The Dark Bargain

y's

ty jammed the fundraiser, everyone wandering around as though it were quite natural to wear gems that could pay off debt a hundred times over. I should not have

One drink, I had promised myself, then I would go. But my ey

like a second skin, and presenting himself with total authority. His eyes were focused like he could expose every s

e, locking me in place as he

" he observed, his voice silky yet laced w

rged to my cheeks. "I'm not

nd a little amused smile emerged at the margins of h

r; his deep voice calmed but shockingly strong as he drew bits of me I typically kept buried. But I was left wondering if our

ck on the door startled me from a restless sleep. I moaned, covering myself in a robe, opened th

ggled to keep my robe closed against the cool

everything about you. I understand your mother's illness, the debt

knowledge level was how much?

ver looking away from me. "It's very unusua

ed, my voice faltering

direct as a hammer, "and you shou

and the shock made me mut

t might help you to lighten the weight of those medical expenses and your drowning debt. You would be my wife,

vely, disbelieving

ready to support me in keeping my posture. I will pay all of your mother's med

like the only path out as the weight of my circumstances sank over me. My mother

shivered down my spine. And sho

in his magnetic force. "You then sign a contract." One who ties you t

m, the words sprang fro

his normally impenetrable gaze. "Because you seem de

smashed it. My ego drove me to refuse to let my mot

in my grasp. "See me at my office tomorrow AM. Bring any worries you mi

rd as though it were a lifeline. Though the evening air was chill

arly the next morning. The strange sensation-that I was selling my soul-that persisted would not go aw

e, a weird sparkle in his eyes

. Blackwood," he said, the

All that this was was a t

an electric spark up my arm. I looked up, locked his eyes, and for the

et threat, "our marriage is only for show

ree. "Trust me, Damien; I h

able. "good." Since hopes on

t something about this whole setup felt improper. His comments lingered, and for the first t

as I left his office. Unknown

ll come to regret it. He poses

see someone observing, a shudder slithered

wareness descended upon

uldn't get rid of the impression that someo