I hadn't slept. Not really. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him—Kaelthorn Draevis—leaning from the shadows, his gaze black and cold, yet burning straight into me. My apartment felt too small, like the air itself was holding its breath.
A knock at the door made me jump. My heart slammed.
"Seren?"
Riven. My stepbrother. Casual, teasing, but with that dangerous undertone I hated—and secretly feared.
"What do you want?" I said, trying to steady my voice.
He leaned in just a little, smirking. "You've been hiding. Trying to avoid me? Or maybe… something else?" His eyes flicked over me, sharp, knowing.
I flushed. "I… I'm fine," I muttered, but I knew my heartbeat betrayed me.
"Funny," he said, moving closer. "You smell… different. Like… like you've changed." His gaze lingered, almost predatory. My stomach twisted.
I pressed my back against the wall. He can't know. He doesn't know.
Then. Outside the window—a ripple of shadows. Dark, flowing, almost alive. My chest jumped. Kaelthorn.
Riven noticed too, narrowing his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I said, though my voice was tight. I turned to the window, but the shadows were gone. Just… lingering, like a warning.
I could still feel Kaelthorn—closer than before—his presence curling around me, teasing me, claiming me without touching. My body reacted before my mind could. Heat pooled. Goosebumps ran down my spine. Desire and fear tangled together.
Riven tilted his head, amused. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Maybe I have," I whispered.
The night stretched long. Every creak, every gust of wind, made me tense. And deep down, I knew—I couldn't escape him. Not Kaelthorn. Not the pull between us. Not what I was becoming.
And the worst—or maybe the best—part? I didn't want to.