When I opened my eyes, those otherworldly orbs met mine. Visions of peace, happily ever afters, and love shined bright. But they were a façade for what rested deep within. It was easy to lose yourself in them. A black hole of sorts. Sucked inside, you would forget… everything. Then they would spit you out and leave you empty.
Unable to close my eyes against them, I dove deep inside myself, drowning in the grief for my father and for the only real mother I ever knew. She was my strength. He was my foundation. Because of them, I found the willpower I needed to jerk free from their hold and his.
The real Astaroth finally entered the room. His condescending tone replaced his compassionate one. “Did you think they were free, Calista?”
“You–you sa–said it was a gift. In exchange for….” I couldn’t bring myself to finish that sentence.
Astaroth gripped my chin and forced me to face him. “Nothing is free. Everything comes at a price.”
“As I have learned from your precious stone. You have taken everything from me. Everything!” Spine steeled, I shouted, “Isn’t the price I’ve paid high enough? Send me home!”
His fingers dug into my flesh. “Your end of the bargain has yet to be fulfilled.”
“There is nothing to fulfill,” I gritted through clenched teeth. “I’m. Not. Pregnant.”
Noses nearly brushing, the heat of his breath bathed my lips. “You will be.”
In due time.
Astaroth moved so fast my head spun. One moment he was invading my space. The next he was hovering over the bed taking confident, backward steps toward his spiraling abyss.
“I will allow you to acclimate.”
The tears started again. “How long?”
“And Calista,” he said as the swirling mass swallowed him up. “For your sake, don’t take it off.”
I patted my chest and found the pendant around my neck. When I looked up, the ceiling had returned to normal. Frustrated, I yelled, “How long?”
The faint sound of his voice barely tickled my ears. “Soon.”
