He stood at the center, cloaked in black, eyes sharp enough to pin me in place. I told myself I had come here to learn spells, to finally touch the mysteries I’d only dreamed about. But when his gaze swept over me, slow and unblinking, I felt less like an apprentice… and more like prey that had walked willingly into a hunter’s den.

“Do you still agree to the terms?” His voice was low, smooth, curling around me like smoke.

My throat was dry, but I nodded. “Yes, Master.”

The faintest smile touched his mouth…one that promised I had agreed to more than I understood.

He moved closer, and the...