Chapter 1
The cold Moscow air carried the scent of burning wood and distant cigarettes as Angela sat quietly by the window, listening to the muffled voices of uncle Dimitry and aunt Natasha. Their words were edged with greed, whispers of money, and desperate plans creeping through the cracks of the old wooden walls.
Angela had lived in this house since the tragic accident that claimed her parents‘ lives. At twenty–one, she had learned to navigate the darkness that enveloped her world, relying on her sharp senses and intuition. But even without sight, she could feel the unease in the air tonight.
A soft knock on her bedroom door startled her. “Angela?” It was Sasha, her cousin, and the only person in this house who showed her a semblance of
kindness. “Dad wants you to come downstairs.”
Angela’s fingers clenched around the folds of her dress. “Why?”
Sasha hesitated. “Just… come. It’s important.”
The unease in Sasha’s tone did nothing to settle Angela’s wild nerves. She was scared because she knew something was wrong. Uncle Dimitri would never ask her to dress up and look presentable because she had no money and couldn’t buy anything for herself. The only few clothes she had were given to her after Sasha had worn them enough of the time. Angela didn’t complain. She was fine with it until she had a roof over her head to keep her
safe from the world.
With slow, cautious steps, Angela followed Sasha down the creaking staircase. The scent of expensive cologne mixed with cigarette smoke filled the air, alerting her to the presence of an outsider.
“Ah, here she is,” Dimitry’s voice oozed with feigned warmth. “Angela, my dear, we’re going out. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Unease pooled in Angela’s stomach. “Where are we going?”
“To an office,” Dimitry said briskly, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. “It’s business. Just smile and be polite.”
Angela’s instincts screamed at her, but she had no choice.
The ride to the office was silent, save for the occasional hum of Dimitry’s impatient breathing. Angela’s fingers traced patterns on the leather seat, her anxiety growing with each passing second. They weren’t alone in the car. She could feel a gaze on her face and body. There was someone present in the car with him. It was creeping her out because that person wasn’t saying anything.
When they arrived, Dimitry guided her into the building. The air smelled of polished wood and power. The shuffle of paperwork and clicking of expensive shoes surrounded her.
They were escorted into an office by the guy who was in the car with them.
A deep voice cut through the tension. “This is the girl?”
Angela stiffened.
“Yes,” Dimitry said smoothly. “Angela, meet Mr. Viktor. He’s a very important man.”
Angela extended a hand cautiously, but instead of a handshake, rough fingers brushed against her arm, trailing upward. Instinct took over. She jerked away and stumbled back. “Don’t touch me!”
A low chuckle came from Viktor. “Feisty.”
“She’s just nervous,” Dimitry said quickly. “Angela, be reasonable.”
Angela shook her head. “No. I want to leave.” She felt uneasy in that man’s presence. He was scaring her.
Victor gripped her arm, his hold tightened when she tried to jerk out of his hold. “I think she needs a lesson in obedience.”
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Chapter 1
“Let go,” She said, struggling to free herself but Victor roughly yanked her closer.
Fear spiked through her, and she acted on impulse. With all her strength, she shoved against him, breaking free–her hand striking against something The sound of a glass shattering echoed in the office as she slipped, lost her footing, and fell. She lost her shoe as she quickly scrambled to her feet.
Angela freezes in pain. She had stepped on something sharp. Warmth spread across her
Dimitry cursed under his breath. “Angela, stop this nonsensel”
sole.
Ignoring the searing pain, Angela turned and ran, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. She pushed through the doors, and out into the cold night.
Behind her, Dimitry’s voice roared in fury.
How far she could run with her sight. Dimitry caught her and dragged her into the car as he drove her back to the house.
When she reached the house, gasping and bleeding, she barely had time to brace herself before Dimitry’s slap sent her crashing to the floor. Paint exploded across her cheek.
“You ruined everything!” he bellowed, his boot slamming into her ribs.
Angela curled into herself, choking back a cry.
“Stop, you’ll kill her!” Sasha’s voice rang out, but it did nothing to quell Dimitry’s rage.
Natasha’s cold hands pulled Angela up. “You should’ve just obeyed. We’re doing this for your good.”
Angela spat blood, her breath ragged. “Lies,” she whimpered.
Natasha’s patience snapped. With a final shove, she pushed Angela out into the cold night. “Then get lost. You’ll see what happens to you when you don’t have shelter and food, you ungrateful burden,” Natasha gritted as she slammed the door shut.
Angela stumbled, her body weak, her feet still bleeding. The snow bit into her skin. She had nowhere to go. Tears of pain and sorrow trailed down her
cheeks.
She limped through the streets, her vision nothing but darkness, her world nothing but pain.
Her mind drifted back to her parents, the warmth of their touch. She longed for the life she had before. But now, she was alone in the unforgiving night, the cold creeping into her bones.
Angela didn’t know where she was going. The girl was aimlessly ambling to God knows where. Her crimson blood tasted the white snow, turning it a bright shade of red wherever she stepped.
The sound of a roaring engine and the blare of a car horn had her freezing.
Tires screeched, and the scent of burnt rubber filled her nostrils as she braced herself for the impact but the car never hit her as the fear of the hit made her stumble back and she fell on the road.
A door opened, and a voice, deep and laced with irritation, spoke. “There are less painful ways to die, you know.”
Angela stiffened.
The smell of smoke drifted toward her as the man took a step closer. She swallowed thickly and quickly tried to stand up but a painful hiss escaped her lips. Yet she forced herself to stand. She instantly stepped back mumbling a small “sorry” as that man stared at her.
His eyes narrowed when he noticed her emotionless eyes and it didn’t take him much time to realize she was blind.
“Interesting.” he rasped.
Angela didn’t respond, too drained to react.
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Chapter 1
The man exhaled smoke. “You’re bruised. Bleeding. Barefoot.”
“Sorry,” She whispered and turned to leave only to stumble because of the pain. That man instantly stepped forward holding her waist to help her from falling. She flinched and winced because his hand pressed on the bruises on her belly and ribcage. He helped her to stand as she stepped away from him. His strong rich Cologne filled through her senses because of his proximity.
She felt something heavy drape over her shoulders–his coat. Then he was tying something against her feet; his shoes.
“Mr. Volkov,” Someone called, and the man beside her paused.
Before she could react, he was gone, the engine revving before disappearing into the night.
Shivering, confused, and exhausted, Angela sank onto the bench at the side of the road.
Her breath came in shaky gasps. Who was that man? And why had he helped her?
on her wounded foot and then the weight of something
As the night deepened, Angela’s mind raced with unanswered questions. Something told her this encounter was far from over.
Unknowingly, she had just met the devil in disguise.
