"Do not be afraid; our fate
Cannot be taken from us; it is a gift."
― Dante Alighieri, Inferno

"No need to search for me, I'm here," A voice purred in my ear.

I turned, surprised, and faced empty space. The flowing crimson tapestries that hung down the walls seemed to glow from the flames of the fireplace. A purple loveseat and settee stood to my left. The place we were held captive reminded me of a Victorian parlor. All of it seemed normal except for the ivory arch above the fireplace which casted shadows of hissing serpents.

Daemon materialized before me. I took a step back, his predatory ambience sending warning signals to me in waves. I cursed myself for appearing weak and cowardly. He was wearing a suit the color of midnight that accentuated his sinful aura. His muscular body overpowered my petite frame with his hands clasped behind his back as he towered over me. The light from the fireplace casted a shadow on the right side of his angular cheekbones, its touch grazing his pointed chin. His cerulean eyes reflected the dancing flames.

If I didn't know any better, I would have thought he was an angel sent from heaven. But the eyes are truly the windows to the soul, and I had just received a glimpse of the absence of Daemon's soul.

One name flashed in my mind; Angelo.

He always made me feel safe and right when I needed him the most, he wasn't here. I just wished he was here to tell me that everything will be alright and that he will get me out of here.

Summer's clammy fingers gripped my wrist as she hid herself behind me bringing me back from my thoughts. Ted stood to my left and clutched my left wrist as well as Brittany's forming some sort of barrier for him.

Brittany grunted in annoyance as she ripped her wrist from Ted's sausage fingers. "Man up, Ted." She flipped her disheveled honey colored hair behind her back as Daniel blinked a few times before standing up, his greasy black hair matting his forehead.

"Whoa, Celeste. I didn't know you remodeled your apartment," he said.

"It's because she didn't, you moron." Brittany snapped. Everyone fell silent. Not a word uttered among us when Daemon swept his gaze over us. Goosebumps paved its way into our skin causing us to huddle closer.

"Celeste," he crooned softly. My name rolled off his lips seductively. Each syllable smoothly spoken, laced with poison all too familiar. I should have known earlier it was he who had been haunting my dreams.

"Where are we?" I asked, my heart pumping fast. It was the oldest question in the book. The most cliché question I could ask. Yet, it was necessary in this situation. The last few words faltered and my voice didn't sound as if it belonged to me. It seemed that from our last encounter in my bedroom, I refused to be the docile and fearful girl he first met. The way he restrained my freedom to speak had left me scarred, causing me to talk more than I usually would. Daemon raised his brow in amusement from my change in demeanor.

"You're in Chinvat, the bridge between Earth and the Nether Realm." He replied smoothly. Daemon uttered each word with ease and clarity that the silvery voice that was meant to calm me only intensified my panic.

"Are we dead?" Summer choked out.

His lips curved into a smile. "No, the apples you and your friends consumed gave you a connection to me. I brought you here."

Ted began to laugh hysterically as he clutched his stomach. The volume of his laughter broke into a fit of coughs causing him to hunker forward.

"What the hell do you want with us?" Brittany asked angrily her voice reminding me of shattered glass.

"I've decided to play a game to give all of you a chance to retrieve your souls back. It's simple," he said, as he circled around us like a predator would do before attacking its prey. And like hopeless victims, my friends and I huddled closer.

"Survive your darkest fears and you'll be free. Fail, and you'll be living all of them with me in the Nether Realm."

Of course. The devil himself loved games. I've gone to church enough times to be familiar with the demon's intentions to stray the innocent from their pure righteous path to the dark alluring road of sin. And we were now his victims.

I heard Daniel whisper behind me, "There's no going back." A dazed smile was plastered on his face. I stared at him in horror.

We need to get out of here, and fast.

"Why not take our souls completely? Why draw this whole thing out with a game?" I challenged.

Daemon stopped pacing and shrugged casually, "I have my reasons...one you'll find out sooner or later."

It bothered me that the whole time he answered our questions he retained his gaze on mine. I sighed. I forced myself to think. Come on Celeste, think! Finally, an idea sparked in my head.

"Before we ate the fruit, on the paper it said that you will grant each of us one wish." I said. I could feel my heart beating fast, hoping the offer still held. I pulled my head up, braving myself to stare into the devil's eyes. They were heartbreakingly beautiful.

A corner of Daemon's lips lifted slightly, although this small smile didn't reach his wintry blue eyes. I craned my neck to look at my friends for support. But they were gone, leaving me alone with him.

My voice shook. "Where are my friends?"

They couldn't just disappear.

Oh no.

The world swam before my eyes. I couldn't be brave anymore. My façade disappeared leaving me with the feeling of being a small little girl.

I turned to face him again only to find him standing a few inches before me.

"They're safe. For now," He answered simply tilting his head slightly giving me a whimsical smile. The air around us grew colder, despite of the heat emitting from the fireplace.

Was it wrong to fear and be intrigued by him at the same time? He leaned in so close that I could see his long dark lashes. Inching away, my hands curled into a fist, nails digging into the soft flesh of my palms. There was pain, alright. Yet, it didn't wake me up from my nightmare. Nothing has changed. My friends were still gone.

"What do you wish for?" he murmured.

Before I opened my mouth to speak, he cut me off.

"I can give you anything you desire. Do you like jewels? Rubies and sapphires?" the back of his hand grazed my cheek lightly. "What about money? I can give you a box that will never run out of money. Anything for you, Celeste. Just ask. You earned it."

I shook my head. He's crazy.

But he's offering you what you want the most.

Money.

I thought of the things money could do for me and my family. I could help my parents pay off our debts and pay my college tuition the coming year. Daemon's offer was so tempting that my heart tugged when I gave him my answer.

"I wish for you to let my friends go."

Daemon's eyes darkened, his exquisite appearance marred with lines of displeasure. I blinked and his previous expression was gone, only replaced with mischief. It was as if his expression was just a dream.

"Is this what you truly want?" he murmured as he tilted his head slightly and leaned closer.

I couldn't think clearly with him close, I wanted to be closer to him. What's happening to me?

Why do I want him to hold me and comfort me? I closed my eyes, and once I opened them again, the haze and the strong pull I had for him disappeared.

"Yes."

"If you say so."

Suddenly, ear splitting screams echoed throughout the room. I couldn't make out what these screams were saying until in unison, they screamed my name.

"Celeste! Help us!" They cried and begged. Pain stabbed into my heart. I recognized their voices. My friends. I turned and searched around the room for them. The screams and pleads of mercy never stopped.

I stomped my way towards Daemon, seeing red.

"You promised!" I punched at his chest. Each hit on his chest intensified the volume of my friends' screams.

He gripped my wrists tightly. "I don't recall promising anything. I only granted your wish didn't I?"

Letting go of my soon bruised wrists, he gripped my chin and forced me to look into his soulless eyes.

"I let them go as you wished. You didn't specify where they will go. I decided that they should go to the Nether Realm. After all, the game was an opportunity I had given all of you to retrieve your souls. But, there was no game, Celeste. You decided to take the easy way out and look where it has gotten your friends. Perhaps I should start with your family next?"

Daemon's silvery voice was laced with threat, and it has made its way into my soul. His threats were real. It took awhile for it to set in my mind. I knew that by looking into the cold calculating eyes that belonged to the monster before me, Daemon doesn't make empty threats.

What have I done? The clock is ticking, every second I ponder on my decision, the screams turned into howls of pain. "Celeste, why won't you help us?" my friends wailed. Wherever they are, I want to get them out as soon as possible. Their screams penetrated my brain and engulfed my soul.

Taking a deep breath, I gave Daemon my answer.

"I'll play."

The howls of pain stopped. Daemon took both my hands gingerly, "You're the main player here, you know."

"Who are you?" I asked.

"You really don't know?"

I shook my head.

"You'll find out after the game. We'll see each other again soon, Celeste." He said, his lips curving into a smile.

I closed my eyes. When they burst open, I found myself lying on the floor of my bedroom. My friends' concerned faces hovered over me.

What have I done?

Hey guys! I finally updated! I apologize for the long wait. Work, finals, and college apps had taken most of my time. :( I hope you guys enjoy this chapter :) There's more to come! What did you guys think? What will happen next? How do you think Daemon will begin the game between Celeste and her friends? Please don't forget to vote and comment! :) Next update is on February 12, I have a ton of scholarships to turn in so I won't have a stable update schedule until next month :(

-Angelique