He didn't rush me.
That was the first thing that made him terrifying.
The demon stood inside the circle as if it were nothing more than a suggestion. The shadows clung to him, curling lazily around his boots, his coat, his fingers. His eyes never left my face.
Not my body.
My face.
Like he was reading something written under my skin.
I realized then—
he wasn't surprised to be here.
He was curious.
"Everything they took from you," he repeated softly, tasting the words.
"Such a generous request."
I swallowed. My mouth was dry.
"You said there was a contract," I said. "So tell me the price."
His lips curved—not into a smile, not yet.
"Oh, I will."
He took one step forward.
The air tightened.
The candle flame bent sharply toward him, trembling like it wanted to crawl into his hands. I didn't move, even when instinct screamed at me to step back.
"Before we talk about payment," he said calmly, "I need to know something."
He stopped just short of the edge of the circle.
"Are you desperate," he asked, "or are you angry?"
I thought of Madison's laughter.
The way she'd leaned into Ethan like she'd won something.
The way he hadn't even tried to stop her.
I thought of the silence. The empty seat at lunch. The way the world had decided I was optional.
"I'm angry," I said.
That did it.
His expression shifted—not dramatically, but unmistakably. Interest sparked in his eyes, sharp and bright, like a predator spotting movement in tall grass.
"Good," he murmured. "Desperation fades. Anger lasts."
He lifted one hand, palm up.
Black symbols ignited in the air between us, forming slowly, deliberately. They hovered there, pulsing like a second heartbeat.
"This is a binding contract," he said. "You ask. I act. Revenge, restoration, retribution—whatever form you desire."
"And the cost?" I pressed.
His gaze dropped—to my throat, my pulse, the place where fear and resolve tangled together.
"You won't like it," he said honestly.
My fingers curled into fists.
"I don't like my life right now either."
A soft laugh escaped him. Low. Almost pleased.
"Fair."
The symbols shifted, rearranging themselves.
"You should know," he continued, voice smooth as dark silk, "demons are greedy creatures. We don't just want souls. That's a childish rumor humans tell themselves to feel important."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"We want everything."
My breath caught.
"We want to experience the world through you," he said.
"Your choices. Your victories. Your failures."
"Your rage."
His eyes flicked back up to mine.
"Your desire."
The word lingered between us.
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then I saw it again—
Ethan's eyes sliding away from mine.
Madison's smile, sharp and satisfied.
The way the teacher had looked through me like I was glass.
No one had protected me.
No one had chosen me.
I stepped forward and placed my hand over the glowing symbols.
"I accept," I said.
The reaction was immediate.
The circle flared, light surging upward like a breath held too long. The candle extinguished itself. The room plunged into shadow.
The symbols burned into my skin—not painfully, but permanently. Heat spread up my arm, across my chest, settling deep inside me.
The demon inhaled sharply.
For the first time, he looked… affected.
His pupils dilated. His jaw tightened.
"Ah," he said softly. "There it is."
"What?" I whispered.
"Consent."
The contract snapped shut with a sound like a lock clicking into place.
The pressure vanished.
When my vision cleared, he was no longer trapped inside the circle.
He stood directly in front of me now.
Too close.
He bowed—deep, elegant, mocking.
"My master," he said, amusement threading through his voice.
The title sent a strange shiver through me.
"I didn't say—"
"You didn't have to," he interrupted gently. He straightened, eyes gleaming. "The contract did."
He leaned down until his face was level with mine, close enough that I could feel the coolness of him, the wrongness of him.
"You should know something," he murmured.
"Demons don't serve out of kindness."
"I figured," I said.
His smile widened.
"We serve because we enjoy it."
The shadows around us stirred.
"Now," he said, straightening. "Tell me about the first one."
My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
"Madison Clarke," I said without hesitation.
His eyes darkened.
"Oh," he said pleasantly.
"This is going to be fun."