Marcelle leaned back and drummed his fingers on his belly again, chewing on his lip as he looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. “Right then. Now what I need is to know what you already know about its whereabouts.”

He pointed down, then up. “Am I lookin' here, or up there?”

Az closed his eyes briefly before answering. “Both. And... you will be searching for more than one part.”

“Part,” Marcelle repeated, looking at him without expression until he reluctantly continued. He waved his hand over the gemstone, subtly bringing Marcelle's attention back to the offered payment.

“Currently, its status is very like this bloodstone. Split. I believe the cognizant part may remain Above, where I last encountered it, but it is very likely the body is still here. And like a split bloodstone, the parts may call out to each other.”

Marcelle nodded slowly. Az could see the wheels turning in his mind. “Splitting an Ultimate Supreme in two... One of that sorcerer's experiments, I presume.”

Az did not offer a comment on that. He continued. “Because of this... fissure, it may be particularly vulnerable in this situation.”

He leaned forward and spoke slowly as an idea seemed to flicker across Marcelle's face. “That is a warning, not an opportunity, Marcelle. Cornered beasts are the most dangerous. One who sleeps is capable of awakening unexpectedly.”

“I appreciate it,” Marcelle said honestly, dismissing the previous thought, and Az felt a small sense of relief. If the man had been foolish enough to try and sell the information of the Ultimate's split, Az, as the only one Below who had held it, would be the one to suffer the consequences when whoever tried to use that knowledge was inevitably killed. Anyone strong enough to take on an Ultimate Supreme was also smart enough not to, but plenty of weak demons had the audacity to think they weren't. “So even though it's prolly havin' a nap here, and its mind prolly'll be Above, it might be pulled back if'n it's disturbed too much.”

Az nodded. “That is my theory, yes.”

Marcelle seemed to absorb the information for a long moment before letting out a sigh and nodding. “Right. What else will you tell me?”

“It has an affinity for dreams,” Az said after debating on the wisdom of revealing the information; he decided it was worth the gamble. “In particular, it enjoys entering the dreams of ones it has interacted with and corrupting them into nightmares.”

“You saw it in yours, then?” Marcelle asked sharply. Az shook his head.

“No.” As Marcelle's eyes narrowed in doubt, he added, “but I believe that I heard it.”

Marcelle closed his eye and leaned back again. His hands were still over his belly. “Be honest with me, Asmodeus. You piss 'em off? Is Ol' Toothy hunting you?”

Az shook his head. “I do not believe it is.”

At Marcelle's second doubtful look, he added, “But we were... acquainted. And I am aware, as you likely are as well, that it is always looking for... entertainment.”

He wasn't certain that was the correct word. Marcelle let out a deep breath and was silent for a few minutes. Az waited, standing perfectly straight and silent.

Finally, Marcelle spoke. “Right. I'll send out my people starting today. But I can't guarantee a deadline for this, Asmodeus. And if my... friends start dyin', you can keep your stone. I need to use my best on this one, and I'm outta a job if I lose 'em all, you got me?”

“I understand,” Az replied. “However, your friends should only be asking questions to ascertain its location. If they awaken it or otherwise draw its attention, that will be from their own mistake, not my request.”

“Heh.” Marcelle shook his head. “As cold as ever, you are.”

He adjusted his pose, and gave Az another shifty look with the beginnings of a grin. “And I assume you won't want me using your halfling brother for this one.”

“Adopted brother,” Az corrected, with a tight -lipped smile. “You are well aware that this is far beyond his skill set as a novice, so I can only assume you are attempting to imply something with that comment.”

“Can't get a thing past you,” Marcelle agreed without taking offense. The corner of his lip twisted down just slightly. “I wouldn't want anyone thinking I was implying the great Asmodeus had any tainted blood in 'im, or somewhat like that.”

Az couldn't stop his jaw muscle from twitching. He reminded himself that it was far better for Marcelle to assume he was a bigot—even if that gave him a fair reason to betray him based on his own mixed heritage—than for him to discern the truth of B's parentage, or the depth of his affection for his youngest known brother. Both facts would only place the teenager in danger. “I would suggest you do not imply anything about me to anyone.”

“Right.” Marcelle regarded the stone again for a long moment, before glancing up at Az. “Payment on completion, yeah?”

Az nodded. “As usual. However, I will grant you a token of good faith.”

He reached into his pocket again, and set another stone on the desk as he took back the bloodstone. Marcelle's smile became much more relaxed at the second gem.

“Threaded amethyst from Above. Human-made, no less. Ah, that'll do, that'll do nicely as a deposit.” He looked up at Az again as his hand closed over it. “I always tell Granters to load up 'eir pockets afore they return Below, and they never take my advice. Could be as rich as you by now.”

“If that is all, I will be taking my leave.” Az turned away before Marcelle could try to trick him into a 'casual' conversation. There was no such thing for a man who dealt in information.

He hadn't gotten further than two strides before Marcelle called him again. “'ey. Asmodeus.”

He stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “Yes?”

“You can let me ask one question as another show of good faith, yeah?”

Az turned back to the door, his shoulders stiff. He did not reply for a long moment, but he did not take another step, either. Finally, tensely, he said, “You may ask, yes.”

“Is Eldon Mason alive?”

Az's posture did not change. He closed his eyes, taking a small breath Marcelle could not see. He did not turn back and answered with just one word in a very low voice.

“Perhaps.”

He walked out the door and closed it behind him.