After two years in the world of politics, holding power and position, the woman with sleek, jet-black hair smiled and waved elegantly at the reporters. Her sapphire-blue eyes stood in stark contrast to her flawlessly smooth and well-maintained skin. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
An independent woman, a highly successful and stunning career woman. But who would have thought that behind all her success lay a pact that bound her soul to a dark entity she encountered in the forest?
After attending an important meeting with the President and cabinet ministers—an event covered live by the media—Erika intended to go home.
Driving her personal vehicle, a black Porsche, Erika always traveled alone. She had no personal chauffeur or bodyguard, as she believed her soul was already protected by the dark entity that had granted her every worldly desire.
Avoiding the media, as she disliked the blinding flashes of cameras, Erika made her way to the basement where her car was parked. It was eerily quiet there—no one else around. Silence filled the space, broken only by the sound of her heels clicking against the cold concrete as she walked toward the only remaining car.
The darkness, dampness, and stillness reminded Erika of something that had happened two years ago. A bad feeling crept into her chest.
She quickened her pace, but unfortunately, her car was parked at the farthest corner of the basement. Half-running, she hurried to reach her vehicle.
She was alone, yet she felt she wasn't.
"What wonderful news that you've gotten everything you desired!"
A familiar voice echoed from behind her, not too far away.
"Did I miss something?"
Erika froze. Just as she was about to reach her car, a figure emerged from the shadows, blocking her path.
For a moment, Erika's heart stopped. Her breath hitched. She couldn't scream, let alone run.
She stood frozen in place as the figure stepped closer—its presence ominous, its aura suffocating.
She recognized that face. This was the second time she had seen it so clearly—the face of the dark entity that had granted her worldly pleasures.
Adzriel, the Dark Prince.
That was all Erika knew. She didn't know, nor did she need to know, anything else. All she had wanted was earthly pleasure, and in doing so, she had pushed aside the memory of their pact.
Two years had passed. And now, the entity had returned.
Erika already knew what was coming—because their agreement had only been for two years.
She had hoped he would grant her more time to enjoy her reign. If only she could renegotiate.
"What are you doing here?" Erika asked, though her lips trembled as she addressed the dark entity.
"Should I be somewhere else?"
Adzriel stepped out from the shadows, moving closer, his predatory gaze fixed on Erika. She swallowed hard.
"Besides, there's business I need to attend to."
His voice echoed through the basement, his aura heavy, the air around Erika growing icy.
"Oh, well. Good luck with that! I think I should be heading home now."
She attempted to step forward, but her legs wouldn't move.
Damn it!
"Home?"
Adzriel closed the distance between them, towering over Erika, his head tilting mockingly.
"But the night is still young, darling."
"Yes, and so are you. Not too late yet. See you, Adzriel!"
Erika stammered, trying to sidestep him, desperate to escape before he could claim what was owed.
"See you?"
Adzriel's smirk deepened as he effortlessly seized her wrist, preventing her from fleeing.
"I don't think so. We need to… talk."
His tone was serious and commanding, sending a chill down Erika's spine. His grip was ice-cold—like the grasp of a corpse.
"I don't think we can talk. I'm very busy!" Erika snapped, her voice sharp. But Adzriel knew—she was trying to avoid him.
"Busy?"
He leaned in, his breath unnaturally hot against her ear as he whispered:
"More like a coward, running away."
"As a servant of the state, of course, I'm busy." Erika shot back, trying to appear unfazed. But she had forgotten whom she was dealing with—no one deceived the Prince of Darkness.
"Ah, yes. The honorable servant of the state."
Adzriel mocked, his voice laced with contempt.
"Is that what you are now? A political puppet, pretending before the masses?"
"Isn't that what the Devil wanted from me? To convince everyone."
"To convince? Yes. Not to play the fool."
Adzriel circled Erika, his gaze piercing as he observed her like a predator sizing up its prey, his frustration evident.
"You have the power to rule, to dominate, to take whatever you want. Yet, you're content playing the puppet—the devoted public servant. For what?"
"I'm no puppet! I have power—power that not everyone can have!"
Erika retorted, feeling insulted by his condescension.
"Power?"
Adzriel scoffed, narrowing his eyes.
"This power is borrowed—fleeting. It depends on the will of others. An illusion of authority. You are not truly free, Erika."
"And are you truly free, Adzriel? We are the same, just in different forms."
Erika countered, losing any lingering respect for the entity that had once aided her. Or rather, led her into the abyss.
"We are not the same."
His grip tightened around her wrist, his eyes flashing with irritation.
"I am a Prince of the Darkness, of Hell, a being with power beyond mortal comprehension. You?"
He leaned in even closer, a cruel smirk on his lips.
"You're nothing more than a toy—a puppet of your own desires."
"We'll burn in Hell together. Remember that."
Erika's gaze darkened, despite knowing she still owed him a debt.
"Together?"
The thought seemed to amuse him, and he let out a chilling laugh devoid of warmth.
"You assume your pathetic, mortal existence will even be acknowledged there? No, darling. I am a Prince in my domain—a prince of power, wealth, and dominion. You are destined to be nothing more than a forgotten soul, cast into the fire."
"Well, every demon says that. I'm mortal. I can't die. I can't burn in Hell… But your kind knows the truth you can never hide forever."
Erika smirked, provoking him.
"When this world ends, we'll burn in Hell together."
Her words infuriated Adzriel. His expression darkened as he lunged toward her.