BELETH DIDN'T REALIZE he had a visitor until it was too late. Inside the windowless throne room, Satan materialized from the shadows. Her heavily distended midsection made her movements slow, but somehow she managed to look graceful. The ankh glowed with an unnatural brightness around her neck.
“Hello, Beleth,” she said in a raspy voice. Gone were the rows of sharpened teeth. “Are you comfortable?”
He tried to stand, but found himself strapped to the throne by a thorny vine. Thick barbs dug into his skin with the slightest movement. His one unencumbered arm reached toward the artifacts. With a wave of her hand, Satan slid the table out of reach.
“It's no use, Beleth. You can't escape. Don't worry. I'll make good use of these.” She moved her hand in a circular motion over the table. One
