Contract

I shivered as I looked at the strange mark. A thin black line stretched horizontally on my wrist; above the center of the line were two more, this time they were swirled at either end. The swirls were opposite to each other. A single smooth swirl on either end of each line. In the center was the outline of a diamond. I gently ran a finger over the mark, feeling a throb of power suddenly spike through my forearm.

    A small echo pierced through my head. That same deep, powerful voice I thought was soothing, spoke, "Every deal comes with a consequence. You have the power to protect and defend yourself. But you have to pay me back with blood."

    MY blood?

The thought seemed to echo, and a deep chuckle seemed to respond. "No. In order to keep this power, you have to take someone's life. If you refuse, my power will be ripped away from you, and I'll devour you.." I grabbed my head with both hands, a headache starting to thrum.