“Strange though it may be, it is true.” His smile kept its gentle allure, even as it widened. “As for where we are, I have a feeling you already know. This is a prison entombed in stone, meant to hold the corrupted deep underground. You are lucky I found you when I did. Hell offers no procession for the dead, and terrible things roam free down here.”
A heavy sigh left my lips as the demon confirmed my fears. I was dead, and this was Hell.
The vows I’d said to Vapula replayed in my mind, a cruel reminder of the fate waiting for me:‘I pledge myself to you. Until the day the darkness kills the light, until the heavens cease to burn, Ishall be yours.’
What a fool I had been to make that promise. Now I found myself unarmed in the realm of the demons. That notion alone sent a shiver down my spine.
I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. Vapula would have to wait. Before I could worry about him, I’d have to deal with the Duke standing before me.
“Duke Zaleos,” I muttered, feeling every syllable play across my tongue. “Just a title and a first name, then?”
“That is all I have ever had. Now, what may I call you?”
“Lillia. Lillia Sparre.”
“What a beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Will you come with me, Lillia?”
I hesitated. “Tell me where you’re going, and I’ll tell you if I’ll follow.”
“You will need somewhere to stay, yes?” Zaleos asked. He gave a soft hum. “My kingdom is no place for a human. I won’t lead you to the fate that awaits you there. I have an old friend who might be persuaded to take you in, though he is of a somewhat…questionableconstitution.”
“Questionable how?”
“The Prince of Lust and Lies? His title precedes him, but he is more than those hollow words.”
My throat tightened. I wasn’t sure what I’d wanted to hear, but it certainly wasn’t that.
He continued, “I believe Sitri may have reason to aid you. He has made his home in the city of Lantyca, the capital of his kingdom. I can take you to its gates should you wish to seek asylum there.”
Seeking asylum from a lust demon. My chest seized at the thought. The only demon I’d known was a scholar demon, and judging by the standard he set, begging for a lust Prince’s help was out of the question. As I opened my mouth to object, an amber flash lit canyons on the horizon. The faint wails of helpless souls caught in its blast chilled myblood and caught my breath. I swallowed, my tongue now terribly dry.
“There’s no one else who would take me?” I asked.
“None who would be preferable, my lady.”
“And you’re certain it’s safe for me to go to him?”
“Quite certain. Call it a hunch, but I’ve a suspicion you two have more in common than you know. Prince Sitri has yet to break the trust I placed in him. You will be safe in his care.”
More objections bubbled up within me, and I did my best to quash them. It would be a long eternity in Hell if I couldn’t keep myself under control. Demon or not, Zaleos presented an opportunity—one I’d be foolish to throw away. I knew what kind of things lurked in the dark. Without weapons or light, it was only a matter of time until I fell prey to them. If I kept my wits about me, it would be better to have a guide than to wander off alone.
“Alright, I’ll follow.” I bowed my head and stepped up to his side. “I hope you know what you’re doing, sending me to a Prince like that.”
“Keep your heart open, and he may surprise you. Now, let us go.”
Zaleos set off into the dark. Matching his pace proved difficult. Just a few steps in, I winced. Whatever the pink, orange, and white-banded stone was made of, my feet already ached from rubbing against its jagged peaks and ridges. At this rate, I’d rub them raw. With my shoulder and head still throbbing, it became hard to shut the pain out.
Rocky cliffs and hills rose and fell alongside us, painted in rosy-amber stripes. Something was missing from the scene. There were no plants or animals anywhere. I strained my neck, trying to catch glimpses of my surroundings beyond the lantern’s light, but only shadows moved there. At first glance, this could have passed for badlands on Earth, locked in a dark, moonless night. Even moonless nights had stars, though—and trees. This place had only desolate stone.
I found it hard to settle into the journey, faced with the constant pain radiating through me and the ever-present clatter of warfare echoingin the distance. And then there was my guide, a demon of peace and love, shrouded in secrecy, leading me to an unknown fate.
With his eyes glued to the path ahead, I stole a glance at Zaleos, only for him to turn, his smile gone. I flinched as our gazes met. He scanned my face, took in my weariness, then shook his head.
“I won’t harm you, Lillia, but your mistrust is well-placed; many demons will not hesitate to do so. Would you like a word of advice?” he asked.
“I would if you’re offering.”
“Strength comes in strange forms down here. Symbols hold power, and your name is the most potent symbol you possess. You offered it to me far too readily.”
I blinked. “My name? What kind of power does it have?”
“The power to claim your soul, perhaps the most important skill a demon possesses,” he said. “Many souls take on aliases down here; others share their names only in part. Very few can resist the pull of a name when wielded against them. You are not among them, my lady, and you would best remember the danger it presents.”
“Understood. Thank you for telling me.”I tucked that information into the corner of my mind, making a mental note to watch my tongue. “And what if a human is already indebted to a demon? One who knows their name…?” I held my breath as I waited for an answer.
Zaleos’ laughter caught me off guard. “Have you no sense of self-preservation, Lillia? We’ve only just met, and you’ve given me all I need to undo you. Secrecy is survival. Do not forget that. Terrible fates await the unprepared down here, and if you don’t wish to be among them, you must learn to gather information from others without giving away your own.”
“And why are you telling me this? What’s in it for you?”
He raised an index finger to his lips and gave me a wink. “A Duke always has his reasons. I’m sure mine will become clear in time.”
