Tell the truth.

Dago wasn’t sure what they hell they wanted, but he didn’t want to be killed just because he wasn’t useful enough. He knew enough things and had enough skills that he’d be helpful somewhere.

The man stood up from his chair and picked up a clipboard, flipping through the very small list of questions before he grabbed a pen and tapped it on the paper.

“Name.”

Dago hesitated before he answered, he saw the guards coming closer with the prod, “Dagoberto Vivar,” he spat quickly.

“Profession.”

“Surgeon.”

The man made an approving noise and scribbled all of these things on the paper.

“Talents or abilities?” he said, looking up at Dago with a bored expression.

“Strength, speed, good sense of hearing and smell, glamour, hypnotism, and innate magic,” he listed, hoping he didn’t just get himself into more trouble.

The man looked up at Dago with a curious expression, “Exactly what are you?”

“A vampire,” he said, frowning, “Ex-mage.”

The man scribbled a couple more things on the paper before setting the clipboard down. He moved behind the chair before coming back with a long poker with a flat glowing red end. It had a symbol with a long swooping curve on it, from what Dago could see. He didn’t like the fact that the man kept coming closer to him. He tried to move away, but he was quickly held in place by both shoulders. The man pressed the brand right over the stamp on his shoulder blades. Dago gritted his teeth, but couldn’t do anything about the pain because the guards weren’t in contact with his skin. He clamped his mouth shut and set his jaw, intent on not screaming in pain.

The man removed the brand and waved at the guards. They both hauled him to his feet. The man stood in front of Dago for a moment with his arms crossed.

“My name is Mephistopheles,” he began, “You’re in the castle of Mammon in the greed circle of hell, as I’m sure you’re familiar with the circles of hell. Mammon has given me the right to take one **** of my own. I’m giving you a choice, or you’ll be shipped and sold, or examined by Mammon himself.”