The cool night air seemed heavier now, laced with an eerie silence that pressed into Mira's skin. The other strangers had vanished into the shadows, their presence only a lingering chill in the night breeze. Mira remained frozen in place, still cradled against the firm body of the mysterious man. Her breath came in uneven bursts, and her heart thundered in her chest.
Lucien Valehart.
He didn't say his name, but somehow, she knew it. The way he stood, the aura around him, dark, ancient, powerful, spoke volumes without words.
Only the two of them remained in the yard now, illuminated by the faint moonlight filtering through the clouds. Mira's hands clenched instinctively against the fabric of his black shirt, his icy touch radiating through her thin sleeves.
"Mira!"
The familiar voice of Leo called out from inside the house, breaking the strange trance.
Lucien's grip loosened a fraction, and Mira, still trembling, tried to pull away. She turned toward the house, barefoot on the grass, taking a shaky step forward, when a sudden pressure on her wrist halted her.
Lucien's hand clutched her a little too tight for comfort, his eyes glittering beneath the shadows of his lashes.
She gasped softly. "Let go..."
He didn't. Instead, he pulled her gently but firmly against him again, her back pressing into his chest. The coolness of his body seeped into her spine as he leaned in, his breath barely a whisper against her ear.
"Remember... we have unfinished business. We will meet again, after these clowns leaves your house."
Mira's breath caught in her throat. Before she could react, he gently pushed her away, and she stumbled forward a step. Instinct overruled fear now. Without turning back, she dashed toward the back door and slammed it shut behind her, leaning her weight against it.
Leo was already halfway across the room when she entered, his brows furrowed in concern. "Mira! What happened? You're pale as a ghost."
She shook her head, forcing a weak smile. "Just... not feeling well. Maybe the cake was too sweet."
Shriya didn't believe her, but didn't press. "Want us to stay a little longer?"
She forced herself to stand tall. "No, it's okay. I think I just need to sleep it off."
Leo hesitated, then nodded, brushing a hand against her arm. "Call me if you need anything, okay?"
Mira nodded quickly. "I will. Thanks."
Moments later, she shut the front door behind him and pressed her back to it, heart pounding. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the light switch, hesitated, and then climbed the stairs in darkness. She wasn't alone. She could feel it, like a tingling in her bones.
When she reached her bedroom and pushed open the door, her breath caught in her throat.
Lucien was there.
Seated calmly on the edge of her bed, a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. His eyes shimmered, an unnatural, piercing blue that seemed to cut straight through her.
Mira clutched the doorknob behind her. "What do you want?"
He tilted his head, eyes never leaving hers. "To make a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
He leaned back, casual. "A simple one. In your world, it's called a non-disclosure agreement. You promise to keep your pretty mouth shut about what you saw tonight, and in return... we spare your life."
She stared at him. "You think I'm going to tell someone? Who would believe me?"
"Some wouldn't. Some might. Doesn't matter. We don't take chances." He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, crystal-clear glass box. It sparkled faintly in the dim light. "You sign it... with blood."
She felt the blood drain from her face. "Blood?"
Lucien smiled lazily. "A few drops, that's all. And your name."
She narrowed her eyes. "What happens if I break it?"
The smirk returned.
He stood up slowly, taking a step toward her. "There are consequences."
She backed up. "Like what?"
Lucien leaned closer, his fangs catching the light. "Well... one of them might be marriage."
She blinked. "Marriage?!"
"To someone like me," he said, voice dangerously low as he neared her ear, "And doing everything married couples do. You know what I mean, right?"
Mira's eyes widened in shock. She took a sharp step back, heart threatening to leap from her chest.
"Okay, okay! Let's just... get this over with."
Lucien smiled again, but this time, there was something darker behind it. He reached into the air, and with a flick of his hand, a thin dagger appeared, shimmering like it was forged from moonlight.
He walked toward her, his eyes glowing blue, fangs glinting.