A deal with the Devil

Isabella's Point Of View

THE COLD ECHOES of silence are the only things I could hear around me. It was night time and it was dark. I could hear the sounds of crows flapping their wings for freedom while I remained trapped here in this hollow labyrinth I found myself in.

In my dreams, I was trapped, trapped in a tall maze and I couldn't find my way out. Every turn I came across met a dead end. I looked around cautiously, my blue orbs finding a silhouette figure in a black long robe and a skull mask of what looked like a goat with huge horns.

I could sense a dark aura around this unknown stranger. I stood gazing at the eyes of the mask, curious to know what was underneath.

The masked stranger started running away, I tailed behind, demanding it stop. I chased it through several turns until we made it out of the maze. The masked stranger paused, looking directly at me.

"Who are you?" I demande.d sternly, looking deep into its fathomless deep golden eyes. I didn't know who this was but I felt like whoever was hiding under the mask knew me, like he could see my whole life flashing in my eyes.

But the stranger possessed an unending dark energy washing off from it. It was overwhelmingly terrifying and at the same time it was compelling.

"Tell me what you want?" Another question rang out from my lips, receiving the silence as an answer.

The masked stranger pointed behind me, I slowly turned around to see what he was trying to show me and it was a tall tower with crows circling its top. He was pointing towards Rafael's guarded tower.

"Come and find me!" I heard a dangerously enchanting male voice echo in my head. "Come to me, Isabella."

I draw in a deep gasp as my eyes flung open, my chest rising and falling from the intense dream I just had.

I knew this wasn't just a dream, it felt so real like someone was trying to tell me something. It was a message, sent by whatever Rafael had hidden in the tower.

I stood up from the bed and walked over to the window, drawing apart the thick curtains. It was early twilight and it was still dark outside.

I gazed at the high tower. Looking at how warded off it was. There wasn't even a single window, how do I manage to get in there?

'What could Rafael be hiding in there?' I questioned myself.

Whatever it is, I needed to find out.

I had breakfast alone, when I asked Heath where his Alpha was, all the stiff neck could tell me was that he was out attending to urgent business, but he will be back tomorrow. This was a good thing, this would be the best opportunity to plan my escape. With Rafael away I stood a good chance at escaping.

I certainly will be caught in daylight, so nighttime was the best I could get. I had to make it to the tower, and discover what Rafael hid in it, and what has been trying to reach out to me.

After having breakfast alone, I spent my remaining afternoon with Isaac. He was the only good thing I discovered in this insufferable prison I found myself. He told me more about himself and I could tell he was a good person, honestly he reminded me a lot of Gemini. When I get out of here, I will make sure to come back for him.

Midnight drew quite faster than I had anticipated, I had crafted a plan to make it out of here, I must get out of here tonight.

My goals for tonight was clear--

Firstly, I make it out of this room, and out of the castle.

Then next, I needed to find out what secret Rafael was hiding in the tower. It had to be important for him to guard it so much.

After that, I will try to evade the wolves on patrol and I find the portal. According to Isaac it would be far north.

For the first phase--escaping the castle-- I planned to escape through the windows. I've been working on the barred window of the bathroom in my chamber, removing the metal bars from its hinges.

I turned on the shower in the bathroom, so the guards outside my Chambers wouldn't hear what I was up to and they would believe I was just taking a shower. At least, hopefully this would buy me enough time before they figured out what I was really up to.

I smirked with joy when the last bar gave up falling to the ground. It was wide enough for me to squeeze out. I looked down at the depth, I was far away from the ground. The view from up here was really intimidating, but I had no choice but to go through with this. I wouldn't get a better chance at escaping again.

I grabbed the long rope I have been crafting from tying the bedsheets together, I knew it wasn't going to be long enough to get me to the ground but it would do to get me halfway.

After tying the sheets firmly in place, I jumped out using the ropes to climb down slowly and quietly to avoid drawing any attention.

Soon the rope met its limit, from here on I was on my own with nothing to hold me down. I held on to the edges of the uneven walls and any edge I could find for support.

Finally, I could see the ground surface more clearly, I waited for the patrol to get out of earshot before I let go, free falling to the ground, my arms protecting my head as I crashed.

Now I was out of the castle, next was phase two.

Getting into the tower.

I ran stealthily, avoiding anything that was moving. I knew I didn't have much time left before the guards discovered that I had escaped and they all came after me, so I had to work with great speed.

I snuck into the tower undetected by the wolves guarding it. Inside the tower was lit up by green flames. I ran swiftly up the spiral stairs. After some time I finally reached the top, there was a single steel door, whatever Rafael was hiding was just behind those doors. The man plaguing my dreams.

I pushed open the door, letting myself in. The room smelled like sulfur, my eyes traced around observing all the several runic symbols and sigils drawn on the walls. These symbols were drawn in blood. At the center of the room was a glass sphere, surrounded by salt and a dark triangle symbol etched on the ceiling above.

I recognized that symbol-- it was used for trapping dark entities that weren't born from this world-- demons. It was a demon's trap!

My eyes fell on a pale white naked figure crouching down at the center of the glass sphere.

"You found me." A voice said, it was the same voice from my dreams. It was the stranger in a mask.

He stood up slowly, my eyes involuntarily falling on his nakedness. He was tall and had black long hair that stopped at the bottom of his waist. He had very sharp features; From his pointed chin to his tapering fingernails and slanted eyebrows, and his golden eyes were cold and held a sinister look.

"Who are you?" I ask, he cocks his head to the side, his eyes not leaving my face.

"I am known to many by different names through different times. But my name remains Memphis." He answers, his voice sounded ancient as time itself. I walk around the sphere, circling him. His name sounded so eerily familiar, I was sure I read about it in a passage somewhere before.

"What are you?" I ask, feeling a chill in my chest as I hear his devilish snicker escape his pale lips. It was refined but at the same time it felt like the sharp end of a jagged sword.

"I think you know the answer to that question already." He replies calmly, his eyes boring into mine, reflecting darkness. I felt chills crawl up my spine and the room grew colder.

He was right, I knew the answer to the question but I didn't want to believe it. It couldn't.

"Say it.' he beckoned on me, his smile not fading.

"You are a demon." I say in almost a whisper, feeling the room grow icy cold. A grin grew on his face as his eyes glowed a bright yellow.

A demon, in this realm. It couldn't be possible, it can't be. But this was no ordinary demon. Regular demons had black eyes, he had yellow. He wasn't just an average demon.

That was when it clicked in my head, like atoms combusting together. That name, 'Memphis' I knew it, I shuddered at the mere realization.

"Go on." He urged me. He could tell I knew exactly what he was.

"You are Memphis Morningstar, the spawn of the devil. The Archdemon. The king of the cross-road demons and the prince of hell." I say, watching as his grin grew wider.

Bloody hell!

What was Rafael doing with the devil hidden in his tower?

Delilah words replay in my head.

'The devil is far closer than you think.' This is what she meant.

"Why did you call me here?" I questioned him. I was still curious why he reached out to me, what did the devil want with me?

"It has been years, I have been trapped here in this cage for years, kept as a prisoner. There was a spell and I was summoned to this realm, when I appeared I was trapped in this cage by that wolf, Rafael and your aunt…" Memphis said bitterly. For someone trapped in a cage he sure did know a lot about what is going on. He seemed to know a lot about me, his eyes studying me as though he was reading me like an open book.

"My powers were neutralized and contained by the witch using this magical glass sphere and these ancient sigils drawn serves as a dampener while they studied me like I was some lab rat, using my blood to make his wolves stronger. I am aware that he has you here too as a prisoner." He grinned at me revealing a set of sharp canines, as he strutted, his pale body glistening.

"See you and I have a lot in common, we both share a common enemy that we would love to see burn. We are both trapped in a box against our will but there is a way we can both get what we want, all you have to do is let me out." He disclosed his punch line.

"There's not a chance of that happening." I scoff, I didn't know a lot about demons because they were restricted from escaping into our realm, the gates to hell were shut for a reason, these chaotic beings could never be trusted.

"And why is that?" He questioned.

"First, you're a demon, I've learnt making a deal with your kind is like dancing on the edge of a knife." I state staring him in the eyes.

"Oh I have a feeling that you are going to change your mind about making a deal in the future, but for now I'm offering no deals, just a borderline of trust and an alliance." He spoke so elegantly, his tone was mesmerizing like some kind of sweet spell used to trap his prey.

"Trust? With a demon, and no ordinary demon but a prince of hell? No thanks, I'm good." I remarked with a smile.

"Isabella I understand your lack of trust in me and you shouldn't honestly, I'm a demon after all, deceit runs in our cursed blood but I only stand by the contract faithfully. That is… all that a demon truly wishes for and I know you know deep down that I might be your only shot out of here if not you wouldn't have come here." He stood before the glass, looking me in the eyes with a somewhat amused look on his face.

"And also, we both want the same thing; you to return to your loved ones, I, to be finally free after all these long years. Admit it, you need me. The time is ticking, I guess by now the werewolves have discovered you are no longer in your Chambers, they will be coming for you" He pitched, his demeanor calm as the wind.

After a hard thought I drew a conclusion that he was right, it would be better to have an alliance with him, he would be of help. And like the old saying goes.

'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'

We both shared a common enemy, teaming up together was the best chance we had to defeat him.

"Alright, I'll set you free, but you are getting me out of here with you." I bargained.

"I'm sorry but I can't get you out of here. As powerful and incredible as I am, my powers aren't completely restored. I'm not strong enough to teleport with a passenger." He said.

"Okay then, I don't trust you enough to set you free without any insurance."

"That's understandable." He chuckled.

"I need you to make a promise. Promise me you will help me get a message to someone." I tell him and he smiles.

"Anyone." He smiles.

"I need you to notify Dimitri Axel Castellan, so he knows where to find me, do we have a deal?" I say.

"Dimitri Axel Castellan, he is your mate?" He inquires.

"Yes. You have to tell him where to find me as soon as you get out of here, he needs to be here before the Blood Moon. Promise me you will do it." I urged, being careful with my words so I don't get double crossed.

"Don't worry Isabella, you have my word." He smirks, crossing his chest with his long nails, which made him bleed but he healed back immediately. Along his body I could see countless cross marks, this represented all the deals he had made.

"It is done. My word is bound by my blood, and my blood is my vow." He assures.

I go to the salt circling his cage, disrupting the circle. I also cleaned all the symbols in the room.

Strong gust of wind began to blow in the room, like a little storm was in the room. The glass sphere suddenly began to crack, until it shattered into bits and shards of glass, I took cover as it flew around.

Memphis walked out of the barrier caging him for years, his eyes glowing bright gold now. I could see a shadow behind him, it was a shadow of his wings. He had regained his powers.

I just hope this wasn't a mistake.

"It's been years since I've felt like this." He moaned with a smile.

"I will keep my word Isabella." He assures, standing in front of me. "This won't be the last time our paths will cross again."

"I hope it will." I reply, and he just grins widely.

"A day will come that you will need my help, on that day the sky will be overcomed by darkness and you will need a favor. when that day comes we will meet again." He smiles as he slowly transforms into a puff of black smoke fading away.

I thought about what he said before he disappeared. He was so sure that a day like that would come when I would need a favor from him. Deep down I hoped a day like that would never come. There was something dangerous about him, it sent shivers to my soul.

I quickly make it out of the tower, still trying to make my escape. I heard a loud howl erupt from the castle. They already knew I had escaped, I needed to run faster.

I race up north, hoping I find the portal to get out of here.

I kept racing through the dark woods. I could hear a lot of growls and howls coming from the wolves, they were tracking my scent and they were catching up to me. I kept running until I found a shining mystical beam of light. It was the portal and it was just a distance away.

Suddenly I hear a growling sound from behind me. I turn around to see three huge wolves approaching me. I continued running faster as they all chased after me. one of the big wolves lunged at me, I quickly grabbed a pointy stick from the ground and dived the sharp tip into it heart. It dropped to the ground whimpering before it died.

Another wolf jumped at me pushing me to the ground but I quickly got back up, climbing it's back where most wolves are vulnerable and striking it with the stake.

I started running again, I was getting close to freedom. The portal was less than a mile away.

I quickly turned around to see more reinforcement trailing behind.

"Fuck!" I curse, kicking at my legs to go faster.

As I was about to step into the portal I felt a pull grab hold on me, dragging me back and slamming me into a giant rock.

Then I heard a female voice that made everything move slowly. I recognized that familiar voice and I loathed it with every piece in me.

"Leaving so soon Isabella." I heard Yennefer's voice say. I was about getting back up,.before was struck hard on the head from behind, sending me unconscious.

***

I woke up in my room, the curtains were open, it was already morning. Drawing in some breaths, looking around. I was still in the Chambers. I felt a terrible pain in my head, there was fresh blood coming from the spot I was hit. Then I jumped back on my feet when I realized I wasn't alone. Rafael was seated on the couch staring at me bitterly. He looked really pissed.

"Do you have any idea what you have just done?" He says with venom in his tone.

"I warned you before that you couldn't escape from me, you belong here with me so get used to it." He grits his voice getting angry. I hated the tone he was using.

"I don't belong to you Rafael. I could never be with a sick demented monster like you." I spat back at him. He needed to get it into his thick skull that I wasn't his, I belonged to someone else.

"You condemn me as if I was the devil but you set the actual devil free." He Snickers in disdain. He was referring to Memphis.

"You really have no idea what you just did. Do you really think Memphis will come back for you? He is a psychopathic demon and the first demon who was kicked out of hell because it was too good for him. He doesn't care about anyone but himself." I felt Rafael's cold hands grab my chin roughly.

"So whatever hope you had setting him free, forget about it because no one will come for you." He let go of my chin.

"The Blood Moon is finally tonight. Soon everything will be over and you will realize I'm the only one you have left." He leaves me alone in the room.

I looked out of the window, I could already feel the blood moon's powerful energy rising in the air.

"Dimitri, please come and find me quickly." I whisper, a tear sliding down my cheek. Everything was going to end tonight.

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****Author's note****

What do you all think about this update??

More and more it draws near to the end of the beginning, brace up for what is yet to come.

And let me hear your thoughts about my new character Memphis?

Any opinions?? Let me know and also please check out my new book--Alpha Kaden: The Primordial Hybrid-- he is the first werewolf to ever walk this earth with a deadly curse and an even deadlier fate. Check him out now…

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this song too.

Chapter Soundtrack: Ghost by Sigrid