My legs trembled, and the moment the vampires were gone, i was barely able to hold myself upright. The adrenaline that had kept me upright drained from my body, leaving me weak and exhausted.
Kalix, however, wasn't giving me a moment to breathe.
"Sign the papers."
His voice was sharp, commanding.
I blinked up at him in confusion, my mind sluggish—until I remembered.
The contract.
Hell. No.
There was no way I was signing that contract or doing whatever weird ritual came with it.
Kalix's eyes darkened with authority as he took another step forward.
I instinctively stepped back.
Another step.
I retreated again—until the back of my legs hit the couch, blocking my escape.
Damn it.
His expression was unreadable, but there was a certain finality in his gaze. "Sign the papers, Celia."
I blinked at him, feigning confusion. "I… I don't have a pen."
It was a weak excuse, but it was all I had.
Kalix didn't even blink. Without breaking eye contact, He took a step forward.
I instinctively stepped back.
He advanced again.
I backed away, only to feel the couch pressing against the back of my legs. Trapped.
I took a slow, deep breath as he closed the space between us, his dark eyes holding me captive. His presence was overwhelming, his gaze burning into mine. There was something unreadable in his gaze—something dangerous, something final.
My legs trembled beneath me, the last remnants of adrenaline fading. My body was drained, my mind racing for a way out.
I crossed my arms. "You can't force me."
Kalix tilted his head slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. He was studying me, assessing.
And then he smirked.
Oh no.
That was never a good sign.
he suddenly grabbed my hand—the injured one. A sharp sting shot through my palm as he pressed down, smearing the fresh blood onto my fingers.
My breath hitched. What is he doing?
Confusion flickered in my eyes as I tried to pull back, but his grip was firm, unyielding.
"Kalix—"
Before I could protest, he took my bloodstained thumb and stamped it on to the papers.
I gasped, jerking my hand back, but it was too late. My bloody fingerprint was already on the paper.
"What the hell, Kalix?!" I snapped, staring at the contract in horror.
He simply let go of my hand, his expression unreadable as he studied the document. "It's done."
My heart pounded as realization sank in.
I didn't sign it.
He forced me.
I yanked my hand back, cradling it to my chest, my heartbeat thundering in my ears.
He tricked me.
"You can't just—" I began, but he cut me off with a sharp look.
"I warned you, Celia. You weren't going to get out of this." His voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge to it.
I clenched my fists, my injured hand stinging from the pressure. "You manipulated me!"
His smirk returned, infuriatingly smug. "No. I simply found a solution to your little rebellion."
I glared at him, my body trembling with frustration. "I hate you."
Kalix leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Good luck with it."
I swallowed hard, hating how my breath hitched. Damn him.
He straightened, rolling up the contract before giving me one last look. "Get some rest. You'll need it."
Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there, my heart racing and my fate sealed.