Though the mere thought of it terrified her, she realized this price was one she could afford.
Ariel found Belial in the little garden outside the main hall. She drew her cloak tighter about her, amazed he could stand the coldness as yet another chill wind blew across her face and took her breath.
Without a cloak for warmth, he sat on a wooden bench, staring up at the sky. “’Tis a lovely view, isn’t it?” he asked as she drew near.
Ariel glanced up, shocked he would even notice. “I couldn’t care less for the view this night.”
“Nay, I guess you couldn’t.” He looked at her, his red, glowing eyes unreadable. “How is he?”
She stiffened at his audacity. “Why do you even ask?”
He shrugged and looked back at the stars. “Valteri is an exceptional opponent.”
“Is that all people are to you?”
He laughed, and tilted his head back. “Look who’s accusingmeof callousness. The little psychopomp?” Sitting up straight, he pierced her with a malicious glare. “At least I don’t dump their miserable souls in the respective hells. I’m not the one they cling to andbegfor forgiveness. How many souls have you left to final agony?”
She swallowed, his words hitting a little too close to home. “None. That’s not my job.”
“No. You hand them over to fight in an army where they’re nothing but sacrificed pawns.”
She winced at a truth she didn’t want to face. “I have no choice.”
“And neither do I.”
Not wanting to think about that, Ariel approached him, and, in spite of the part of her that urged her to flee, she sat down beside him. “What is it like to be damned?”
He quirked an eyebrow at her question. “Well, it’s not fun.”
“I’m serious, Belial. What’s it like in Azmodea?”
“You cannot imagine.” The bitterness in his voice took her off guard.
“Why not?” she whispered, wondering what it was like in the place he and Thorn called home.
“Because there’s nothing like it in this world or in yours. There’s no place where you’re safe. No one you can call friend.”
She nodded, her heart pounding in fear and remorse. “Do you ever regret what you’ve done?”
Belial looked at her, his red eyes haunting in their pain. “I regret every decision I’ve ever made.” He stiffened as if suddenly aware of her for the first time, and again he looked up. “So, what brings you out here?”
Ariel drew a deep breath for courage. “I have something to ask of you.”
“Of me?” He laughed incredulously. “I find it hard to believe that you would deign to ask me for a favor.”
“Believe what you will, but here I am.”
“So you are, Arel.” He chewed his lip and glanced her way. “What is it that you want?”
“A trade.” Then she rushed on with her practiced words before she lost the courage to utter them. “If I willingly give you my soul, will you spare Valteri’s life?”
CHAPTER25
Belial sat straight up, his attention finally on her. Could it really bethiseasy? “You jest.”
“Nay,” she breathed, her voice scant more than a whisper. “But you must never let Valteri know of this!”
Stunned, he stared at her. “Does he really mean so much to you?”
