Dane repositioned himself on the slab of stone but there was no reprieve from the pain that racked his body. The circle of fire scorched his skin, even when he pulled his knees into his chest. Weakness and pain were constant reminders that his body should have given out by now. Day after day without food or water in the ever-shrinking prison should've meant death. But this was Hell. Lucifer was using him, and death would mean his freedom. Whatever magic kept him alive would end when he was no longer useful. As he pushed himself up to his knees, he welcomed that day, he prayed for that day.
“I heard you were down here.”
The voice that filtered through the flames was one he'd never forget. “Auriel.” Dane turned to see her figure silhouetted behind the flames.
“The one and only.” She laughed and the flames lowered. She hadn't changed. With platinum-blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and a silvery blue gown, she could dice any guy's heart to shreds and have it for breakfast, literally.
“What are you doing here?” Dane rasped.
“I have a meeting with Lucifer.” She lowered her voice to a whisper and raised her hand to the side of her mouth. “We’re taking over the world. I suppose I can let you in on the secret since you’re as good as dead.”
Dane buried his face in his hands. “Leave me alone, Auriel. Isn’t it enough that you used me and almost ruined my life? Do you have to torment me in my death, too?”
“Oh, but Dane, I have more use for you. Don’t you know you’re an integral part of the plan?”
He shook his head. “Lucifer can try to use me as bait to entice Malini and Dr. Silva to translate the list of Soulkeepers. But they never will. I’m not that important.”
Auriel grinned. “Hmmm. If that was what Lucifer was really after, it would be a total loss. I’m pretty sure your friends are gonna let you burn.”
Dane jerked. Every muscle in his body ached in response. “Then how am I an integral part of the plan?” His voice broke as he said it.
“We need an innocent living sacrifice, and you, pathetic as you are, qualify.” Her lips peeled back from her whiter than white teeth.
He might have asked her more about his fate but at that precise moment Lucifer appeared in front of her in a shower of sparks. Applause broke out from the shadows. Auriel clapped the loudest and gave a little bow at the waist.
“An elegant entrance, my lord,” she said.
“Thank you, my dear. And what are you doing? Playing with the tool?” Lucifer wrapped his arm around Auriel's shoulders.
“Just keeping myself occupied while I waited for you to grace me with your presence.”
Dane snickered.
Lucifer shot him a look that made his skin burn. Dane squeezed his knees to his chest, determined not to scream. The burning stopped when the devil turned his attention back toward Auriel.
“Has our guest arrived?” he asked her.
“Yes. She’s in your chambers, my lord.” Auriel motioned toward a door in the stone a few yards from his prison. Dane had seen Lucifer come and go through the door, but hadn’t known what lay beyond it.
“Well, let’s not keep our guest waiting.”
Lucifer guided Auriel toward the door and pulled it open, wide enough for both of them to fit through. Dane had a moment to absorb the opulence of the red-and-gold entryway before his eyes fell on the guest that waited there.
“Dr. Silva?” he called.
Her icy blue eyes flashed to his in recognition.
“Dr. Silva! Please, please help me!” he begged. He crawled to the side of the fire.
Lucifer patted Dr. Silva's shoulder. Pat-pat-pat, like a father pats a daughter.
Her expression became as emotionless as a reptile. The door closed slowly behind them, severing her heartless stare. She'd abandoned him with nothing but the flames and the pain.
For a moment, Dane was confused. Why was Dr. Silva in Hell and why was she talking to Lucifer? Then he realized it didn't matter. Auriel had given him all the information he needed. If he was the key to Lucifer's plan, he needed to take himself out of the equation.
What was it his parents used to say? Suicide is a mortal sin. If he killed himself, he'd lose his soul. But some things were more important than one soul. Like stopping Lucifer. Like saving the Soulkeepers.
With everything he had, he pushed himself to his feet. Before he could chicken out or think too hard about the consequences, he sprinted toward the flames. He landed squarely on the ring of fire. Intense pain swallowed him whole. His hair burnt off in an instant. His skin bubbled black. The rancid smell of burning flesh filled his nostrils and the sound of his screams ricocheted off the stone around him. Eventually, there was nothing left to feel pain and he welcomed death with open arms.
But his sacrifice was for naught. When he came to, he was right back at the center of the circle. Death wasn't an option, it seemed, at least not until Lucifer wanted him dead. Dane buried his face in his hands, hopelessness blanketing him like a shroud.