With a deep sigh, Damien pulled his fist from the wall and gripped Alucard’s throat. “I asked you to find me every Angel I need to create this child, and you did bring me every other Angel I asked for, with several extras, but you failed to bring me Lucious. The one Angel I actually need, the most important of them all… and where is he? Where is he, Vladimirescu?”

“You did do good, though,” Damien said, nodding as he slowly pulled his claws from Alucard’s shoulders. “Lucious is here within Alvenguard. Find him—and don’t falter. I have to speak with my new Angels, so I’ll come and find you within the next few months,” he said, letting go of Alucard.

The Daegelus scowled. “What have you been doing, Vladimirescu?” he asked sceptically.

“I hear the Diabolus have been looking for you, Vladimirescu—I heard that someone was sent here to find you, and… you killed him. Is that right?” he tested.

“And you didn’t think to tell me? To ask for my help? Instead, you thought you’d take it upon yourself to try and deal with it—how many times must I tell you how incompetent you are?” he hissed. He held up his left hand. “Once?” he asked, raising his index finger, “twice?” he scowled, raising his middle finger, “three times?” he snarled, holding up three of his clawed fingers.

“Shut up!” Damien snarled—he abruptly pressed his three clawed fingers into the side of Alucard’s face and scowled in detest. “Even after I go out of my way to teach you these things, you continue to disobey me, and lie to me—surely you haven’t forgotten what happened last time? And the time before—have you, Vladimirescu?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.

The Daegelus laughed. “You’ve disappointed me yet again—it’s a shame that you continue to fail me, because you’re doing well with this Vampire task. Are you only capable of moving back and forth, is that all you have use for?”

“I beg to differ,” Damien snarled. “Don’t you dare disobey me again,” he growled, dragging his claws down the side of Alucard’s face, leaving a trail of three deep, bloody gashes. “I protect you from Lucifer, I deal with the Diabolus, and I deal with the things you clearly can’t.”