After Adrian left Raya at the party, he didn't disappear entirely.
He slid away.
Quietly.
Lucas had invited him out earlier, casually, lazily, like he always did, and Adrian had refused without hesitation. Lucas was persistent, annoying even, and Adrian rarely indulged him.
But tonight, he changed his mind.
Not because he wanted company.
But because he wanted to tease her at first.
He had told Raya he would be going with her, watched the flicker of irritation flash across her eyes, felt her immediate desire to escape any space he occupied. She wanted distance from him. Wanted air. Wanted freedom.
And Adrian Blake had never been good at letting people have what they wanted.
What had happened earlier... when he bit her neck... hadn't been planned.
Truthfully, he had only wanted to scare her.
Intimidate her.
Remind her who held power.
