Blair Bathory

As he approached, the door swung open on its own. A melodic voice called out, "'Come in. Come in. I've been expecting you.'" Wearily, Drake stepped through the threshold, marveling at the opulence of his surroundings. He followed the voice into a sitting room, where a woman lounged on a velvet chaise.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, voluptuous and slender, with simmering red-gold hair cascading down her back, jade-green eyes, and porcelain-like skin. She wore an ivory pantsuit, golden jewelry gleaming under the light. This was Miss L. She smiled at him, and Drake sank into an armchair across from her. Miss L spoke as if she had all the time in the world.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, voluptuous and slender, with simmering red-gold hair cascading down her back, jade-green eyes, and porcelain-like skin. She wore an ivory pantsuit, golden jewelry gleaming under the light. This was Miss L. She smiled at him, and Drake sank into an armchair across from her. Miss L spoke as if she had all the time in the world.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, voluptuous and slender, with simmering red-gold hair cascading down her back, jade-green eyes, and porcelain-like skin. She wore an ivory pantsuit, golden jewelry gleaming under the light. This was Miss L. She smiled at him, and Drake sank into an armchair across from her. Miss L spoke as if she had all the time in the world.

She already knew who he was and why he was there. Her calm demeanor unsettled him as she explained her offer. I don't take money. What I take is time. Confused, Drake asked, Time? Yes, time, she replied. But not just any time. I take time off your natural lifespan, she chuckled, her eyes gleaning with something dark. Your friend Connor was able to haggle me down in one month.

She already knew who he was and why he was there. Her calm demeanor unsettled him as she explained her offer. I don't take money. What I take is time. Confused, Drake asked, Time? Yes, time, she replied. But not just any time. I take time off your natural lifespan, she chuckled, her eyes gleaning with something dark. Your friend Connor was able to haggle me down in one month.

She already knew who he was and why he was there. Her calm demeanor unsettled him as she explained her offer. I don't take money. What I take is time. Confused, Drake asked, Time? Yes, time, she replied. But not just any time. I take time off your natural lifespan, she chuckled, her eyes gleaning with something dark. Your friend Connor was able to haggle me down in one month.

He promised to create a life-size portrait and a marble statue of me. Well, I simply couldn't resist. Drake's skepticism grew, but Miss L leaned in closer, her gaze intense. I'll do you one better. One single day of your life, Drake.

He promised to create a life-size portrait and a marble statue of me. Well, I simply couldn't resist. Drake's skepticism grew, but Miss L leaned in closer, her gaze intense. I'll do you one better. One single day of your life, Drake.

He promised to create a life-size portrait and a marble statue of me. Well, I simply couldn't resist. Drake's skepticism grew, but Miss L leaned in closer, her gaze intense. I'll do you one better. One single day of your life, Drake.

Fame, riches, endless adoration. Still unsure, Drake hesitated. One day... That's all, she assured him. Her voice had a melodic but dangerous edge to it. And when you agree, I won't collect for ten years. You'll live gloriously for a decade.

Fame, riches, endless adoration. Still unsure, Drake hesitated. One day... That's all, she assured him. Her voice had a melodic but dangerous edge to it. And when you agree, I won't collect for ten years. You'll live gloriously for a decade.

Fame, riches, endless adoration. Still unsure, Drake hesitated. One day... That's all, she assured him. Her voice had a melodic but dangerous edge to it. And when you agree, I won't collect for ten years. You'll live gloriously for a decade.

Without fully understanding why, Drake extended his hand and accepted. Deal, he said, his voice a little too eager. Miss L leaned back, a satisfied smile on her face. Then expect a surprise in the morning. That night, Drake lay in bed, restless, his mind racing. He hardly slept. But by 10 a.m. the next morning, his phone rang.

Without fully understanding why, Drake extended his hand and accepted. Deal, he said, his voice a little too eager. Miss L leaned back, a satisfied smile on her face. Then expect a surprise in the morning. That night, Drake lay in bed, restless, his mind racing. He hardly slept. But by 10 a.m. the next morning, his phone rang.

Without fully understanding why, Drake extended his hand and accepted. Deal, he said, his voice a little too eager. Miss L leaned back, a satisfied smile on her face. Then expect a surprise in the morning. That night, Drake lay in bed, restless, his mind racing. He hardly slept. But by 10 a.m. the next morning, his phone rang.

It was the head of a record label who had seen one of Drake's videos and wanted to sign him. His heart raced.

It was the head of a record label who had seen one of Drake's videos and wanted to sign him. His heart raced.

It was the head of a record label who had seen one of Drake's videos and wanted to sign him. His heart raced.

It had worked. The next 10 years of Drake's life was a whirlwind of fame and indulgence. He had everything he ever dreamed of, luxury, adoration, and power. But with success came excess. Drake gambled, drank, and used drugs. His behavior grew increasingly erratic. He abused his staff and took advantage of anyone who came in his way.