Lena sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clenched into fists. Her entire body felt different—warmer, heavier, as if something unseen was pressing down on her.
The mark on her wrist pulsed, a dull throb beneath her skin. It wasn't painful, but it was there, a constant reminder of what she had done.
She had made a deal with the Devil's son.
And now, there was no escaping it.
Her mind replayed his words over and over again.
"You will feel me, even when I am not near."
She hated that he was right.
Even now, she could sense him—somewhere nearby. A whisper of his presence curled around her, lingering in the back of her mind like an unwanted shadow.
She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to push the feeling away.
A soft knock at her door made her tense.
"Lena?"
It was Caleb.
She quickly wiped at her eyes, taking a deep breath before standing.
When she opened the door, he stood there, looking stronger than he had in months. His color had returned, his eyes no longer dull and lifeless. He looked… alive.
And it nearly broke her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, frowning slightly. "You were gone all night."
Lena forced a small smile. "I—I just needed some air."
He studied her for a moment before nodding. "I feel different," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Like I was dying, but now…" He exhaled. "I don't know how to explain it."
Lena's stomach twisted.
She wanted to tell him everything, but how could she? How could she tell him that he was only alive because she had sacrificed herself?
Instead, she forced another smile. "Maybe it's just the meds finally working," she lied.
Caleb hesitated before nodding slowly. "Yeah… maybe."
Lena swallowed hard, guilt clawing at her chest.
She knew better.
This wasn't medicine. This was the Devil's work.
---
Midnight
The apartment was silent, but Lena couldn't sleep.
She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing.
The mark on her wrist was warm again.
And then—a whisper.
"Lena."
She bolted upright, her breath catching in her throat.
The room was dark, but she wasn't alone.
A shadow shifted near the window, and within seconds, he stepped forward.
The Devil's son.
Lena's pulse pounded.
"Do you always break into people's homes?" she whispered harshly.
He smirked. "It's not breaking in when you belong to me."
Her jaw tightened. "I don't belong to you."
His golden eyes gleamed. "Oh? Then why is it that you felt me before I even arrived?"
Lena's fingers curled into fists.
"I didn't ask for this," she snapped.
"You did," he reminded her smoothly. "You made a choice, and now, you must live with the consequences."
Her throat tightened. She knew that. She just hated hearing him say it.
"Why are you here?" she asked instead.
The amusement in his eyes faded. His expression grew colder, sharper.
"To warn you."
Lena frowned. "Warn me?"
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.
"You are bound to me now," he said softly. "And that means others will sense it."
A chill ran down her spine. "Others?"
"Demons. Creatures of the underworld. They can smell what you've done. And some… will want to take you for themselves."
Lena's stomach dropped. "You mean—"
"They will come for you," he confirmed. "They will want to claim you as their own. And if you are not careful, they will succeed."
Lena's hands trembled slightly, but she clenched them, refusing to show fear.
"Then break the deal," she said. "Let me go."
A slow, humorless smile spread across his lips.
"That is not how this works."
Lena's heart pounded. "Then what do I do?"
His gaze darkened.
"You survive."
The air in the room grew heavier, as if the very shadows were pressing down on her.
"And how do I do that?" she asked quietly.
His eyes locked onto hers.
"You stay close to me."
Lena swallowed hard. "And if I don't?"
His smirk returned, but there was something dangerous beneath it.
"Then you'll wish you had."