Page 35 of Hell-Bound

The song was dark. Sinister. She couldn’t remember hearing or playing something so menacing. It sent tremors of fear through her.

She wanted to pull the piccolo away. Her music was not like this, shouldneverbe like this. These notes were threatening, monstrous—not as comforting as they should be. Music should express feeling, not incite fear!

Her body began to tremble as she tried with all her strength to wrench the piccolo from her lips. She met Azur’s eyes entreatingly, but he only looked pleased.

“Calm down, my dear. It will be over soon,” he said, lips curling.

At his words, Ren felt her body relax, and the piccolo give way. The change was so drastic that she almost flung it from her.

She looked down at her constant companion, feeling betrayed. But there—swirling from her arms, was the familiar black smoke. But this time, they formed into those same jagged symbols across her skin.

She opened and closed her hands, watching the lettersshift.

“On my body? The contract was on me the whole time?”

The Devil was still smiling.

“Why, of course, I didn’t want you to lose it. Where else would I put it?”

He stood motioning to the letters still glowing with black light.

“That piccolo never leaves your side. Not then. Not now. I knew that no matter what memories were stricken from you, you would remember your music. It’s too much of you. More than your soul was, anyway.”

“But…I can’t read it.”

“Thatisa problem, isn’t it?” he said, cocking his head to the side. “Well, maybe with some practice and a tutor, you will be able to figure that out in a few years.”

He turned around and returned to sit behind his desk.

She gaped at him. “That’s not fair! Le—the other Devils told me that you have to understand the contract!”

He picked up a long quill, dipping it in an ink that was suspiciously red.

“Yes, you’re right, darling, but you see, youdidunderstand the contract when you signed it.” He looked at her again with false pity in his eyes. “I can’t help it if your memories, whichyousigned away,” he said, pointing his quill at her for emphasis, “faded.”

He returned his eyes back to his papers, apparently done with the conversation. He waved a long finger in the air, opening the door behind her.

“That’s not fair!” she blurted again, realizing too late how childish she sounded.

There again was his pitying look.

Of course, it was a trick. He was a Devil. This was what he did. This was what helivedfor.

“No,” he said firmly as if reading her thoughts. “I do not trick people with my contracts. Youagreed.Begged even. Right here on your knees.” He pointed his quill to the carpetedsection in front of his desk. “It was quite the sight, if I remember correctly. You wereveryconvincing.”

Ren refused to let him get a rise out of her with his implication.

He’s lying.

“I only ever gave youexactlywhat you asked for. Did you ever stop and think that maybe you made this deal for areason?”he asked, tone suddenly becoming hard. “Did you even consider that, perhaps, this was the best course of action for you?

“Of course you didn’t. You are Mortal. You are impulsive and prone to folly.” His deep voice was like gravel, and his red eyes narrowed menacingly. “I am sorry this happened to you, my dear, but it can’t be helped, but donotblame me.”

He waved his hand, dismissing her again.

But Ren wasn’t done. She jumped up from her seat.

“You could at least tell me what it says!” she shouted, glaring back.