Awaiting

It was so close. She could almost feel it. In the air around her, between her fingers. In her blood and bones. The moment she was waiting for, the one she expected for so long... It almost seemed like eternity.

She took a deep breath, controlling the desire to cough after inhaling the black smoke.

"Bol'gor!" she exclaimed.

"My lady?" The demon seemed terrified by his queen's calling.

"Is he ready?"

"Yes, my lady. He is waiting only for your permission now.'

"Good. Send him in. And Bol'gor?"

"Yes?"

"Be a dear and do something about that terrible smell." A stranger would think she was only asking for a favor. But a favor would indicate that the demon had a choice. And he knew very well that this wasn't the case. He had no idea how to get rid of the smoke and smell it brought. After all, they were in Hell. But he knew better than to disobey a direct order. He had to try. His queen didn't tolerate mistakes.

"Our queen's awaiting you," he said and a young man stepped out of shadows.

"Thanks." As he walked by, he whispered: "For the smoke, try using soul holes... Works for me."

The man wasn't supposed to help Bol'gor. No one was supposed to help him, no one was supposed to even talk to him. Bol'gor lived in the shame of his father's deeds. As if being born half human wasn't punishment enough. The man could be punished for helping him. But he did it anyway and he probably saved Bol'gor's life by doing so.

He watched the man disappear through the door and shook his head. He'll never understand humans.

"My lady," the man bowed his head in front of her. It brought a smile to her face. She loved the feeling it gave her. The power, the fear. Yes. She enjoyed being feared.

"Are you prepared to leave?"

"Always, my lady," he answered, still keeping his head down.

"This task is very important. I hope you don't disappoint me." Her smile grew wider. It certainly wasn't the type to warm up your heart. No, it was cold. It declared warning, screamed danger.

"Never."

"Go then. Bring her." The man turned around and left as quickly as he could. He didn't like being in her presence. No one did.

Still with a smile on her face, she flattened the long dress and sat down. Her long nails clawed on the iron throne as they passed through the ornaments. She was restive. She couldn't wait for the man to come back. With her. The one. She's been waiting for far too long.

But she had to be careful. She still remembered how humiliated she felt the last time. She couldn't let that happen again. This time, she would have it under control. Have her under control. The special one. The vessel. His vessel. Lucifer won't be disappointed. Not again. Not ever.

The black smoke surrounding her found its way into her lungs again, making her cough.

"Bol'gor!" Her voice spread all over the place. Everyone immediately knew something was wrong. And everyone heard the following screaming of the poor soul who wasn't fast enough completing the task she gave him...