Page 76 of Thanatos' Craving

Samael panted. He didn’t lift his head to speak, and he can barely move his neck.

“Listen, please,” he begged. “I–I do not know who he or she was. There must have been a spell cast over them when they requested a demon. A glamour.”

I snarled in frustration.

“They paid me handsomely. It was the first time I have ever done such a thing. I’ve only done it once. It is my only magical sin. Please forgive me.”

“And did they ask you specifically for a replicating demon?” I pulled back on his hair and looked him in his face.

He closed his eyes tightly so he could not see the despair of my shadows within the hood.

“Y-yes. That it was important. You can read my soul if you wish.”

I did not hesitate. He willingly gave, so I entered his mind. I fought through the memories, hunted them down until I found exactly what I was looking for. Ten years prior, a faceless person handed over a large sum of money. I could not understand their words, just like Juniper’s mind.

I pulled out of his soul and cursed, dropping the pathetic warlock onto the ground.

All of it was worthless.

Hecate emerged from the depths of darkness, the goddess of witchcraft. She stepped forward with a deliberate and unhurried gait. Her presence was accompanied by a faint scent of earthy herbs and a hint of smoky incense. With a piercing gaze, she remarked, “Ah, I thought you possessed one of my warlocks.”

She was dressed in a black suit, her bright red shoes and nails a brightly lit contrast against the darkness of the cave.

“A shame. He had prospects. Now I see why the Fates had not gifted him a mate, however. Thanatos, are you finished finding your information?”

I let out a huff of irritation. “I have no more use for him. He is yours to punish. Do you wish for me to take his soul?”

Hecate chuckled, her red high heel shoes clicked closer to his now unconscious body.

“I plan on having him suffer in his body for a bit. Transferring possessing demons is a serious crime. Also, I’m upset his home coven didn’t find out either. They will need to be punished as well.”

“Ah, so you are making him an example.” I nodded my head. “That is for the best.”

Hecate bowed her head. “One of your reapers can take his soul when I am finished. I see you are rather busy with this project and a certain little mortal.” She winked.

I rubbed the back of my hood. “Word travels fast, I see.”

Hecate laughed. “Of course it does.” She sauntered up to me. “And being one of your closer friends, I’m glad I found out. Congratulations, Thanatos. I expect the first invitation to the soul bonding ceremony.” She patted my face and turned away.

“Hecate?” I called to her.

She turned and raised an eyebrow.

“This female we are looking for, the owner of this club. She can hide her appearance and voice. The warlock couldn’t rememberher, nor could I see her in Juniper’s memories. Is there a way to break it so I can see?”

Hecate laced her fingers together and pursed her lips. “If this magic she is using can block her face in memories, it would be difficult. We need to know the source of the magic. Magic grows every day, it evolves. Even I cannot keep up with evolving magic.”

I nodded. I knew this very well.

“But I will try. I’ll dig through his mind and see what you have seen,” she said.

I gave her a grateful nod, and she vanished with the body as I turn away from the scene.

“Azrael, there is a list on my desk in my private quarters. Fetch it and bring every mortal soul that is on the list to the dungeon. Have some fun with them on the way down.”

Azrael didn’t smile. He let his long black hair sweep in front of his face and turned when I dismissed him.

Hypnos yawned and returned to my side, following me as I took the stairs.

---