Rachel's apartment was packed with Northwestern students, music thumping loud enough to rattle the windows. Dario nursed a beer and tried to look comfortable while Sarah flitted around the room, introducing him to people whose names he immediately forgot.
He was standing by the kitchen counter, watching Sarah laugh at something a girl from her dorm was saying, when someone appeared beside him.
"You look like you'd rather be anywhere else," the newcomer observed.
Dario turned to find a guy about his age leaning against the counter, drink in hand. He was tall and lean, with dark hair that looked effortlessly tousled and the kind of sharp features that belonged in a magazine. But it was his eyes that caught Dario's attention—they were almost black, with an intensity that seemed to see right through him.
"Is it that obvious?" Dario asked.
"Only to someone who feels the same way." The guy extended his hand. "I'm Alex."
"Dario."
Alex's handshake was firm, lasting just a moment longer than necessary. "So, Dario, what's your story? Let me guess—girlfriend dragged you here, you're counting the minutes until you can politely escape, and you're wondering why people think standing in an overcrowded room shouting over bad music constitutes fun."
Dario blinked. "That's... remarkably accurate."
"I'm good at reading people." Alex took a sip of his drink—something dark and strong-smelling. "It's a useful skill."
"What's your excuse for being here?"
"Research," Alex said with a slight smile. "I'm studying human behavior. Parties are excellent laboratories for observing social dynamics."
"That's either really insightful or really creepy."
"Why not both?"
Despite himself, Dario found himself almost smiling. There was something about Alex that was simultaneously unsettling and magnetic. The way he stood, the way he spoke, even the way he held his drink—everything about him radiated a quiet confidence that made people want to either get closer or run away.
Interesting, Cassius stirred, more alert than he'd been in months.
What's interesting? Dario thought back.
Him. There's something... familiar about him.
Before Dario could process that cryptic comment, Sarah appeared at his elbow.
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you." She smiled at Alex. "Hi, I'm Sarah. You must be one of Dario's friends."
"Actually, we just met," Alex said smoothly. "I was just telling Dario how much I enjoyed our conversation about social dynamics."
Sarah looked pleased. "Oh, are you a psych major too?"
"Philosophy, with a focus on existentialism and the nature of consciousness." Alex's smile sharpened slightly. "Though I find psychology... illuminating."
"That's so cool! You should totally come to our study group sometime. We're always looking for different perspectives."
"I'd like that," Alex said, but his eyes were on Dario, not Sarah. "Perhaps we could continue our discussion over coffee sometime?"
Dario felt a strange flutter in his chest. "I... sure. That sounds good."
"Excellent." Alex finished his drink and set the glass on the counter. "I should go. Early class tomorrow. But I'll find you, Dario."
He disappeared into the crowd, leaving Dario staring after him.
"Wow," Sarah said. "He's intense. Kind of hot, though, right? In a brooding, mysterious way."
"I guess," Dario said, though he was still thinking about the way Alex had said his name, like he was tasting it.
He's not human, Cassius said suddenly.
What?
Alex. He's not human. I can sense it now that he's gone. There's something else underneath, something old.
Dario's blood ran cold. What do you mean, not human?
I mean exactly what I said. He's like us, but different. More controlled. More... dangerous.
"Dario?" Sarah was looking at him with concern. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine," he said automatically. "Just tired. Maybe we should head back?"
"Of course." Sarah took his arm, already shifting into caretaker mode. "Too much socializing. I should have known better."
As they made their way through the crowd toward the exit, Dario caught a glimpse of Alex across the room. He was talking to a group of students, animated and charming, but when he looked up and met Dario's eyes, there was something in his expression that made Dario's skin crawl.
Alex smiled and raised his empty glass in a mock toast.
Dario hurried out of the apartment, Cassius's warnings echoing in his mind.