"HELL IS NOT A PLACE BUT A CONDITION OF THE SOUL"
His hearty laughter echoed through the space, and somehow, it gave me more chills than the cold did.
Lucinda didn't laugh. She just stared down at me with an unreadable expression, as though silently hoping that I do not embarrass her in Lucifer's presence.
"That's a first," the devil said, amusement still written on his face. "I was expecting you to ask me to turn you into a demon. But send you back to Earth? That's a whole new level."
He turned to Lucinda. "This was what you disturbed my fun time for? I don't care what kind of phenomenon she is—in these walls, she is nothing but another damned soul. Return her to her pit at once. And also…"
He forcefully grabbed her neck. "The next time you walk in here with a stunt like this without being summoned, you will get demoted. I'm pretty sure there are a ton of your subordinates who would absolutely love to fill in your position as the devil's second in command."
Pushing her aside, he started back to the frozen soul from earlier.
I turned to Lucinda, who was flung to the ground at one side of the room. She looked at me furiously as she approached me. Her expression clearly read 'Wait till we're out of here, I will throw you into the worst pit in hell.'
Not if I had anything to say about it.
Now that I finally found audience before the devil, I wasn't leaving till I said my piece.
"Lucifer!" I screamed behind him, stopping him in his tracks. Lucinda froze too.
I then got on my feet and walked confidently towards him till I was standing right in front of him. My eyes blazed with determination and fury as I looked up to meet his gaze.
"You didn't let me finish," I said simply, with all the confidence I could muster.
His gaze shifted and he tilted his head slightly, staring at me with mild fascination.
He then bent slightly towards me. "Spicy. I like."
A small smirk flashed on my lip before I immediately erased it. We both stayed silent, staring into each other's eyes, and I struggled to maintain the intensity of my gaze.
Lucinda's voice broke the silence. "I apologize for her recklessness, my lord. I'll take her back to the—"
"No," Lucifer said, extending one hand to stop her in her tracks. "Let her speak."
He said, his eyes never leaving mine.
I so badly wanted to snicker at Lucinda for failing the second time in her effort to please Lucifer, but instead, I maintained eye contact with him. Not even blinking, for the fear of losing his interest.
"Like I said before. I want to return to Earth. No—I have to. For twenty long years I have suffered consistent agony and pain, unfairly sentenced to a pit meant for fraudsters and petty thieves…"
I gave Lucinda a quick side glance.
"But you know what hurt more than being continuously shoved into an acidic river? Always being reminded that the people who sent me here—the bastards who killed me—are still alive on Earth, living scot-free of their actions. And enjoying the opportunity to not end up here. That thought alone is worse than any torment Hell can give me."
"So that's why you want to return to Earth? To have your revenge?"
"In the sweetest way possible."
"Hmm," Lucifer hummed, with a smirk playing on his lips. "Sounds fun."
He said and turned to walk over to his throne. He majestically sat down and faced me. "However, you have only stated what you want from me. I'm yet to hear how this plan benefits me or my kingdom."
I smiled, satisfied that I still had his attention. I walked closer to the throne. "Hell receives souls. Not just theirs—as many evil souls as you so wish. As I said earlier, the longer humans live, the more opportunity they have to change their ways and be good, thereby escaping the gate of Hell."
I went down on one knee, bowing my head. "Send me. Let me be your messenger on Earth. Let me bring those living damned souls to you before they have the chance to escape it."
"And if, perhaps, these people you wish to drag to Hell have already had a change of heart? It's been twenty years. What if they all have succumbed to their consciences?"
"Change is constant, my lord. No matter how clean their slate is, I'll ensure they soil it. Grant me this request, I beg of thee."
A heavy silence ensues.
"Fine. Permission granted. You may return to Earth and do whatever it is you wish to do."
A huge smile formed on my lips and I fought back my excitement.
"Bring your killers down here, by all means. And when you're done, bring as many sinful souls as you can. The more sinful souls we lose to Heaven, the harsher your punishment will be when you return from your mission. That's right—the minute you're done with your revenge plans, you shall return here and continue your sentence, just or not, for the rest of eternity."
That didn't bother me one bit. Not like I was expecting to escape Hell anyway. If I was going to remain here till the end of forever, I might as well drag people in with me.
"Thank you for the opportunity, my lord. I won't let you down."
"For your sake, I hope you don't. One more thing—I will not be sending you back as your own self. The flesh you wore in your past life is gone. Everything you owned and the life you lived died with you. You will return not as Velmora Cain, but as Lilithine, Heiress of Hell. I will fill your new body with the powers you will need for your mission so you have no hindrance."
He took a short pause. "That is more than enough, is it not?" he asked.
"Almost," I said, raising my head to meet him. "I need company from within these gates. An assistant, sort of."
"A demon?"
"No, a soul. His name is Omari Voss."
"Who the hell is that?" Lucifer asked, turning to Lucinda.
"My lord, that was her company at the gate. You know—the phenomenon that has never once happened. I suspect that their souls are bound somehow," she said.
Bound? With that nonchalant moron? Pfft.
I only chose him because he was so knowledgeable and was the only soul I knew here. It would be nice to have a partner who came from the same pit and, just like you, has nothing to lose.
Lucifer mouthed an oh at her explanation and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, fine, you can leave with him. I don't see the reason why not."
"Thank you!" I exclaimed in excitement.
"Cindy, ensure that everything they need for the mission is taken care of. No mistakes."
The smile on my lips immediately faded.
"Why does she have to see to the preparation?" I asked without thinking.
"Because she'll be in charge of your mission. Every report goes directly to her before it gets to me."
I groaned inwardly. Somehow, I found it easier to talk to the devil than this bitch.
Lucinda's smile widened on hearing my thought. "Unfortunately for you, little one, you're stuck with me."
Fuck you, I thought loudly, causing them both to chuckle.