Logan shifted in his sleep, not dreaming but sleeping and enjoyed being asleep. He became aware that he was enjoying the experience when he became aware that he was no longer fully asleep because someone was watching him. Logan deftly spun out of bed, grabbed a nearby dagger, and used the bed as cover all in one seamless fluid motion.

The devil grinned broadly exposing gleaming, pointed canine teeth.

“Time for work. The early bird gets the worm.”

“What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?”

“It is morning. Almost one past midnight.”

“What difference does that make?”

“The devil is in the details, Logan. It’s the start of a new day with new opportunities.”

Logan angrily stabbed the dagger point into the nightstand and sat heavily on the bed.

“Can’t you find someone else to torture?”

“Millions of them. They can wait. Everyone’s in such a rush. I say, stop and smell the burning flesh of sinners.”

Logan groaned to himself as he ran his hands over his face. It was too early for banter. “What’s my next clue? Who’s my next target?”

The devil’s face broke into a wide smile “That’s the spirit! I’m glad to see you have finally come to my way of thinking! That spark of hellfire within you may burst into flame yet! I’ll tell you what, I’m feeling generous today so I’ll give you a hint. But just one.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“When was the last time you’ve been to the theater Logan?”

If the devil was sending him to the theater then there was probably a good reason, an obscure one, but a good one. It was now barely dawn.

Nothing was open at this ungodly hour except for the bakery across the street from the theater. He chose the window seat for the vantage point. The baker’s apprentice brought him coffee and a danish.

As Logan nursed his coffee the familiar smell of brimstone caught his attention.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Man’s gotta eat.”

“A man not on borrowed time, perhaps. But, for you, this would be classified as recreation. Like those idle thoughts of yours replaying that sweet bygone day with Dorym over and over. As if, you’re expecting a different outcome. Some people would call that insane.”

“Yeah? What would they call a conversation with a devil over breakfast?”

The devil glared at him menacingly. “You have more important things to do.”

“You know, you should be grateful. You should be happy. Every week I send one of your sinners back to Hell. You do nothing but complain. Where in my contract does it say I can’t stop for a danish?”

“Don’t get so cocky, Logan! You know what overconfidence leads to, don’t you? You get bit in the ass!”

Without another word the devil was gone.

It wasn’t long before Logan noticed a couple of lithe bodies entered through the theater door. He crossed the street and followed. The corridors of the theatre were deserted. His footsteps made no sound as he passed. No one saw him to challenge him. He heard music and voices and then a loud crash and a scream. He hurried toward the sound. He was at the edge of the stage when a figure in the seats rushed towards him.

“What is the meaning of this?!” A little frowzy man in a billowing wrap screeched. “This is a closed rehearsal! How did you get in here?!”

“I walked in. I heard a scream.”

“Oh, you did, did you?” The director turned towards his troupe “Did you hear that boys and girls? He heard Kaylee scream from outside the house! That’s what I’ve been wanting from you all! Just don’t play it to the back of the house! Play beyond it! Beyond the house! Beyond the theater! Beyond yourselves!”

His words caused a murmur on the stage among the cast. Logan noticed a young woman who looked embarrassed. He figured that must be Kaylee.

The director turned to Logan, eyed him for a moment and turned back to his troupe.

“Alright boys and girls, take ten while Ideal with this…this…interruption.”

Logan rolled his eyes. Now he was going to have to deal with this pompous little man, and he was not happy.

“Our time is money Mister…Mister…what did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t.” Loagn said flatly.

The director didn’t skip a beat “Why have you interrupted our rehearsal? We mount this show in two days. Our stagehands can’t seem to work within our blocking, and now you. Why are you here?”

Logan studied the little frowzy man. He could drop him right where he stood. Give the devil the ‘extra run-off’ as his contract put it. But he thought better of it. He still might be useful…for now.

“Well? I’m waiting!” The director prompted dramatically tapping his foot.

“I said I heard a scream. Who are you?”

The little man harrumphed “I am an award-winning director sir! And this! This is my theater!”

“I meant your name. Do you have a name?”

“Do you?”

“Logan. I’m a deputy for the Constable.” He was beginning to lose his patience with the pompous little man.

“Corbin Kimrey.”

“Do you mind if I look around?”

“Why? You’ve done your good deed for the day. Now you may leave, deputy.”

“You didn’t even know I was here until you saw me by the stage. Do you want to take the risk that I’m the only one?”

Kimrey hesitated.

Logan continued “You, yourself, said you only have a couple of days left before the show. Do you want to risk the safety of your actors?”

Kimrey gave in. “Oh all right, go ahead.” He said dismissively, waving Logan away. “Just make sure you don’t get in the way, all right.”

And as suddenly as Logan was the center of Kimrey’s world he was forgotten. Kimrey turned back to the stage with a billow of fabric and swept away.

Logan’s eyes narrowed. He was seething. That pompous little bastard was on borrowed time.

“Excuse me sir.” A timid voice asked from behind him.

Logan turned wordlessly to see the young woman he had seen on stage earlier.

“Did you really think I was in trouble earlier?”

He didn’t know why, but the question seemed important to her. “Yes, I did. Why do you ask?”

She sighed heavily and looked apprehensive. “I don’t think I was acting. I think I might be in some kind of trouble.”

“You’re Kaylee, right?” He waited for her to nod. “Why do you think you are in trouble?”

“Can we talk some place in private?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“There’s a break room in the back. No one should be there.”

Logan gestured for the young woman to lead the way. She took the hint. A few moments later they were sitting at a small table with coffee and muffins. Logan watched her pick nervously at a muffin cap. He was in no rush. He would wait until she was ready to talk.

“I heard you tell Corbin that you were a deputy… for the Constable.”

“Yes, I did. What’s this about?”

“I think a devil is following me.”

Logan nearly choked on his coffee. “What?”

“I’m sorry. You get used to referring to people by their character names during rehearsals. Not a real devil. I don’t know if they even exist.”

“Oh, they exist.” Logan muttered to himself.

“What?”

“Nothing. Why don’t you start from the beginning?”

“I wish I knew where to start.”

“I found the beginning is always the best.”

Kaylee nodded, pausing to gather her thoughts “I guess it all started right after casting a few weeks ago. Our current devil wasn’t the original one.”

“What happened to him?”

“A week into rehearsal he had an accident.” She said trying to remain unemotional. “He…he died.”

“And this new guy took over?” Logan prompted.

“A day or two later. It was a surprise too. His understudy should’ve had the role, but then this guy suddenly showed up.”

“Does this guy have a name?”

“Artemis Quinn. Has to be his real name. No one I know would choose that for a stage name.” Kaylee said then she shuddered.

“What is it?”

“There’s something about him…” she said vaguely.

“Like what?” Logan prompted.

“Like he’s not acting. Like he could really be that evil. But surely that can’t be. No one can be as evil as a devil, can they?”

“You’d be surprised.” Logan answered matter of factly. “But I’ll look into him for you.”

“Would you? I feel silly even asking, since it’s probably nothing, but his guy is creepy.”

Logan nodded, reaffirming his offer.

“Thank you.” Kaylee said as she quickly squeezed Logan’s hand.  A moment later another young woman dressed like Kaylee bounded in. 

“Hey! There you are! Corbin is bellowing for you. You’d better get on stage.”

“Thanks, Andaya.” Kaylee said quickly getting to her feet. She looked at Logan. “The dressing rooms are down the stairs and to the left. I’ll see you later.”

Logan waited until the two girls left. He even smiled slightly when he heard Andaya mutter “Hey he’s kinda cute. How’d you hook him so quickly?”

“He’s just a friend ok.”

“Then would you mind…? I like older men.”

Logan almost laughed. If Andaya only knew what kind of older he was, she wouldn’t be so eager.

A moment later he got up and headed for the dressing rooms.

No one saw him to challenge him. Most were on stage. His footsteps made no sound as he passed.

After a couple of abortive attempts, he found Quinn’s dressing room. Checking to make sure he wasn’t being observed, Logan slipped into the dressing room and started to look around.

“I ask you, does this look like the dressing room of someone qualified to play a devil?”

Logan turned around. The bane of his existence sprawled across the sofa dressed in a dancer’s clingy practice clothes.

“Beats me. I haven’t been here long enough to figure it out yet.”

“And here I thought you were a true professional. You really don’t want to disappoint me, do you Logan?”

“Yeah. I’ve heard that song and dance before.” Logan said, continuing his search.

“I hold your future in my hands Logan. Remember that.”

“Like you’d let me forget.” Logan retorted but his audience was gone.

He stopped at a playbill in a frame. The paper had yellowed and was old and fragile looking. Logan thought he recognized one of the artistic renditioning’s of the players, although it was drawn some time ago. He decided he would check out more than just Artemis Quinn.

The next morning Logan awoke abruptly. Now that he was awake, he wondered why. There was no sign of his irksome employer. He did feel hungry. Eating was one of the few things that made him feel human. He sat down in the dining area of the inn he had been staying at. It was early but the staff was up and willing to accommodate. The innkeeper’s wife served Logan an inexpensive but hearty meal. Logan had quizzed her the night before about the playbill he had found.

“What did you find out?” Logan said around a mouth full of egg.

“I’ll tell you while you eat.” The innkeeper’s wife said as she grabbed a nearby empty chair and made herself comfortable.  “Like I said before I’ve known Corbin Kimrey forever. A real staple of the community.”

“What about the other two?” Logan persisted.

“The girl hasn’t been in town long. I don’t have much else on her.”

“What about the guy?”

“Artemis Quinn, right? You sure you got the name right?”

“Positive. Why?”

“He died two generations ago. Papa remembers granny talking about him. Really famous performer in these parts.”

“No kidding?” Without looking up from his plate, Logan slid a pouch of coins to her.

“I have to get back to work.” The innkeeper’s wife said as she placed the coins in her pocket. “Can I get’cha anything else?”

Logan shook his head in the negative.

Logan lingered over his coffee once the innkeeper’s wife left, mentally going over the information he had collected. He finished his coffee and left the inn.

Kaylee was waiting for him at the stage door when he arrived. She shifted nervously from foot to foot. “I’m glad you’re here.” she said, visibly relieved to see him.  

Logan thought something seemed very odd. “Something wrong?”

“Not really…wrong…” she said hesitantly. “But…but… Artemis is the only one here so far…and, well…it’s creepy. I decided to wait out here until someone else got here.”

“Has he done anything? Anything at all?”

“No.” Kaylee moaned miserably. “I feel like such an idiot. He hasn’t said…or done…but he…he scares me. I can’t. I’m gonna leave the show.”

“I’ll look into it. Stay out here. You’ll be fine.”

“Ok.” She said with a tremble in her voice. Logan looked down on her frightened face.  He couldn’t believe how expressive an actress’ face could be. 

Without another word Logan disappeared into the theater. The building was dark and empty and felt depressing. He could understand how someone jittery like Kaylee could find it creepy. Even Logan kept looking behind him, though to him, he called it instinct and professionalism.  

Artemis Quinn stood alone at center stage, spotlighted and dapper. Logan watched him for a moment as he portrayed Mephistopheles reciting a dramatic speech. Logan kept to the shadows and applauded politely as the speech ended.

Suddenly Artemis froze in the spotlight. “Who’s there?” He said in a booming voice.

“You don’t do him justice.”

Artemis dropped into a defensive crouch. “What do you want?” He asked peering out into the theater house. “You’ve come to send me back, haven’t you?”

Logan inched his way towards his prey.

Artemis was tracking the house and the timing. Then he sprang from the stage, over the orchestra pit and into the front row seating. He caught Logan by the arm and the two fell into the aisle. After a short grappling fight, Logan jerked the man to his feet. Artemis seemed to actually be trembling. He threw the actor into a seat.

“Are you that stupid?”

“What are you talking about?” Artemis said defensively.

“After all you went through you came back for this?”

Artemis stood and leapt lightly onto the boards. Logan followed slowly.

“This is my life!” Artemis declared, flinging his arms wide. “The stage! This stage!”

“Why are you after the girl?”

“Girl? What girl?”

“Kaylee. She thinks you’re stalking her.”

“Ah, yes. Sweet Kaylee. Such a pretty girl. Very talented. She told me this part was up for grabs. I should have thanked her. I’ll have to apologize to her…I’m not going to have time for that, am I?”

“We’ll see.” Logan lied. “Why a devil?”

“What other role could I play after where I’ve been?” Artemis snorted. “I wish you could have waited just a few more days. I had a great schtick planed for opening night.”

“Aren’t you through yet?!” A new voice demanded with an evil snarl.

Logan had a brief moment of déjà vu, until he realized it wasn’t his boss’s voice. This one was female. Both men looked at her in surprise and astonishment. Kaylee stood in the treater with her hands on her hips. Her eyes sparked with more than irritation.  

“You?” They chorused.

“You think I was foolish enough to keep my original identity?” Kaylee scoffed. “You think I want to go back? You’re kidding right?” 

Kaylee glared at Logan. “What’ve you been doing here? Why haven’t you sent him back? I gave you the perfect opportunity; alone in an empty theater. What do I find when I came in? You’re standing there yammering away like old women. You send a man to do a simple job…but I guess what they say is right, if you want something done right you have to do it yourself.”

An arc of lightning burst from Kaylee’s hands. Logan dove to the side. He barely wasted a glance towards Artemis but it was enough to know he had dove in the other direction. Somehow Logan had to keep her talking long enough to throw her off balance.

“So, why’d you turn over Artemis?”

“Better him than me.” she said with a verbal shrug. “And once I get rid of you there is no one to stand in my way.”

“What a pathetic over the top speech!” Artemis said scornfully. “If that’s the best you can do, you’ll never make it out of the chorus and into minor rolls much less aspire to the power you think you can hold!”

Kaylee whirled with a cry of pure rage and hurtled a barrage of arcane bolts at Artemis. The bolts caught Artemis and flung him backward on the stage. He was down but not out, and it was a distraction Logan could use. He launched himself at her, his left scimitar severed her hamstring causing her to buckle. The right scimitar bit deep into her neck. Her eyes widened as her face locked in a silent scream. The veins of hellfire steel that ran the length of the blade pulsed with a dim infernal light as the woman’s soul was ripped from her being and sent back to where she belonged. Logan watched and felt nothing. No relief, no regret. His job was lessened by one more. Though he couldn’t avoid the pain as the mark of her name burned away. When he opened his eyes again, Artemis was staring at him in concern. Through gritted teeth Logan hissed at him.

“Opening night.”

“Thank you.”

Logan watched the performance from the stage wings. It was a brilliant production. He felt his employer appear beside him, but chose to ignore him until he spoke.

“Now tell me Logan, why is Artemis Quinn still on that stage?”

“We made a deal.”

“Oh really? And what kind of deal could you possibly make that would supersede our agreement?”

“He wanted to perform one more time. I thought he earned it.”

“You thought? I don’t pay you to think Logan. I pay you to send my escaped souls back to me.”

“You don’t pay me at all. But you could have mentioned there was more than one here.” Logan complained.  

“I could have.” The devil said thoughtfully. “Kaylee was a master of deception. Now she is where she can think about her mistakes and continue to learn from them over and over again for a few millennia. Then maybe she’ll have some perspective. You know there was a time she showed some real promise.”

Logan didn’t respond, nor did he pay the devil any more attention while the performance continued. He could tell by the reactions of the cast and audience the aura of power that surrounded Artemis Quinn and the depth of evil in his performance and even a few slight-of-hand tricks, that he was pulling off a performance of a lifetime. He knew Artemis could never fully capture the essence of the real thing standing next to him but for everyone else he could have been Mephistopheles himself. Artemis was heady with the applause when the curtain fell for the last time. He capered like a school boy high on the thrill, when he joined Logan in the wings. He sobered instantly when he saw who was with him. The devil merely regarded him coldly for a moment.

“An …adequate…performance, Mr. Quinn. See you don’t do it again. I’ll see you shortly.” Then he was gone.

Artemis swallowed a moment, then took a deep breath and turned to Logan. “I’m ready.”

“Not in the open.” Logan told him.

Artemis led Logan to his dressing room. He arranged himself artistically in a chair and looked up at Logan.

“Do it.”

With unearthly speed a precision Logan plunged the green-flecked steel blade into his chest. His eyes widened as his face locked in a silent scream. The veins of hellfire steel that ran the length of the blade pulsed with a dim infernal light as the man’s soul was ripped from his being. Logan sank to the ground in agonizing pain and clutched his chest as another tattoo burned away. Artemis Quinn was nothing more than a memory.