It was 9 p.m.
Sarah adjusted the strap of her dress one last time in front of the mirror. The warm light from her bedroom lamp bathed her reflection, but she couldn't feel beautiful.
Her gaze instinctively dropped to her wrist.
The pact mark was invisible… but she felt it.
A strange sensation, like a presence beneath her skin.
Tonight would be the first night.
A car horn sounded outside.
Sarah took a deep breath.
"Here we go…"
She grabbed her jacket and went down the building stairs.
A sleek black car waited at the entrance. Yuri leaned against the passenger door, her wings lightly folded behind her back. Under the streetlights, they shimmered like glass.
When she saw Sarah, her smile widened.
"You look stunning."
Sarah gave a small shrug.
"Thanks."
Yuri opened the passenger door.
"Get in."
The drive was surprisingly relaxed. Yuri talked as if nothing had changed between them.
"Today's magical strategy class was deadly boring…"
"I can imagine."
"And Doloress blushed through the entire presentation again. It was adorable."
Sarah answered on autopilot.
But her mind was elsewhere.
The car finally stopped in front of a building lit up with neon signs.
The nightclub.
Sarah's heart clenched immediately.
This was where Rhym worked.
Yuri turned off the engine and gave her an amused look.
"Ready for our evening?"
Sarah simply nodded.
They went inside.
The music pounded the walls like a giant heartbeat. Colored lights swept across the dancing, laughing, shouting crowd.
The air was thick with alcohol and perfume.
Yuri led Sarah to a VIP table overlooking the dance floor.
"Perfect."
A server came right away to take their order.
The two women started talking.
Simple things.
Classes.
The roommate situation.
Daki and Jaël's latest arguments.
Yuri told stories with her usual energy, laughing easily.
Sarah listened.
But her eyes kept drifting.
Across the room.
Over the tables.
To the servers.
And finally…
She saw him.
Rhym.
The young man moved between tables with a tray in his hands. His outfit was the same as the day before — light, revealing, designed to draw eyes.
And the eyes didn't miss.
Some clients stared openly.
Others beckoned him with an imperious gesture.
One man even gave him a rough slap as he passed.
Rhym didn't react.
He just kept working.
Sarah's fingers tightened around her glass.
"You're not listening anymore."
Yuri's voice snapped her back to the table.
The fairy naturally followed Sarah's line of sight.
And she saw Rhym.
Her expression changed instantly.
A mix of disgust and irritation.
"Seriously?"
Sarah didn't answer.
"That's why you wanted the money?"
Sarah met her eyes.
"Not here."
Yuri crossed her arms.
"You signed a pact for… that?"
The word hit like an insult.
"Stop calling him that."
Yuri rolled her eyes.
"It's what he is."
Then a strange smile curved her lips.
"Fine. Let's check."
She raised her hand.
A server approached.
"Bring that boy over. I'm paying for an hour."
A few minutes later, Rhym arrived at their table.
When he recognized Sarah, a small, genuine smile appeared on his face.
A calm smile.
Almost relieved.
"Good evening…"
He started to sit next to her.
But Yuri snapped her fingers.
"Not there."
Rhym froze.
"Here."
She patted her own seat.
The boy obeyed immediately.
He sat beside her.
Yuri looked at him like an odd object.
Like she was observing an unknown creature.
Then she slowly placed her hand on his thigh.
Rhym flinched slightly.
But he didn't move.
It was his job.
Yuri's hand slid higher.
Her expression stayed cold.
Almost disgusted.
As if she were testing something she found repulsive.
"You see?"
she said to Sarah.
"Just a thing trained to obey."
Sarah clenched her teeth.
Rhym kept his eyes down.
Yuri continued her inspection.
She placed her other hand on his chest.
Then sighed.
"Pathetic."
She suddenly pulled Rhym toward her.
"Come here."
The boy ended up on her lap.
The scene drew a few glances around them.
Yuri chuckled softly.
"Same reaction as a well-trained animal."
Then, abruptly, she grabbed Rhym's face and kissed him.
The gesture was brutal.
Rhym froze.
And that was the last straw.
Sarah's chair scraped harshly against the floor.
She grabbed Yuri by the arm.
"Enough."
The fairy looked at her with amusement.
"What? Does it bother you?"
Sarah pulled her toward the hallway.
"Come."
Yuri didn't resist.
On the contrary.
She looked almost delighted.
They passed several closed doors.
Private rooms.
Finally, Sarah opened one and pushed Yuri inside.
The room was dark, lit only by a single red lamp.
Yuri crossed her arms.
"I see…"
A slow smile spread across her face.
"So you're going to honor our pact now?"
Sarah stayed still for a few seconds.
Her heart was pounding.
Hard.
She hated this game.
She hated the situation.
But she knew the rules.
And she had made her choice.
She lifted her eyes to Yuri.
"You've got your hour."
The fairy's smile widened.
"Perfect."
The door closed softly behind them.
And in the main room, Rhym remained standing near the table.
Silent.
Staring at the hallway where Sarah had disappeared.
Not understanding why his heart suddenly hurt so much.