The Price of a Wish

The rain hadn’t stopped for three days.

Gray clouds hung over the city like a heavy blanket, and the sound of thunder echoed through the narrow streets.

Inside a small antique shop at the corner of Willow Lane, Liana Gray wiped dust from an old mirror. Her grandmother had passed away only a week ago, leaving Liana the shop — and a long list of debts.

She sighed, brushing a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear.

> “Grandma, why did you keep all these creepy things…?”

Most of the items were harmless — old jewelry, paintings, faded dolls — but there was one thing that stood out.

A tall mirror with strange silver patterns swirling across its frame. Its tag read:

> “Do not touch — sacred relic.”

Liana frowned. “Sacred, huh? You look more cursed than sacred.”

Still, something about it called to her. She didn’t know why, but the mirror felt alive. Her reflection shimmered faintly, and for a moment, she thought she saw another figure behind her — tall, dark, and winged.

She blinked. Nothing. Just her tired eyes staring back.

Lightning flashed outside. The power flickered. And then… she heard it.

> “Do you wish to be free… or to be loved?”

The voice was soft and deep, like it came from inside her mind.

Startled, Liana stumbled backward, knocking over a candle. The flame rolled toward the mirror’s base. Smoke curled up, the air turning cold — unnaturally cold.

Then, with a deafening crack, the mirror shattered.

Black mist poured out, swirling like a storm. Liana covered her mouth as a gust of wind swept through the shop. And from the darkness, a figure emerged — tall, with eyes glowing crimson like molten fire.

Wings as black as night unfolded behind him, stretching wide enough to brush the walls.

> “Who dares summon me?”

The voice was low, commanding. Not human.

Liana froze, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. “I—I didn’t mean to! I just—”

The man tilted his head, studying her. His face was sharp and beautiful, in a way that didn’t feel real. A dark aura coiled around him, but his gaze held something ancient — pain, maybe even longing.

> “You broke the seal,” he said finally. “That makes you my master… or my prisoner.”

Before Liana could respond, he raised his hand — and the shattered mirror pieces rose into the air, spinning around them in a circle of glowing light. A sigil appeared beneath her feet, pulsing with dark energy.

She gasped as a sharp pain shot through her wrist. When she looked down, a strange black mark had appeared — a glowing sigil shaped like a pair of wings.

> “What did you do to me?!” she cried.

He smiled faintly, the corner of his lips curving with cruel amusement.

> “You wished,” he said. “And I answered.”

The mark burned again, and Liana fell to her knees, trembling. She felt something… connect between them. A pulse. A rhythm.

Two heartbeats — one hers, one not.

> “W-who are you?”

The man stepped closer, shadows wrapping around him like armor. His eyes softened just for a moment as he spoke.

> “I am Azel,” he said. “The fallen one. And now… we are bound.”

Outside, the storm broke, rain pounding against the windows.

Inside the shop, Liana’s world changed forever — and the demon with dark wings smiled, knowing destiny had just begun to stir.

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