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In the aftermath of the inspiring vision, I tremble with overwhelming excitement beside the bier stained with my blood. Elated at the revelation that Lady Glynis has found happiness, I clasp my hands together as hope swells in my heart for my own future. Perhaps I can soon be liberated from this place and set forth to create a new life for myself. Maybe I could even find Lady Glynis and be reunited with my vampire brother.

And then I remember.

Lucifer is the father of lies.

As rapidly as joy filled me, it drains away, leaving me empty of hope and forlorn in defeat.

“Oh? Why the downcast look?” Lucifer tucks a finger under my chin to tilt my head so I face him. “You are free of the stake and have seen what your future may hold. Imagine you and Cneajna far from here, together.”

“This is an illusion. I am yet on the bier. This is all a lie so I will acquiesce to you.”

“Clever.” Lucifer clucks his tongue at me.

I am not surprised to find myself prone upon the bier, still impaled, with his hand upon my forehead.

“It may have been an illusion, Erzsébet, but it is also the truth.”

“You are not one to be trusted,” I reply. “You offer much, but only because you know if I agree you shall win. That is why Vlad vexes you so. He fooled you. You, the father of lies, tricked! And now you wish to abscond with me. This is your vengeance upon him. Steal away his true love and then consume her. I am not a fool, Lucifer!”

Digging his fingers into my hair, he twists my head about so he can glare at me with eyes of pure flame. “Perhaps I should just take you!” There is a hint of desperation in his voice that reveals a bit too much.

He is lying.

But why?

Something Ágota once said resurfaces from my deepest memories.

Some magic requires permission.

“You cannot take me by force,” I whisper, understanding that his threat is meaningless. “There is a provision to removing the curse! Vlad’s magic may have come from you, but you are both bound by the same rules of the curse!”

Lucifer sneers with contempt. “What nonsense are you speaking? I offer you liberation from this personal hell and you prattle on like an imbecile. Accept my proposal and be done with it.”

“Of course!” I discern the hidden requirement to the break the spell for he sounds very much like Vlad in his demands. “You need me to grant you permission! That is why Vlad always demands that I supplicate myself to his wishes! Neither one of you can release me unless I surrender my will to you!”

With a snarl, Lucifer pushes away from the bier. “You are as clever as your sister and mother! Far too clever! But remember their fate! It will one day be yours for defying me! Do you think I will forget this insult? This complete disregard for the offer of freedom and power that I do not dole out so frivolously?”

“Do you think me a fool? That I would believe you offer liberation out of the kindness of your heart? This is vengeance against Vlad for him tricking you and revenge against my bloodline! I am not a simpleton.”

“You are worthless!” Lucifer snatches his top hat from the end of the bier and sets it on his curls. “Weak, pathetic, and a poor representation of what was once a glorious race. If your sister and mother could see you now, they would put you out of your misery not out of mercy, but disgust. You are not even a witch anymore, but a vampire. A leech.”

“If I am so disgusting, then kill me!” I shout the words, fury enveloping me. I no longer care if I live or die. I will not be a pawn in his war with Vlad. I am done being hostage to the schemes of men.

Clenching his hand tightly, smoke billows forth from between his fingers, but he does not set me aflame. With an irritated sound, he paces about the bier, trailing a thick black haze.

“So you cannot kill me. Vlad’s magic thwarts you even now.” I sag against the platform and attempt to ignore the agitated devil.

“If only you had listened to my warnings,” Lucifer mutters.

“Warnings? You mean threats.”

“Your sister was far too obtuse to even grasp the veracity of my warning. She doomed you, you know. All of this is Ágota’s handiwork. She destroyed herself and you. For what? To spite me!”

“You murdered our mother! You held her down so she would burn! Why would we listen to the venomous advice dripping from your lips?”

“If she had listened, you would not be here,” Lucifer retorts. “You know the truthfulness of that statement.”

The devil is correct and it leaves a bitter heaviness in my chest.