"Bless you, master," Amil breathed. "Bless you."
"I do not believe you will be so grateful when you discover my condition."
"What do you desire of me?"
With measured steps, Rafael moved to take his seat behind the massive desk. He templed his fingers beneath his chin and regarded his guest with a piercing gaze. The next few moments would decide his fate.
If he was to be acclaimed as the savior of the Prince of Demons or as an arrogant failure. He could not afford a mistake.
"First I desire that you tell me what you know of the Phoenix."
Caught off guard, Amil blinked in surprise. "I… what all creatures of the dark know, I suppose. Nearly three hundred years ago, powerful witches gathered together to call for the spirit of the Phoenix and placed it within a human body. The presence of the vile beast has kept the Prince banished from this world and made his minions impotent."
"I am not impotent," Rafael snapped in annoyance.
"I do not understand." Amil regarded the older wizard with a wary frown. "Why do we speak of the Phoenix?"
"Because it keeps us from our true master."
The younger man shrugged. "He has been lost to us. What can we do?"
Rafael barely restrained his flare of fury.
Fools. The lot of them. While he had toiled and sacrificed to return his dark lord, the others had allowed despair to overwhelm them. No longer were they proud beasts who inspired fear and loathing among mortals. Instead they scuttled in the shadows like rabid animals.
They disgusted him.
"No, my son. The Prince has not entirely been lost to the world."
"What are you saying?"
"The vessel has been destroyed. The witches no longer have control of the Phoenix."
The pale eyes widened in shock. "It's a miracle."
"Indeed."
The apprentice gripped the arms of his chair. "The Prince will soon be freed."
"No." Rafael's voice was harsh. "The vessel placed the spirit in the body of another mortal. The Phoenix yet lives, but it is weakened and vulnerable."
"It must be destroyed. And swiftly."
Rafael's expression hardened to grim lines, his thin fingers moving to stroke the heavy pendant about his neck.
"Certainly it must be destroyed."
"And what do you want of me?"
"I want you to bring the vessel to me. Alive."
The apprentice narrowed his gaze in a calculating manner. "Forgive me, master, but wouldn't it be best to call out the minions to crush the Phoenix before it can regain its strength?"
Rafael twisted his lips wryly. Like most who craved power, Amil was far too ready to resort to violence when cunning was needed.
"Certainly a simpler, if more bloodthirsty, solution," he agreed. "But consider, my son. It will be a great honor for the one who offers up the Phoenix to the master. And I intend for that glory to be mine."
Amil considered for a moment before giving a nod of his head. "Of course. A clever scheme. But, why me? Why do you not do this grave task yourself?"