The Devil's Contract

Chapter 20: Beneath the Surface

The mansion was cold, both in atmosphere and in tone. The large, arched ceilings gave it a sense of grandeur, but there was no warmth to be found within its walls. Elena stayed close to Adrian as they followed Marcus through winding hallways, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the marble floors.

Marcus led them to a dimly lit study, its walls lined with shelves of old leather-bound books. A single desk stood at the center, and Marcus gestured for them to sit.

Adrian declined with a curt shake of his head, his posture rigid, as if every muscle in his body was still primed for battle. Elena sat beside him on a small couch, her eyes scanning the room, trying to decipher the history buried within the thick walls.

"So," Marcus began, leaning back against the desk, arms crossed. "You've got a lot of people looking for you, Black. This mess with Carter—it's bad. Even for you."

Adrian didn't flinch. "I need you to help us disappear, Marcus. Just for a little while. We need to get off the grid."

Marcus chuckled, though there was no humor in his voice. "You think running is going to solve your problems? Carter's not just another enemy. He's a hunter. He'll track you down, no matter how far you go."

"I didn't ask for your assessment," Adrian shot back, his tone sharp. "I asked for your help."

For a moment, the tension between the two men was palpable, and Elena felt herself tense in response. Marcus's eyes lingered on her, his gaze piercing as if trying to read her, to understand why someone like her had thrown herself into Adrian's life.

"You're in deeper than you realize, girl," Marcus said, his voice low, addressing Elena for the first time. "This world... it's not a game. And if you stay with him, you'll drown in it."

Elena met his gaze, refusing to let the fear in her chest surface. "I'm not running."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Stubborn. I like that."

Adrian stepped forward, his patience thinning. "Enough. Can you help us or not?"

Marcus sighed, pushing himself off the desk and walking to a side cabinet. He pulled out a small, unmarked phone and handed it to Adrian. "This is the best I can do. It's encrypted, can't be tracked. Use it only if you have to. I'll make arrangements to move you two further underground, but it'll take time. You've stirred up a lot of attention."

Adrian nodded, slipping the phone into his pocket. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," Marcus muttered, sitting down behind the desk and lighting a cigar. "This favor isn't free. You'll owe me for this, Black. And when I come to collect, you won't say no."

Adrian's face remained expressionless, but Elena could see the tension in his jaw. "I understand."

"Good." Marcus exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his eyes narrowing. "I'd suggest you two get some rest while you can. Things are about to get a lot worse before they get better."

The conversation was over. Marcus had made that clear. Adrian took Elena's hand and led her out of the study, down another winding hall until they reached a room Marcus had prepared for them. It was small, unassuming—barely more than a place to hide.

As the door clicked shut behind them, Elena felt the weight of everything pressing down on her. She had expected danger, but this—being hunted, knowing that Carter would never stop—it was suffocating.

Adrian stood by the window, his back to her, staring out into the darkness beyond. His silence was heavy, the burden of their situation visible in the tense lines of his body.

"Adrian..." Elena whispered, crossing the room to stand beside him. "What happens now?"

He didn't answer for a moment, his eyes locked on the woods outside. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, hollow. "We wait. For the next move. For Carter to find us again. But it won't be like last time."

Elena's heart clenched at the finality in his words. "What do you mean?"

Adrian turned to face her, and she saw something in his eyes that scared her—a darkness that had always been there but was now fully unleashed. "I can't keep running, Elena. I won't let him take everything from me. Next time, it ends."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Ends? You mean..."

Adrian nodded, his expression cold, resolved. "Carter dies. Or I do. There's no other way."

The enormity of his words hit her like a tidal wave. She had known this was dangerous, that Adrian's past was lethal, but now the stakes were clear. One of them wouldn't survive the next confrontation.

She stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. "We'll get through this. Together."

Adrian's hand covered hers, his touch gentle despite the storm brewing inside him. "I won't let him hurt you. Even if it costs me everything."

Before Elena could respond, there was a sharp knock on the door. Both of them tensed, their eyes snapping toward the sound. Adrian moved quickly, pulling her behind him as he opened the door just a crack.

One of Marcus's men stood there, his face grim. "You both need to come with me. Now."

Adrian's body went rigid. "Why? What's happened?"

The man shifted uncomfortably. "We've got a problem. Carter's men are already here. They've found you."

Elena's heart stopped, and Adrian swore under his breath. "How?"

"No idea," the man said. "But they're coming. Marcus is prepping the back exit. You need to move. Fast."

Adrian grabbed Elena's hand, pulling her toward the door. "Let's go."

But before they could take more than a few steps, a loud crash echoed from somewhere in the mansion. The sound of breaking glass. The storm had arrived.

Adrian's eyes locked onto hers, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "Stay close. We don't stop. We don't look back."

Elena nodded, her pulse racing as they hurried through the twisting hallways, the chaos of footsteps and shouts filling the air. The mansion that had seemed so vast now felt like a cage, closing in around them.

As they reached the back exit, Marcus was waiting, his expression grim. "Get out of here. Head north. My people will slow them down, but you need to keep moving."

Adrian didn't waste time arguing. He pushed open the door, and they stepped into the cool night air, the forest stretching out before them like a dark maze. The distant sound of approaching cars and shouts sent a chill down Elena's spine.

Just as they started toward the trees, Marcus called out to Adrian. "Remember, Black. You owe me."

Adrian didn't respond, his focus solely on getting them away. They ran, the darkness of the forest swallowing them whole.

But as they disappeared into the night, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over. They had escaped, but Carter was relentless. He would keep coming, keep hunting them, until one of them was dead.

As they ran deeper into the shadows, the sound of pursuit echoing behind them, Elena knew the battle wasn't finished. This was just the beginning.

And the darkness would follow them, no matter where they went.