Chapter 31: A Deal with the Devil

Nathaniel's grip on Sabrina's arm tightened. "Sabrina, you don't know what you're saying."

She didn't move. Didn't back down. She had no other choice.

Victor chuckled, lowering the gun entirely. "Now this is fascinating. You'd be willing to stay and prove yourself?" He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You do realize what that means, don't you, Sabrina?"

She swallowed, her voice steady despite the fear crawling up her spine. "It means I'm in this world now. No turning back."

Nathaniel spun her to face him, his dark eyes stormy with emotion. "I won't let you do this." His voice was low, urgent. "You don't belong in this world, Sabrina."

She placed a hand on his chest, feeling the tension in his body. "Nathaniel, if I leave, he'll never stop hunting us. But if I stay… maybe I can control my own fate."

Victor clapped his hands once, drawing their attention. "I must say, I do love a dramatic sacrifice." His smirk returned. "Very well, Sabrina. You want in? Prove it."

Nathaniel stepped in front of her again. "I don't need her to prove anything." His voice was deadly. "You want to test someone? Test me."

Victor's gaze flicked between them before sighing. "You two are exhausting." He tucked his gun away, shaking his head. "Fine. I'll give Sabrina a chance." His tone turned sharp. "But if she fails, if she hesitates, if she betrays me… you both die."

Nathaniel's entire body went rigid. Sabrina felt her stomach drop, but she didn't let her fear show.

Victor tilted his head. "Still willing to stay?"

Sabrina met his gaze, unwavering. "Yes."

Nathaniel cursed under his breath.

Victor smiled. "Then welcome to the real game, Sabrina."

He turned to leave but paused at the door. "Your first test will come soon. Be ready."

Then, he was gone, leaving silence in his wake.

Sabrina exhaled shakily. The moment the door shut, Nathaniel grabbed her wrist, dragging her toward him. His grip was tight, almost desperate.

"What the hell was that?" His voice was hoarse, laced with anger and something else—something raw.

Sabrina looked up at him. "It was the only way."

His hands cupped her face suddenly, his breath uneven. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"

She nodded, her eyes searching his. "I protected us."

Nathaniel let out a shaky breath, his forehead pressing against hers. "You didn't have to."

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "And if I didn't, he would've killed you."

A silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken words.

Then, Nathaniel's lips crashed against hers.

It wasn't gentle. It wasn't soft. It was desperate, full of frustration, relief, and something deeper—something neither of them could name.

Sabrina melted into him, gripping the front of his shirt as if anchoring herself. His hands held her tightly, as if afraid to let go.

When they finally pulled apart, Nathaniel rested his forehead against hers again. "We're getting out of this." His voice was a whisper, a promise.

Sabrina closed her eyes, breathing him in. "Together."

But deep down, she knew—Victor wasn't done with them yet. And the real test hadn't even begun.