|𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞|𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞

03

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Chapter 3

Nyx de Martel sat quietly in her compartment, reading with her head resting on Tom's shoulder. Tom sat beside her, with Abraxas nearby, while Nicholas, Rodrick, and Damien chatted about their holidays across from them.

Tom, normally quick to snap at others for disturbing him, tolerated Nyx's closeness, though he wasn't quite sure why he felt so protective toward her. One look from her, and he'd do nearly anything she asked.

"Are you okay?" he murmured, trying not to draw the others' attention.

"I don't want to go home," she replied softly, not seeing him nod in understanding.

Tom knew enough from Abraxas-that her family was harsh, even cruel. The thought ignited a fierce rage in him; he wanted nothing more than to unleash his fury on anyone who dared to harm her.

"Me neither, little witch," he whispered back, the affectionate nickname slipping from him easily. Their connection felt natural, unspoken yet profound. Without fully realizing it, they'd come to rely on each other.

"I'm going to miss this," Nyx said with a small, wistful smile, and Tom felt his heart melt just a little.

"It's only two weeks," Damien chuckled, teasing her.

"What if I can't be with you anymore?" she asked suddenly, her voice uncertain. The boys fell silent, and Tom's grip on her shoulder tightened.

"Why wouldn't you?" he asked, glancing down to meet her gaze.

"What if I... have an understanding?" she mumbled, the idea of an arranged engagement clearly troubling her. Four of the five boys stiffened, though Tom remained unreadable.

"An understanding?" he asked, his tone guarded, glancing at his friends.

Rodrick spoke cautiously. "It's like a formal agreement... usually leading to an engagement. The families discuss it, and if agreed, they exchange some token-jewelry, usually."

The notion made Tom's jaw clench. He couldn't stand the thought of anyone else claiming her. Nyx was strong, intelligent, compassionate, and loyal. To those she trusted, she was warm and protective. To others, she was cold, unyielding, even merciless.

As the train pulled into King's Cross, Tom helped Nyx with her trunk. Nicholas, Damien, and Rodrick bid her quick goodbyes, though Nicholas's cheeky kiss to her forehead earned a withering glare from Tom.

Soon, only Tom, Abraxas, and Nyx were left.

"My father's here," she said, a slight tremor in her voice as she caught sight of him.

"We can still run," Abraxas joked lightly, trying to ease her tension. She rolled her eyes, but her smile was grateful as she hugged him.

Tom didn't usually show affection, but something overcame him. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his hands pressing gently on her waist as he breathed in her scent. Nyx felt a flutter as she nestled her head against his chest, letting herself enjoy this rare closeness.

"Your father is watching, little witch," he whispered, reluctantly letting her go. She nodded, her heart heavy as she turned to face her father's scowl.

"Father," she greeted him, keeping her eyes down.

"Look me in the eye when you speak," he snapped, gripping her arm so tightly that pain shot up to her shoulder. With a dismissive look, he apparated them home. Abraxas and Tom, watching from a distance, exchanged dark looks.

"I don't like him," Abraxas said bluntly.

"If he touches her like that again, he won't have hands left," Tom replied coldly, rage flickering behind his eyes.

As soon as they arrived home, Mr. de Martel released her arm in disgust, rubbing his hands against his trousers as if she'd dirtied him.

Nyx swallowed her hurt, but his contempt ate at her.

To the outside world, she was confident. But her father's disdain shook her to her core.

"Explain to me how you ended up in that house of snakes,", he sneered.

"I-I don't know. It just happened," she stammered, struggling to hold his gaze.

"It just happened?" he thundered, his voice echoing through the house. Before she could answer, his hand lashed out, striking her across the cheek. Her skin burned as the slap's sound reverberated through the manor, a crimson mark blossoming where his hand had been.

"You're nothing but a disgrace, a stain on this family," he spat, his eyes cold. "You'll stay in your room until the ball. Do not embarrass me further."

Nyx nodded numbly and climbed the stairs to her room, holding back tears. As soon as she closed the door, her legs gave way, and she sank to the floor, leaning against the door as the tears fell. She pressed her hand to her burning cheek, the pain sharp and unrelenting. She felt trapped, ashamed, and filled with a sadness that clung to her like a shadow.

For a fleeting, dark moment, she wondered if she'd ever escape this life. But then her thoughts drifted to Tom, Abraxas, and the others.

She wasn't alone anymore.
She had people who genuinely cared for her, people who saw her worth.

That thought, that small glimmer of hope, pulled her back from the darkness.

A quiet smile crossed her face, and for a brief moment, she forgot the pain in her cheek and the bruises on her arm.

She had found her people, and that made all the difference.