The Shadows Among Us.

CHAPTER 10

Ashen nodded at the suggestion, determination shining in his eyes. “Let’s contact Zepar first. We’ll send a fire message so he can get started right away.”

Asmodeus gave a wry smile. “Just remember, Zepar doesn’t work for free. His payment is always the same—twenty pieces of obol, delivered in advance. No exceptions, no favors.”

Mira glanced at Ashen, curiosity flickering in her gaze. “Obol?”

Ashen explained, “They’re coins from the old world—rare and valuable in the underworld. Zepar collects them like trophies.”

Asmodeus began preparing the fire message, tracing sigils in the air that glowed with crimson heat. “I’ll include the payment promise in the message. If Zepar agrees, we’ll have his skills and his silence.”

The flames flared, carrying their request and their bargain through the shadows of Hell. Now all they could do was wait—and hope Zepar would answer their call.

Within an hour, the fire in Asmodeus’s hearth shimmered and twisted, then flared up with a deep violet hue. Zepar’s voice echoed from the flames, low and sly:

“I received your message—and your promise of payment. Under normal circumstances, I would accept. But you’re not just seeking Lilith… you’re fugitives. The whole of Hell is buzzing with your names, and Lucifer’s eye is sharper than ever.”

The fire crackled, casting shifting shadows across the room. “The price has gone up. Fifty pieces of obol, paid in advance. If you can meet my terms, I’ll start my search tonight. If not, find your own way and pray the hounds don’t find you first.”

The flames died down, leaving the room heavy with tension. Mira looked anxiously at Ashen and Asmodeus. Ashen’s jaw tightened, but he nodded resolutely. “We’ll get the obol. We don’t have a choice.”

Asmodeus sighed. “He’s ruthless, but worth every coin. We need to move quickly—the sooner we pay, the sooner Zepar can help us disappear.”

Ashen reached into a hidden pouch and counted out fifty pieces of obol, the ancient coins glinting dully in the dim light. The weight of their value—and their desperation—hung heavy in the air as he handed the coins to Asmodeus.

“Here,” Ashen said quietly, pressing the obol into his friend’s palm. “Send them to Zepar. We can’t afford any delays.”

Asmodeus nodded, understanding the urgency. He returned to the hearth, drawing a new set of intricate symbols in the ash. As he spoke the incantation, the coins dissolved into shimmering sparks, carried away by the fire to reach Zepar wherever he hid in Hell’s labyrinth.

“It’s done,” Asmodeus announced, brushing soot from his hands. “With payment made, Zepar will hold up his end of the bargain.”

Mira watched the ritual with wide eyes, a strange mix of hope and anxiety swirling in her chest. Ashen moved to her side, offering a reassuring squeeze of her hand as they waited for Zepar to begin the search that might finally reveal the truth of her bloodline—and a way home.

Ashen turned to Mira, his expression gentle but resolute. “Now, we wait for Zepar’s word. He’ll start searching for Lilith immediately. As soon as he finds a lead, we’ll move.”

Asmodeus added, “We should use this time to rest and gather our strength. The search for Lilith won’t be easy, and Hell is less forgiving now that we’re wanted.”

Mira nodded, glancing between them. “It’s just hard—waiting, not knowing what comes next.”

Ashen gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know. But you’re not alone. Whatever happens, we face it together.”

The room settled into a tense, hopeful quiet, each of them preparing in their own way for the next step in their dangerous journey.