Page 20 of Hell-Bound

Renata was struck by how matter-of-fact he was.

“Yeah, but I don’t know much else. Do you…do this a lot? Help the soulless, I mean.”

The Elf licked his lips, and his eyes darkened.

“Yeah, I s’pose yer could be sayin’ that.”

He pointed toward a precarious staircase.

“If ye’re headed to the den, ye need to be getting going. Just go up to yer room. I think everything you need is there. If not, just call.”

He turned around and walked towards the back of the bar.

Realizing she’d been dismissed, she drained her glass. Before standing, her eyes glanced at the third glass, still full of amber liquid, and wondered if spirits really cared about liquor.She,on the other hand, could definitely use more. Two fingers hadn’t been nearly enough to subdue her growing nervousness.

Making her way to the stairs, she realized that none of the loose boards were making noise. Not a squeak or a moan of age, despite their movement as she walked. Renata knew now that she was an expert moving around noiselessly. This unnatural lack of noise, though, disturbed her.

After reaching the top of the stairs, Renata saw only one open door. Inside was a modest, if a bit dusty, bed atop laid a small bag and a letter addressed to her.

Renata,

If you’re reading this, then that means you’ve made it to our safe house. We know Fredrick is a bit odd, but he is a good male and devout follower of Nainaur. Tonight, The Forked Tongue is having a party with several Devils and their invited guests. This will be the perfect moment for you to search for the tome and ask about the contract. Be on guard. Devils are powerful beings capable of magic and trickery. If they can corrupt you, they will. Blend in. Remember your objective. Await my next correspondence.

May the Almighty smile upon you,

Leonardo

P.S. I have provided you with appropriate garments for the party. They should be in the closet.

She tossed the letter on the bed, opened the small wardrobe, and gazed at what was inside.

Oh, hellsno.

She has come to me as I knew she would. Let the games begin.

The first thing Renata remembered about that night was the gleaming glass doors of the mansion. This was not the evil demonic mansion she had envisioned. Then again, it made sense why everything looked so beautiful on the outside, just as the city initially looked. But there was only death and misery behind that beautiful facade.

Never trust a Devil. Never sign a contract with a Devil. Lying is as natural to them as breathing. Temptation is their power.

Renata took stock of her feelings, making sure that she was focused and ready for her first real mission. She half expected it to trigger a response of panic or fear, but it didn’t. In fact, she felt perfectly relaxed. As if this building was as familiar to her as her home. Of course, in her case, this could only be an expression. This place felt safer than home. Home meant two parents who could barely look at her and a lover whose sorrowful glances made her heart clench every time she thought back to them. It had all made her feel so powerless. But elegantly dressed, walking in a Devil’s den? That was power.

Leo had picked out an exquisite piece. It was a dark gray with touches of black and had a dropped neckline.

Renata likes dresses.

She was beginning to understand that verbalizing or actively acknowledging her likes and dislikes helped her to establish who she was—who she might have been previously. She felt as if, after talking to the other citizens of Vergessen, that opinions and beliefs were the foundation of most people’s identities, whether they knew it or not.

She lifted the long skirts and approached the double doors. She didn’t hesitate to push them openas self-preservation was, apparently, something somewhat unfamiliar.

She was immediately greeted by the faint smell of leather and dust coming from within, like an old store that had been collecting peculiarities for hundreds of years. The room was brightly lit with glittering glasses and decor in every corner and despite the smell, no speck of dust was found. Giant candelabras were adorned with the same otherworldly gemstones she had seen on the surface of the homes, and the tiled floor was also streaked with their exquisite beauty. The only unsettling aspect of the foyer was that it was completely empty.

The doors apparently kept the mansion incredibly insulated as they blocked out the sounds of orchestral music coming from within—a sound so welcoming to her ears. Her fingers twitched, and she had the overwhelming desire to plop down on the floor and sway gently to the music. However, she resisted her baser needs and swept her keen eyes around the room.

As if on cue, she suddenly heard a thumping noise, as if someone was stumbling down the stairs. In an instant, a thin creature landed clumsily in front of her. Renata shrank back, fingering the dagger hidden under her skirts. But the figure simply righted himself, dusted off his pants, and grinned at her wickedly. Which was made even more sinister by the Devil mask he wore. Ironic since, as his red skin, short horns, and long tail indicated, he was, undoubtedly, a Devil.

“Whooooo are youuuu?” he asked in a sing-song voice.

Renata leaned back to give herself some distance in case the stranger jumped for her, “excuse me?”

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