Chapter six: The spell

Drake

I watched her sign the paper. The pen scratched against the heavy bond of the legal document, a sound that felt as final as a gavel striking in a silent courtroom. Angel Molley she looked anxious but she didn’t break. She signed the name Angel Crane 

""The nightmare is just beginning.

She looked at me, the fearful girl last night could no longer be found, she seems courageous and read no meaning to it, I wish she did.

"Mrs. Crane. We leave now."

She immediately dug in her heels. The calmness she had on her face was gone, replaced by a jagged defiance.

"Wait," she snapped, her eyes flashing. "I’m not going anywhere until I see my father. I need to get my clothes, and I need proof, real proof, that you’ve moved him to a good hospital.

I turned away from the window. The orange glow of the morning sun silhouetted my frame, casting a long shadow over her. "You underestimate me, Angel. I do not play games with variables I cannot control."

"I don't care about your variables!" she cried, her voice rising with a frantic edge. "How do I know you aren't lying? I want to speak to My father. I want to know he’s safe before I go with you."

I stepped into her personal space, forcing her to look up at me

"I guess you did not read the contract you just signed," I stated, my voice dropping to a low rumble.

She froze, her sharp mouth slightly parted in silent protest.

"You are so eager to save your pride that you did not notice the boundaries of your cage," I said. "Read the third clause, Miss Molley. Or should I say, my dear wife?"

I watched her wince her face. The realization hit her like a physical blow. She didn't need to read the fine print; she saw the truth in my eyes.

"What do you mean?" she whispered.

"You will have no physical contact with anyone outside of approved staff," I said, letting the silence magnify the weight of the words. "No direct communication with your family, not even your father, for the duration of this contract. Your connection to him is my leverage. It must be severed to maintain absolute control."

"You... you tricked me!" She snatched the contract from the table, her eyes frantically scanning the pages.

"Ownership is not partial, Angel," I cut her off. "In my world, it is absolute. You signed your life away without knowing where the walls were. I did not know you were so unintelligent."

"I won't leave!" she insisted, her voice tight with suppressed tears. "I won't move an inch until I hear his voice. I need to know he’s breathing. If you want me to play this part, give me that much. Please."

Grey reached into my jacket and pulled out his phone. And gave her the phone

"You have one minute," He commanded. "Make it count. If you exceed sixty seconds, the hospital transfer is revoked and your father is back in that cramped house by nightfall."

She snatched the phone, turning her back to us. I watched her silhouette against the window. Her voice changed instantly the maternal anxiety softened her sharp edges into something brittle and forced.

"Papa? Yes, it’s me... No, I’m fine. I got the job, Papa. It’s a big opportunity... I have to travel for a bit, but the contract states that, they are going to take care of your hospital bills is part of my salary, they will come and get you soon. They’re taking you to the best place in the city. Don't worry about the cost. Just sleep... I love you."

She handed the phone back to me, her shoulders slumped. The last of her fight had been drained, leaving her looking fragile in the cream dress.

"Satisfied, Mrs. Crane?" I asked.

She said nothing. The silence she offered me was louder than any insult she had hurled in the lobby. She simply walked past me, her head held high despite the defeat.

We walked out of the penthouse and down to the underground garage where the black sedan was idling. Just as I reached for the door, Gray stepped forward, his presence blocking my path.

"Drake," Gray said.

"What is it, Gray? The paperwork is signed. We are behind schedule."

Gray looked past me at Angel, who was staring at the car with hollow eyes.

“Can we go now?” she screamed, her voice echoing in the concrete garage.

“You can wait inside the car,” Gray said firmly. He waited until she had climbed into the back seat before turning back to me.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Gray asked, his voice low and urgent. "I will always support you, but why don't you want to live? If Bianca is the only one who can save you, why won't you accept her? Angel has nothing to offer you but trouble."

I took a deep breath, the cold air of the garage filling my lungs. "I have lived for a long time, Gray. Why waste the rest of it married to a woman I feel nothing?"

“The Clan needs you,” Gray insisted. “We need you. Without you, the Crane empire falls into chaos. A new circle of war will begin the moment you are gone. Bianca is the key to the alliance.”

“Nothing will happen,” I said, brushing past him.

“Then why marry Angel, you can do what you want without her, no need for all of this”

“I need more time, to set things straight, she will be their little distraction, why are you having a cold feet now, nothing will happen to the clan I will make sure of that Grey, trust me”

I sat inside the car next to my new wife. She didn't look at me. She stared out the window as the car began to move, leaving the hotel behind.

As the car sped through the city, my head began to throb again. The dizzy spell from earlier returned, sharper this time. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing

“I need more time, I whispered to myself.