Page 167 of Crimson Promises
Getting him to open up and trust me might be easier than I thought.
So far, we were evenly matched, point for point.
“I have a proposition,” he drawled.
“I’m listening.”
“If you win, I will answer any question of yours truthfully. But if you lose, you must reveal a personal truth to me.”
“You have yourself a deal Lucifer.” I tried to conceal the glee from my expression.Finally, the hope of going home was within my grasp.
I circled the billiard table, cue in hand, acutely aware of Lucifer's gaze following my every move. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, each decision, each shot, now laden with consequence. I could feel the tension thrumming in the air, an electric current that seemed to buzz between us.
"Thinking hard, Aurora?" Lucifer's voice broke through my concentration, a teasing lilt in his tone.
I glanced at him, meeting his enigmatic stare. "Every move counts now," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
He smiled, a knowing, almost predatory grin. "Indeed, it does."
I leaned over the table, my focus narrowing to the task at hand. The balls were aligned in a challenging formation, requiring precision and foresight. I took a deep breath and executed my shot. The cue ball spun across the felt, striking its target with a satisfying click but narrowly missing the intended pocket.
A groan escaped my lips. The miss was a costly one, and I could feel the balance of the game shifting. I stepped back, watching as Lucifer took his turn, his movements confident and assured. The balls scattered, his shot successful, increasing his lead.
The game progressed, each of us taking calculated risks, pushing the boundaries of our skill. The tension mounted with every shot, a tangible force that seemed to fill the room.
As Lucifer lined up what could be the final shot, I found myself holding my breath. The outcome of this game meant more than just winning or losing; it was a battle of wits and wills, a test of vulnerability.
The cue ball rolled across the table, heading straight for its target. But, it veered off course at the last moment, missing the pocket by mere inches.
A sigh of relief escaped me. The game was still on, and I had a chance to turn the tide. I approached the table, my mind racing with possibilities. What question would I ask Lucifer if I won? What truth was I willing to share if I lost?
I lined up my shot, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders. The room seemed to grow quieter, the only sound the steady beating of my heart. With a steady hand, I struck the cue ball, watching as it sailed across the table, hitting its mark with precision.
The ball dropped into the pocket, and I couldn't help the triumphant smile that spread across my face. I had won. I couldn’t help it; I pumped my arms up and down in front of the Devil.
Lucifer stood across the table, his usual air of confidence replaced by a hint of guarded anticipation. True to his word, he seemed prepared for whatever question I might pose, yet there was a tightness around his eyes, a subtle bracing for what was to come.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. This was my moment, the opportunity to ask the question that had been burning inside me since I found myself in this infernal place.
"Lucifer," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside, "Is there a way for me... to leave Hell?"
For a moment, there was a profound silence. Lucifer's eyes, usually so piercing and unreadable, flickered with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher. Then he let out a slow, measured breath.
"Aurora," he replied, his voice low and tinged with a complexity of emotions, "Leaving Hell... it's not a straightforward path. There are... conditions, if you will for those not of this realm."
My heart skipped a beat. “Conditions?” I echoed, unable to mask the intrigue and apprehension in my voice.
He nodded, his gaze locking onto mine. "Hell is not a place one simply walks out of. There are rules, ancient and binding, and they demand a price, proof of worthiness."
I felt a chill run down my spine. "What kind of conditions? What price?"
Lucifer's expression became enigmatic, a mask that hid more than it revealed. "That, I cannot say for certain."
"Thank you," I said, my decision forming like a steel resolve within me. "For upholding your end of the bargain."
“Aurora, if there is one thing you should walk away from tonight, understanding is I always honor my word.” I laid my cue stick on the rack and turned my back on my captor.
“There is a guard waiting outside to escort you back to your room safely.”
