[ WP ] You play a game with the Devil . If he wins , he gets your eternal soul , but if you win , you get his .

`` I'm still not sure I understand,'' I said slowly. 
 
 The devil rolled her eyes. `` It's pretty simple, Jack,'' she purred into my ear. `` High stakes poker. Whichever of us wins gets the other's immortal soul.'' 
 
 `` That's the thing, though,'' I said, gently pushing the gorgeous woman away. `` What does having someone else's soul actually mean? Also, *you* have a soul?'' 
 
 She smirked. `` Honey, I used to be an angel. I've still got the looks, do n't you agree?'' She gave a slow turn, showing off all angles of her delicious body. `` And angels are nothing *but* soul.'' 
 
 `` That still does n't answer the question.'' 
 
 The devil laughed, throwing back her head to expose a lovely neck. `` You're a sharp one, are n't you Jack?'' Then she sobered up. `` A soul is essentially power. It fuels everything you do. Some people naturally have more of it than others-'' 
 
 `` Black musicians?'' I asked dryly. 
 
 She gave a brilliant smile. `` Something like that. Those with more soul naturally have more success at everything they do. It does n't guarantee it, and it's no substitute for hard work. But a little soul goes a long way.'' 
 
 I thought for a moment. `` How do I know you're telling the truth?'' 
 
 `` As I said, Jack, I was an angel,'' the devil said patiently. `` Angels ca n't lie. Oh, I can mislead you, trick you, give half-truths and not leave out information. But I ca n't lie.'' Another laugh. `` Prince of lies indeed. So many things wrong with that, would n't you agree?'' She cupped her breasts, mocking whoever had come up with the title. 
 
 `` So if you get my soul, that adds to your own abilities,'' I guessed. `` And if I get yours...'' 
 
 `` Well, that's what souls do for mortals,'' the devil clarified. `` They work a little differently for us immortals.'' 
 
 `` If I get yours?'' 
 
 She was totally serious now. `` If you got my soul, your new, larger soul would burn through your puny mortal body and leave you an immortal. You would become a creature as powerful as me, and archangel, but with no ties to either heaven or hell. With that power and the unconstrained freedom that comes with being human, you'd be even stronger than our father.'' 
 
 God, I assumed. `` So why the hell would you risk this?'' 
 
 The devil gave... well, a devilish grin. `` If I win, I get what I want. If I lose, I tick of dear old dad. It's a win-win for me, really.'' She tilted her head. `` Not for you though.'' 
 
 `` Have you ever done this before?'' I asked. 
 
 `` More times than your heart has beat, Jack. And I'm still here.'' 
 
 I weighed the risks, then made a decision. 
 
 -- - 
 
 I said I would n't, but I did. [ Here's the sequel. ] ( https: //www.reddit.com/r/WritingPrompts/comments/3n3xt2/wp_a_man_loses_his_identity_in_a_poker_match/cvkllod ) 
 
 Check out [ my other writings here. ] ( http: //bookofthemountainking.wordpress.com/prompts )
