A Dangerous Bargain

Evelyn's fingers clenched around the leather-bound book, its worn cover pressing into her palm. The weight of Lord Davenport's demand hung heavy in the air. He took a slow step forward, his polished boots tapping against the stone floor.

"You do not understand what you hold," he continued, voice smooth, coaxing. "That book contains secrets far beyond your comprehension."

Evelyn forced herself to stay still, though her instincts screamed at her to run. "Then why are you so desperate to take it from me?"

Davenport's smirk deepened. "Curiosity can be a dangerous thing, Miss Evelyn."

Rosaline shifted, her hand subtly pressing against Evelyn's arm, a silent reminder that she wasn't alone. Evelyn took a steadying breath. She could feel the power shifting in the space between them, an unspoken battle of wills.

"I won't hand it over," Evelyn declared, her voice firmer than she expected.

Davenport sighed as if disappointed, though the gleam in his eyes suggested otherwise. "Defiant. I expected no less." His gaze flickered to Rosaline. "And you… helping her?"

Rosaline lifted her chin. "She deserves the truth."

Davenport's lips twitched. "Truth?" He chuckled. "The truth is, Miss Evelyn is an anomaly in this world. She does not belong, and the longer she stays, the more danger she invites."

Evelyn felt her pulse race. "Danger?"

Davenport's expression darkened. "This world corrects its mistakes. I am merely a facilitator of that balance."

Rosaline's fingers tightened around Evelyn's wrist. "We need to go."

Davenport stepped forward again. "Give me the book, and I will ensure your safety."

Evelyn met his gaze. "I don't trust you."

Davenport sighed. "Then you leave me no choice." He raised a hand, and suddenly the torches along the hallway flickered violently, casting erratic shadows against the walls. A sharp gust of wind blew through the corridor, sending Rosaline's gown billowing. The energy in the air shifted, tense and unpredictable.

Evelyn's grip on the book tightened. "Run!" Rosaline hissed, yanking her toward the archway leading to the gardens.

Davenport moved faster than Evelyn expected. In a blink, he was reaching for her, his fingers grazing the fabric of her sleeve. But before he could grab hold, a sudden force—unseen but powerful—shoved him back. He stumbled slightly, eyes flashing with something like surprise.

Evelyn gasped. She didn't know what had just happened, but she wasn't about to question it. She and Rosaline sprinted through the archway, their feet pounding against the cobblestone path as they raced into the moonlit gardens.

Behind them, Davenport's voice rang out, sharp and laced with warning. "You cannot outrun fate, Miss Evelyn."

Evelyn didn't dare look back.

The night was far from over, and she had just made an enemy far more powerful than she understood.