Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“I hear whispers, Aios,” He goes on, His voice echoing even in the open air. “Sub-demons talk to me, you know. Grubby little creatures, always looking to increase their favor, looking to rise up the ranks. Perhaps even become a full-fledged creature like yourself.”
He laughs, and I spot Varak peeking out from between his legs.
So that’s it. The little shit’s been telling tales. It hardly warrants a visit from the Big Man, surely?
The devil takes many forms, today he has taken the form of a human man, middle age, graying at the temples dressed in low slung jeans and a white shirt.
He would blend in anywhere he chose and likely, that is his aim but I know better than to associate his physical form with anything other than the pure evil that resides within.
Although, he has been known to have a wicked sense of humor as well.
I hold Eve close, wrapping her in my darkness. “And what has that worm told you?”
“That one of my demon lords was in the human realm, and hadn’t reaped a single soul. That he was turned into a rat, which I found quite amusing, actually. But in among the banalities, he mentioned that you had taken a woman, and not only did you not let him torture her, but you haven’t tortured her yourself. That you’d made deals, and not even demanded death in return. Is this her?”
“Eve is my mate. I love her,” I growl, the admission feels hot on my tongue. “And not even you will take her from me.”
“Ah, so that’s it.” He shakes His head with a low chuckle that ices my veins. “Unfortunate for you, since I’m now going to have to destroy you both.”
He raises His hand, and I step forward, pushing Eve behind me. I’m not even sure what I’m doing, except I won’t let it happen. I’ll gladly give my life, my entire existence, to save her, and somehow I intend to do it.
Power crackles and flickers between His fingers, and I see the pleasure dawn across his face. There is no greater joy for a damned thing than torturing one of their own. We get so little chance to do it. It won’t be quick, and it won’t be pretty.
I see Varak backing away as he realizes what is about to happen. The thought that he might get caught in the crossfire clearly terrifies him.
“Wait!” I hear Eve’s voice behind me, but I growl in response.
“Run, Eve. Live your life,” I tell her, steeling myself for what’s about to happen.
“No!” I feel her arm wrap around mine, and a part of me wants to force her away. But another part… Another part is glad that we’re together, here, at the end. “Wait,” she demands, and to my surprise, I see the Big Man hesitate.
“Speak, human,” He says. “It amuses me to hear your pleas for mercy.”
“Are you the Devil?” she asks, and He laughs.
“I have had many names, mortal. Now, beg. Plead. Scream in terror, or whatever it is you’re about to do.”
“No.” Eve steps forward. “I want to make a deal.”
The air crackles, but I can feel His confusion. Most humans who see Him are driven mad. Some have their eyes burned out the instant they look at him. I’ve heard tales of whole cities being driven to dance compulsively by His mere presence, until the citizens drop down dead of exhaustion.
Eve simply asks to make a deal.
“I know that you make deals,” she goes on. “I want to know what you want. Here’s my demand: I get to keep this house. I get to keep Aios, and he gets to keep me. Now, tell me what I have to do in exchange.”
There’s a moment of hesitation, then, “Very well,” He says. “Here is my demand. Fifty souls. Fifty. All to be delivered before the year is out. And you, little human, must do the taking.”
“No,” I say. “Eve isn’t—”
“Deal,” she says, and my heart thunders.
Could she be any more perfect for me? She will lead fifty souls into damnation so that we can be together, and I will help her do it.
“All eternity,” I chime in quickly. “The deal lasts for all eternity. She gets to live as long as I do.”
The Big Man cracks His neck, back and forth, and licks His lips as He mulls it over on a lazy sigh. “Fine. For that, I’ll have to make it a hundred souls, Aios. And I will take your title. I have a mistress who needs… Placating. I will give your lands in the demon realm to her.”
I nod, not mentioning that I have far more extensive lands taken from other demons over my lifetime. He can have Kharon’s Reach, and if I ever find myself down there again, I will still have plenty of places to stay.