Santi: The Devil's Pioneer

Chapter 40 - Black and White Flashes

"What did you do?" My throat felt swollen shut, and I barely forced the words through it.

He waved me off with elegant, too-long fingers, "nothing to fear, Lilith. only paused time so be sure we weren't rushed," seeing my reaction, he quickly added, "I promise, I have no ill intentions."

"Then why will Luce break off his alliance? If you don't plan on..." I trailed off, unable to finish the morbid thought.

"You underestimate your mate's power. The Bright One is not one to be trifled with. He will certainly know that I have stopped time, and, if I waited long enough, he would break my enchantment," he fixed the full wait of his knowing stare on me, "many beings fear me. Lucifer only fears the damage I could do before he ended me."

End him? Lucifer could kill a god?

"But, again, I must emphasize that even with my magic, he will soon break-in. When he does, I cannot be here if I wish to continue existing. So, ask your question again, and I will answer it."

"Why do you live like this?" I said, sitting down on the loveseat, "why not align yourself, make friends? You antagonize and anger. That must be a poor way to live. It is the only way to live"

I opened my mouth instantly to tire off another question, but he held a hand up. Unlike a normal person, this gesture froze the words in my throat.

Immortality must come with the rude app pre-installed.

I stared at him.

"Lilith, I am an old god," he began, his exotic accent thickening as he spoke, "many would consider my age an asset. I know that of almost every other being in existence. Knowledge holds hands with power, and with power comes longevity," he took a deep, shuddering breath, "but let me ask you one thing. How many of my fellow gods of Egypt do you suppose exist today?"

He grinned, white teeth stark against his swarthy complexion, "you may speak."

"Thank you for your permission," I side-eyed him before I continued, "I normally would say many still exist, but I get the sense that that isn't where you're going with this lecture."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "don't get short with me. Believe it or not, by giving you this lecture", I am giving you a valuable gift. Don't make me change my mind concerning my payment."

I gulped. Point taken.

He continued, "to answer my question: there are none. I am the sole survivor of the Egyptian pantheon. This is because progress and relics of the past are not compatible. I am a relic of the past, but, unlike my brothers and sisters, I evolved.

In this new world of angels and demons, we two, you and I are outsiders. I do not belong here any more than you do Ammi. cannot afford to have friends, puritan too close of allies. I would either be stabbed in the back or dragged into a petty war as collateral This is my kingdom and now. It is yours.