Page 36 of Hell-Bound

A ping in the back of her mind warned her to not lose her temper. This was an Immortal she was dealing with.

“Actually, I can’t,” he said, frowning slightly. This time, it seemed oddly genuine. “Renata, you signed your memories away. If I were to reveal a lost memory, even the memory of your contract, I would be violating the terms we both agreed upon.”

She deflated and looked again at her hands. The writing had vanished. But—surely there was something that could be done. She couldn’t continue this way. Couldn’t keep living a half-life. Angry tears started to well in her eyes, but she wiped them away quickly, refusing to act the damsel. She would meet her fate head-on.

“There has to besomethingI can do! I’ll figure it out. Even if you can’t help me.”

She looked up and met his eyes, trying to demonstrate her resolve.

Azur sighed, setting down the quill.

“Renata—”

“Ren,” she corrected sternly.

He raised an eyebrow, and his smile tilted, revealing a sharp fang.

“Ren. Just because you don’t have your memories doesn’t mean you don’t have purpose. I,” he placed his hand on his chest, “could give you that purpose. You aremine,and well, I haven’t used my resources in a long while. My followers—”

“I’m not yours, and I’mnotyour follower,” Ren spat.

“And there she is. This fameddefenderI’ve missed so terribly.”

Ren stood there staring him down, her chest continuing to pulse and vibrate with anger.

“Do you want to hear my offer or not?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She remained silent, glaring daggers.

“I cannot restore all of your memories or even most of them. But I cantellyou a few…anecdotes.”

Ren’s throat tightened. “Anecdotes? You mean like stories?”

“Perhaps stories, clarify information, give instruction…” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his hands behind his head.

“I’m assuming this isn’t out of the kindness of your heart?”

“My dear, there is no kindness in my heart. I can genuinely tell you that I am incapable of kindness.” He scoffed. “You will retrieve something for me. Then, and only then, will I give you what you need.”

“And why me?”

“You’re The Defender of The Planes and need someone with experience for this task. It’s really that simple.”

Ren considered. This is another one of those moral quandaries. A deal with a Devil. She heard Leo’s voice banging around in her head. But despite this, she couldn’t for the life of her find a reason not to continue this conversation. “What is itthat you want?”

He looked her up and down with excruciating slowness, his eyes gliding across every inch of her.

“So many things, Ren. So verymanythings. But for the purposes of this conversation, I need you to find a document. It contains important contractual information.”

“A document? That’s it?” Ren squinted at Azur skeptically. “I know how this works. What’s the catch?”

“There isnocatch. And honestly, if there were, I wouldn’t tell you.” Again, he flicked his hand dismissively. “But I didn’t say it would be easy. You’ll have to infiltrate the house of a very powerful High Devil. If he finds you, hewillkill you.”

“Oh, is that all?” She guffawed.

“Lord Wyvryn has collected many souls over the years. Signed many contracts and collected many powerful artifacts. His gluttony for influence is…concerning. I need you to find one of these and bring it here.”

She thought for a moment about his proposal. The potential risk to her life didn’t provoke fear. Actually, she felt rather capable—confident that this would be something she could accomplish.

---