You gave her a place to stay, mended her violin, and bought her Cinnabon. You taught her to find friendly faces in the darkness, music in her empty spaces. You gave her a pathway she could follow; you helped her understand applause. And she sang and spoke until she could stand alone, in front of everyone, and declare herself beautiful.

You miss your music, more than you knew. It hurts, even more than the pain ahead. But that’s what it means to deal with Hell, right?

And you know what?

Here, now … you might even have come out a little ahead.

But your job is not over yet. Shizuka. It’s time to give your child her final lesson:

With no need for a beginning, nor any reason to end, the music continues. And so, no matter who you are, where you came from, what sins you have committed or hurt you have endured … when you are alone and there is no universe left to remember you.

You can always, always rewrite your song.

At 11:56, someone banged on the gate.

“He’s early.” Astrid frowned.

But it wasn’t Damnation. It was Mr. Aguilar.

“He brought over some tangerines. He said the music is very nice, but he needs to get up early tomorrow.”

Shizuka laughed. She laughed until she could laugh no more.

“Of course he does. Of course he does.”

She was still chuckling at 11:59 pm, when Tremon Philippe came for her at last.

Shizuka picked up her violin case and walked calmly to Tremon Philippe.

She nodded to Tremon. “I’m ready.”

“Miss Satomi!” Astrid gave her a paper bag.

“From the Aguilars,” she managed to say.

“Thank you, Astrid, for everything. Be happy, okay?”

And then it was midnight.

“Shizuka Satomi, as you defaulted on your contract, I hereby exercise the right—”

“Wait! I forgot something.”

Shizuka fished around in her purse, then tossed something shiny to Astrid.

“Your car. Your keys.”

“M-Miss Satomi!”

“As I was saying,” Tremon continued, “I hereby exercise the right to your soul.”

The demon grinned and licked his teeth.

“Shizuka. It’s finally your turn to pay.”

A surge of orange fire shot from out of the demon’s hands. Shizuka closed her eyes as she was engulfed in a bright green glow.

“MISS SATOMI!”

Astrid grabbed at the air in front of her.

But Shizuka Satomi, the Queen of Hell, was gone.

“Are you happy now?” Astrid shrieked.

But Tremon Philippe did not seem triumphant. He looked around, unsure.

“It’s not supposed to work like that.”

Suddenly, he glared at Katrina, but Katrina shrugged.

“You really do look like a toad, don’t you?”

“SHIZUKA!” Tremon Philippe screamed.

The demon burst into raging hellfire and leapt into the sky.

37

“Are we cloaked?”

“Yes, Mother. Welcome aboard. And you too, Miss Satomi.”

“Good! Shizuka, please take a seat. We need to hurry. Shizuka?”

Shizuka opened her eyes. Why wasn’t she burning?

What was going on?