Adeline did not sleep that night.Not because of fear alone—but because her thoughts refused to slow. Donovan's words replayed in her mind, each one settling deeper than the last. You already belong. The realization frightened her, yet a small, quiet part of her felt steady instead of panicked. As if some decision had already been made long before she arrived here.Morning came without warmth.Ethan escorted her from her room just after dawn. He said nothing at first, only handed her a slim folder as they walked through the corridor."Your first responsibility," he said finally. "Not a test. A duty."Her fingers tightened around the folder. "What kind?""The kind that requires discretion," Ethan replied. "And loyalty."They entered a modest office far from Donovan's main quarters. No guards at the door. No grandeur. Just silence. Donovan stood by the window, hands behind his back, the city faintly visible beyond the glass.He turned when she entered."You're early," he said."I didn't sleep."A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. "Good. It means you're thinking."He gestured to the chair across from his desk. "Sit."Adeline obeyed."There is a shipment arriving tonight," Donovan said calmly. "Legal on paper. Valuable in reality. One of my associates has become careless. I need eyes that aren't predictable."Her heart skipped. "You want me to… watch?""I want you to listen," he corrected. "Observe. Remember names. Notice who lies when they think they are safe."She hesitated. "And if something goes wrong?"Donovan stepped closer, resting his hands on the desk, leaning toward her. "Then you say nothing. And you leave. Survival is more important than bravery."That surprised her."You're not throwing me into danger," she said quietly."No," he replied. "I'm teaching you how to avoid it."Their eyes held.This was not cruelty.It was intention.Later that evening, Adeline stood in a quiet lounge beside Donovan while men spoke in low voices nearby. No one paid her much attention. She was invisible—and for the first time, she understood the power in that.She listened.She noticed the way one man avoided Donovan's gaze. The way another spoke too carefully. She memorized faces, names, gestures.When it was over, Donovan said nothing on the drive back.Only when they reached the estate did he speak."You noticed," he said.It wasn't a question."Yes.""What did you see?"She took a breath. "The man on the left. He lied about the route. He touched his watch every time he spoke."Donovan glanced at her, impressed despite himself. "Good."Inside his office, he poured a drink but didn't offer her one."You did well," he said. "Better than most men do on their first night."Her chest warmed. "Why me?"He studied her carefully. "Because power isn't always loud. Sometimes it survives by watching."He stepped closer, lowering his voice."And because you don't look away anymore."Her breath caught."That's dangerous," she said softly."Yes," Donovan agreed. "It is."He reached out—not touching her, but close enough that she felt the heat of him."You're learning what your presence means," he continued. "Soon, others will too. When that happens, my name will follow you."Her pulse raced. "And if I carry it?""Then," he said quietly, "you'll never be powerless again."The room fell silent.Adeline realized something profound then: this wasn't about fear anymore. It was about choice. And she was no longer standing on the outside of the Devil's world.She was walking into it—with her eyes open.
