Page 28 of Demon Lord's Proposal

"Is that so?" Deus asks, his tone deceptively calm. "And what gives you the right to come into my establishment and upset my best alchemist?"

I find myself caught between them, my past and present colliding in a volatile mix. "Deus," I say softly, placing a hand on his arm. "It's okay. Let me handle this."

Deus's eyes flick to me, a silent question in their depths. I nod slightly, and he steps back, though he remains close, his presence a comforting bulwark at my back.

Turning back to Joesiah, I take a deep breath. "You said you found a way to bring me back. Explain."

Joesiah nods eagerly, seeming to gather courage now that Deus has backed off slightly. "It's an ancient ritual, predating most modern magic. It requires several rare components and a significant amount of power, but it can bridge the gap between life and death, allowing a soul to return to its original body."

"So witchcraft? You know they will kill you just as you killed me."

Joesiah hesitates. "It's not without risk. There's a chance it could fail, or worse. And even if it succeeds, you'd be giving up your powers, your connection to the underworld. You'd be fully mortal again."

I feel a pang at that. My hexeblood heritage, once a source of shame and fear, has become an integral part of who I am. The thought of giving it up, of losing the skills I've worked so hard to develop here, is more painful than I expected.

"Think about it, Sage," Joesiah pleads. "We could have everything we dreamed of. A normal life, a family, a future together. Isn't that worth the risk? We can start over fresh."

I close my eyes for a moment, memories of our past together flooding my mind. The love we shared, the plans we made, the life I thought I would have. It's tempting, so tempting, to reach out and grasp that dream again.

But when I open my eyes, I see the reality around me. The strange, chaotic beauty of Slim's Last Chance. The patrons I've come to know and care for. The complex, fascinating world of underworld alchemy that I've only begun to explore.

And Deus. I glance at him, seeing the concern in his eyes, the protective stance of his body. Our relationship is complicated, often frustrating, but undeniably powerful. There's a depth to it that I never experienced in the mortal world.

"Joesiah," I say finally, my voice steady. "I appreciate what you're trying to do. But I need time to think about this. It's not a decision I can make lightly."

Disappointment flashes across Joesiah's face, but he nods. "I understand. But please, Sage, don't take too long. The window for performing the ritual won't last forever."

"I'll let you know," I promise, though even as I say the words, I'm not sure if I mean them.

Joesiah looks like he wants to say more, but a warning growl from Deus has him backing away. "I'll be staying at the Twilight Inn," he says. "When you're ready to talk, you can find me there."

I watch him leave, my emotions a turbulent mess. As the door closes behind him, I feel the weight of every eye in the bar on me.

Deus moves closer, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder. "Are you alright?" he asks, his gruff voice softened with concern.

I lean into his touch, drawing strength from his presence. "I don't know," I admit. "I never expected... I don't know what to do, Deus."

He's quiet for a moment, then says, "You don't have to decide anything right now. Take some time to think it over. Whatever you choose, I'll support you."

His words surprise me, and I look up at him, searching his face. There's a vulnerability there that I've never seen before, a fear that he's trying hard to hide.

"Thank you," I whisper, reaching up to squeeze his hand.

As the bar slowly returns to its normal rhythm around us, I find myself caught between two worlds. The life I lost, with its promise of normalcy and the dreams I once cherished. And the life I've gained, filled with power, danger, and a depth of experience I never imagined possible.

The choice looms before me, impossible and inescapable. As I mechanically return to my duties, my mind whirls with possibilities and fears. The life of a mortal or the power of the underworld. The familiar comfort of my past or the thrilling unknown of my future.

Joesiah or Deus.

I don't know which path to choose, but I know that whatever decision I make will change everything. As I mix elixirs and serve patrons, I can feel the weight of my choice pressing down on me, the sands of time slipping away as I stand at the crossroads of my existence.

17

SAGE

Islam the door of the lab behind me, my hands shaking as I lean against it. The cool metal against my back grounds me. I push off from the door and stumble to my workbench, gripping its edge to steady myself. The familiar scents of herbs and chemicals fill my nostrils, but even they can't calm the storm in my head.

"Focus, bitch," I mutter to myself, reaching for a mortar and pestle. "Just... focus on the work."

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