Thwarting Fate

Desperation made my hands shake as I poured the salt circle around myself, meticulously checking that there was no break in the line. I knew this was a terrible idea, but I also had to acknowledge that it was my only hope. The Fates had foretold of the loss of everything I held dear, and I only had one thing left to lose. I couldn’t let that happen.

At first, I didn’t believe the Fates when they told me their prophecy. Their cackling laughter was more befitting a joke than such a dire prediction. But slowly, I was hit by loss after loss until I had to face the fact that I would soon lose everything precious to me. 

So now I stood surrounded by flickering candlelight with a grimoire on summoning demons. I looked at the jellybeans in my hand and read the text again. “Demons like a little something sweet, as they don’t have sugar in Hell.” Who knew?

I placed the now sticky candy on a pedestal and wiped my sweaty hands on my pants. I was an accomplished mage, but even for me summoning a demon was terrifying. I checked all my preparations once more and stepped carefully within my salt circle. 

I began chanting the ancient Latin phrases in a low tone, moving my wand precisely to emphasize certain words. A deep red smoke began filling the cave with a smell of rotten meat. As the fog dissipated, a red and black demon with jutting horns and sharp teeth began to materialize. His horns nearly stabbed the ceiling and his cloven feet scraped menacingly against the ground as if preparing to charge. 

In one hand the demon held a still-beating human heart. I tried not to look at it. 

“Who dares interrupt my meal?” the demon roared. It then took a bite out of the heart.

I gagged before averting my gaze.

The demon roared with laughter and continued eating. I waited until it seemed to be done before turning back. It was now popping the jelly beans into its mouth.

“I have summoned you to make a deal,” I told the demon. 

The demon rubbed its hands together. “What is it you desire?” 

“I need to change my fate. Can you do that?”

“The Fates are powerful creatures, but I am not just any demon. I am Trogdor the Terrifying, the right-hand of the right-hand of Lucifer’s cousin. I eat human hearts for breakfast. I am the demon responsible for luring cats into trees. Do you think I cannot do something as simple as thwart your fate?”

I opened my mouth to reply.

“Don’t answer that. Let me tell you how this will work. I have this contract here,” the demon unrolled a piece of parchment. “You will sign it in blood. You will need to prick your thumb with something sharp; I’m sure you can find a rock around here. Once you sign it, your soul will be mine for the rest of your time on earth. I hope you aren’t allergic to cats. Actually, I hope you are,” the demon’s laugh boomed around the cave.

“And in return, you will stop the Fates from stealing my last love?”

“You will be bound to me,” the demon answered. “I always protect those that serve me.”

I nodded my head and held out my hand for the contract. Pricking my thumb, I signed the contract, sealing my fate to the whims of a demon instead of the goddesses. 

…

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-Clever&WTF