Chapter 2

“I’ll send you his Rune-tag (contact information) right now!” Aunt Agatha squealed, clapping her plump hands together. She practically vibrated with excitement. “Oh, Seraphina, I just know I’ll be drinking at your wedding before the year is out!”

She didn't stay long after that. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, my Rune-slate buzzed against the coffee table. 

A green notification hovered above the glass. Silas Thorne wants to connect.

I tapped the glowing surface. His profile picture was exactly what I expected: a low-angle shot of a guy trying way too hard. He was wearing a greasy leather duster, an unlit cigar clamped between yellowing teeth. 

Silas: Hey there, Chick. Your aunt tells me you’re dying to meet a real man. Someone to take care of you.

I stared at the glowing green text. 

Seraphina: Aunt Agatha speaks highly of you, Mr. Thorne. When are you free to meet?

Silas: Mr. Thorne? Ha. Call me Silas, sweetheart. And I’m always free for a pretty young thing like you. Tomorrow?

Seraphina: Tomorrow works. 2:30 PM at the Mystic Café in Soho.

Silas: Soho? Fancy. You buying, Chick? Just kidding. Uncle Silas will treat you right. Admit it, you’re already falling for my charm.

I physically gagged. I tossed the scroll onto the cushion, ignoring his follow-up winking emoji. The bait was set. Now, I needed the perfect substitute. 

Thirty minutes later, I was sitting in a magically driven carriage heading downtown. I pulled out my Rune-slate  again, scrolling past my contacts until I found her name. 

Chloe. 

She was twenty years old, Aunt Agatha’s only child. Aunt Agatha paraded Chloe around as her beloved princess, but the reality was a suffocating nightmare. 

Aunt controlled her clothes, her diet, and especially her social life. Chloe was starved for affection, desperately naive, and completely boy-crazy. She’d secretly dated three different goblin apprentices in the past year. Agatha had violently sabotaged every single one, completely breaking the girl's spirit. 

Seraphina: Hey Chloe. You free tomorrow? I have a massive favor to ask, and it involves a guy.

The reply came back in three seconds. 

Chloe: OMG YES. Who is he?? Tell me everything!

Seraphina: He’s an ex-hunter. Very mature, super stable. Looking to settle down. I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Meet me at the Mystic Café bathroom at 1:30 PM. Don't tell your mom.

Chloe: My lips are sealed! See you tomorrow!

I leaned back against the leather seats of the carriage, watching the smoggy London skyline roll by. Everything was falling into place. 

The next morning, I sent a quick message to Aunt Agatha. 

Seraphina: Auntie, I’m a bit nervous about today. What kind of clothes does Silas like? I really want to make a good impression.

Aunt replied instantly. Leave it to me, darling! I’ll send something right over!

Less than an hour later, a heavy knock echoed through my apartment. A goblin courier stood in the hallway, holding a sleek black box. I signed for it, brought it inside, and popped the lid. 

I pulled out a dress. 

Calling it a dress was generous. It was a scrap of sheer, dark lace. The neckline plunged dangerously low, and the hemline belonged in a red-light district, not a daytime café. It was cheap, tacky. 

She wanted me to wear this? She wanted me to look like cheap merchandise in front of a degenerate gambler? 

I narrowed my eyes and focused. My Scroll Sight flared to life. 

Instantly, the black lace lit up like a Christmas tree. Woven deep into the fabric were glowing, pale pink threads of magic. 

A Compliance Hex. 

It was a low-level, illegal charm. Anyone who wore the fabric would have their mental defenses stripped away. They’d become agreeable, slow-witted, and highly susceptible to suggestion. Perfectly primed to be manipulated by an older, predatory man. 

A cold, hard knot formed in my chest. If I ever had a shred of guilt about what I was about to do to her daughter, this dress just burned it to ashes. Aunt wasn't just setting me up; she was actively trying to destroy my mind to lock in her commission. 

I folded the cursed lace back into the box. 

"Perfect," I whispered. 

At 1:30 PM, I pushed open the door to the women’s restroom at the Mystic Café. Chloe was already there, pacing nervously in front of the mirrors. She wore a frumpy, oversized sweater—definitely her mother’s choice. 

“Seraphina!” She rushed over, grabbing my hands. “Tell me! Who is he?”

I smiled, pulling the black box from my tote bag. 

“His name is Silas,” I said, keeping my voice hushed and conspiratorial. “He’s incredible, Chloe. But there’s a massive problem. I can’t date him.”

Chloe blinked, confused. “Why not? Mom said—”

I cut her off smoothly. “I just got promoted to Senior Actuary. The bank made me sign a strict Blood Contract. A ten-year celibacy clause. No marriage, no kids for a decade. If I break it, I lose my magic and my job.”

Chloe gasped, covering her mouth. “That’s awful!”

“It is what it is,” I sighed, playing the tragic heroine. “But Silas... he’s ready to settle down right now. I couldn't just let a catch like him slip away. So, I thought of you.”

I opened the box and pulled out the lace dress. Chloe’s eyes went wide. 

“Older men know how to treat a woman right, Chloe,” I said, feeding her Agatha’s exact words. “They know how to cherish you. He’s stable, reliable, and he knows how to care for a woman. He will ground you. ”

Chloe looked at the dress, then at me. Her cheeks flushed. “You really think he’d like me? ”

“Your mom is wrong,” I said fiercely. “You are exactly his type. But you have to wear this. It’s what he likes.”

I handed her the cursed fabric. Chloe didn't hesitate. She practically snatched it from my hands and darted into a stall. 

When she stepped out, the transformation was instant. The Compliance Hex immediately sank into her weak spiritual aura. Her eyes glazed over slightly, softening into a compliant, doe-eyed stare. The dress clung to her, making her look exactly like the easy prey Silas Thorne was hunting for. 

“I feel... dizzy,” Chloe giggled, swaying slightly on her heels. “But good.”

“You look beautiful,” I lied smoothly. “Now, listen to me. This is the most important part. If Aunt Agatha finds out about this, she will ruin it. You know she will.”

“So, we have a cover story. If she asks, I am the one dating Silas. You’re just tagging along as my chaperone. Understand? You keep him a secret until you two are officially bound.”

“Keep it a secret,” Chloe repeated, the pink magic in the dress making her highly agreeable to my instructions. “Pretend it’s you.”

“Good girl.” I checked my pocket watch. It was 2:25 PM. 

I grabbed her hand. “Come on. Your truelove is waiting.”