The door closed behind Sarah with a sharp click.
The apartment was silent.
Too silent.
The smell of the dish Rhym had prepared still lingered in the air — soft spices, grilled meat, a slightly sweet sauce. She dropped her keys on the table and stood motionless for a few seconds, as if her body was finally allowed to feel the exhaustion she'd been pushing away since morning.
She had left Rhym at the club.
The conversation with the demon still echoed in her head.
10,000 € per month.
"My best merchandise."
She clenched her teeth.
Merchandise.
She shrugged off her jacket, sat at the table, and started eating. The taste was incredible. Delicate. Careful. Too careful for someone treated like an object.
Every bite reminded her of Rhym's trembling hands.
His fear.
The way he avoided the demon's gaze.
Sarah slammed her fork down.
10,000 €.
Every month.
Even with a side job on top of her studies, she could never reach that amount. No savings. No rich family. No hidden inheritance.
But she knew rich people.
Very rich people.
Faces flashed through her mind.
Then it stopped.
Yuri.
The fairy with translucent wings. Always elegant. Always smiling. Always surrounded by luxury without ever bragging about it.
Her father was one of the biggest investors in the capital.
But he despised beast-men.
Not just polite contempt.
Open hatred.
And Yuri had grown up in that atmosphere.
Sarah stood abruptly.
Fuck it.
She grabbed her phone.
She hesitated for one second.
Then called.
The ringtone went on for a long time.
Finally:
"Sarah?" Yuri's voice vibrated with joyful surprise. "It's rare for you to call me. Everything okay?"
Sarah took a breath.
"Come to my place. We need to talk."
A short silence.
"Oh? Mysterious. I'm on my way."
Thirty minutes later, Yuri was there.
As always, impeccable. Light dress. Wings shimmering faintly under the living-room light. She entered with a radiant smile.
"I'm honored to be invited to the great Sarah's home."
Sarah didn't smile.
She sat facing her.
Yuri immediately understood the mood was different.
"What's going on?"
Sarah went straight to the point.
"I need 10,000 € per month."
Yuri's smile froze.
"Per month?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
"It's not important."
The fairy's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It is to me."
Sarah held her gaze.
"I can't give you the details."
A tense silence settled.
Yuri slowly crossed her legs.
"Is this about a beast-man?"
Sarah's heart jumped.
She didn't answer.
Yuri sighed softly.
"You know what my father thinks of those creatures."
"I'm not talking to your father. I'm talking to you."
The fairy studied her friend for a long moment.
Then her voice changed.
Softer.
More calculating.
"Alright. Let's say I can give you that amount. What do I get in return?"
Sarah frowned.
"I'll pay you back."
Yuri let out a small laugh.
"10,000 € per month, Sarah. This isn't a small student loan."
The silence grew heavy.
Then Sarah spoke.
"I'm willing to give myself to you."
The words fell like a stone into water.
Yuri stayed perfectly still.
Her wings quivered faintly.
"Give yourself?"
"Yes."
She didn't lower her eyes.
She didn't back down.
Yuri was looking at her differently now.
Not like a friend.
Like an opportunity.
She stood slowly.
Walked around Sarah.
"Are you sure you understand what you're offering?"
"Yes."
Yuri stopped in front of her.
"Very well. Then let's do this properly."
She extended her hand.
A pale glow appeared in the center of her palm.
Magic.
"A pact."
Sarah felt the air grow heavier.
"I'll transfer 10,000 € to you every month. In exchange, one night per month, you belong to me. No refusal. No excuses. No escape."
The words wrapped around her like invisible chains.
The power of pacts wasn't a legend.
Once signed, the body obeyed.
Even if the mind resisted.
Sarah hesitated.
A fraction of a second.
She thought of Rhym.
Of his broken gaze.
Of his resignation.
She extended her hand.
Their palms touched.
The magic flared.
A sharp heat shot through Sarah's arm.
A mark flashed briefly on her wrist.
Then vanished beneath the skin.
The pact was sealed.
Yuri withdrew her hand.
She was smiling.
Not innocent joy.
Satisfied.
"I admire your courage. Or your madness."
Sarah didn't reply.
"The first payment will arrive tomorrow morning."
She headed for the door.
Then turned one last time.
"Tonight, I'll come pick you up. We're going to a club. Might as well start honoring our agreement right away."
The door closed softly.
Sarah was alone again.
The silence felt different.
She looked at her wrist.
Nothing visible.
But she felt the presence of the pact.
Like a subtle pressure under her skin.
She had just done exactly what she condemned in the world.
Signed a chain.
But this time, it was her own.
She dropped onto the couch.
10,000 €.
Every month.
For someone else's freedom.
A bitter laugh escaped her.
She had wanted to save Rhym from a system of domination.
And she had just willingly stepped into it.
Night fell slowly over the city.
And for the first time, Sarah understood that the price of freedom wasn't only financial.
It was a part of herself.
And she had just sold it.