And the thing in the flames calmly bit the mage's head off, like a child with a gingerbread manikin.
It was too much for even the man-woman to endure. He rolled to one side and puked up the entire contents of his stomach. When he looked up again, eyes watering and the taste of bile in his mouth, the thing was staring at him, licking the blood off its hands.
He swallowed as his gorge rose again, and waited for the thing to take him for dessert.
'You smell of magic.' The thing's voice was like a dozen bells ringing; bells just slightly out-of-tune with one another. It made the man-woman nauseous and disoriented, but he swallowed again and tried to, answer.
'I... have a curse.'
'So I see. I assume that was why I was summoned here. Well, unless we enter into an agreement, I have no choice but to remain here or return to the Abyssal Planes. Talk to me, puny one; I do not desire the latter.'
'How -- why did you -- the old man -- '
'I dislike being coerced, and your friend made the mistake of remaining within reach of the circle. But I have, as yet, no quarrel with you. I take it you wish to be rid of what you bear. Will you bargain to have your curse broken? What can you offer me?'
'Gold?'
The demon laughed, molten-gold eyes slitted. 'I have more than that in mind.'
'Sacrifice? Death?'
'I can have those intangibles readily enough on my own -- starting with yours. You are within my reach also.'
The man-woman thought frantically. 'The curse was cast by one you have reason to hate.'
'This should make me love you?'
'It should make us allies, at least. I could offer revenge -- '
'Now you interest me.' The demon's eyes slitted. 'Come closer, little man.'
The man-woman clutched his rags about himself and ventured nearer, step by cautious step.
'A quaint curse. Why?'
'To make me a victim. It succeeded. It was not intended that I survive the experience.'
'I can imagine.' A cruel smile parted the demon's lips. 'A pretty thing you are; didn't care for being raped, hmm?'
The man-woman's face flamed. He felt the demon inside of his mind, picking over all of his memories of the past year, lingering painfully over several he'd rather have died than seen revealed. Anger and shame almost replaced his fear.
The demon's smile grew wider. 'Or did you begin to care for it after all?'
'Get out of my mind, you bastard!' He stifled whatever else he had been about to scream, wondering if he'd just written his own death-glyph.
'I think I like you, little man. How can you give me revenge?'
He took a deep breath, and tried to clear his mind. 'I know where they are, the sorceress and her partner. I know how to lure them here -- and I have a plan to take them when they come -- '
'I have many such plans -- but I did not know how to bring them within my grasp. Good.' The demon nodded. 'I think perhaps we have a bargain. I shall give you the form you need to make you powerful against them, and I shall let you bring them here. Come, and I will work the magic to change you, and free myself with the sealing of our bargain. I must touch you -- '
The man-woman approached the very edge of the flames, cautious and apprehensive in spite of the demon's assurance that he would bargain. He still did not entirely trust this creature -- and he more than certainly still feared its power. The demon reached out with one long, molten-bronze talon, and briefly caressed the side of his face.
