In the staff room, Luna rested against a wall. She breathed deeply to calm herself, but she could not rid her mind of the idea that something was going to happen tonight. Her sixth sense warned her of something ominous, but she could not pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
Sergei came through the door, his eyes searching around for Luna. She knew exactly the moment his sight landed on her. He walked towards her with a swag in his gait, a characteristic trait of succubus demons. Male succubus demons were extremely rare. The fact that made Sergei dangerous was his uncanny ability to know what pleased the other party the most. He was a master manipulator. He came closer to her, close enough that she could smell the peculiar odor of demon pheromones. She held her breath and placed one hand on her heart to steady herself. The impending crisis she had been sensing since this morning was upon her. She didn't like that. "Luna, Darling, you have caught someone's eye. And as much as I would like to keep you for myself, the other party is way more powerful to be trifled with. I will amend your contract for the extra service required of you. You will be paid very handsomely", he whispered in her ear, his finger stroking the side of her cheek. Luna was rattled, she pushed him instinctively, her jaw slack with the waves of fear that overtook her body. She knew Sergei never brought good news. Sergei laughed at her display of unconcealed fear. "My, my, my!! Don't you worry Moonshine, you will be having the time of your mortal life tonight. His Majesty, the Lycan King, Lucas Vrolok has demanded your service for his court tonight." "No Sergei, I cannot go there. You know the Lycan King has no regard for mortal lives. I will be doomed" She begged him. Now Luna dear, you are not as innocent as you claim you are". He whispered in her ear. "I know of what you are looking for. Pathetic mortal wish to save a pathetic mortal life that is of no consequence. Your friend made her choice when she asked for Dark Death. Now its time for you to make a choice". He straightened back with a smirk on his face. Sergei could be as charming as Mr. Grinch when he needed to be. "How did you know?". Luna was more scared than shocked. Sergei was the lifeline of Ecstasy. He knew everything that happened under its roof, but she had taken great care not to reveal her purpose of coming there. "I know everything, Moonshine! Dark Death is my specialty, and I might be inclined to offer my help, although your taste in friends is questionable." He said with disgust. "But only if you agree to serve the Lycan King", he added. At that moment, Luna knew that there was no escape tonight. She was trapped. She knew that the Lycan King was dangerous, but the threat of Sergei also loomed over her head like a sword that could fall upon her any time. It was time for negotiation. "How will you help me if I agree to your conditions?" She said in a seemingly stable voice but the clenched fists by her side revealed how anxious she was inside. "Now we are talking", Sergei became excited. Bargaining with the mortals was the most fun thing in the long demonic lifetime. Taking advantage of mortal fear and insecurities, playing mind games and watching mortals fall through the wretched hell of desires was what made the blood boil in their demonic bodies, or should it be called slime. Luna was disgusted with underworld as much as the underworld was disgusted with mortals. But some mortals in the blind pursuit of their desires made deals with the devils of the underworld forever branded as the Contemptibles for however long they exist. "You will serve the Lycan King in his court whatever services he requires of you. In return, I will tell you the secret of Dark Death. A potential anti-dote. You can save your friend and I will have paid off my debt with the Lycan King. It's a win-win situation", Sergei said cleverly. She could see the glint in his hazel-brown eyes, but she knew that bargains with the underworld were never fair for the mortals who were at the bottom of the hierarchy. Even if she didn't agree to his bargain, he would find some way to send her to the Lycan King. After contemplating for a few second, she made up her mind. She had to get the antidote at any cost. She owed the Hendersons that much. Alyssa was an only daughter, and her mother would die too if anything happened to her. "I accept on the condition that Alyssa would be taken care of", She said in a determined tone. "That's my Moonshine", he snapped his fingers and a scroll appeared in his hand. It was an underworld contract. "You know how it works, darling", he winked. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and brought her finger to her mouth. The contracts were always signed in blood. She bit her fingertip, and smeared the little droplet of blood that oozed, on the scroll below her name. "The contract is signed. I will send Mina shortly to prepare you". His breath blew on her face. She clenched her teeth not to vomit as the waves of nausea rolled in her stomach. 500 years ago, when the Mortal Treaty was signed, it was forbidden for the Underworld creatures to harm or exploit mortals but like with every treaty the sly ones found ways around it. If a contract was signed between both parties, the court of the Undead could not interfere.
Luna slid down to the floor and put her arms around her knees. She started rocking and muttering to herself. "It's going to be fine, Luna. You are going to be fine. You will save Allyssa. You must. You need to be brave for her." She kept muttering to herself. After some time, the door opened again. This time it was Mina. "There you are, Luna. Sergei told me to prepare you for the Lycan court. Follow me", she had pity in her tone. Luna stood up and straightened her clothes meaninglessly. She tried to stop herself from fidgeting.
With a newfound courage, she followed Mina out of the staff room and into the basement. While descending each step, she vowed in her heart to save her only hand from the clutches of demons and death. At this moment, Alyssa needed her to be strong and she had no time to dwell on her own fears. Nightmares would come later, but for now, she had a Lycan king to serve and a succubus demon to best in wits. For now, it was more important than ever to keep her wits around when her best friend's life depended on her.