meet
the woman who stole you away from me."  The hungry smile she gave Heart
left no doubt as to what she'd do to her if she was in Seraph's place.
"I figured anyone who's that good in bed would definitely be worth a
tumble."

     Seraph gave Heart a worried glance for a second, but relaxed as
Heart stepped against her and encircled her shoulders with her arms.
Seraph smiled at the blonde.  "I don't think she's interested."

     Heart shook her head.  "No.  Seraph is my Beloved."  She raised an
eyebrow in revelation.  "You're a succubus!  And you're using your
abilities!"  She smiled.  "I'm flattered, but it won't work on me.
Seraph's right.  I'm not interested in casual sex."

	$Me neither.  I always felt it was something to take seriously, to the
extremes.

     The blonde scowled, but the pressure lessened.  "But casual sex is
the best!  No guilt, no obligation, just fun."

	$You can get all that other ways, too.

     Heart smiled.  "Not for me.  Seraph is all I could ever ask for."

     The blonde smiled.  "Yeah, she's good.  She show you what she can
do with her tail yet?"

     Heart blushed as Seraph cried, "Aphrodite, enough."

     The blonde sighed.  "You're ruining all my fun."

     "Yes, I am.  And I'm not going to just sit by and let you tempt
Heart either.  I don't work for Mephie anymore, remember?"

     The blonde inhaled.  "How could I forget.  Mephie has had me
dressing in white robes and a halo at the office ever since you left."
She shimmered and her generous bust was accented in a sheer see-through
version of angelic robes, while a silver hoop on a wire floated above
her head.  Bat wings poked through the back of the robe and small golden
horns peeked through her blonde hair.  "Do you have any idea how
demeaning that is?  I was a goddess once, and now he has me playing at
being an angel.  What a demotion."

	$Yeah, really.  I'd quit.

     Seraph shrugged.  "So leave him."

     Heart nodded.  Then did a double take.  "You were Aphrodite from
the Greek myths?"

     The blond nodded.  "And once upon a time I was Venus too."  The
outfit vanished as she stood and sauntered over to the

	$venus, too.

red head, her tail lashing slowly.  "And I can remember a young acolyte
at the temple in Rome who looked a lot like you."

	$redhead or red-head.

     Heart blinked, shocked at a long-forgotten memory.  "Oh, no.  I had
forgotten that.  I once worshipped you, before I turned to Christ."  She
stepped back.  "I was so ashamed that I had spent so many years
worshipping an idol,

	$Could be worse.  Could have been a pop idol.

 and...  and..."  She broke off staring at Seraph.

	$she broke off, staring

     Aphrodite looked over to Seraph too.  "Actually, I had lots of
plans for having fun with her.  She was quite the devotee once."  She
gloated.  "Then of course, before she actually turned of age to become a
priestess, she had to go and listen to

	$Then, of course,

that idiot follower of Paul."  Aphrodite sidled up to Heart and purred
in her ear, "Of course, we could make up for all those

	$ear, "We could

missed years of worship now."

     "APHRODITE!"  Seraph shouted.  "Stop that!"  She pulled Heart
close.  "I certainly don't care whether Heart used to worship you or
not.  You're not a goddess any more, and she's an angel.  Stop trying to
vamp her."

     Aphrodite sighed.  "You really are taking all the fun out of it."

     Heart jumped and turned to slap at Aphrodite's tail.  The
ex-goddess gave her a roguish grin.  "I'm a succubus now.  I had to
try."

     Seraph finished unwrapping her hoof, revealing the long slash down
her leg.  "Yeah, well stop it... please?  She isn't interested, and I'm
not available anymore," she hissed as Heart knelt to look at the wound.

     "You need some salve, Beloved.  And fresh bandages," Heart said as
she started rummaging through her purse.

	$There's no time for that!  You have to rip your shirt and skirt into
makeshift bandages!  Underwear too, come to think of it.

     Aphrodite finally gave up on vamping Heart and laid down on the
bed, her leg elevated to give the pair an unobstructed view as her tail
caressed her thigh.  "You two have really got some people pissed off,
you know.  Mephie's in a tizzy over Bhaalor trying to kill you."

     Seraph gave her a dark look.  "I really don't care what Mephie does
anymore 'Dite.  If I see him again, I'll cut his prick off and fuck him
with it before I gut him.  And you can tell him that."

     Heart looked up from ministering Seraph's wound and raised an
eyebrow.  Then thought about it and shrugged.  It wasn't any worse than
what she would do to anyone who tried to hurt Seraph.

     Aphrodite giggled.  "Ohh, that would be fun to watch."  She gave
Heart a wicked grin.  "I'm surprised you don't harbor similar sentiment
towards that bastard who tries to deny he's my son.  Especially since
it's his jealousy that made him exile you."

     Heart blinked at Aphrodite.  "Humm?  I don't understand."

     "Eros...  The good for nothing back-stabbing brat I regret not
aborting..."  Aphrodite growled.  "Oh... what's that idiotic name he
calls himself now....  Oh, yeah.  Theliel.  He changed it when the
G.O.D. recruited him."  She rolled over to face the pair, her wings
furling and unfurling above the bed in her agitation.  "The little
bastard spent centuries trying to prove that Lust was all that mattered
and that Love was useless, then when they offer him a chance at my
portfolio, he jumps at it.  And I get all my worshippers stolen or
killed and find myself handed to Mephie like some trophy.  If I wasn't a
goddess, I'd have ended up like poor Seraph here, with no memory of who
I had been."

     "Theliel is Eros?"  Heart asked incredulously, her eyes wide in
shock.

     "You mean he exiled her from Heaven because he was jealous!?"
Seraph growled.

     Aphrodite shrugged.  "Probably.  He's always had a passion for
red-heads.  And I know Heaven's got to be giving him blue balls.  He
could never keep his dick out of things.  Male, female, animal,
whatever...  Hell, I can't even count the times he tried to bed me, and
I'm his mother," Aphrodite giggled.  "I put myself to sleep masturbating
to how frustrated he's got to be."

	$"I masturbated myself to sleep countless times thinking about how
frustrated he's got to be."

     Heart blinked again.  "Theliel's had sex with men?"

     Aphrodite took in her blank stare.  "Yep.  And he likes bottom.
And only occasionally as female."  She gave the pair a lascivious look.
"And he likes watching two girls have fun, too.  Who do you think got
Sappho started?"

     Seraph hissed in pain as Heart's hand bore down too hard.  Heart
instantly turned her attention back to Seraph.  "Oh

	$Oh,

Beloved, I'm sorry."

     Seraph patted her hand.  "It's okay, Beloved.  At least we know it
wasn't our genders that got you kicked out.  Or anything you did wrong.
It was because that bastard Theliel wanted to fuck you!"

     Heart sighed.  "I don't know that for sure, Seraph.  I mean, he was
so adamant I win you to Heaven's cause."

     "Yeah, probably because he wanted to fuck me too."

     Aphrodite laughed.  "Actually, there was a bet going around the
office whether Eros would get to fuck you or Mephistopheles would get to
fuck Heart."

     "APHRODITE!"  Seraph yelled.

     The other succubus peered out from between the wings she'd ducked
behind.  "Hey, don't be mad at me.  I bet neither of them would.  I
could see how much you loved her.  It wasn't hard to figure she'd be the
same way.  I mean, you haven't played with me in over a decade.  I knew
you had it bad years ago.  After all, if you weren't interested in
this..."  She wiggled her apple-cheek bottom in the air.  "You had to be
in love."

     Seraph looked down worriedly at Heart, afraid the Angel might be
upset at Aphrodite's flaunting of their previous affairs, but Heart was
daubing salve along the cut.

     Still, the Angel seemed to read her mind.  "You don't have to worry
about me being jealous, Love.  I know you're a succubus, and I know
you've had lots of other lovers.  I don't mind.  And I don't care if you
slept with Aphrodite."  She glanced up at the succubus on the bed.  "I
suppose she's cute enough, if you like that sort.  Besides, you forgave
me for worshipping her once."  She finished with a self-satisfied note.

     Aphrodite sniffed and rolled her eyes.  "Really...  As if
worshipping me was a sin."

     Heart smiled.  "It was."

     "Do you still think so?"

     Heart considered.  "I - I don't really know anymore.  I'm certainly
not going to worship you again."

     Aphrodite sighed dramatically.  "And here I was hoping I could get
you to kneel and pray at my altar."

	$Heheheheh.  I especially liked that one.

  The suggestive wiggle left no doubt as to the innuendo.

	$My hat's off to whoever's doing these innuendos.  Vaguely worded, but
very clear.

  Heart blushed.

     "Aphrodite," Seraph warned again.

     "You're no fun at all anymore, Seraph.  I'm tempted to just go away
and not tell you what I came to tell you."

     Seraph gave her an evil eye.  "You, the gossip queen of Hell?" she
asked sarcastically.

     Aphrodite giggled.  "Okay, you got me.  Anyway, I came to tell you
that you might want to watch out.  This place probably won't be safe
after tonight.  Bhaalor's minions have it spotted."

     Seraph sighed as Heart started re-wrapping her hoof.  "That sucks.
We definitely have to find a place of our own.  Preferably someplace
that can be warded."  She drew in her breath again as Heart murmured a
few musical syllables over the bandage.  Aphrodite cringed.  Heart
looked up apologetically.

     "I know that hurt a little, Beloved, but it's a charm to help it
heal faster.  All I know is angelic magic."

     Seraph let out her breath.  "It's okay, love.  It still tickles
when you do that, but that was unexpected.  I was just surprised."

     Aphrodite raised an eyebrow.  "She just cast an angelic spell on
you!  Why aren't you screaming in agony?"

     Heart looked at her, wide-eyed.  "I love Seraph!  I'd never do
anything to hurt her!"

     Seraph looked at the other succubus.  "That's the only answer I can
think of for it.  Her spells tickle and give me wonderful shivers, but
they've never hurt."  Her tail reached out to wrap around the diminutive
angel.  "Maybe, it's just the love."

     Heart beamed.

     Aphrodite rolled her eyes again.  "You two would have been perfect
worshippers.  The sugar shock factor alone is enough to kill."

	$Insulin-shock troops?  No wonder Bhaalor wants to kill them.  That's
an evil worse than even Hell can tolerate.

     Heart stuck out her tongue.

     Aphrodite grinned.  "Don't do that unless you're serious, dear.  Or
I might just take you up on the offer."

     Heart blushed again.

     Aphrodite held up her hands at the look Seraph gave her.  "Okay,
okay, she's not for grabs.  Sheesh, you're in a foul mood tonight."

     "I ran into Vrock," Seraph muttered.

     "Again?  I thought you straightened him out in Germany, when he was
posing as an SS officer," Aphrodite said.

     "So did I.  Apparently Bhaalor assigned him the task of killing
me."

     "I take it that wasn't pleasant."

     "Nope.  Especially for him.  Heart lost her temper and blew him
up."

     Aphrodite raised an eyebrow as she appraised Heart again.  "I...
see.  Remind me not to aggravate you too much.  I'm pretty immune to
Angelic magic, but it's still not fun."

     Heart shook her head.  "Oh no, I'd never do that to one of Seraph's
friends.  But he was trying to hurt my beloved."  She latched onto one
of Seraph's arms and hugged tightly.

     Aphrodite rolled her eyes.  "I really should have brought a
toothbrush."  She stood.  "Okay girls, I'll let you two alone to play,
but don't forget to be careful.  And find yourself a place to stay you
can defend.  Try the village, there's a couple places down there that'd
be perfect for you."

     Seraph nodded.  "Thanks for the warning."

     "Hey, if anyone's going to bag your horns as a trophy, it'll be me,
with the rest of you attached and your tongue functional," Aphrodite
said with a grin.  "So don't you go getting killed, or I'll never get my
menage-a-trois."  She faded into a fall of golden motes.

     Seraph sighed.  "I swear, that girl has no sense of appropriate
behavior, even for a succubus."

     "I don't know dear.  You have your moments of playing the
seductress," Heart said.

     "Yeah, but Aphrodite uses her sexuality as a blunt object.  She
bludgeons you into it."  Seraph laid down and stretched on the bed.  "I
swear, if it hadn't been for the fact she was so good in bed, I wouldn't
have played with her so much."  She gave Heart a come-hither look.
"Then I found you."

     Heart gave her a sidelong glance.  "I see.  So you threw her over
because I was better in bed?"

     Seraph chuckled.  "Nope, I threw her over because she's a lot of
fun as a play toy, but she can't hold a candle to the love you give me."

     "But I _am_ better in bed, right?"  Heart's eyes showed she was
teasing.  Seraph laughed.

     "Oh I don't know.  It's been so long since we did anything I can't
remember," she answered coquettishly.  "How could I possible compare you
to her...  I guess you'll just have to demonstrate your skills to me."

     Heart gave her an appraising look.  "Are you sure you wouldn't
rather have her?"

     Seraph raised an eyebrow.  "Oh, I don't know.  I'll let you know
later."

     Heart threw a pillow at her.  "Humph.  I don't know if I want to
now."

	$want to know."  or, depending on what you were going for
	want to, now." but if that's the case
	want to know, now." would be better.

     Seraph stroked her leg with her tail.  "Really?"

	$Who's leg?  Make it more clear.

     Unable to hold her laughter any longer, Heart crawled onto the bed,
being careful of Seraph's leg.  "I really do love you."

     Seraph tousled her hair.  "You must.  You gave up a chance at being
the priestess of a goddess of love for me."

     Heart kissed her.  "You're all the love I need."  she whispered
throatily.

     Then there were no more words...

	$And after the last one, hopefully no more elipses, either.  We don't
even need the last one.

	Elipse bitching aside, cute.  So Heart is Valentiniel and she doesn't
know it.  And she was doubtlessly cast out unjustly, or what's a badguy
like Theliel good for?  I hate to see a nice thing like lust maligned,
though.

	Very fun fanservice.  Can't wait to see the two heroines start
realizing what's actually going on.  Actually, I'd like to know more
about what it's all about, myself.  Ah, well, hopefully we'll get a new
chapter soon.  It's been a little while since this one was posted.

	Publishing-wise, have you looked into the print-on-demand option uh...
Barnes and Noble?  has set up?  It costs a fee to have set up, but your
potential readers simply order it and go to their local B&N? and have it
printed out as a hardcopy book.  Last I heard the setup fee was about
$100, but if you get enough orders it'll pay for itself.  Of course,
without the benifit of sitting around in a bookstore, you've got very
little chance of making it on the bestseller list, but it's nice for a
beginning author.

	Or, you could always do like that one poor shmuck did and buy 20k
copies of your own book.  He made it on the best seller list instantly.
Now he's stuck with twenty thousand copies of his own book, and he can't
even give them away.  Heh.


	Until next time!

	-Ragun




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