The devil

he club felt heavy with tension, and the whispered conversations among the staff only added to my unease. Despite my best efforts t

doors were locked with a finality that sent a shiver down my spine. I exchanged u

Isadora, come with me,” he said, gesturing towards a hidden passage at the back of the

and heavier with each step. My mind raced with questions, but Jeremy

he room was filled with wealthy patrons, their faces o

ly clad girls were paraded around the room like prized possessions, th

t, Jeremy pulled me aside, his voice barely above a whisper. “Stay calm, Is

rising panic. The room seemed to spin around me as I struggled

sion. The bids rose frighteningly high, and I watched in horror as the girls we

ake the stage. I could feel the eyes of the patrons boring

o get out of here; I had to escape before it was too late. But before I coul

ulating. My blood ran cold as I realized that I had been sold

* ***

over me. My mind raced with questions and doubts, but I pushed them aside

e. He was tall and imposing, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seemed to bore i

m prying eyes. Kian, as he had introduced himself

ted matter-of-factly, his voic

of weakness. “I am not anyone’s property,” I retorted,

countered, his tone dripping with arrogance. “You were bought an

my composure. “What do you want from me?”

ed, his eyes flickering with amusement. “I want you to dance for me, to sing for me, to

“I don’t want anything from you,” I spat, my voice laced

ng akin to fury. “You will do as I say,” he growled, his v

bow to you,” I declared, my voice filled with conviction. “

ing in the air like electricity. Then, to my surprise, Kia

owing thoughtfully. “But I have ways of breaking even the stro

that churned within me. “You can try,” I shot back, my voi

body. I stumbled backward, my hand instinctively flying to my throbbing cheek. Anger boiled within me, but I bit

is voice laced with venom. “You are nothing but a lowl

d, he grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me out of the club. I stumbled and fo

nto the passenger seat of a sleek Rolls Royce. The door slammed shut with a resoundi

into the plush leather seat, exhaustion washing over me like a tidal wave. The events of the night had taken their

had changed. Gone were the dimly lit streets and the clamor of the city. In their p

f my surroundings. How did we end up here?

nce, cutting through the darkness like a knife. “Wake up, Isad

g out onto the gravel driveway. The mansion loomed before me, it’s magnificence was ov

I stumbled, trying to keep pace with his brisk strides, but he showed no signs of slowi

whispers floating in the night air. Some recoiled at the sight of Kian, thei

ched the threshold of the mansion. What awaited me in

door, revealing a world of luxury and decadence beyond. H

said, his voice dripping with menace.

l at the sight in front of me. Crystal chandeliers hung fro

o the heart of the mansion. The air was thick with tension, and I could

ple we passed, their faces hidden behind masks of indifference and arrogance. I couldn’t help but fe

o a sprawling ballroom, the air alive with the sound of laughter and music. Coupl

ides. I was surrounded by strangers, their eyes watching me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. I

that there was no escape. I was trapped in this gilded cage, at the mercy of a man

s grip tightening on my arm. I followed his gaze to where a group of men

urgent. I strained to catch snippets of their conversation, but

ty. “Listen to me, Isadora,” he said, his voice low and urgent.

didn’t know what Kian had planned for me, b

me towards a secluded alcove at the edge of the ballroom. We slipped in

eeling that something was terribly wrong. The air was thick with tension, and

figure emerged from the crowd. He approached us with purpos

g a shadow over everything. His features were obscured by the dim light, but

in my chest. I knew, deep down, that this man spelt trouble. His arrival signaled a

an,” he said, his voic