Let It Go

NOWEL

Kareem and I stood side by side about twenty feet away from where my miserable cottage was. We stared at the decapitated structure in silence.

Then he asked, ''You live here?''

I shrugged. ''I guess. For someone being exiled for a crime you didn't commit with little or no resources to survive on. It's one stunning cottage, am I right?''

He smiled at my sarcasm. ''A little bit.''

The snow continued to fall on us and I missed the warmth the castle provided. I can't wait till all this is over and get back. I can't wait to snuggle in bed or read my favorite poetry. It's been days now since I have had a proper meal. And still no word from Caroline. My only hope right now is to get back and prove my innocence. My way of getting back at Hazel and the white wizard for putting Gorgeous in that condition and having me kicked out of my own home.

I sighed and watched as my breath turned into vapor in the cold air. If only there was another way out of this mess.

Suddenly, I saw a presence standing at my front door. I squeezed my face in confusion, What is he doing here?

''Well, it was nice walking you home...Your Highness, I should get going. My job here is done.''

Job? What is he talking about?

''I never got to thank you for backing me up the first day we met. I never knew what I'd do if you hadn't shown up."

He waved it off like it was nothing.

''Kareem...right?''

He pulled his coat tighter around his large body and sighed, ''I prefer the name Orion better. Kareem is the name I tell people whenever I am human.''

A bone-chilling sensation went down my spine. Whenever I am human? He is not human? Then what is he?

I gulped down nervously as I felt the piercing eyeballs of the devil himself on my back. He is watching me, waiting for me at my doorstep.

''It was nice to be of help to you, Your Highness. I'll be on my way now.''

And he vanished with a smile.

The walk back to my cottage was silent as I continued to ponder what Ka--Orion said last. If he is just disguising himself as a human, then what is his true form?

I walked on the little stairs covered in snow to the front porch and met with the devil disguised as a child.

''I see you and that young demon are already getting along.''

I turned to face the eight or seven-year-old. So Orion is a demon disguised as a gentleman on Earth. What next? A community filled with creepy undercover and cloaked demonic entities? I shook my head.

''What do you want, Lucifer?'' I asked coldly.

He smiled. ''To congratulate you on your failure in protecting your husband.''

I rolled my eyes as I let that insult just roll off my back like it didn't hurt me at all. But it did.

''And?''

''To help you take down your enemies.''

I scoffed. ''Save it.''

''I'm serious.''

''Oh? Because the last time I begged you for help was very disappointing. You said that I was on my own. It was me against the witches, against the whole world! I have to protect Michael at all costs, the universe is counting on me. While you just sit back down and pamper the precious deal you made with the enemy in the first place!''

''I earned her soul in return. I can't break my side of the pact if I still want to have her soul as mine.''

''Wow, that must have been so tough to keep.''

The devil fell silent as I glared angry daggers at his child-like face. He remained still as I continued to harass him with my unforgiving stares. But then, I looked away as I began to feel uncomfortable assassinating the one and only King of Hell with my glares.

''Listen,'' I began softly, ''You want to help me take down those evil magicians for good you'll have to be willing to let go of her precious soul..you worked hard to get, and save Michael,'' I stated.

''I attack the Northern witch and I lose her soul and end of the bargain.'' The devil countered adamantly.

''What is it with you and soul harvesting? It's just one soul--''

''A sinful one.''

I shook my head, ''Let. it. go Lucifer and help Micahel.''

''I can't let it go. You won't understand.''

Oh, for the love of god and all things reasonable. Why can't he let it go and work harder to get it back after Michael is safe and witchcraft cleansed? I sighed for the god who knows how many times.

''Okay, fine. You can leave with the soul of a witch in your hands while I figure out ways to prove my innocence and get back with Michael and help him fight his enemies.'' And since you are being adamant, you are free to rot in hell while I save the day.

The devil came closer and, ''I have an idea where we could be both happy with the result.''

I frowned, ''What?''

''The deal between me and the Northern witch was that she gets what she wants from me in exchange for her soul and I am not supposed to do anything detrimental to her if I still want to have her soul."

''Yeah.''

''And you want Hazel down but you need my help to be able to achieve that.''

''Kind off.''

''And if we make this clearer, we both want those witches down at any cost. We want Michael safe.''

''Get to the point, Lucifer. It's cold out here.''

Satan came closer with a mischievous smile. ''Why don't I help you take down those witches after your Gorgeous life but in a...different body.''

What? My jaw dropped. ''I...I don't understand.''

''It's such a shame,'' The child in front of me smiled, wearing a serpent cloak that rested firmly on the length of his small shoulders. ''Give up your body for a while and let me use it to take down your enemies.''

I gasped, ''What?!''

''Don't worry, you will have it back as soon as your enemies fall.''

''You want to possess me?!'' My heart began to beat at the thought of getting possessed by the devil himself. I have heard terrible stories and legends of demonic possessions. It is said to be painful, and exhausting, losing total control of yourself and doing terrible and horrific things like walking through a mirror or crawling on the wall. Only a few that get possessed by demons are delivered and remain as they were before. It is a life-long traumatic experience. No one should go through it.

I paled. Mine is being possessed by the devil himself. Stories say the only thing the devil is capable of is lies and temptation. He sends his angels to get hold of the physical aspect of a human being while he deals with the mind.

But...a devil possessing...is something unheard of. I gulped.

''You can call it possession, demonic hold...whatever you feel like describing it. But I see it as you lending me your body to get rid of those vile magicians.''He shrugged it off like it was nothing. I was...terrified.

''So,'' the devil took three steps backward, ''Do I have permission to use your body for revenge.''

My heart raced. Why do I feel like I am about to make the biggest mistake of my entire life?