Chapter LX:

I had to end this. In my mind, I refused to let it go on like this. There was only one way I knew how to. I walked up to an abandoned church around the early hours in the morning. I didn’t bring any weapons. Not even a bottle of holy water. None of those worked on her. That didn’t mean I didn’t come prepared.

I walked up to the altar. That crucifix looked like it had seen better days. The face looked worn down. I could still make out the eyes and mouth. I took in a breath and crossed myself. I was going to need all of the faith I could get.

A breeze ran down my back. I didn’t have to tour around.

“I know you are here,” I said. “Come out and show yourself.” I turned around to see her again. Luna walked down the aisle towards me. To be honest, I didn’t know how I would feel in this moment. My emotions might have died away then. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Here she came. Luna had no emotion on her face, but I could see the real her in her eyes. I stood my ground as she got closer. Now, she was centimeters away from me.

“You summed me?” she asked. I clenched my fists at my side.

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” I asked.

“Excuse me?” she asked.

“I can’t take this anymore,” I said. “I just want to be left alone.”

“Why?”

I lifted my chin. “Can’t stand all of the deaths. You’ve already taken my family from me three times. Everyone I’ve ever gotten close to has either died or ran away. I don’t want it to happen to Dorthey again.”

“Dorthey, huh? Is that her name?”

I flinched when I said that. That was the first mistake. I wasn’t going to make any more tonight.

“I think I might like her,” I said. “I don’t want to drag her into my hell. I will do whatever it take to prevent that.”

“It is not up to me,” Luna said.

“What?” I asked. She gave me a gracefully shrug.

“There is a higher power than me that is very interested in you,” she said. I shook my head.

“What are you talking about?” I asked. A small smirk broken through her stoic mask.

“My lord,” she said.

“Who is your…?” I began to ask. Inside, I was screaming as I came to an icy realization. I could feel a little bit of throw up in my mouth.

“You don’t mean…” I said.

“Yes,” Luna confessed. “We have been watching you for a long time. My lord wants you as his right hand. You couldn’t have things like a family or romance. That would distract you from the mission.”

“Mission? What mission?” I asked. My head felt like it was spinning. All of this time, I was being used created to be the devil’s puppet. I fiercely shook my head.

“No way!” I shouted. “I refuse! I won’t become a puppet of the devil! I won’t do it!” When I looked up, Luna was standing right in front of me. I could smell the jasmine perfume on her body. I choked back my vomit. Her lips curved into a cold smirk.

“It’s too late for that, my love,” she said in a low voice. “The bargain has already been made. His plan is already in motion. You have no choice but to comply after you give your soul to him.” She leaned and kissed me on the lips.

That was all it took.

I grabbed her by the neck. Before I knew it, I was squeezing with all my might. Luna’s eyes had a frantic look in them. Heh, well what do you know? She can actually feel fear after all. I don’t think she ever had someone like me threaten her life before. Could I even do it?

My grip grew tighter. Sweat formed on my brow. I stared deep into her panicked eyes. Wait a minute… Was she… smiling?

“What are you smiling for?” I asked.

You think this will be it? Do you really think that killing me will end things? My lord will have you whether you want it or not.

“It’s a start,” I said. I could hear her laughing in my head.

This won’t be over. You’re not better than me!

“Shut up. Get out of my head,” I hissed. Snap! Her neck broke in my hands. Luna’s body went limp as she dangled in front of me. I dropped her to the ground in disgust. I didn’t even look back as I walked away. I didn’t care about what she said. At least my nightmare would be over for now. When I walked outside, the sun had just started to rise. Somehow in that moment, I felt okay.