"Just tell me what you wanted and leave Athena alone," Jon said.
Athena sat back down, crossing her bare tanned legs. "Okay, fine," she sighed. "What I wanted to tell you was that if you don't come out of that circle, you'll regret it."
"You can't do anything to me. Not when I'm in the circle."
"Well, of course I can't do anything to you." She grinned. "But I can do anything I want to others. How would you like it if I did something deliciously horrible to ... oh, say ... Karyn? Or maybe your sister? Or your mother?"
"You leave them alone!"
"And I will ... if you come out of the circle. I won't let you spend the rest of the week in there."
"No. I'm staying here," Jon said, crossing his arms.
"Have it your way," Athena said. "But the consequences will be on you." Suddenly, Athena's body dropped to the floor.
Jon got off the bed and crouched down next to her, making sure that he didn't cross the circle. "Athena? Are you okay?"
From the next room, Jon heard a scream. He stood up and was about to see what was happening, but then stopped. If he crossed the circle ...
The Devil was trying to make him leave, by doing something horrible to whomever was screaming. And all Jon could do was stand his ground and bare it.
