Page 164 of Crimson Promises
Allow the anticipation of the night be the prelude to the enchantment that awaits.
But the allure was undeniable. The invitation hinted at a world of enchantment and mystery. An air of the adventure I had always craved. It could be an opportunity to gather information against the Prince of Hell while trying to find a way out of here. What secrets awaited me at this midnight ball? Would I find answers to the questions that plagued my mind?
As I traversed the room, my footsteps were muffled by the plushness of a crimson rug.
I belonged to no one. Ben and I made no promsies to each other; no matter how significant things between us felt on my side. I was a blip in his life. He would move on to finish once his ‘job’ was done.
A plan began to crystallize amidst the chaos of my thoughts. I had seen it—the flicker of intrigue in Lucifer's eyes, an ember that I could fan into flame. If he was charmed by my spirit, perhaps I could ensnare him with it, use his fascination to my advantage. Seduction was a weapon I had never wielded, but desperation lends itself to strange bedfellows. I would mold myself into the object of his desires, a mirage of allure and mystery, drawing him closer with each shared glance, each whispered word heavy with promise. I find the thread within the labyrinth that would lead me back to Ben, back to my life in Arch Cape.
It went against every fiber of my being but with my father’s line hanging in the balance I had no other options before me.
I stood before the tall, gilded mirror that adorned one wall. My reflection met the gaze of a woman caught between two worlds—the mortal realm she had known and the enchanting, dangerous domain of the original fallen angel that held her captive.
* * *
Time moves differently in Hell, I found. For the last few days, I had remained sequestered in my rooms with only Belial for company. He tended to linger when bringing me my meals. Offering tidbits of Hell and how similar its capital metropolis was to many of Earth’s larger cities.
I had been lingering at the edge of my room's grand window when I heard a faint knocking on my door. Must be Belial with dinner.
When I opened, the door, I staggered back a step, my eyes widened in shock at seeing Lucifer at my door.
"Aurora," he called, his voice a mix of velvet and steel. "Care to join me for a game of pool?"
Desperation for a change of scenery gnawed at me. Plus, I was eager to move forward with my plan, and this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
"Sure," I replied, feigning disinterest.
He turned, a knowing smile on his lips, and gestured for me to follow. I trailed behind him, my heart pounding in a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.
As we walked, I noticed the subtle details that made this place unique – the intricate carvings on the door frames, the delicate patterns on the wallpaper, and the soft, haunting melody that seemed to drift from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Lucifer moved with grace. He was at ease here, this was his domain, and every step he took was a silent assertion of his command over it.
"You seem deep in thought, Aurora," Lucifer remarked, his voice breaking the silence.
I glanced at him, caught off-guard. "Just taking in the surroundings. Your home is... different from what I expected."
"Different, how?" His eyes met mine, a spark of interest in their depths.
"Less foreboding, more... intriguing," I admitted, my gaze returning to the hallway.
He chuckled, a sound that resonated in the air around us. "I take pride in subverting expectations."
We approached a pair of large, ornate doors, their wood polished to a high sheen. Lucifer pushed them open, revealing a billiard room.
As I stepped over the threshold, the scent of aged wood enveloped me, a comforting, earthy aroma that contrasted with the subtle undertone of brimstone and roses.
The billiard table stood proudly at the center, its surface a sea of deep green amidst the dark hues of the room framed by dark mahogany.
As Lucifer explained the rules of the game, he casually leaned against the edge of the billiard table, his fingers idly rolling a pool ball back and forth. The motion drew my gaze, and I found myself momentarily fixated on the grace of his hands.
"Ladies first." Lucifer gestured towards the table with a flourish. His voice snapped me out of my reverie.
I approached the table, the cues neatly arranged in a holder by the side. Picking one, I felt its weight, balancing it in my hand. The room was filled with an electric undercurrent emanating from Lucifer. His demeanor was relaxed, yet there was something unnervingly sharp about his gaze that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
"Have you played before?" he asked, leaning casually against the table. Lucifer handed me the chalk for the cue stick, and our fingers brushed in the exchange. The brief connection sent an unexpected jolt through me, and I saw a glint of something unreadable in his eyes before I quickly looked away.
I buffed my cue stick. "A few times," I said, lining up my shot.
