He chuckled when he heard her gasp in fear.
"What do you want?. Name it, money? Properties? Just mention it and you would have it. Please Mr Hemlock_".
" But I was not done yet". Erebus snapped, visibly annoyed and his usual smile disappeared. "You fucking messed up with my plan. If you hadn't walked up to my table or sedated my drink or been persistent to spend the night with me, I wouldn't have played along or placed you in these chains in the stead of the girl". His eyes flared in anger and hatred.
" Take a look at the beautiful girl I had missed. So young... And naive". Erebus pulled out a photo from his shirt, placing it in front of the woman, who refused to stare at it.
"Look at it now!!!". He barked and she shuddered, putting her attention on the picture.
"Do you know her?". Questioned Erebus as he smiled when he saw a more shocking expression on her face.
" No no no, no, no. Oh, God!!. Please no". She was trembling in fear, if she wasn't chained behind her back, she would be sure to cup her mouth. "What do you want from her?. Please no". Celine cried, her heart was been torn into pieces.
" You didn't answer me". Erebus probed with a taunting smile on his lips, tilting his head as he continued to stare at the woman.
"She's my daughter. My baby girl, my only child. What did she do?. Why do you want_". She paused on her words when she saw him burst into fits of laughter.
" Look at how fate works". He twirled around with happiness. "Do you know I never knew she had a mother? I mean a living one". He asked her and saw her bite her lips and then looked away in heartbreak.
" Your sweet husband or would I say, your now ex-husband had you deleted from his life and that of your daughter. He hates you and your beautiful baby girl does that too. Did you know that?". He saw her shoulders tremble as she began to cry uncontrollably.
He couldn't describe how euphoric he felt on seeing people cry and writhe in pain. He relished in it.
"Do you know the interesting part?". He asked, drawing her attention back to him. " She is betrothed to me".
"WHAT!!!?". Wide eyes and mouth opened in fear and panic. That was what Celine displayed. " You lie. H-he can't do t-that. She is just 17. No no no". Tears split over and flowed down her face like a river escaping a dam. She wailed louder, almost wailing out her heart which made Erebus question himself if it was because of motherly concerns or the recent predicament she was in.
Erebus clicked his tongue and then crawled closer to her. "I am no liar, sweetheart...". He whispered in her ears and saw her stiffen. " Your husband exchanged her for a deal and you don't know how delightful that makes it. The business world is such a fun place where you play your cards right and win a whole lot". He cackled loudly and saw more tears drop down her eyes.
"Shh don't cry, don't cry. Once you are gone, I'll bring her here and I would be so generous to let her know her mother was here and how much she pleaded for her life...".
" Please, I beg of you. Don't do this. Take me instead but spare her. I regret... my missteps, I truly do. I would... have fought to... take her with me...". Her voice broke as she spoke, she was trying hard to fight back the tears. " I should have had her with me... But I was scared... I was scared that... That she would follow in my footsteps. I wanted... I wanted her to be under strong guidance. I... I never knew he was the worst parent between us both. Please don't harm her". Celine lifted her eyes to see the man's eyes glow gold and she froze. Wide eyes, hunched shoulders and she began to tremble like a leaf. She felt dread creep into every single one of her bones. She had no more words. She was paralyzed to the spot.
Being terrified was an understatement, she was more than horrified. She felt numb in her fingers and toes and her heart began to race. She was starting to feel faint and she just wanted to die faster. She shook in fear when she heard him speak in a hoarse voice. His voice had changed!.
"You have no right to bargain for your daughter's life. You have no right to do so here. This is my world and I say what goes_". He hadn't completed his words when he heard her blurt out in whispers.
" Y-you are... You are not human". Her tone was that of unbelief and shock. She yearned to be slapped so she could be jolted awake from this nightmarish situation. "Who are you?". She managed to ask. She had never believed in demons, ghosts and other mystical creatures. She felt a lump in her throat when she saw him smile at her question.
Erebus smiled because he had awaited this question. He breathed out and raised his knife in the air, twirling it around. Who am I? I told you earlier, that I am truly Erebus and the last name, Hemlock and that my dear, is a wrong question to ask. The right question should be, what am I?. He paused, and then stroked his chin as though he was in deep thoughts.
" Some call me the dark fae, some call me a demon, some an evil creature but I would prefer a demon because I feed on fear, lust, greed, pain... Name the rest". He paused as though he was recalling something. I am a beast and very cruel and even if I was once generous... I can't remember". His eyes were distant and he frowned.
"What would you call me?". He threw a question that caught her off-guard.
"What?". What on the universe, was she supposed to say? Saying something bad would only fast forward her death, she stared at the man to see him, not look away.
" I don't know". She whispered. She was tired of crying. All she had to do now was play nice and have him change his mind and then free her. Fear had already sipped away every ounce of strength in her.
Erebus sighed. "Tell me. I would like to write it down". He pulled out a large note from the drawer beside the bed and opened it.
Celine could see bloodstains on it and she wanted to throw up again. She could only deduce that this monster had killed a lot of people.
" Ahha! You are number 89". She heard him say and she quickly darted her from him to the book and then around the room and the chains that held her. 89 people to be butchered by him?. God, please. She had never been a believer but she knew there was a supernatural being and she was beginning to beg him to help. She had already wet her panties.
"So what is it?"
"I don't know". Her words came out in whispers.
Erebus stroked the knife harmlessly from her head to her face and she held her breath. " Speak now..."
"You are more than evil. You are cruel and heartless. A creature that deserves to rot in hell". She spat out finally in anger and Erebus beamed.
" Good". Retracting the knife, he placed it beside the bed and picked up the note to scribble what she had said and then place it back on the drawers.
"You see dear, what I am about to do to you... I do it to every one of my victims. Don't feel bad". His fangs elongated and his face became more hollow, his complexion darkening and Celine stared in horror.
" Stay away. W-what do you w-want?. She shouted. "Somebody help me". She saw him proceed forward, toward her.
"Help me. HELP ME!!!".