Under His Spell

Part 10

Eden had been working at the upscale gentleman's club in London for several months when Lucius Malfoy first walked through its gilded doors. It was a place frequented by the city's elite, a venue that offered discretion along with its exclusive entertainments.

 That night, Eden was on stage, her presence magnetic, drawing the eyes of every patron as she moved with a practiced grace and allure that spoke of both innocence and seduction.

Lucius entered the club accompanied by the murmur of other patrons recognizing his stature—a tall figure with an aristocratic bearing and an aura that hinted at power and danger. His pale blonde hair and cold grey eyes scanned the room, taking in the opulent surroundings and the clientele, before settling on the stage where Eden danced.

She was unaware of the new entrant, her focus on her performance. Clad in a shimmering, almost translucent fabric that clung to her curves and fluttered with every movement, Eden embodied the allure of the forbidden, her dance a blend of balletic grace and sensual undulations. The spotlight caught the highlights in her flowing hair, casting her in an ethereal glow that seemed to captivate every onlooker.

One patron, in particular, had been showering her with attention and money, urging her to come closer, to dance just for him. Eden played along, her approach calculated to tease and entice. But as she moved, her eyes briefly met Lucius's across the room. His gaze was intense, unblinking, and it pierced through the haze of her performance, striking a chord of apprehension mixed with an inexplicable thrill.

As the music swelled, Eden found herself drawn to perform for Lucius, as if his gaze commanded her despite her better judgment. She danced across the stage, her movements sinuous, each step and turn a wordless invitation. Lucius watched, his expression unreadable yet filled with a predatory interest.

When her set ended, Eden retreated to the dressing room, her heart pounding not just from the exertion but also from the strange intensity of the exchange. She was wiping down, preparing to mingle and perhaps secure a few private dances, when one of the club's bouncers came to her.

"Mr. Malfoy requests your company, Miss," the bouncer said, his tone respectful yet firm, as if the request were not to be denied.

With a sense of trepidation mixed with curiosity, Eden followed the bouncer through the corridors of the club, up a private staircase to one of the luxe rooms reserved for VIP guests. Lucius was there, standing by a window overlooking the city, a glass of expensive scotch in his hand.

"You dance with a rare beauty," he began without preamble, his voice smooth and compelling. "I find I am quite taken."

"Thank you, sir," Eden replied, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "Did you wish for a private performance?"

Lucius turned, his eyes locking onto hers. "I wish for more than that," he said, setting his glass down and approaching her. "I see something in you, Eden. Something more valuable than a mere dance. I want to offer you an arrangement."

The conversation that followed was intense, Lucius laying out his terms with the precision of a businessman securing a valuable asset. He offered her luxury, security, a life away from the club—but all under his control, his rules. Eden, young and partially dazzled by the offer, found herself agreeing, swept up in the power of his presence and the promise of a life beyond anything she'd known.

That night marked the beginning of their complex and ultimately dark liaison, a relationship that would shape much of Eden's future, until she found the strength to seek a different path—one that eventually led her to Severus.

The room was filled with the trappings of luxury—an expansive view of the city skyline, sleek designer furniture, and various high-end gadgets—all paid for by Lucius Malfoy. But as Eden looked around her apartment, she felt a hollow emptiness echoing off the chic, impersonal walls. She was surrounded by things that were meant to make her happy, yet they felt like golden chains, each item a reminder of her dependence and isolation.