Thank you for your gift.
Its words are deep, slow and precise. A smooth whisper that sends goosebumps trickling up my arms and neck.
‘My gift?’ I echo, at a loss.
The creature raises half of its body up to me, holding itself like a snake.
The human blood you bestowed unto me.
Silence passes in the moments I take to process its meaning.
‘Right,’ I say, letting the heel in my hand rest at my side. ‘That was a gift.’ I take a moment to control my breathing. ‘Are you going to hurt me?’ I ask. The creature moves its head slightly.
No. Why would I do that? This servant cannot harm mortals.
Its eyes glaze over where the small black mark used to be tattooed.
Especially those who were once protected by the Gods.
I gesture accusingly to where the small pool of blood once sat.
Oh. Do not fret, energy is only needed to find my master. Your offering has helped this servant greatly.
‘Who is your master?’
This servant works for the Gods of the underworld.
I can’t help but gather some hope. ‘Like Heret-Kau?’ I say, my shoulders relaxing slightly.
Yes but also no. She is not my master. Heret-Kau is a being of purgatory. My master is from the world below.
‘Right. Purgatory. You mean like this place?’
The creature nods slowly. My master is no longer in this realm. They have returned; thus this servant will perish soon if we are not reacquainted. This servant needs sustenance to maintain its energy here.
‘If you had this, uh, sustenance, would you be able to find help for me to go home?’ I watch the creature closely, bringing the heel back to my side. If the creature can contact Heret-Kau, hopefully I can find a way to void this deal with Marxel. I mean, she did it once, who’s to say she won’t be able to do it again?
Yes. I can give you what you want.
Raising the heel, I throw the shoe down. It skids across the ground to the daemon waiting below, the base of the heel smeared red from a bloody clenched hand.
‘Is there enough on that shoe for us to have an agreement?’
No.
I bite at my lip, agitated. If I keep hesitating, Xander will arrive – and if that happens, who knows what Marxel has in store. This isn’t their world. If something happens to him because of me – and my petty ego…
‘Fine.’ Clenching my fist tightly and sucking in a breath for courage, I dig my nails deeper into the wound. Pain burns through my hand, sharp and fierce. I need to find my own way out of this. Blood patters on the ground. ‘This is all I’m giving. Make it work.’
Yes, it will do. Master, should I make my appearance more appealing to your mortality?
‘Master?’ I repeat, unnerved. ‘I’m not your master.’
You have shared with this servant your life essence. Such an act will not be forgotten. This servant owes you its life.
The creature’s words ring as they reach my ears, resonating in me. Scuttering over to put myself between it and the exit, I stand guarded. That feeling, I know better than to say it means nothing. I check my body for marks – no tattoo like I had received from my deal with Heret-Kau.
The creature consumes the volunteered blood. Four legs form, a coat of fur growing around its body with two long black tails that unravel out behind its rear. For a moment, I sit there, stunned.
‘A cat?’
Does it not please you?
‘No – no, a cat is fine. It’s actually somewhat comforting compared to…’ I trail off, suddenly considerate of the creature’s feelings.
This servant will go now and find what you want.
I nod, following it up the path and out of the chasm. My eyes linger on the two-tailed cat as it walks effortlessly through the barrier, completely oblivious to its enchantments. The shadowed demons on the other side step aside warily, allowing it pass freely between them. It meows loudly before disappearing into the fog.
Red eyes ogle from every direction, shadowed demons surround the barrier, fading in and out of view.
Watching. Waiting.
With a violent shudder, I retreat back into the canyon.
29
The sienna dust has long dispersed from the path exposing the hardened rock below. Despite its grating surface, my feet won’t stop pacing. Footprints from my bare soles scatter themselves across the ground, a manifestation of the chaos unrelenting in my mind.
