"FEAR IS THE MIND'S POISON, BUT SOME DRINK IT WILLINGLY."
VELMORA
I was so close to the edge of the hill where Omari's house stood. One tiny gust of wind, and I'd go tumbling down like Jill after Jack broke his crown.
I've always thought there was a dark side to that poem. How come Jill tumbled down right after Jack fell and broke his crown? Could she have pushed him?
Did she fake her fall to clear her name?
What could Jack possibly have done to offend her that she'd push him off a hill?
The cool breeze caressed my face and skin, making my silky hair fly freely behind me. In that moment, I wondered if I was the Jill in my own story—eliminating everyone who stood in my way, even if it meant I had to roll down a cliff, get a few scratches, just to get exactly what I wanted.
Suddenly, the cool air disappeared, and I felt a presence behind me. Cold. Evil. Intimidating—making my entire body stiffen.
This presence was stronger than Lucinda's and ten times colder. Cold sweat appeared on my forehead, and a chill ran down my spine.
Could it be?
I felt the presence come closer, until it was right behind me—its coldness making me shiver. But I dared not turn. I knew exactly who it was.
Lucifer.
He stepped into my back, one of his arms going across my shoulder and the other sliding around my bare waist, jerking me into himself, causing my back to crash against his rock-hard chest.
I gasped, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding.
His grip held me in place, causing my heart to go berserk in my chest. What in the world was going on right now?
Why was he here?
"My L—Lord," I muttered, stuttering. "To what do I owe this plea—"
My words faded as his hand on my shoulder shifted to my neck. He didn't grip—he just left his hand there. The cold from it was torture enough.
"Sweet child," he finally spoke. His voice was just like I remembered—commanding, dark.
Darker than anything you could ever think of. For he was darkness itself.
"Yes, Lord?" I answered in a whisper. My eyes were tightly shut, and tears were threatening to spill.
I didn't know what gave me the courage to speak before this man as I did back in Hell.
Maybe it was because I knew then that if I didn't make him see reason with me, I'd lose the one and only ticket out of Hell—and my only chance at vengeance.
After all, the only thing a sinner fears more than the Devil… is eternal damnation.
"I have seen your work, my dear," he said, his hand on my neck tightening a little.
A smile formed on my lips.
"And is my Lord impressed?" I asked.
"You think I came here simply to tell you I'm impressed?" he asked, his voice getting darker.
My smile faded as his grip tightened even more, restricting my air.
Had I made a mistake? Was it that old man?
"You, my dear, have made no mistakes in both souls you have sent," he said, not releasing his grip. "Hell, you've made no mistakes at all."
I would have asked if there was a but. However, apparently, it's impossible to speak when there's a firm hand blocking your air supply. Who knew?
"Until yesterday," he said. Then he took a step back. Turning around, he tossed me to the rocky ground.
Debris flew into my eyes, nose, and mouth, causing me to sneeze as I picked myself up immediately, getting on my knees and facing the ground.
"Tell me, child," he began, standing tall in front of me, "do you recall what you promised when you were granted permission to return to Earth?"
I didn't have to think much about it.
"That I would not fail you," I said, adjusting on my knees. The sharp rocks were already biting into my skin.
"And with what you did yesterday, do you believe that promise was kept?"
"Those interviewers were getting on my nerves!" I whined like a kid, thinking he was referring to how I behaved during the interview.
His foot came crashing down on my head, throwing me into the ground again. Blood covered my body from all the cuts on my skin.
Would this cut heal before the next interview is scheduled?
No. My worry should be whether or not I'm returning to Hell today. This might be the end of my mission.
"On your knees," he said, commanding, and I picked myself up, ignoring the pains.
"You think I came here because you were being a brat?"
Then what the fuck—
Another kick landed on my face before I could complete the thought.
Liquid trickled down my face. I didn't need to touch it to know it was blood.
"Lilithine," he called, the name rolling smoothly off his tongue. "The reason I allowed this mission was not because Hell lacked souls. No—it was because I was intrigued by you. I was fascinated by your determination, even in the face of damnation. I was smitten by your thirst for vengeance, even though you knew it wouldn't change your fate. I was curious to see the extent you would go to get what you want."
I stayed still, listening intently.
"While you're here, I don't care who you fuck, torture, or kill. In fact, you're free to commit as many sins as you possibly can. Your fate is sealed anyway. I do not care if you do things outside your mission, as long as at the end of the day, you get the job done."
My brows furrowed. If he isn't bothered by any of those things, why then am I being punished?
"However, sweet Lilithine—my perfect heir—I will not tolerate you growing soft. Such feelings are not allowed."
Feelings? What the fuck? For who?
"My Lord, Omari and I—"
"Who said anything about Omari? He is a damned soul anyway. Developing feelings for him would be a waste of time on you both." He chuckled.
Then who else could it be?
Wait a minute. He couldn't mean… Carter, could he?
I straightened on my knees. "My Lord, I assure you, it's nothing of that sort. I was merely flustered. I couldn't possibly be—"
"Silence, Lilithine. I am aware of what I saw. And this, my dear, is your last warning. Whatever you felt must never happen again. You may be human now, but you, child… are my heir."
He then bent toward me, grabbing my chin, yanking me toward the cliff—making me stand close to the edge, my back facing the empty space. His eyes bore into mine, his fiery blue gaze burning my insides in the worst way possible.
"Keep your emotions in check, for the next time I have to come here because you grew soft, I am dragging you down to Hell with me."
And with that, he was gone.
His sudden absence took me unawares, and my knees buckled, causing me to stumble backwards toward the edge.
I was almost certain I was going to fall.
Perhaps I was Jack after all.
But then a strong arm grabbed my waist, pulling me back.
Omari.