CHAPTER 4

Bliss… what I would give to feel a moment of bliss. After killing off a man in the worst possible way and betraying the one person who loved and treated me with nothing but kindness, I was pushed off into limbo. My very own personal hell… to suffer eternal punishment for my atrocious crimes.

I have spent centuries imprisoned in this void of darkness, locked in this place with only my conscious thoughts as a companion.

In limbo, though one loses their physical body, there are still countless levels of torture to pass through. Each phantom pain as real as if you were being pierced by a thousand knives.

I never thought I could have a slimmer of a chance in getting out of limbo until the darkness surrounding me is suddenly washed away by bright lights.

Like a starved animal I try my hardest to fight my way towards the light. It mattered not where the light led, as long as I could get out of the darkness, I was more than ready to take on a new challenge. Only the brightness doesn't last long before I'm shut off into darkness once more.

And just when I thought I had missed the only chance I had of escape, I was pulled out of limbo and thrown into a dark forest of illusions. Looking down at my translucent body the first thought which crossed my mind was... who the hell summoned my soul?

Movement behind me made me turn and my face twisted into a hateful grimace. "Sorcha!" I spat. "What the hell is going on, why am I here with the likes of you?"

A pale-skinned man stepped out of the shadows and into the light of the moonlit forest, he wore his trademark black outfit to match his equally black heart. Silver-blue eyes gleamed beautifully due to the moonlight and his rosy red lips twitched slightly with a pleasing smile.

He stood tall at 6ft, 5inches and as usual, his dark wings spread out behind him in all their magnificent glory. Immortals are often known for their ethereal beauty, but what most don't realize is the fact that hidden behind that beauty is the sliest, dirtiest personalities known to mankind. And Sorcha, the damned siren, is the worst of them all. "I see your time in limbo hasn't changed you."

"Just get to the point, why did you summon me here?" I scoff.

Rolling his eyes, he obliged. "You have been given probation of sorts. My Omniscient Elders have decided to forgive you for your past crimes and pull you out of limbo on the premise that… you execute a mission for Elytrum."

"The last time I executed a "mission" for those betraying bastards, I ended up in the bloody prison you just pulled me out of."

"What if this mission could grant you your freedom when you're done?"

Snorting, I wonder if he considers me a fool. "What a joke, Hades will crawl out from hell before the elders ever extend such a generous offer to a prisoner. Especially one they trialled and jailed themselves."

"Is that your way of saying no to their request?" He asks, knowing full well what a leading question that was. The dirty bastard.

Sighing, I ask. "What exactly do those ancient fuckers want from me?"

"Watch that mouth of yours Akaia, I can very well send you back into limbo for your rudeness. You are no longer the elders most treasured immortal thanks to your foolishness, so drop your arrogance this minute."

It hurt, to be reminded of how easily I was used, discarded, and removed from the favours of people I once swore piety to, but I'll be damned 10times over before I showed any ting of emotion past to the ingrate in front of me.

Raising my chin, I gave him a stubborn look of defiance. "You can do whatever the hell you want Sorcha, I won't be taking orders from you."

He shook his head in exasperation and muttered something about my bullheadedness. "Do you want to hear their offer or not!"

Smirking, I nodded for him to carry on. "Earth is deteriorating, the presence of shadows is increasing every day as the four portals of the underground create more cracks on their shield. The elders and I worry about a tragic end if the shields continue to have cracks along the surface, whoever is orchestrating this seems to be powerful and until he/she is executed, earth will never know peace."

"What mission do the elders have for me then?"

"Find this enemy and capture his/her soul. When you do, bring the soul back to me and I will take care of the rest."

I want to say I considered the pros and cons of accepting such a mission but knew the only answer I could have given is a yes. Anything otherwise, would only ensure I end up returning to limbo.

The grass beneath our feet might be nothing but an illusion, but the taste of freedom still made my mouth water. "When do we leave for the earth?"

"Right now." He smirks, and a bright light encompasses us.