The abandoned building was silent except for the steady sound of rain outside.
Water dripped through the cracked ceiling, forming small puddles across the dusty floor. The wind howled faintly through the broken windows, making the old wooden boards creak like whispers in the dark.
Elena Hart stood frozen.
Her breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling quickly as she stared at the man standing before her.
No… not a man.
A demon.
His tall figure loomed in front of her, the dim moonlight filtering through the broken roof illuminating his sharp features. His black hair fell slightly over his forehead, framing a face that was almost unfairly beautiful.
But it was his eyes that terrified her the most.
Crimson.
Deep, glowing crimson.
They stared at her as if they could see straight into her soul.
Elena slowly pulled her injured hand back from his grasp, her body trembling.
"This… this isn't possible," she whispered.
The demon tilted his head slightly, watching her reaction with clear amusement.
"Humans always say that."
His voice was calm and smooth, almost soothing—but there was something dangerous beneath it.
Elena shook her head, taking a few steps backward.
"No… I must be hallucinating."
Her mind was overwhelmed.
First the wedding disaster.
Then being chased by the police.
Now a demon?
It had to be too much stress.
"Yes," she murmured to herself. "That must be it. I'm imagining things."
The demon raised an eyebrow.
"Imagining?"
He suddenly stepped forward.
Before Elena could react, he appeared directly in front of her.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"I assure you," he said softly, "I am very real."
Elena stumbled back, her heart racing violently.
"H-how did you move so fast?!"
He chuckled.
"A simple trick."
His gaze then dropped to the glowing symbol on the floor.
The strange red markings were slowly fading, the blood Elena had accidentally spilled already drying on the stone surface.
"You accidentally activated a summoning seal," the demon explained casually.
Elena followed his gaze.
"A… summoning seal?"
"Yes."
His crimson eyes returned to her.
"And your blood completed the contract."
A cold shiver ran down her spine.
"…Contract?"
The demon smiled slightly.
"Congratulations, Elena Hart."
Her name on his lips made her freeze.
"You have successfully summoned a demon."
Her heart skipped.
"How do you know my name?"
"I know many things."
His smile deepened.
"Your betrayal."
"Your humiliation."
"And the man who abandoned you at the altar."
Elena's chest tightened painfully.
"Stop."
Her voice was shaky.
The demon's expression softened slightly—not with kindness, but curiosity.
"You loved him," he said.
It wasn't a question.
Elena looked away.
Memories flooded her mind.
Adrian standing at the altar.
The coldness in his voice.
The silence when she asked if he trusted her.
Her nails dug into her palms.
"I don't want to talk about it."
The demon studied her quietly.
Then he spoke again.
"But you want revenge."
Elena's head snapped up.
His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"You want the truth," he continued slowly.
"You want those who framed you to suffer."
His words struck something deep inside her heart.
Anger.
Pain.
Humiliation.
All the emotions she had tried to suppress came rushing back at once.
Her voice trembled.
"…What do you know about it?"
The demon shrugged lightly.
"I know enough."
He walked around her slowly, like a predator observing prey.
"You were framed for corporate espionage."
"Your sister accused you."
"And the man you loved believed her without hesitation."
Each sentence felt like a knife twisting deeper into her heart.
Elena clenched her fists.
"I didn't do it."
"I know."
She froze.
"You… believe me?"
The demon stopped walking.
He looked down at her calmly.
"Of course."
"Why?"
"Because the truth is obvious."
He leaned closer.
"The real question is… why didn't he see it?"
Elena had no answer.
Her throat tightened painfully.
The demon straightened again.
"Well," he said lightly, "that's not my problem."
He turned toward the exit.
"Wait."
The word escaped Elena before she could stop herself.
He paused.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
The demon glanced over his shoulder.
"The contract has already been formed."
"…What contract?"
He sighed softly, as if explaining something very simple.
"For one year, I am bound to you."
Her heart skipped.
"Bound… to me?"
"Yes."
His crimson eyes gleamed.
"And in that time, I may assist you."
Elena hesitated.
"Assist me… with what?"
The demon's smile returned.
"With revenge."
The word echoed through the empty building.
Her heart pounded harder.
Revenge.
She thought about Lily.
The tears that now seemed fake.
The way she had looked at Adrian.
And Adrian…
The man she loved for three years.
The man who never even tried to defend her.
Pain filled her chest.
"I don't need revenge," Elena said quietly.
The demon laughed.
It wasn't mocking.
It was amused.
"You're a terrible liar."
Her silence confirmed it.
The demon's gaze softened slightly.
"You want justice."
He stepped closer again.
"And I can give it to you."
Elena swallowed.
"…Why would you help me?"
Demons weren't known for kindness.
Even she knew that much.
The demon knelt slightly so their eyes were level.
His voice became softer.
"Because I find you interesting."
That answer made her even more nervous.
"And…" he added.
"There is a price."
Of course there was.
Elena looked at him carefully.
"What do you want?"
His smile turned mysterious.
"For now?"
He gently lifted her injured hand again.
"Nothing too difficult."
His fingers brushed over the cut on her palm.
The wound suddenly began to heal.
Elena gasped.
"It's… healing!"
"Yes."
The demon released her hand.
"Consider it a gift."
She stared at her palm in disbelief.
The cut was completely gone.
"…How?"
He stood up again.
"I told you."
"I am a demon."
Elena slowly lifted her eyes to meet his again.
"If I accept your help…"
Her voice was quiet but steady now.
"…can you prove my innocence?"
The demon didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Her heart jumped.
"And the people who framed me?"
His smile darkened.
"They will regret it."
Elena's chest filled with a strange mixture of fear and hope.
She had nothing left.
No reputation.
No home.
No one who believed her.
Maybe…
Maybe this demon was her only chance.
"…What's your name?" she asked finally.
The demon looked almost surprised by the question.
Then he chuckled.
"Humans usually ask that first."
"Well?"
He stared at her for a moment.
Then he answered.
"…Azrael."
The name sent a strange chill through the air.
Elena nodded slowly.
"Alright."
She took a deep breath.
"For one year."
Azrael's crimson eyes gleamed.
"Yes."
"For one year."
Outside, thunder roared across the sky.
And somewhere in the darkness…
A dangerous alliance had just begun.