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“A very dangerous one, to retrieve an artifact from the Taurustrian Hills. Even for a witch, it's no small feat.”
My thoughts raced as I weighed Satan’s' offer. Retrieving an artifact from the Taurustrian Hills, the paradise for the Gods that used to roam the earth, was risky, even deadly. But it could also mean freedom from my curse and a chance for a normal life here on earth. A thought occurred to me; to get to the hills, one had to pass through the Blacken Forest, otherwise known as the forest of death. I couldn’t allow Noah to go through that.
He grabbed my hand. “You don't have to do this, you know. Not for me, not for anyone.”
I looked into his eyes, touched by his concern.
Satan chuckled. “Ah, always the moral quandaries with you Ava. So, have we reached a decision?”
I took a deep breath, my mind made up. “I'll do it. I'll get the damn artifact if it means so much to you. On one condition.”
Satan grinned, dark and ominous when he was up to something. “Always a condition with you isn’t there my dear? What is it?”
“Wait.” Noah stepped between us and looked me in the eyes before turning to stare down the devil. “Why do you want this artifact?”
Satan rolled his eyes and looked at me. “How did you ever put up with this man?”
I shrugged. “I was in love.”
I watched as two things happened. Noah pumped up his chest like a peacock, grinning and Satan started to gag.
I looked at Noah, he was actually gloating. Not having any of it, I said, “Don’t get too cocky. I said I was in love, I’m not no more.”
Satan belted out a laugh, smacked Noah on that back than grinned at him. “That’ll teach ya.” Turning to me he raised a brow. “Whatever you wish is my command my dear. What’s the condition?”
“That when this is all over, Noah gets to live.”
Satan inhaled deeply. “Fine. But only when all missions are complete, and the artifact is back in my hands by midnight of the blood moon.”
“I’m standing here, you two know that right?” Noah stepped forward and looked at me. “What do you mean I get to live?” he swung his gaze to the devil. “And you, never answered me; what do you want the artifact for?”
“You’re a tenacious buggar I’ll give you that. If you must know it was created by my predecessor, Hades. Made of Obsidian rock that was formed in the fiery pits of the underworld. It’s a collector of tarnished souls and the very reason why the earth is in such turmoil. And it belongs in Hell, with me.”
“Yeah okay.” Noah laughed. “So, it’s a black rock... like that’s gonna be easy to find.”
“Oh, you’ll know when you find it. It has an intricate carving upon its surface of Cerberus, Hades’ dog or dogs if you will. Depends on if you’re referring to it’s heads or the body.”
Hearing enough about the Greek mythology lessons, I step forward, eager to get on with it. “Do we have a deal Satan?”
“Ava.” Noah grabbed me by the arm. “You can’t seriously be thinking of doing this? He could be lying; he is the devil.”
Satan crossed his arms over his chest. “Of course, we have a deal, I already said fine.”
I nodded. “Good, I’ll start at dawn.”
“We will start at dawn.” Noah corrected.
Satan waved his hand and a swirling portal appeared with flames licking around its outer edges. “Suit yourselves.” He took a step toward the vortex than stopped. Turning to look at us he grinned. “I forgot to mention. When you both came back here to earth earlier today, you were both sent back in time.”
“What do you mean?” I squinted at him.
Satan smirked. “It’s 2013, the day before you both died,” he said as he dove into the portal.
“Yousonofafuckingbiiiiiitch!!”
I’d just been duped into doing something in exchange to save Noah’s life and he hadn’t even died yet...
