147 "We do?" wept the girl.
148 "We do," answered Sweet Blossom. "If you fulfill your part, I'll fulfill mine."
149
"Twenty-five days," the girl continued. "Remember, to do what you
ask will take all my power. Afterwards I will be helpless. If you
let go, I will die forever. If you push me out, I will be no
more. I cannot undo what I will have done. You will have
what you want, but I will be destroyed."
150 The
Voice took a step forward. "Please, Lord," Sweet Blossom begged, "do
not interfere! Trust me!"
151 "I
trust you," answered The Voice, "I do not trust her, but I will not
interfere. Something tells me I shouldn't. But what of the
child in this?"
152 "You
can tell when I speak the truth," the girl assured, "the child is a
willing partner, and understands what I am going to do. She is
happy to be part of it."
153 "You speak true," agreed The Voice. "I will not interfere."
154 "Then
it is time!" the girl announced. There was a flash of
light. The light, a ball, jumped from Sweet Blossom's stomach to
the girl, and one jumped from the girl to her. Both cried out in
pain. The girl struggled up and extended her hand, and Sweet Blossom
took it.
155 The
Voice saw the Darkness go from the girl to Sweet Blossom, and Sweet
Blossom let go of her hand, and backed away. "Oh, Lord!"
she cried, "Lords, I didn't know it would be like this!"
She ran to a pot in the corner of the room and threw up.
156 The girl called out in a sweet young voice, "Mother! Mother!"
157 Her mother rushed in. "What is it, my love?" she asked.
158 "Don't
cry, mother," she said. "It's a beautiful thing I've done. I've
given her what I could never use." Her hand fell to her side, she
closed her eyes, and was gone.
159 The Voice said her prayers, then gathered up Sweet Blossom and took her to the gate.
160 "I
don't understand what has happened," the woman told them, "but I know
she died happy. Bless you, both of you!"
161 As they
continued down the street, Sweet Blossom kept hugging herself and
pulling away from The Voice's grip. "Don't hold me!" she warned.
162 "What's the matter" asked The Voice.
163 "I can
see myself," she said, "inside, and, I can see her, too. I know
everything she ever did. Oh, Lord, it's horrible! Am I
really like that? Is that really me, all those scars? And I
can see you, too, Lord, you're beautiful; just perfect...so beautiful!"
164 "Try to concentrate on my beauty," said The Voice. "Let go of her. Push her away."
165 "No!"
wept Sweet Blossom, "No! I gave my word! Twenty-five days.
I've got to keep her with me for twenty-five days! She kept her
part of the bargain, I know she did. I feel it. I've got to
keep mine, all of it!"
166 They
reached the house and Great Bear came over as soon as they
entered. "What's wrong?" he asked.
167 "Damn!"
cried Sweet Blossom to The Voice, "You should see what HE'S like
inside! He's almost as beautiful as you are!"
168 "WHAT is going on?" the Giant demanded.
169 "I'll explain later!" insisted The Voice. "Right now I've got to get her to her room!"
170 When Sweet Blossom was laying down The Voice came back out and explained to Great Bear.
171 "Merciful Lords! " he gasped, "She called a DEMON? She's actually got one with her?"
172 The
Voice nodded. "If it's done what I think it's done, I can't
understand what it's up to, or how it did it. But I'm willing to
wait and see. The Lords said leave it alone and I'll let it go at
that....for now."