Sorcerer in the Marvel Universe

Evenson narrowed his eyes and considered Melinda’s proposal.

It was actually a solid idea.

The aircraft was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most advanced technological achievements. With a fighter escort protecting it, shooting the thing down would require a concentrated barrage of surface-to-air or ship-launched missiles.

Locke’s people simply didn’t have that kind of firepower.

And even if they did, they couldn’t use it.

The Son of the Devil was supposed to become Locke’s future vessel. Keeping the boy alive wasn’t optional. He needed to be healthy, intact, and alive.

So if they brought the boy aboard the aircraft, then kept the plane moving around the world until the winter solstice passed, Locke’s entire plan would collapse.

Evenson finally nodded.

"That actually sounds pretty good."

Melinda’s face brightened.

"Then I’ll put it into action immediately."

"Wait, wait."

Evenson hurried to stop her.

"I said the plan sounds good."

Melinda stopped.

"So there’s a problem."

"Not exactly."

Evenson sighed.

"Tell me something. Have you been thinking about something you shouldn’t be?"

Melinda folded her arms, already irritated.

"Something I shouldn’t be thinking about? Such as?"

"Bahrain Island."

Her pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

"No."

The denial came too quickly.

Evenson didn’t believe her.

He began slowly circling her.

"Another innocent child. Another case where supernatural forces dragged them into something they had nothing to do with. Another situation where the stakes are enormous..."

He came to a stop behind her and leaned closer, his voice dropping beside her ear.

"Are you sure you haven’t connected the two?"

Melinda lowered her head.

Her hands trembled slightly.

Bahrain Island had always been a wound she carried beneath the surface. The incident had changed her profoundly, and this situation was similar enough to drag those old memories back into the light.

"After everything you’ve been through, I thought you’d learned your lesson."

Evenson remained behind her, his tone carrying a hint of disappointment.

"When I gave you that power, I thought you’d become stronger. I thought you’d become harder to break."

He paused.

"But apparently you’re still this fragile."

"That’s not weakness!"

Melinda spun around and glared at him.

"I took that power so things like this wouldn’t happen again. And now I’ve found a way to make sure they don’t."

"Did Nick Fury never teach you anything?"

Evenson met her stare without backing down.

"Don’t let personal feelings interfere with an operation. They cloud your judgment. Right now, you’re not just being weak. You’re forgetting how to be an agent."

Melinda didn’t get angry.

Instead, she calmly shook her head.

"My judgment isn’t compromised. My plan is sound."

"Sound?"

Evenson gave a dismissive little laugh.

"You don’t trust that Sanctuary. Fine. Neither do I. You think this aircraft is practically untouchable. So do I."

He looked around the aircraft.

"But here’s the problem."

His eyes returned to hers.

"If this place is so secure, how exactly is Locke supposed to get that boy?"

Melinda blinked.

"What?"

"You heard me."

For several seconds, she simply stared at him.

Evenson gave her a crooked smile.

"Didn’t expect that, did you?"

He shook his head.

"This isn’t your first encounter with something like this. I thought you’d at least developed a basic understanding of demonic contracts by now."

His expression turned almost pitying.

"Apparently, I overestimated you."

Melinda gritted her teeth.

"What the hell are you planning?"

If she hadn’t known Evenson as well as she did, she might have suspected he’d already made some secret deal with Locke and intended to hand the boy over.

Evenson smiled.

"That’s the beauty of a demonic contract. Outside the boundaries of the contract, anything goes. But once you’re inside those boundaries..."

He raised one finger.

"You follow it exactly. Word for word."

Melinda frowned and lowered her gaze, thinking.

Then her eyes widened.

She looked up sharply.

"You mean..."

"The contract we made with Nahash was never really about the boy."

Evenson’s expression hardened.

"It’s about sending Locke to Hell. That’s the condition that actually matters. Until Locke is in Hell, the contract isn’t fulfilled."

Mephisto didn’t care whether the boy lived or died. His only concern was getting Locke back in Hell so he could reclaim the power he’d sent into the mortal world.

Melinda’s expression changed as the pieces finally fell into place.

"You want to use the boy as bait."

She looked almost angry.

"You’re going to lure Locke out with him?"

She shook her head.

"If Coulson were alive, he would never agree to this."

The entire operation had begun because they wanted to save Coulson’s soul.

And Melinda knew Coulson well enough to know what he would say.

He would never put an innocent child in danger just to save himself.

"No."

Evenson’s answer was immediate.

"He would."

Melinda stared at him.

"Because Coulson thinks things through more completely than you do. Locke remaining in the mortal world is a disaster waiting to happen. This isn’t about saving one person’s soul anymore."

"But if Locke’s plan fails, he’ll naturally return to Hell."

Melinda sounded unconvinced.

"That’s what you think."

Evenson’s voice hardened.

"Demons can’t remain in the mortal world easily. They need human vessels. Human bodies are fragile, they have limited lifespans, and they can’t channel a demon’s full power."

He tapped the side of his head.

"But remember this, Melinda."

"The most dangerous thing about a demon isn’t its strength."

"It’s its intelligence."

His eyes narrowed.

"Or, more accurately, its ability to scheme."

"Locke only needs to find another body. Then he can remain in the mortal world for years longer. He might even create another Son of the Devil."

Evenson paused.

"That’s exactly why Mephisto specifically demanded that Locke be sent back to Hell."

Melinda’s expression tightened.

"Does it really have to be this way?"

She wasn’t ready to let it go.

"We know about Carrigan now. Maybe we can track Locke through him. We don’t necessarily have to use the boy as bait."

Evenson dragged a hand through his hair.

He hadn’t expected Melinda, normally so decisive and efficient, to become this hesitant.

Finally, he sighed.

"Fine. Then we’ll execute both plans."

Melinda looked at him.

"If you can find Locke first, we’ll use your method. But if you can’t find him..."

He shrugged.

"...we use mine."

"Deal."

Melinda agreed immediately.

She knew she’d gotten the most significant concession she was going to get.

Then she turned away from Evenson.

"Hey, you drunk!"

Moru was standing at the bar, inspecting the bottles as though he were personally responsible for judging the quality of every drink on the aircraft.

Melinda called out to him.

"I hear you’re the expert here. So tell me, what tricks do you have up your sleeve for dealing with this mess?"

Before Moru could answer, Rumlow quietly approached Evenson.

He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"Sir?"

"Hmm?"

"Our enemy this time is a demon, right?"

"That’s right."

Evenson answered distractedly.

"Scared?"

"Not really."

Rumlow tilted his head.

"It just feels a little... unbelievable."

He hesitated, then carefully arranged his face into what he hoped looked like innocent curiosity.

"I’ve heard demons can grant people immortality."

He glanced at Evenson.

"Is that actually true?"

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