The scent of stale whiskey and cigar smoke clung to the air like a sickness, thick and suffocating. Maryna sat in the shadows, watching as Rick pushed another stack of borrowed money across the velvet poker table. His hands trembled, sweat pooling at his temples.
She had seen him lose before. Had seen the desperation in his eyes when the last of his luck ran dry. But tonight, something was different. The room was filled with men who did not merely gamble for sport; they were predators circling their prey, watching Rick unravel with each flick of the dealer's wrist.
Lord Vasilios Dain sat at the head of the table, his presence suffocating in its quiet authority. He was unnaturally still, watching the game unfold with a sharp, calculating gaze. His pale skin seemed to glow under the dim lights, the sharp angles of his face carved from shadow and moonlight. He was, without question, the most dangerous man in the room.
And now, Rick owed him everything.
"I'll raise," Rick slurred, shoving his last remaining chips into the pot.
The room went silent. The dealer hesitated, his eyes darting to Vasilios, who merely inclined his head. It was permission enough. The cards were dealt, and when Rick flipped his hand over, his face blanched.
A losing hand.
"No," Rick muttered, shaking his head. "No, this can't be—"
"You have nothing left," Vasilios said, his voice smooth, indulgent. "I believe our game is over."
Rick's eyes darted wildly, seeking an escape, but there was none. His lips curled into a desperate smile, his fingers tightening around the whiskey glass. "I can offer something better," he rasped. "Something… untouched."
Maryna's stomach dropped. She knew those words. Knew what they meant.
The entire table turned to look at her.
"She's a virgin," Rick continued, as if that somehow made it better. "Pure. Unclaimed. She's worth more than money."
Maryna's blood turned to ice. She took a step back, her body going rigid, but hands gripped her arms, forcing her forward. The air in the room thickened with something primal, dark.
Vasilios's gaze lifted to her, his crimson eyes glowing beneath the low light. He inhaled slowly, deeply, as if savoring something in the air.
"Interesting," he murmured. "I accept."
Before she could protest, a sharp prick struck the side of her neck, and the world dissolved into darkness.