A Great Listener

Selene crouched, hugging her knees tightly. No, this couldn’t be real. She couldn’t be here. Only two points kept her from completely collapsing in despair. The first, she’d never given into despair and didn’t see the point in starting now. Second, the rocks were hot enough through her boot’s thick soles. She didn’t want to feel it through cloth.

“Oh, I can assure you this is quite real,” the smooth, cloying voice said nearby. Selene opened her eyes, He leaned against the stone wall, twisting his long hair between two fingers and grinning, unbothered by the heat.

Selene pursed her lips. No, his kind wouldn’t be bothered by heat. “I told you to go away,” she snapped.

“Oh, as if I would ever do what I’m told,” He waved dismissively and pushed off the wall to saunter toward her. Crouching next to her, he leveled his red eyes with hers. “Now, tell me what’s wrong, dearie.”

“As if I’d tell you.” She swallowed at the snarling tone of her voice. “As if you’d truly listen.”

“I have no reason not to listen.” He shrugged. “And believe it or not, I am a great listener.”

Selene allowed herself to glance away from his eyes. If he wanted to hurt her, there was precious little she could do here in the center of his power. She frowned at the small nub of horns protruding from his black hair and swallowed. “How did I end up in hell?”

“Oh, but I’m wondering that as well.” He plopped onto the ground, casually strewing his legs out. “Flesh mortals don’t wander into hell every day.”

“I.” Selene snapped her mouth closed. What could she say to a devil here? That she had no clue how? A lie, but, perhaps, this was the place for lies.