CHAPTER SIX
833 Words
CHAPTER 6: DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
(Selene’s POV)
My fingers clenched around my dagger, but I didn’t lunge. Not yet.
Vincent Devereaux stood before me, as flawless and dangerous as I remembered. Dressed in a midnight-black coat embroidered with silver, his aristocratic features were eerily perfect—a vampire who had never lost the vanity of the man he once was.
His dark hair was slicked back, his piercing blue eyes shining like ice under moonlight. He was beautiful in a way only true monsters could be.
"Selene," he said smoothly, his voice a slow, deliberate drawl. "It’s been too long."
I forced my breathing to steady. "Not long enough."
Damian growled low beside me, still half-shifted, his golden eyes locked onto Devereaux with pure, feral hatred. Blood dripped from his claws, the remnants of the vampires we had just taken down.
Lucian Graves remained at his master’s side, expression unreadable, but his stance was relaxed—like he already knew we weren’t getting out of here without spilling more blood.
Devereaux studied Damian with a bemused smirk. "My, my… look at you. You wear the curse well, wolf. It suits you."
Damian stiffened, his breathing sharp. I saw his claws twitch, as if his body was already urging him to strike.
I stepped forward, putting myself between them.
"What do you want, Devereaux?" I snapped.
His lips curved. "So impatient. I’ve barely had the chance to enjoy our little reunion."
I tightened my grip on my blade. "You didn’t come all this way just to reminisce. So cut the theatrics and tell me why you’re here."
He sighed, shaking his head. "You wound me, Selene. Truly. But very well. Since you’re so eager…"
He took a slow step forward.
"You want answers about the curse. I have them."
Silence.
The air turned thick, every muscle in my body screaming not to trust him.
I narrowed my eyes. "And what do you want in return?"
His smirk deepened. "Nothing too troublesome. Just a small favor."
Damian snarled. "Like hell we’re making a deal with you."
Devereaux barely glanced at him. "That’s up to Selene, isn’t it?"
I ignored the way my stomach twisted. "What favor?"
He tilted his head slightly, as if he were savoring the moment. "There’s a relic in the undercity. An old artifact that has been lost for centuries. I need it. And you, my dear huntress, are the only one skilled enough to retrieve it."
I frowned. "You expect me to just waltz into the undercity and bring you some mystery relic?"
"Not just any relic." His blue eyes gleamed. "The Moonstone of Elaris."
A cold weight settled in my chest.
The Moonstone. Ancient. Forbidden. Dangerous.
It was said to amplify supernatural abilities—to break curses, bend fate itself.
And suddenly, I understood.
Devereaux didn’t just want power. He wanted absolute control.
I stepped closer, meeting his gaze without fear. "You’re after the Moonstone because you think it’ll let you rewrite your own fate, don’t you?"
His expression didn’t change. "Perhaps."
I scoffed. "And why the hell would I help you get it?"
His smile returned, slow and knowing. "Because, my dear, it’s the only thing that can break Damian’s curse."
Damian inhaled sharply behind me. I could feel his tension, his war between rage and the small, terrible sliver of hope Devereaux had just dangled in front of him.
Damn him.
Damn him for knowing exactly how to manipulate us.
I kept my expression unreadable. "And I’m supposed to just believe you?"
Devereaux chuckled. "Believe me or not. The truth remains the same. You’re running out of time. The curse is growing stronger. Soon, even you won’t be able to stop it."
I didn’t react. I couldn’t.
Because he wasn’t wrong.
I had seen the Oracle’s vision. I had seen Damian falling.
And if Devereaux was right—if the Moonstone could break the curse—then refusing this deal might mean losing Damian forever.
But if I agreed…
I’d be playing right into Devereaux’s hands.
The bastard knew exactly what he was doing.
"You don’t have to do this, Selene," Damian murmured beside me, his voice rough, strained.
I turned slightly, looking up at him. His golden eyes burned with emotion—with the silent plea he wouldn’t say aloud.
He didn’t want me to sacrifice anything for him.
Even if it killed him.
I exhaled slowly, then turned back to Devereaux.
"Fine," I said, my voice steady. "I’ll get you the Moonstone."
Damian tensed. "Selene—"
"But," I interrupted, holding up a hand. "I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for him."
Devereaux’s smirk widened. "Of course."
I turned, grabbing Damian’s arm and pulling him away before either of us could do something we’d regret.
But as we left, I could feel Devereaux’s eyes on me.
Watching. Waiting.
Because no matter how this ended, I had just set something into motion.
And I wasn’t sure if either of us would survive it.
- Writer
