Chapter 3
1341 Words
Isaldora sat in a high-backed chair, her frame small yet regal. Her back faced the room, her eyes fixed on the night sky beyond the window—but she wasn’t watching the stars. Her thoughts stirred deeper than the darkness outside.
The silence in the room was absolute—suffocating stillness broken only by the faint hum of the city far below. Moonlight washed over the black marble floor, pouring through the tall glass walls like silver smoke.
The building belonged to her family. One of the few assets her father had hidden from the supernatural world. He’d once dreamed of expanding his business among humans.
But that dream died, soaked in blood on the sacred soil of Aetherwyn.
A few months had passed since the m******e.
She was thirteen now as her birthday passed two weeks ago. A birthday that for the first time wasn’t filled with joy or happiness. Without family.
A storm was brewing inside her. The rage burned—wild, consuming. To destroy. To avenge.
But she couldn’t act rashly. Her mother had always said true strength comes with great control.
And right now—she doesn’t have it.
She had a lot to learn.
The power that woke inside her—it was ancient, wild — unmastered. She didn’t even know how to reach it again at her will.
So, she had to learn to control it. And develop her other abilities. Her parents always told her that she was more powerful than any of them.
Her silent thoughts broke with a knock as she tilted her head.
The door creaked open.
“Um… hello?” A woman’s voice, hesitant. “I… I’m here for the secretary position.”
Isaldora saw her through the glass’s reflection, but said nothing.
The woman stepped in slowly, clearly unsettled by the cold beauty of the place. Something about the place made her skin crawl and made her stomach twist.
“My name’s Renna Vane. I—I don’t have the most impressive experience, but I really need this job. Anything, really. I learn fast. I…” She hesitated. “I’m just trying to get by.”
Renna frowned now. The quiet wasn’t just eerie now—it was mocking.
'Is this some kind of joke?' she thought, irritation blooming.
Isaldora, reading her thoughts, turned to face the woman.
Renna was shocked to see a kid around twelve-thirteen sitting on the chair instead of an adult. Anger flared in her, believing that she had been pranked. But the Isaldora's next words gave a whiplash.
“You’re hired,” Isaldora said said.
Renna blinked. “Excuse me…what?”
“I said,” the girl repeated, voice steady, “you’re hired.”
Renna looked her up and down in disbelief. “I’m not here to be a nanny for a freaking brat.”
Isaldora smiled coldly, and the temperature in the room seemed to dip.
She liked this one. She would be best for the job.
And then with a lazy flick of her hand, the room brightened—and Renna suddenly found herself sitting in the chair across from the desk. Her breath caught in her throat. Shock and disbelief plastered clearly on her face.
Eyes wide with confusion.
Renna’s heart slammed in her chest.
“H-How did… I-I was just—”
“I… I was standing…” she gasped, voice cracking.
“You were,” Isaldora said flatly, without any emotion as she sat there, composed and still, framed by the city skyline behind her.
Renna looked up. Her thoughts spun. Chills running down her spine.
Who the hell is this freaking kid?
“You may call me Isaldora,” Isadora replied.
Renna stiffened.
She hadn’t said that out loud.
“H-How did…did you—” she stuttered.
“What…” she whispered with fear. “Who are you?”
Isaldora leaned back in her chair, eyes like frozen moonlight.
Still no emotion as she said,
“A witch.”
Renna blinked.
And blinked again.
A short, hysterical laugh escaped her lips.
Disbelieving.
She shook her head, a desperate smile twitching onto her face. Hoping this all was a prank.
“No—no, you’re not. Witches aren't real and you’re just a—”
She stopped blabbering.
The words wouldn’t come. She gulped hard.
Isaldora watched her. Unblinking. Her eyebrow raised.
“You don’t…” Renna's voice cracked after a while, “…look like one.”
She meant it.
Isaldora was… breathtaking. Ethereal in the moonlight, with hair like woven starlight falling past her waist. Renna was sure that growing up Isaldora would be popular. Plus she looked innocent, kind. The only thing that gave chills were her eyes, pale silver, unnatural and deprived of warmth.
“You need money,” Isaldora said, as she leaned back in her chair, watching Renna with a calculative look. “You’re drowning in debt. Rejected everywhere. Your brother’s medication? Overdue. You’ll be homeless in days.”
Renna’s blood ran cold.
“How do you—?”
“I’m offering you a job. A roof. Good pay. In return, you’ll serve as my secretary—and to the world, my guardian. Accept it, and your problems vanish.” Isaldora said monotonously, ignoring her.
Renna opened her mouth. No sound came. She thought she might faint and wished this was a nightmare. She tried to move, to stand—to run—but her body refused. She panicked as she struggled to move.
Isaldora, seeing this, chuckled, dark and soft. “Don’t struggle. You won’t be able to move unless I let you.”
Fear bloomed in Renna’s chest like ice.
“Now,” Isaldora said, tilting her head, “do you accept the job? Because one way or another, you will. You don't have a choice either, you die or live.”
Renna hesitated, her eyes stinging but then nodded slowly, defeated.
“Good girl.” Isaldora said.
With another flick, a parchment and a thin silver spindle appeared on the desk before Renna.
“Sign.”
Renna’s hand was freed just enough to lift it. She looked confused at the spindle.
“Oh,” Isaldora added, “you’ll need to prick your finger. A few drops of blood, where your name appears.”
Renna gaped at her horrified. “Blood?!”
Isaldora simply waited.
Hands trembling, eyes glassy, Renna reached out the spindle. The prick was small, but sharp. She winced, then let a few drops of blood fall on the glowing line bearing her name.
The paper shimmered and then vanished.
Renna felt her body release as she no longer felt the pressure.
And without thinking she bolted up—rushed for the door only to collapse to her knees as pain sliced through her insides, searing and sudden.
“Don’t be dramatic,” shaking her head Isaldora sighed, amused by the stupidity. Her steps echoed softly against the marble as she crossed the distance. She crouched beside Renna, her voice low, but not warm, like velvet dipped in poison.
“You just signed a blood contract. You're bound to me now. You can’t run or escape. You will die if you try that again.”
Isaldora saw Renna whimper, terror plain etched on her face.
“But,” Isaldora added, standing again, “as long as you serve me loyally, you’ll be paid well. Enough to help your brother. Enough to rebuild your life. I don't harm what belongs to me—unless it betrays me.”
The pain ebbed. Renna shakily stood. Isaldora gestured to the chair, and she followed sinking into it, pale, defeated and tears spilling.
“All you need to do is exactly what I tell you.”
Renna nodded, silent tears flowing down her cheeks. But Isaldora was immune to them, she didn't care less.
A thick envelope landed on the desk with a soft thud.
“Your first payment,” Isaldora said. “Use it well.”
Renna stared at it… then at Isaldora.
“Welcome to Aether Enterprises, Ms. Vane.”
- Writer
