The next morning, Aurora slipped out of Zayne's bed with bare feet and a racing heart. She couldn't explain the night — the lights, the fire, the way the air had tasted of smoke and magic. But her body still hummed with energy... and desire.
She glanced back. Zayne was asleep, a dark god tangled in his sheets, one hand resting where her body had been.
Aurora left quietly and walked back to her shared flat — and that's when she heard it.
Moaning.
Her brows furrowed. It was Fiona's voice. And a man's. Familiar. Too familiar.
She opened the door. Her jaw dropped.
Ethan.
Fiona.
On the couch. Practically naked. Mid-thrust.
"Aurora—shit—" Ethan scrambled up, guilt painting his face.
Fiona didn't even bother covering herself. She smirked. "Well, you were busy with your new pet demon, weren't you?"
Aurora's hands clenched into fists. Her chest burned, literally. The air around her shimmered — and the lights in the flat exploded.
Fiona screamed. Ethan ducked. Aurora just stood there, breathing hard, electricity crackling in her palms.
"What the hell?" Fiona shrieked. "You're a freak!"
Aurora turned and walked out, chest pounding. Her powers — they weren't just flickering. They were rising.
That night, she confronted Zayne.
"Why me?" she asked. "Why is this happening now?"
He didn't answer right away. He poured a drink. His hand trembled.
Then he said quietly, "Because you kissed me. And the curse doesn't let love in without pain."
He walked over to the fireplace, pulled down an old, burned photograph. A girl — dark-haired, soft eyes — stood beside him. Smiling.
"My ex. Amara. She said she'd break the curse. Said her love was stronger than magic."
He looked up. "She died screaming. Burned from the inside."
Aurora stared at the flames, her heart cold.
"So what happens to me?"
Zayne's eyes met hers.
"That depends on if you're the cure… or just the next one it kills."