Page 205 of Crimson Promises
“That is not an honest answer, halfling,” the voice boomed.
Lucifer’s eyebrows pulled together. His usual cocky demeanor was nowhere to be found.
I leaned onto the soles of my feet, rocking back and forth. “Are you going to tell me what I need to do or what?” I asked harshly. I didn’t know what it was about seeing Lucifer standing there, but it had my blood boiling.
There wasnobond between us.
“Lift the lid of the jar.”
The bell jar was sitting on top of a narrow brass square table. I did as was instructed. At its center was a triangular vile. It’s liquid was as clear as water giving no hint at what I had to consume. Underneath the frosted glass was a clear liquid in a vial with a stopper.
The voice continued, “You must drink the full contents within that vial. Once you have completed consumption, I will provide further instructions.”
I set the glass jar down softly on the bottom step of the dais.I didn’t want to do this. A knot of reluctance formed in my stomach. But I had no choice. Reaching forward, I removed the lid of the stopper, and it elicited a loud popping sound. The crowd began to rile itself up again.
Tentatively, I looked over my shoulder at Ben. There was a line between his eyebrows, and his body was still stiff, but he raised an arm and gave me a thumbs-up.
I have to do this.
“Bottoms up,” I muttered to myself as I tipped the contents of the vial into my mouth.
At first, there was a tingling sensation, like a thousand tiny stars had been set loose within me. It started in my mouth, then spread, racing like a cascade of shooting stars down my throat. My senses sharpened as if I could suddenly perceive the world with unparalleled clarity.
Then came the warmth. It began as a gentle, comforting heat, like the embrace of a loved one on a cold winter's night. It curled around my heart, spreading through my chest and limbs, soothing and invigorating.
But the feeling of fuzziness that washed over me next was the most intriguing. It wasn't a physical sensation but an emotional fluidity that enveloped my consciousness. It was as if all the rough edges of my thoughts had been smoothed over. As though a soft, comforting blanket had been wrapped around my heart. I felt a deep sense of peace and acceptance. Nothing could hurt me or cause me pain in this state.
Everything was perfectly peachy.
“You have consumed a truth-telling elixir. It will force you to answer my questions transparently,” the voice explained.
I gave the arena a goofy smile.
“Is the crowd singing kumbaya?”
“No one’s singing, Aurora,” Ben’s voice was muffled. It felt so far away.
“Yes, they are,” I cried indignantly. “Just because you can’t hear them doesn’t mean they aren’t singing.”
Lucifer arched an eyebrow.
God, that was sexy.
The voices of the crowd got louder now their chant ignited a blaze within me, like the power flowing through my brain.
“Join us, join us,” they whispered to me.
I stared at the hazy faces around me, twirled, and danced until everything blurred. Why didn’t I feel like this more often? I needed more of whatever this was. I just felt sogood. So free.
Chanting with all my might, I joined the song’s opening verse, “Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
“Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
“Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
“Oh Lord, kumbaya
“Oh Lord, kumbaya
