Page 33 of Hell Burns Between Us

Their pride that once permeated

Now a gluttonous bid for more

So, Demonkind benevolent

Grants them twenty-one more years

Yet when their bargain’s at its end

Their faithless wrath is to be feared

For while they are mere mortals

Lecherous and vain

They’ve the power to rescind their bargain

Should that be their aim

So careful all you demons

Make your bargains well

And you shall be immortal

With a rich, long life in Hell

“Everyone thinks the Rune Circle is dishonest and conniving. And sure, maybe we are, but no more than anyone else from any other Circle. Still, on the day of the Ascension ceremony and during Winter Solstice—when we might have to help with the massive amount of mating bonds—we go through the purification ritual so we’re ready to help, or to jump in if needed.”

“And… do you know exactly what happens when we Ascend?” She ate another fried sesame ball, and attempted to seem calm. As if his answer meant absolutely nothing to her.

He looked at her, clearly confused. “What do you mean?”

“I mean what normally happens?” She cleared her throat, and forced Sia’s lifeless body from her thoughts. “Is it typically a bit more gruesome or subdued?”

Oleander considered her for a moment. “Well… I guess I’d assume it’s not gruesome since it's just two souls joining.”

“And what about the creature that feeds on the Ascending?” Grief and disgust threatened to overwhelm her, but at that very moment Hemlock was putting yet another calming cocktail in her hand. She took a very large drink and motioned for Oleander to continue.

“Um… I don’t think anything feeds on you?” He gave her a strange look. “The bargain the human mortal made is simply completed. The two parts of the soul reunite, twine together, and fuse back into your body, making you immortal.”

Behind them, Wisteria scoffed loudly from the drink counter where she’d been happily gossiping with Hemlock. She called out, “You’re not really immortal though, are you? Especially not if you’re a demoness.”

She sauntered over, leaning casually against the wall near where they were sitting. She gazed out over the garden for a moment before turning and giving Peri a pitying look. “They really don’t tell you anything over there, do they? They just love a blind little devotee who never questions anything.”

Peri bristled. “I question things.”

“Sure you do.” Wisteria scoffed. “What’s the use of being so clever if you never care about the things that fucking matter?”

Peri opened her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out. She was bordering on being overwhelmed and thus concentrated on not devolving into tears. There was a chance that Wisteria was right, and she knew it. It was only that it was all too much right now, and she didn’t think she could handle coming face to face with one more dreadful thing.

“That’s what I thought,” Wisteria continued, disdain dripping from her words. “I’ve read your field notes and research papers. Every subject you write about is filled with empathy and detail. You probably spent at least a couple of moonphases researching and writing them.” Every sentence felt like it was splitting Peri further open. “But you don’t care about anything that actually matters.”

Wisteria leaned in closer, her eyes narrow slits of contempt. “And you know what really chaps my ass, Perine? The Holy Circle can’t admit that they’re no closer to the Devil than the rest of us. Their teachings benefit some, but leave others to be eaten.”

Peri froze, her heart beating wildly. “What do you—”

Oleander finally ground out, “Enough already. Fuck.”