Chapter 9: The Deal Tightens
Avelyn couldn't sleep. Not really. Her body lay
rigid on the massive black bed, but her mind
raced-every word Lucien had whispered the
night before echoing in her head. "T know more
than yoU realize."
She pressed her palms against her eyes, trying to
shut out the memory of his intense gaze. But it
refused to fade. The more she tried to think
rationally, the more the questions mutiplied.
What did he know? How much of her life had he
been watching? And why did it feel like every
move she made was already anticipated?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at
the door. Her heart jumped.
"Miss Avelyn?" Lucien's voice. Calm. Measured.
Dangerous.
She swallowed hard. "What do you want?" she
called out, her voice steadier than she felt.
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him
with a soft click. His presence filled the room like
a storm, heavy and undeniable. The way he
leaned casually against the wall, dark eyes
locked on hers, made her stomach twist.
"I told you.. everything I do has a purpose," he
said, voice low, almost a whisper. "And soon,
you'll understand why"
Avelyn clenched the sheets beneath her fingers.
"Why me? Why this.. deal?"
Lucien's smirk widened, sharp and unnerving.
"Because, Avelyn.. you are worth more than you
think."
She didn't know whether to be terrified or
furious. "Worth more?" she spat, standing to face
him. "I'm just... a girl who got sold!"
"Ah," he said softly, stepping closer, "but you are
no ordinary girl. And this. this is no ordinary
deal."
Her chest tightened. Every word, every
movement, made her feel both trapped and
mesmerized. She had to look away. And yet... she
couldn't.
Suddenly, he stopped. The distance between
them was smal, but enough to make her feel like
the air itself was electric.
"There are rules," Lucien continued, voice now
serious, almost cold. "And if you break them.."
He paused, letting the threat hang like a shadow
across the roomn. "The consequences won't just
be yours to bear."
Avelyn swallowed. Her mind spun. She wanted
answers, but the fear gnawed at her. Every
instinct screamed at her to run. Yet something in
his presence held her rooted.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, voice
trembling slightly. "Why not just... leave me
alone?"
Lucien tited his head, studying her as if seeing
her for the first time. "Because I didn't make the
deal with you to leave you alone.I made it
because I kneW.. you Would test me."
Her breath caught. Test him? What did that even
mean?
Before she could ask more, he turned and walked
toward the door. "Sleep. You'll need your
strength. Tomorrow.. the deal tightens."
Avelyn's eyes followed him, watching as he
disappeared into the shadows of the coridor.
Her heart pounded in her chest. The deal
tightens. She didn't understand fully, but she
knew one thing: her life had changed forever.
She sank back onto the bed, clutching the
sheets, mind racing with fear, curiosity, and
something else she didn't dare admit. Something
dangerous.. a thrill at the unknown.
As the room fell silent, she whispered to herself,
almost afraid of the answer:
What does he want from me. really?
And somewhere in the dark, Lucien's voice
echoed in her mind again: "" know everything..
and I'm not finished yet."