was just brining out a cup as Rissy spoke.
“I think that may a good idea. See you soon.” He kissed her cheek as he left her. As he was going into the house she instinctively touched the place where he had kissed her. Svelta smiled. “He tends to grow on you doesn’t he?” Rissy lowered her eyes. “Yes Svelta he does seem to be able to do that.” Svelta nodded and asked if Rissy needed anything else. Rissy told her that she had all that she needed and sipped her coffee.
Rissy looked all around her as she sat. The flowers were beautiful and there were lots of butterflies that she watched thinking the whole time thinking that this was the way it had been meant to be rather than running the rat race. She went to place her coffee on the garden table in front of her and noticed the book. She flipped through it and saw why Johann had noticed so much in the jewelry stores. She flipped to the front and noticed the inscription. "Graf….just a small gesture from a girl more grateful for your time and guidance with yet another folly within her life, though in no way does it reflect the immensity of the kindness bestowed. Rissy" She almost dropped the book. She could almost remember the man in the shop where the book had been purchased. Her memory came full force and she saw that she’d been browsing through the various booths and antique shops this past week trying to find a small thank you gift for Johann since he’d certainly took time out of a very hectic schedule of planning the upcoming trip for Alma and himself to help her yet again but nothing seemed to quite fit. What does one get a man that already is quite able to obtain anything his heart desires? And then from that should one be lucky enough to draw a few ideas choose from them something that Alma would not find offensive in one manner or another, especially since of who it would be coming from. Almost giving up she wandered through the browsing of one last shop on the verge of town when she spied a book on one of its shelves, Archaic Greek Gems: schools and artists in the sixth and early fifth centuries B.C., fingers played over the binding as she pulled it free from the others and flipped through it. He was always forming jewelry for Alma and if memory served she was from there so perhaps he might be able to use it for a few ideas? There was the risk he already had a copy but she decided to take it. Instructing the shopkeeper to wrap it and have it delivered she scribbled a quick note to go along with it. “Graf….just a small gesture from a girl more grateful for your time and guidance with yet another folly within her life, though in no way does it reflect the immensity of the kindness bestowed." Signing her name and paying for it she left the shop feeling somewhat better about the day having finally found something for him. She sat there shaking as the memory faded. She knew there could have been no other soul that could have written that note or have found that book. She got up and left through the garden gate running to her home and to her bedroom.
Johann returned but did not see her so he went throughout the garden looking for her, but with no success. When he returned to where he had left her, he saw the coffee cup shattered and the book lying upon the ground. He realized what had happened and sat down wondering how to approach this. His first impulse was to go to her, but then he thought that maybe he should let her be. It had already been an intense week for them both. He went in and gathered his paints and easel. He thought about how she had looked sitting there as he left earlier and began working. Not one to notice time, Johann continued to work and his household knew not to disturb him. Randolf had caught Johann painting like this for centuries and was glad that electricity had been invented. When they bought the house, Randolf had installed lights to illuminate the garden if necessary and this was one of the times that he was glad that he had done so. Johann worked through the night and finally finished. He took the painting into the art room to dry and went to his bed to sleep. He reached for someone who was not there and muttered. “I love you Rissy.” as he drifted off.
Wilson
It was late in the day when Rissy awoke only to find that she was late for work. She called and said that she had overslept and hurried to her office. She found it hard to concentrate. Her mind was full of thoughts about the past week. Her friends came bursting into her office with a paper showing she and Johann being escorted out of the hotel with a caption “The Devil and His Witch Destroy Hotel Room In Strange Sex Acts”. Rissy felt sick and was about to run out crying. Her boss stopped her and led her to the conference room that was surrounded by glass where everyone could see and of course everyone was watching. He told her that she was fired for improper behavior. This only made matters worse. He then rubbed her rear end and told her that she could keep her job if she performed certain favors. She looked at him and saw everyone in the office looking to see what was going on and she became infuriated. “You want to see the Devil’s witch? I’ll show her to you.” She raised off the ground as wind shattered the windows and ripped through the office. Loose papers flew as wildly as her hair. Her eyes were shining so bright that no one could dare look at them. “You say my behavior is improper Mr. Wilson and yet you have fucked all but maybe three women in this office with me one of the ones who kept you at bay. Jealous are you that another man may have had me as his lover?” Wilson moved closer and rose as well. “So my dear you care to do battle?” Wilson’s family and Rissy’s family had always been at odds because the former’s family had used their magic only for their own gains and never to help anyone.
Suddenly the room was filled with golden light as a loud voice proclaimed. “You move an half of an inch closer and you will perish so quickly that no one will believe it.” Green light was next to the hazel as the figure moved closer. “Yeah right buddy, this little vixen has pushed her limits.” Wilson stupidly replied. There was a loud laugh. Rissy looked to her right as she felt a familiar grip on her hand. She smiled. Her friends were staring in amazement and went into Rissy’s office to get out of the way but had the door open enough to watch. The other employees were either under the desks in their cubicles or looking from the windows in their offices. A gold wing wrapped around her and pulled her to this creature that had come to her rescue. Not that she needed rescuing but it was nice to have him by her side once more. She was amazed at his speed and tone of voice. He was angry and this poor little vengeful witch was about to meet his maker. She knew if Wilson sneezed that he would just cease to be.
Wilson looked at the being beside Rissy and then back at Rissy. “Let me introduce you two” Rissy said politely. “Mr. Wilson this is none other than the devil you read about” she smiled as she spoke Johann’s name. “Graf Johann Todesengel von Gottes
Gnaden, and if you need a little help with the translation, Count Johann Angel of Death Blessed By God. So perhaps it’s best if you return to your little cave until it is safe for you to return, for this girl knows one thing and that is that he will show you no mercy for attacking the one he loves and calls his; may it be Graf’s virgin, his love, his red haired witch or several other names. I am powerless to stop an angel much less one that is in love and has come to her side. I can tell by his thoughts that he will deliver you to what he says is Hel’s domain and not Valhalla. And yes Johann my great benefactor, I do remember preferring to be called Graf’s virgin. It has a nice ring to it, but unfortunately that reputation has been tarnished, though the two of us know better.” He kept staring at Wilson but responded. “Has he tarnished your reputation?” Rissy was more nervous now. She knew that Johann would kill any whom he may perceive saying such with such slow and painful torture that the person’s soul would be obliterated and she had barely saved the last person but she felt more contempt for Wilson than she did her attacker. Wilson had always squeezed himself by when she was at the copier and he often patted her fanny. She looked at Wilson and played with the thought of saying yes especially remembering the time he had come up behind her in the employee’s lounge while she was getting coffee and grinding into her. She felt Johann’s hand clench and knew he had caught that thought. “No Johann don’t, please Johann don’t” But Johann already had Wilson in his grip and the look in Johann’s eyes was pure anger and Wilson’s pure terror. She brushed soft velvet against Johann’s jaw line. “It’s not worth it my love. You’ll only get shit on your hands.” She looked at Wilson. “I’ve spared your life. Now I suggest you go before even I cannot distract him. As for the job, I think I have a new one being offered soon.” Wilson retreated to his office and people began coming out from under their desks. Johann and Rissy twirled in the air kissing and then began chanting. The office appeared as though nothing had happened. Once finished they were on the ground and no one except for poor