**Chapter 6: The Devil's Waltz**
The pocket watch burned in Emma's palm, its brass casing now searing cold. The crimson eye dilated, drinking in her hesitation like wine.
**"A game, little baker,"** the demon cooed. **"Your truth... for his."**
Somewhere beyond the apartment walls, thunder growled.
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### **I. The First Cut**
Emma's breath fogged the air between them. "What truth?"
The watch *clicked*—a sound like a bone snapping.
**"That night in the Wolf's Den,"** the demon whispered. **"Seth didn't just slaughter them. He carved a *message* into the walls with their blood."**
The vision hit her like a slap:
- *Seth on his knees, fingers dripping crimson as he scrawled: **"I AM WHAT I AM."***
- The way his pupils had blown black, *reveling* in the carnage.
Emma's knees buckled. The watch laughed.
---
### **II. The Second Cut**
Seth exploded through the door, rain sluicing off his coat. "Emma, *don't—*"
**"Ah-ah."** The demon's voice turned syrupy. **"Her turn now. Tell me, darling... when you dream at night, do you *really* see him as a monster?"**
The question slithered under her skin.
*Because no.*
In her dreams, Seth was always standing at the edge of a cliff—*one step from falling, or flying.*
Emma's silence was confession enough.
The watch *purred.*
---
### **III. The Third Cut**
**"Last question,"** it murmured. **"If I told you loving him would damn your soul... would you still reach for him?"**
Seth went very still.
Emma lifted her chin. "Yes."
*Click.* The watch sprang open—
—and the demon **uncoiled.**
Smoke tendrils wrapped around her wrist, slithering up her arm like vines. Seth lunged, but the shadows *threw* him against the wall.
**"Then pay the price,"** the demon crooned.
Emma's world narrowed to two choices:
1. **Kiss him**—let the demon feast on the spark between them.
2. **Walk away**—and watch Seth's soul shatter.
*She chose.*
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**🔥 Next Chapter's Bloody Beats:**
- **The Kiss That Burns:** Emma's lips meet Seth's—*and the taste is iron and embers.*
- **Rafe's Reckoning:** The gang kicks down her door, blades glinting. (*"You owe us a body, prince."*)
- **The Demon's Triumph:** Seth's eyes flash *black* as the curse digs its claws into *both* their hearts.