Page 162 of Crimson Promises
Even I knew when to keep my mouth shut. I nodded in agreement.
“Perfect. Let’s enjoy the feast.” Lucifer clapped his hands, and faceless, black opaque beings appeared, their plush mannequin appearance mirroring their otherworldly surroundings.
Lucifer had the information that I wanted, but now wasn’t the time to demand answers. I had to play the game.
Platters and bowls materialized, brimming with an array of dishes that resembled culinary wonders from various cuisines on Earth. The tantalizing aroma wafting from the plates filled the air, mingling with the ever-present scent of brimstone and roses.
One of the servants approached, presenting a dish that appeared to be a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Fragrant saffron rice sprinkled with crimson pomegranate seeds laid nestled beside succulent skewers of charred meat, glistening with a glaze of sweet and tangy spices. I brought a bite to my lips, hoovering it at my mouth’s opening. I fought the urge to use my magic to see if this was spelled or cursed. The last thing I wanted to do was alert him to my abilities. For now, I had to play this his way. Hopefully, bid myself enough time to get me out of here. While it was all lovely, I longed for home.How much longer would I have to remain here?
As if reading my thoughts, Lucifer grabbed a forkful identical to what I was about to eat. His tongue peeked out as he decadently licked every bite from his fork. He knew he held all the cards. His eyebrow arched in challenge. I mirrored his actions. The flavors danced on my tongue, the spices both familiar and foreign, leaving behind a lingering heat that stoked the fires within.
Across the lengthy table, Satan cut an impressive figure. I had expected the Devil to look more…repulsive. He nodded each time one of his staff went to adjust his dinner napkin or refill his glass with a maroon liquid. Tasting the food was enough. I’d deal with being parched until I knew what I was drinking was safe. Enough tricks had been played on me today.
Next, a servant brought forth a platter that bore the essence of Asian cuisine. Delicate dumplings were carefully arranged beside steaming bowls of miso soup, swirling with tendrils of darkness. The dumplings burst with flavors, from savory to spicy, evoking memories of the Chinese takeaway from Blue Moon I had at Ben’s the first time he revealed who he was.I hope he’s safe.
I took a breath, steeling myself. I couldn’t pretend for one moment longer. "Why am I here?" I asked my voice firm, echoing slightly in the grand chamber. "What is the purpose of bringing me to this place?"
Lucifer's gaze was cool, assessing. "You find yourself at the heart of a much larger game, Aurora," he replied, delicately sampling a morsel from his plate. "Your role is... pivotal."
"Pivotal?" I echoed, my frustration simmering. "That's hardly an answer. And when will you let me go back home? I have a life! I refuse to be here forever."
He regarded me with a hint of amusement. "Home is a relative term, don't you think? Yours could be here, in time," he said, with a tantalizing sliver of possibility coloring his words.
I shook my head, unwilling to be charmed by his vague allusions. "And Ben?" I pushed further, letting the fervor in my voice sharpen. "What have you done with him?"
The air crackled with a sudden intensity as Lucifer's demeanor shifted. The genteel facade fell away, revealing the raw power beneath. "Ben's destiny is unwritten, as is yours," he snapped, the controlled menace in his voice a stark contrast to the civilized setting. "But do not presume to challenge me."
My own temper flared, a match to his. "I'm not your pawn, Lucifer," I retorted, my hand gripping the fork like a weapon. "And I'm not afraid of you."
His expression changed then, a flicker of respect—or was it admiration?—crossing his face. "Brave words," he acknowledged. "But your bravery has consequences."
A pause hung between us, a silent battleground of wills.
"It's Ben's safety that concerns me," I said, the fight in me undiminished. "If you've harmed him?—"
"I assure you, he is unharmed," Lucifer interjected, his tone placating for a moment before it turned ice cold. "But continue to defy me, and it will be your father who suffers, not Ben. Your passion, while... endearing, can be costly."
I felt the blood drain from my face. Dad, he had nothing to do with this. But with one sentence Lucifer had exposed my jugular. The realization quenched the fire in me, and I nodded, mute, my earlier bravado ebbing away in the tide of this newfound threat.
I would doanythingto keep my father safe.
“I preemptively reached out to your father as you, conveying that you've been granted a rare opportunity to partake in an exclusive historical research project. I explained that this would require you to travel to a remote location where internet access is unreliable, so communication would be sparse. The project, focusing on a pivotal era you're studying, would not only enrich your understanding but also contribute significantly to your academic portfolio. This seemed like the most effective way to ensure your absence wouldn't cause undue concern, given its alignment with your educational pursuits”
Course after course, a never-ending parade of delicacies from across the globe. I ate mechanically, the rich flavors now tasteless as my mind raced. All the while, Lucifer remained silent, watching me across the table with those disturbing eyes contrasted so deeply with his fair appearance. I rearranged my utensils in between courses, unsure of what to say or do. I was walking a fine line I knew nothing about. The remainder of the meal passed with a charged silence.
A fuschia pink demon with whorls of patterns tattooed onto his skin strode into the room with a sense of urgency. He held his chin high and whispered directly in Lucifer’s ear.
Lucifer nodded briskly, his mouth set in a grim line, his gaze caught on the corner of the table.
He drew his attention back towards me. “As pleasant as I find your company, I apologize. An urgent matter has come up that requires my attention. Belial will escort you to your rooms.”
“Rooms?”
“Unless you’d prefer the dungeons, that is.” An evil smirk played on his face.
“Rooms are fine. Thank you.” I didn’t know why I was thanking him. He was my jailor, not my date.Because you don’t want to sleep in the dungeons with the rats.
Without another word, Lucifer pushed back from the table and followed the fuschia-skinned demon out of the room. As I watched his retreating figure, I knew I quickly needed to learn to become a predator rather than prey.
