---
"I'll be going to my room now," Mirabel said softly.
"Alright," Tracy replied, watching her walk away.
---
Lucian's Unit
Lucian sat back in his chair, lazily smoking when the door creaked open. Angelica slipped in, hips swaying, voice sweet as poison.
"Lucy… miss me, baby?"
He didn't even glance at her. "I didn't call for you."
She laughed, stepping closer and dragging a nail down his chest. "You don't need to call me. I can see you're tense. Let me make you feel good." Her fingers went for the buttons of his shirt.
Lucian's hand shot up, shoving hers away. His voice was sharp, lethal. "Get. Out. Now."
The tone froze her blood. She blinked at him in disbelief, then turned, storming out with her pride in shambles.
As soon as the door clicked, Marcelo entered. Lucian exhaled a thin ribbon of smoke.
"Call Mirabel."
Marcelo frowned. "Who is this Mirabel? That name sounds childish."
Lucian ignored him. Marcelo bowed slightly and left.
---
Mirabel's Room
Marcelo appeared at her door. "Lord Lucian sent for you."
Mirabel's chest tightened, but she stood. "Alright. Let's go."
She followed him through the long corridors until they reached Lucian's chambers. Marcelo left her at the door.
She stepped inside. "You sent for me?"
Lucian didn't waste a breath. His eyes pinned her in place, cold and commanding. "Strip."
Mirabel froze. "Excuse me?"
"Don't make me repeat myself. Strip. Now."
Her jaw tightened. "And why should I? Did you cast some kind of charm? If so, it's not working."
His voice dropped an octave. "You've got nerve, woman."
Her glare sharpened. "First of all, my name is not woman. It's Mirabel. Second—go to hell, bloody demon."
That word cut. Lucian stood, and in two strides he had her wrist in his grip. He yanked her forward, throwing her onto the bed.
"Let me go, you bastard!" she hissed, struggling.
Her defiance only fanned his hunger. He tore at her clothes, exposing her trembling body. She gasped, trying to cover herself. "What the hell are you doing—"
His lips silenced her, devouring her neck, then trailing down to her breasts. One hand kneaded her while his mouth latched onto the other, sucking with rough insistence. Despite herself, Mirabel shivered, a reluctant sound escaping her lips.
"S-stop…" she panted, writhing beneath him.
Lucian's smirk brushed her skin as his hand slid lower. Fingers pushed into her heat—too sudden, too rough. She cried out. "Ouch! Are you insane?"
"Call me Master," he ordered darkly.
"Why the hell should I—ahh!" her words broke into moans as he thrust deeper, adding a second finger, pushing her limits.
Her fists beat weakly at his chest. "You're hurting me—!"
His grin turned cruel as he freed himself. "Since you refuse, I won't go easy."
Her eyes widened. "No—don't—"
But he drove into her with a punishing thrust. Her scream tore through the room, her body convulsing around him. He didn't slow, his pace ruthless, every movement meant to break her pride.
"Stop… please…" she whimpered, tears spilling, but the harder she begged, the harder he claimed her.
Leaning down, his breath hot at her ear, he growled, "If you'd called me Master, I might have shown mercy."
Her nails dug into his skin, her voice raw. "In your dreams. I'll never—call you—that!"
His eyes glinted with twisted amusement. "Then I'll make you tremble until you do."
Round after round, he forced her body to yield, until her voice was hoarse and her body quaked beneath him. Finally, he pulled away, leaving her trembling, broken, her clothes shredded around her.
"Get out," he ordered flatly, as though she were nothing.
Mirabel clenched her fists, dragging on her torn garments with shaky hands. Her legs barely carried her as she stood, glaring at him through tears.
"I will make you pay for this," she swore, before staggering out of the room.
---
Angelica's Unit
"Ahhh!" Angelica screamed, slamming her hand against the wall. "How dare he throw me out!"
The door opened and two maids walked in, bowing.
"Ma'am, we're here to clean your room," one said politely. "I'm Rose, and this is Bella."
Angelica's eyes narrowed. "Tell me… do you know someone named… Mirabel?"
The two maids exchanged a look and scoffed. "Oh, her? She's the new girl. Assigned to clean the boss's room."
Angelica's nails dug into her palm. "Because of her, Lucian threw me out. That little bitch… I swear, I'll kill her."
Rose smirked. "You don't have to lift a finger, ma'am. Leave her to us—we'll make her life miserable."
Angelica's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Good. I'll count on you both."
---