Chapter 12 by Zeebop

What Does Blaze Want?

Lois Lane's Soul

Caritas, Humanitas, Humilitas, Temperantia the chips read. Dim memories stirred in the reporter, then dawning recognition. The seven virtues. In the Medieval world, they were the counterparts to the seven deadly sins. Charity, Humanity, Humility, Temperance...

"If you win," Lois asked, painfully aware that Blaze already had the chip representing Castitas—Chastity—which hadn't been cashed in yet. "What happens to me?"

The pure white eyes seemed to flash, as with black lightning.

"The seven virtues represent parts of your soul. Such fragments have little power in and of themselves, but you...might notice a difference in your behavior without them. When I have all seven, I can shape your soul to my liking." The demon allowed herself a smile. "And before you ask—yes, that is what happened to the other women."

Lois Lane kept her face carefully blank, as you were supposed to do during poker. She was betting with parts of herself.

Then again, what even was a soul? Nothing you could see or hear or feel. For all the reporter knew, this could all be an elaborate scam on Blaze's part, a way to psyche her out, throw her off her game.

With careful nonchalance, ignoring the pounding of her heart, the naked reporter stacked the virtues in the middle of the table, next to the four chips representing breasts.

"Cut," she said, as the familiar excitement of a high-stakes game tingled through her body.

Blaze proferred the deck...and drew off the Jack of Clubs (J♣). The demon's face was as carefully blank as Lois Lane's own as she cut what was left of the cards.