A Deal with the Devil

**This is a sequel to The Demon’s Daughter, and makes more sense if you read the final chapter and the epilogue of that story first.** “Maya, are you all right?” Chloe asked, concern evident in her tone and on her face. Maya? The name sounded right, but it also sounded wrong. “Umm, yes, I think so,” she replied. She looked down and noticed her clothes. They were professional: suit pants, a blazer, and a nice blouse. “I think I just need some rest.” “Of course,” Chloe agreed. “It’s only been a few weeks since you lost Chris. You should take some more time off.” Chris. That name sounded odd as well, but there was a pain in her chest. She had lost someone she had loved. That much was evident. She could feel the tears welling just behind her eyes. She nodded and picked up her jacket and purse before leaving the office. The name on the plaque outside the door caught her eye. Dr. Maya Brown, M.D. Psychiatry. Nothing about this felt right. She shook the feeling and went to the bus stop. Boston was gearing up for spring. It was still cold, thus the jacket Maya wore, but the sun was shining and it was a brisk day. People were walking outside, eating at the cafe tables, and laughing on park benches. Maya, however, was consumed with thoughts of Chris. She couldn’t picture the man in her mind, but the grief was real. She could feel the pain of losing him, and she knew he had been a real person who she had loved. The bus pulled up and Maya boarded silently, taking a seat in the back. She wanted to be alone. “Disorienting, no?” a man said, sitting down next to her. Maya looked over at him. “Hades?” she said in shock. Suddenly she remembered everything. “My wife and I have a wager, however. She thinks that you and your mate have a bond so strong that even without the mate bond pushing you together you’d find each other. I don’t believe it.” He paused for a moment and took a coin out of his pocket. “This coin is spelled. Until you make your mate fall in love with you again, he will have no clue who you are. No one will. Those you met in your former life will not recognize you.” “What about me? What will I remember?” Madison asked. “You’ll remember enough,” Hades said cryptically. “This is your chance to live again.” “I don’t remember who I am,” Madison cried out. “You didn’t tell me that!” “You know you’re not Maya, and you remember losing Cillian when you died,” Hades remarked. “I’d say knowing your feelings is enough.” “How am I meant to find Cillian again if I don’t even remember him?” Madison asked. “How do I remember it all now anyway?” “When I’m around, the spell wears thin,” Hades answered with a shrug. “As to how you’re meant to find each other, fate.” Madison scoffed. “You sent me back here as some stranger to grieve for a man who I’ve lost while Cillian is in the Blue Mountains grieving for me. You’re expecting too much of fate.” “Am I?” Hades asked as the bus pulled up to a stop. “I believe this is your stop.” Madison looked out the window and saw her old apartment building looming on the corner. She turned back to Hades only to find the seat next to her empty. She stood up and got off the bus, allowing her feet to take her where she needed to go. Everything was familiar and yet not at the same time. She needed sleep. Everything would look better in the morning. ****** Cillian watched the training groups with little interest. He couldn’t find the motivation to care ever since Madison’s death. He knew it had been over a month, but the wound was still fresh. He could still see the pity in his sibling’s eyes and feel the pain in the pack’s motions. They missed their Luna, and his attitude wasn’t helping. “Not the best lot,” Liam remarked. “Hmm,” Cillian grunted. “Cillian, I’m the last person that would tell you to move on, but you need to do something,” Liam said with a small sigh. “You’re tense, and everyone can feel it. It’s not good for you or the pack.” “What do you expect me to do?” Cillian snapped. “Maddy was my mate and your Luna.” “And I miss her everyday, but she would not want you to feel like this,” Liam retorted. “Maddy loved you, and she would want you to move on and find something or someone to be passionate about again.” Cillian didn’t reply. Instead, he stalked off into the forest. “You know I’m right,” Liam called out. “He’s going to tear your throat out one of these times,” Tommy remarked, coming over to Liam. “He needs someone to tell him the truth,” Liam said. “We all miss Maddy, but she’s gone. He needs to come to terms with that.” Cillian walked through the forest for a while before shifting and running toward Myrna. At first he didn’t know why, but when he found himself at Cassie’s shop, he knew what he wanted. If Cassie was shocked to see him, she didn’t show it. “Good afternoon, Alpha,” Cassie said. “How can I help you?” Cassie was unique in that she was one of the only non-werewolf beings that used titles respectfully. She had called Madison a Luna and referred to Liam as “Beta” even though they had no power over her. “I want to contact the dead,” Cillian replied. Cassie’s expression fell for a moment. “Do you have something that belonged to her?” She didn’t need to ask who Cillian wanted to speak to. Cillian reached in his pocket and pulled out the crescent moon necklace he had given Madison when she was seventeen. Cassie carefully took the necklace and lead Cillian into the backroom. She prepared the circle, ignoring the stoic gaze of the most powerful werewolf she had ever met. Cassie had lived in Myrna for most of her adult life, and she interacted with Ash and Liv often, but she had very little occasion to interact with Cillian. Unlike most Alphas, Cillian didn’t keep a witch on retainer. He preferred to deal with the magic he could do instead of relying on others. Cassie commended him for that. She supplied some medicinal potions and spells to the pack house, but she doubted Cillian used those. They had mostly been for Maddy. “It’s ready,” Cassie said, turning to Cillian. “Step in the circle and think about the person you want to call.” Cillian complied. Cassie began chanting. She could feel the power coming from the elements, but something felt off. There was no connections to the other side. “What’s wrong?” Cillian demanded. “I don’t know,” Cassie stammered. “I don’t feel anything. It’s like she’s not there.” “Why wouldn’t she be there?” “I have no idea,” Cassie said honestly. “Maddy was a unique person-” “Death is death,” Cillian snapped. He grabbed Cassie’s arm roughly.“She’s gone. That means you should be able to reach her.” “Ow, Alpha, please, let go,” Cassie said, resisting the urge to use her defensive magic. She knew better than to start that fight. Cillian seemed to come to his senses. He immediately released Cassie’s arm but offered no apology. “What does it mean?” he asked, his tone calmer. “This has never happened,” Cassie replied. “It should have worked.” She was frustrated as well. She would have liked to see Madison as well. “I held her dead body. Watched it go up in flames on that pyre,” Cillian said. “She’s gone, and this was my last hope of talking to her.” Cassie hesitated for a moment. “Humans have this tradition of burying the dead. They mark the spot with stone and people visit and talk to the dead that way. They believe the dead can hear you that way.” “Maddy’s not buried though. She was offered to the Moon Goddess,” Cillian retorted. “It’s not about the body,” Cassie said. “It’s about where humans think the soul goes. You can talk to Maddy anytime you want. You knew her better than any of us. Do you need an answer to whatever you wanted to say, or do you already know it?”  Cillian didn’t respond. He turned and left the room instead. He didn’t know what he wanted to achieve by contacting Maddy. She was gone, and Liam was right. He needed to come to terms with that. It was time to start over. Maddy would have wanted that.