Page 93 of Hell-Bound

It was his voice. Xarek’s voice. And she knew, as her body refused to respond, that her worst fear had come true. She was powerless and completely at his mercy because he had touched her—touched her in the way only music could.

I wish I could tell her she doesn’t have to bear the weight of her past alone. The way I do.

Xarek ended his song, a smile pulling at the sides of his perfect mouth.

Ren screamed, but no sound came out. Her face remained indifferent, if a little pleased.

Azur turned to look at her, and she shouted, entreated, and begged for help, but her body didn’t move. He smiled at her expectantly, but Ren could not respond. She felt her lips move, and a voice belonging to her spoke.

“Lord Xarek, your playing delights me, as it did that first night. It is truly an inspiration to know that such a talented musician lives within The Hells. Perhaps you could teach me? Perhaps private lessons?”

She heard gasps from the throng and watched as Azur’s claws scraped the metal on his throne.

Xarek smiled politely.

“Any moment alone with you would be a privilege that would give me greatpleasure, my lady.”

Xarek’s voice in her head spoke. “Don’t fight, little Mortal. If you’re good, perhaps I can make youmyconsort.”

Rage thundered through what remained of herself—not body or soul, but something still somehow alive.

Azur shot to his feet, fangs bared, and smoke wafted off of him, billowing large and filling the room.

Xarek took a step back and placed a hand over his chest.

“My king, I do not wish to offend. I am but your loyal servant.”

He enunciated every word with disdain.

“I have hadenoughof your games, Xarek. It has been centuries of putting up with your pathetic plans toundermine my power.” Azur flourished his hand, still black and clawed, dripping with inky fumes. “You have conspired to overthrow your king. By doing so, you have surrendered your Immortality and will be brought to justice.”

“Oh my,” Xarek responded, feigning boredom.

Ren wanted to tear the horns from his head.

“I have no idea what you are speaking of,” he said with a performative bow. “This revelation wouldn’t have anything to do with your little Mortal, would it? Perhaps she is trying to deceive you?”

Azur growled. “She is not involved in this.”

Xarek clicked his tongue.

“I think she is Azur.”

A few more unbelieving gasps at Xarek’s lack of deference.

“I think she is very involved. But back to business. Seeing that I have nothing more to lose, I hope you would grant me a trial by contract.”

Azur’s eyes narrowed, and he bared his fangs.

“I’d rather rip your throat out and mount your head on a stake.”

There was rustling in the crowd, the Devils started chittering, excited by the idea of seeing a violent confrontation.

“You think you can challenge a god?” his voice boomed, “thatanyof you could oppose me? Imadeyou. Iallowyou to live. It is by my mercy that you are not enslaved and toiling in the mines with my sleepers. Your misery would only serve to fill my need for wrath and power. Xarek, you are but a pest beneath my boot—one that I will delight in stamping out. Iwillmake an example of you.”

Several Devils shrank back in fear. And despite Xarek’s previous bravado, Ren noticed the quiver in his lips. “My request stands. Trial by contract,” he said, voice strained.

Ren tried moving her muscles, trying to cry out, writhing—anything! This was most certainly a trick, andXarek was pulling at Azur’s wrath and envy. If he had seen her, looked in her eyes, he might have noticed that she wasn’t herself. But his eyes glowed menacingly, unyieldingly focused.