THE DEVIL’S BARGAIN

THE DEVIL’S BARGAIN

CHAPTER 4

Nova Sterling Point Of View

“You can't beat Sloane if you are weak.” Vaughn steps into the training grounds, his polished shoes crunching over bloodstained snow. The air is thick with the sharp, rusty smell of blood from old fights. And it mixes with his mint cologne.

He smiles as he adjusts his diamond cufflinks. “Give me the necklace,” his voice smooth as poisoned honey. “And I’ll make Sloane disappear.” 

I grab the necklace under my jacket. The chain burns my collarbone—a warning. “Why would I trust you?” 

Kieran emerges from the shadows; snowflakes stick to his black sweater. His gold eyes looking at Vaughn, wide and burning. “Get away From her.”

Vaughn laughs, breath rises in the icy air. “Still playing daddy guard dog, how noble?” 

Kieran clashed with Vaughn and fought with him. They collide like storms, fists cracking against jaws, punching and throwing blows.

Vaughn’s head snaps sideways, and blood splashes on the snow. He flashes a smile while wiping his mouth. “I’ve always known you hit like a Mercer, rough and dangerous.”

The necklace pendant burns my skin. I gasp as light explodes from it, displaying a video hanging in the air like a projector. At the same time, a hologram shows us a vision of the past.

In A Flash Back—

A young Kieran cried over my scattered family portrait when he was eight. Little Kieran held the photo as his tiny body shook vigorously. 

Smoke filled the room from the edges of where he stood. And a man’s voice sounded in the background. “Finish it, boy. Or I’ll kill the girl.”

In The Present Moment—

Kieran freezes as he watches the vision. His hands were trembling as he attempted to punch Vaughn. His knuckles bleed from wounds. “Turn it off.”

“What is this?” I whisper and move backwards. 

Vaughn staggers to his feet, eyes wide. “Oh, this is juicy.” 

Kieran stumbles back, snow crunching under his boots. His chest heaves as his breath ceases. “Nova, let me explain.” 

Sloane’s laugh slices through the cold. She enters the light; her white fur coat glows under the Blood Moon. Diamonds drip from her ears, each one screaming money. “Too late, little wolf. The Blood Moon rises tonight.” 

Kieran frowned. “That's not true; it can't be tonight.” 

“Do you think I am lying?” She flicks her wrist and stares at her watch. “The countdown is 03:59:47. My daddy has already chosen your wedding suit.” 

My necklace pulses hotter. The hologram still hangs on the snowy air, and the vision continues.

In A Flash Back—

It shows Kieran’s father looming over him, holding a matchbox. “Burn it, Kieran. Or I burn her.” Young Kieran cried and struck the match. Flames devour my family’s faces in the picture. 

In The Present Moment—

The hologram paused, and I fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Snow entered through my jeans and froze my knees. “You knew?”

Kieran reaches for me. “Nova, let me explain.”

I slap his hand away. The bond mark on my wrist throbs in an angry red light. “You watched them die.” 

Vaughn whistles. “Family drama. My favourite.” 

Sloane moves closer; her roses and rot fragrance choke me. “So touching, is the little girl heartbreaking?” She grabs my hair, yanking my head back. “Don’t worry. You’ll be dead before the vows.” 

Kieran moves towards her like lightning. He slams Sloane against the frozen fountain. Ice cracks under her spine. “Touch her again,” he shouts. His wolf fangs gleam with rage. “And I’ll mail your teeth to your Daddy.” 

Sloane’s smile faded, “You need me. The packs need me, not her.” 

“I need nothing.” Kieran's grip tightens around her neck. Her diamond choker digs into her throat, drawing blood. 

Vaughn claps mockingly. “Cute. But the clock’s ticking.”

He nods. “It’s now 03:42:16 minutes remaining. Tick-tock, little wolf.” 

The necklace light dies. Darkness swallows the training grounds, and the hologram disappears. Only the Blood Moon’s light is visible.

Kieran releases Sloane. She collapses but doesn't give up.

“Run,” he tells me, voice raw with grief. “I’ll hold them off.” 

Vaughn rolls his eyes. “Hero complex. How original.” 

Sloane staggers up, “You’ll regret this, Kieran. Both of you.” 

The ground shakes as Mercer's Security personnel march towards us with firearms. 

Kieran shoves me toward the forest. “Go. Now.” 

But I hesitated as my necklace pendant vibrated, warm and dangerous. “What happens at Blood Moon?” I requested.

Sloane smiles, blood staining her teeth. “Your bond breaks to pieces. And I reclaim what’s mine.” 

Kieran’s jaw moves and opens up. “Nova, run” 

Vaughn flicks a blade open, testing the edge. “Tick-tock.” 

I run into the woods. Snow stings my cheeks. Kieran’s scent—cedar and bourbon—wraps around me. Still begging for my forgiveness.

Sloane’s laugh follows me into the trees. “Enjoy your last hours, little girl!” 

I had jogged through the bushes and shrubs for two hours, uncertain of my next step. It was time for the blood moon ritual. 

My knees hurt as Ice pierced through my jeans. But this pain is nothing compared to the ache in my chest from Kieran's betrayal. 

Suddenly, someone yanks my hair and breathes against my cheek, smelling like champagne and roses. “Sloane!” I screamed.

“Aw, does it hurt?” Her diamond choker digs into my throat. “Wait till the ceremony starts.” She drags me backwards toward the sacrificial altar. 

“Not so brave now?” she laughs as I struggle against her grip, my boots sliding across the iced marble floor. 

“You look pale, little one,” she whispers. The massive altar symbol beneath us glitters with the Blood Moon's glow. 

Across the open field, Kieran moves like a liquid shadow. He disarms a guard with a brutal punch that sends the man's dagger into the heavens. “Nova! Don't let her take you.”

Sloane crushes me against the altar; the impact knocks off my front teeth. The cold stone bit my skin through my jacket as she bent to light the altar.

Kieran fought against the guards holding him. His face is splattered with blood, and His golden eyes burn with rage. 

“Nova!” he shouts, but more guards knock him to his knees. 

Sloane laughs. The sound is sharp, like a trumpet. She raises the ceremonial knife high. The moonlight makes the blade glow silver. 

“Kieran is pathetic,” she laughs. “But don't worry. I'll make sure his eyes stay open.” She leans close, her breath hot on my ear. “He’ll watch every second as I offer your heart to the Moon Goddess.”

Behind her, the Blood Moon rises, and the altar beneath me glows red as it accepts the sacrifice.