Videte Quid Optes

There was only one rule: don’t open the door. Don’t give them anything. Not a kind word, not a curious glance, nothing. Anything at all could invite disaster.

I gazed down at the perfectly-formed summoning circle, illuminated by the candles’ glow, waiting. They would make their wishes known. They always did.

Nothing, no commands, no supplication. Were they even breathing? If they’d died during the summoning, then all I had to do was wait until the candles burned down. Then, I’d be free. I sat down.

The flames flickered, the wax dripped, but the candles showed no signs of burning out. And still, there was no hint of life. Bored beyond reason, I chanced a glance up through my eyelashes.

She was seated across from me. She caught my gaze and smiled gently at me, encouragingly. She was lovely and delicate, nothing like what I expected.

Perplexed, I blurted out, “Who are you?” She continued to stare, unblinking and enigmatic.

I found myself entranced by her eyes, deep green with the faintest hint of gold around the pupil. Her hair was auburn, cascading down her shoulders. It looked soft, inviting. I wanted to touch it.

The candles burned interminably as I continued to stare into her eyes. Still, she spoke not a word. Now, I could see the shallow rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She was alive, was glorious flesh.

Forgetting myself, I reached out, hoping to touch a single strand of that hair, more vibrant than the flames around us. As my fingers brushed the air above the summoning boundary, I saw her smile widen, revealing pointed teeth.

“You have breached the terms of the summoning, demon, and now your soul is forfeit,” she said, as she opened her mouth wide to swallow me whole.