The Price You Pay
A deal with the Goddess of Witches
The Price You Pay
Hecate sat in the fourth row, watching as Marcus sang his heart out. Even though it was a pop-rock song, his perfect voice carried more than enough to win over even the worst critiques.
The voice she’d gifted to him. But his year was up and she was here to collect. After all, he’d sealed the contract. Hecate smiled. And what a seal it had been. As much as she hated to admit it, her core still tingled when she thought of that night.
She’d given him a voice the whole world loved, forming him into a modern day god. And in return, he ignored her. She’d delivered three warnings, reminding him that it was time he paid the price: his firstborn’s life, dedicated to her.
Why was it so hard to keep his end of the bargain? The little girl would have a nice room in the Underworld; and when her studies were done, she’d be the most powerful witch alive. It was a once in a generation offer, and Marcus should be honored Hecate picked little Nadia for the position.
But no. The arrogant asshole tried to hide her behind walls, guards, and the law. Like any of those would stop her. No one broke a deal with the goddess of witchcraft.
The show went on; the crowd cheered and sang with him, but Hecate just sat there, pondering how she should collect the debt. The possibilities were endless. Old-fashioned torture, a curse, a nice accident. But she wanted something more personal.
When the first notes of the last song hit the air, Hecate walked backstage. A small glamor was all it took for her to trick the guards and sneak into his changing room. into his changing room.
Getting comfortable on the loveseat, Hecate summed Cerberus, her loyal German shepherd, to her side. Yes. This was the best way to make a point. She adjusted her breasts, making sure they looked perfect and plump in the deep cleavage, then freshened her scarlet lipstick.
The door opened and Marcus’s eyes widened the moment he stepped in.
“We had a deal, my darling,” she said, crossing her legs. “It’s time you pay the price.”
He shook his head. “You aren’t real.”
Cerberus growled, showing his teeth, and Marcus backed to the door.
Hecate laughed, her voice sweeter than Marcus’s voice could ever be. “Then how did you turn from toad into prince?” She ran her tongue over her lips as she recalled the details of that night. “You made a deal.”
He turned pale, but his eyes were glued to her lips. “I didn’t know… I didn’t think…”
“Yes, you did. Bring me Nadia by tomorrow at midnight or your voice will be mine forever.” She walked to him, Cerberus following her. “It’s either your voice or your daughter, Marcus.”
Hecate sealed the threat with a kiss, leaving Marcus breathless and a bit shaken. Either she’d have her student by tomorrow, even if she was only reaching her second birthday, or she’d have Marcus’s voice trapped in a trinket forever.
Nadia fixed her make up in the mirror, her stomach in knots despite waiting for this meeting her entire life.
In the past year, she’d charmed herself into the world of journalism although she had no idea how to write an article. But she didn’t need that skill. AI and a few spells did the job just right.
And now, her hard work was paying off. She had a meeting with the famous Marcus, loved by the whole world. It was time he paid the price for his sins. It was time she got justice for the life he’d taken from her.
Smoke sneaked from the floor, signaling Hecate’s arrival.
Nadia turned away from the mirror and hugged her the moment she manifested.
“Mother. It’s so nice of you to show up.” She spun around in her professional but also provocative skirt suit. “How do I look?”
“Like a dream coming true.” Hecate smiled. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Of course I am.” Nadia rolled her eyes. “He’ll pay for what he’s done.”
Sadness crossed Hecate’s eyes. “Didn’t I make you happy?”
“Oh, mother.” She hugged her tight. “I love you and wouldn’t change a thing, but…” She sighed, running her hand on the tight skirt to smooth out nonexistent wrinkles. “How could he choose singing over me?”
That wasn’t the real reason, but Hecate didn’t know she’d contacted him six years ago on her eighteenth birthday. And he’d said he never had a daughter. Those words were like knives in her heart and she stoked that rage like it was the last flame of the Underworld.
“Very well, then.” Hecate nodded. “Just be careful.”
Nadia hugged her one more time before picking up her purse and leaving for the interview with her father.
The penthouse was breathtaking. Even to someone who was used to the Underworld’s luxury. She didn’t find words to describe the simple luxury of the place. Or maybe it was the view. The city looked peaceful and magnificent from this high.
“Miss Falcon.” Marcus walked down the stairs, his steps light and energetic, like he wasn’t in his late fifties but in his early thirties.
“Mr. Locke.” She smiled, adding a bit of awe to hide her anger and hurt. “Thank you for doing this.”
Nadia didn’t miss the way Marcus looked at her breasts, then at her lips, before meeting her eyes.
“Anything for an aspiring journalist like you.” He led her to a sitting area. “Coffee?”
“Yes, thank you. Black, one sugar.”
“Coming right up, sweetie.”
Nadie cringed at that, thankful he’d turned his back to her already. He didn’t recognize her. They had the same eyes. How could he not? She snorted. Because he was more focused on her boobs. Obviously.
“Here you go.” He sat next to her, placing the coffee on the table. “What do you want to know that the world doesn’t know already?”
She sipped her drink. “I want to know about your daughter.”
He frowned, but grief didn’t shine in his eyes. “I don’t have a daughter.”
“But you did.” She pulled her birth certificate out of her purse.
He glanced at it, then threw it on the table. “This must be a fake. I’ve never had children.”
It wasn’t another stab in her heart. It was twisting the knife already there. Nadia’s heart bled as she looked into his eyes. This was his out, his chance to salvation, but he failed. Once again, he chose his voice. And now it was time to pay the price.
“Let me word it another way.” She smirked and cast a spell without words. “Hello, Dad.”
Marcus blinked, confused and surprised. He tried to speak, but no word came out.
“Oh? What happened? The cat got your tongue?” She pushed more power into the spell. “Tell me, was it worth it?”
Marcus grabbed at his throat, desperate for air, but she didn’t let him breathe. He’d chosen his voice over her twice. Now she’d take it away from him.
“Sing to me, Daddy.” She pulled a trinket from her bag. A simple golden violin key. “Sing.”
His voice exited his mouth like a silver string and snaked into the trinket. Marcus watched with wide eyes, still scratching his throat as Nadia put the necklace around her neck.
“It was nice to meet you, Dad.” She sipped her coffee. “Now your most prized possession will be mine forever.”
She continued to sip her coffee as he choked to death. It was bitter - both the coffee and the look on his face.
When Marcus dropped dead, Nadia finished her coffee, caressing the trinket around her neck. Now that she was done with her father, it was time for her to pass her final exam: to find a fool willing to sacrifice everything for fame and money.
This was excellent.