Page 9

"It's the... the scar," she managed to gasp out, her eyes never leaving the pulsing symbol. "It's burning."

James's concern transformed into bewilderment. "What are you talking about?" he asked, reaching out to touch her arm.

Ivy flinched away from him, her eyes squeezed shut against the pain. "The scar," she whispered, her voice tight with agony.

The sound of splintering wood ripped through the air, the force of the explosion knocking James off his feet. The living room was a sudden chaos of flying debris, and through the dust and the smoke, a figure emerged, tall and imposing, clad in a hooded coat that billowed like a dark cloud around him. The air grew cold, the laughter of the night chilled to silence by the presence that filled the room. James's heart hammered in his chest as he stumbled to his feet, his eyes wide with fear and recognition.

"Vice," he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.

Vice stepped into the light, the shadows parting around him like a cloak. His eyes gleamed with a malicious amusement that sent a shiver down Ivy's spine.

"Hello, Ivy," he said, his voice a deep, chilling rumble. "I see you've decided to keep our little rendezvous a secret. How quaint."

Her heart was racing, the sound of her own pulse drowning out the clamor of James's friends as they scrambled to their feet, the cards they had been holding fluttering to the floor like dead leaves. Vice took another step forward, his wicked smile never wavering. "I hope you don't mind," he said, his voice a sinister purr that seemed to resonate through the very walls of the house. "But our arrangement was quite clear. I've come to claim what's mine."

James's friends stared in stunned silence, the color draining from their faces as they took in the terrifying spectacle before them. They had heard the whispers, the legends of Vice, but they never imagined that they would come face to face with him.

"Ivy, what's he talking about?" James's voice was a desperate plea, the tremor in his words matching the tremble in his limbs. "What did you do?"

Tears streamed down Ivy's face as she looked at James, her eyes a storm of regret and despair. "I... I did what I had to," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart. "For you. For Alice."

James's gaze bore into her, his disbelief giving way to a cold anger. "What could you have possibly done?"

Ivy's knees felt like they might buckle under the weight of the truth, but she held firm, her eyes never leaving James'. "Remember the day you got sick?" she began, her voice shaking. "I went looking for a way to save you."

James stared at her, his eyes wide with horror as understanding dawned. "You didn't," he whispered, his hand reaching out as if he could pluck the words from the air and stuff them back into her mouth.

"I had to," she sobbed, the pain in her wrist a living testament to the truth of her words. "They said you had weeks. I couldn’t just watch you die. I had to do something."

James’s voice rose, cracking with fear and anger, spittle flying from his lips. “God, you are stupid, Ivy! You think giving yourself away to that monster is going to save me? You think… you think you are a hero? You are pathetic! So, you thought I needed your help? You honestly thought I was so weak I couldn’t have fought this? I bet you didn’t even bother seeing if there was anything else, any other way out. You just ran and gave yourself to the first monster that gave you enough attention.” he spat at her.

Ivy could barely respond, her voice a shattered whisper, tears streaming down her face. “I thought,” She curled in on herself, trying to disappear. “I thought it was the right thing to do... I just wanted Alice to have a father.” She sobbed.

“Right thing? You are insane!” he scoffed. “Ivy, this is not one of your stupid books! He’s going to kill you.”

“Now, now, James. Let us not get too carried away,” Vice said cruelly. “It’s not every day someone sacrifices their freedomfor a... man of your caliber.” He emphasized the word "man" with a sneer, his gaze lingering on Ivy with a possessive air.

“You think this is funny?” his eyes narrowed. “You’re the reason she’s in this mess in the first place!” James growled, gesturing towards Vice.

“Oh, please,” Vice smirked, unfazed by James’s anger. “Ivy was already in a mess before I came along. But It’s delightful watching you twist the knife deeper, though. You are quite good at it, really.” Vice's tone was one of amusement.

“I just wanted to save you...” Ivy whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Yes, Ivy, how dare you trade your freedom for... what did you think you’d get,” Vice mocked, tilting his head towards James. “A Prince Charming? Large guarantees of loyalty and affection? You know, James, there is a certain irony here. You are alive because of Ivy; you should be on your knees thanking her.”

“And what would you know about gratitude?” he shouted at Vice. “You kill people for no reason.”

“Indeed. I am known for that,” Vice paused, a smirk playing at his lips. “But unlike you, James, I do appreciate value when I see it. Ivy has what you seem incapable of: loyalty, love, and self-sacrifice.”

“She's pathetic! She is weak! She has always been like this,” James gestured at Ivy. “I have no idea what you'd want with her, she's useless.” he scoffed, a look of disgust on his face.

“Perhaps it is because, unlike you, I recognize strength when I see it,” Vice’s eyes darkened. “It takes far more courage tosacrifice oneself than to wallow in self-pity. A fool like you does not deserve someone so valuable in his life.”

“I made a deal with Ivy, and she is the only reason you are still standing here. Do not insult her sacrifice again. I want you to understand, I allowed you to live so Alice will have a father, and Ivy is the reason you are here. So be grateful she saved someone as foul as you.” Vice stared at James with disgust.

James's eyes burned with anger and betrayal. "Get away from her, she’s mine," he snarled, his fists clenching at his sides.

A wicked smile spread across Vice’s face, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Yours, huh?" he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Tell me, James, do you truly believe you can lay claim to anything that bears my mark?" He gestured to Ivy's wrist, the pulsing symbol a stark reminder of her bargain.