Olivia Chase, a successful woman who sold her soul to the Devil in exchange for a baby, is offered a second deal of a lifetime after her daughter dies: she must harvest Lucifer a series of souls he claims belong in Hell in trade for her daughter's m...
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Deirdre.
Near noon the next day, when the sun was as high in the sky as it would get, I paused before the Wall of Deirdre, scanning the pictures. I'd memorized them all, so I didn't need to look at them. It gave me comfort to do so, however.
One picture in particular always made me smile. We'd gone on a cruise to celebrate the launch of a game that had nearly been an overnight success. At one of the ports, we went snorkeling and I had caught a picture of her in her mermaid-themed gear while she had been goofing off with some of the other kids. The look of unadulterated joy on her face brought tears to my eyes.
My resolve to complete the mission sprang to life once more.
I shut the door to my home office and retreated to my desk. Determined to have the device work and work well, I sat in the chair and settled. I lit the candle, which seemed to be a never-ending one; I'd had it burning for hours, and it hadn't melted down at all. Straight from Hell, I giggled.
I gazed into the mirror, and my eyes slid into a focus at a point behind it. The surface clouded in a swirl of gray smoke immediately then cleared, showing me George curled up on the bed, sleeping and peaceful. I was more than a little pleased with my progress from yesterday, but I still had much to do.
It was time to learn more about Sarah. I thought of her, and the image swirled again. It took some focused concentration to get it to settle on a picture of her and her Doctor Boyfriend having brunch at a small café. Their day, like mine, was sunny and cheerful, if chilly. It surprised me that they, unlike others at the café, decided to brave the weather.
I watched, and watched, and watched some more. While it was fascinating to know how I was watching, it was boring to do it.
In my boredom, I remembered: Nostradamus. He'd studied the future. Perhaps I could learn to do the same? I let go of the image in the mirror and picked up the little book to read. I flipped through it but found no help; it was a repeat of the lessons Lilith had already shared. I bet she can answer my questions, though.
I fire-snapped to Lucifer's office and discovered her at the desk. "Working on a Sunday?" I asked, teasing.
"It's our busiest day of the week," she said with a knowing smile.
"Really? I was only kidding."
She nodded. "Oh, yes. Most people who care about such things go to church and either confess or beg for forgiveness directly. But some, well, they want to find... other means to work with, or around, their sin."
"Huh." I had many questions I desired to ask, but I focused on the one at hand first. "I wanted to know something about the mirror. You said Nostradamus saw the future. Can I do that too?"
"Oh, I wish you could! It would make things so much easier. But unfortunately, it was part of his specific contract."
I deflated, my shoulders slumping. "And I have nothing else to bargain with."
