The performance ended hours ago, but the tension in Kael's chest hadn't eased. Even in the van ride back, Lior's smug smile kept flashing in his mind, taunting him.
When they arrived at the dorm, the members scattered to their rooms, too exhausted to talk. Kael lingered in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water, trying to calm his thoughts.
That was when he heard it.
Voices. Low, hushed, coming from the balcony.
Kael frowned and stepped closer, careful not to make a sound. The sliding door was slightly open, the night air slipping through.
"Klan, listen to me," a familiar voice whispered.
Kael's heart skipped a beat. Lior.
He moved closer, peering through the gap in the curtain. There he was—Lior, standing outside on the balcony, his perfect smile nowhere in sight. He looked sharp even under the moonlight, his designer coat draped casually over his shoulders.
And standing in front of him, tense and small, was Klan.
Kael's grip on the door tightened until his knuckles turned white.
"What are you doing here?" Klan hissed, glancing nervously at the door. "If the others see you—"
"They won't," Lior said smoothly. His voice was calm, too calm. "I just wanted to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you," Klan muttered, turning to go—but Lior's next words froze him in place.
"Do you really think LUMINA can survive like this?" Lior's tone was soft, but his words were sharp enough to cut. "The industry eats groups like yours alive. One year—two, at most—and you'll be gone."
"That's not true," Klan said quickly, but his voice shook.
Lior smiled faintly. "You're talented, Klan. You don't deserve to go down with them."
Kael's chest burned.
Lior stepped closer to Klan, lowering his voice. "I could help you. ASTRIX could help you. You'd shine with us."
Klan's breath hitched. "You… want me to leave LUMINA?"
"Think about it," Lior murmured, his eyes gleaming. "You're wasted there. With me, you could be more than just a pretty face standing in Kael's shadow."
Kael's heart stopped. Every word hit like a bullet.
Klan stared at the floor, silent, his hands trembling at his sides.
"Lior—" he began, but before he could finish, Kael slid the door open with a sharp slam.
Both of them froze.
Kael stood there, his amber eyes burning like wildfire, his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.
"What the hell is this?" Kael's voice was low, dangerous.
Klan whipped around, eyes wide with panic. "Kael, it's not—"
"Save it." Kael's gaze shifted to Lior, his stare like a blade. "You've got three seconds to get out before I make you."
Lior smirked, unbothered. "Relax, leader. We were just talking."
Kael stepped forward, his voice a growl. "One."
Lior's smirk widened. "You're too protective. Makes me wonder why." His eyes flicked to Klan, then back to Kael with a knowing glint.
Kael's fists curled so tight his nails dug into his skin.
"Two."
Lior chuckled, stepping back toward the railing. "See you around, Klan."
And with that, he swung his coat over his shoulder and slipped out through the emergency stairs like a ghost.
The silence he left behind was suffocating.
Kael turned to Klan slowly, his amber eyes blazing. "What was that?"
Klan's throat tightened. "Kael, I swear—I didn't—"
"Why was he here?" Kael snapped, his voice low and trembling with fury. "What did he say to you?"
Klan bit his lip, tears stinging his eyes. "He was lying, Kael. I told him no—I would never leave."
Kael stared at him for a long, heavy moment, his chest heaving. Then he stepped closer, so close that Klan could feel the heat of his body, smell the faint trace of sweat and cologne.
"Don't ever meet him again," Kael said, his voice raw. "Do you hear me? Ever."
Klan nodded quickly, his heart pounding so hard it hurt.
Kael stared at him for another beat before storming inside, leaving Klan frozen on the balcony, shaking—not from fear, but from something far more dangerous.