Professor Harlan clapped his hands like a sadistic game-show host.
"Surprise! Midterm project. Paired presentation. Two weeks. Topic: Beauty in Decay. Partners already chosen—because I'm evil and I hate you all."
He started rattling off names.
Halfway through, Heley's hand shot up.
"Professor, I'm supposed to be with Raven Blackwood, but I'm not working with the freak. I'll take a zero before I let her ruin my grade."
Ugly laughter rolled through the room. Heley sat back, smug, fake-tanned arms crossed.
Raven didn't even blink. Just closed her notebook with that lethal calm I was already addicted to.
"It's fine," she said, voice flat. "I'll do it alone. I'm used to it."
Harlan opened his mouth to argue.
I was on my feet before he could.
"I'll be her partner."
Dead fucking silence.
Phones came out. Someone whispered, "Holy shit."
Raven's storm-gray eyes snapped to mine—pure murder.
Harlan raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Voss, you were assigned to—"
"Change it," I said. "Put me with Raven."
Gasps. Mia's jaw hit the floor. Lexi looked like she'd swallowed glass.
Raven stood slowly. "I said I can do it alone. I don't need a partner. Especially not you."
I didn't sit. Just held her stare.
Harlan shrugged, entertained. "Paired project, Miss Blackwood. No opting out. Since Mr. Voss is so eager—you two are a team. Final. Next!"
The room exploded the second he turned away.
Raven grabbed her bag and stormed past me, shoulder slamming mine like a warning shot.
I let her go.
The second we were dismissed, Mia pounced.
"Are you fucking brain-dead?" she hissed in the hallway, nails digging into my arm.
"Mia—"
"No. You just stood up in front of everyone and picked the freak over every girl here. Over me."
She dug her nails in deeper.
"I've been waiting two years, Elliot. Two years of parties, texts, hints you pretended not to notice. And the second that corpse bride snaps her fingers you volunteer like a fucking golden retriever?"
I yanked free. "This isn't about you."
She laughed, wet and bitter. "Right. It's about the corpse bride who probably talks to ghosts. Does the patchouli turn you on now?"
"Talk about her like that again," I said, voice ice, "and we're done. For good."
Mia went white, then venomous. "You'll regret this."
She shoved past me.
I barely made it ten steps before a hand clamped my wrist and yanked me sideways into the empty sculpture studio.
Door slammed. Lock clicked.
Raven shoved me against the wall hard enough to knock plaster dust loose.
"What the actual fuck was that?" she hissed, palm flat on my chest, pinning me.
Up close she was vibrating—rage, heat, something dangerous.
I could smell vanilla, clove smoke, and her.
"You heard me," I said low. "I took you."
Her black nails dug in. "Why are you doing all this? I heard you're still a virgin. You never flirt. Never touch anyone. So why me? What do you want?"
"I want you, Raven."
"But why? What's your motive?"
I opened my mouth and the stupidest, darkest joke slipped out.
"Lexi and Mia dared me. Nine thousand dollars if I take your virginity."
Silence.
Her face went blank. Then something shattered behind her eyes.
"Fine," she whispered.
Before I could breathe, she ripped her lace top over her head and tossed it. Skirt followed, pooling at her boots.
She stood there in black lace bra and matching panties, tears already sliding down pale cheeks, mascara starting to run.
"You won't have to waste any more time," she said, voice breaking. Fingers fumbled with her bra clasp. "Complete your dare. Take the money. Then leave."
I lunged, caught her wrists.
"Raven—stop. Calm down. You know I was fucking kidding."
She tried to pull away. I held tighter.
"I am here for you Raven. I want you." I rasped. "I want you so bad that I can't even explain. I want all of you, your mind, your darkness, your body. I will never leave."
A sob tore out of her. Head dropped against my chest.
I cupped her chin, forced her to look at me. Tears had turned her eyeliner into war paint.
"And yeah," I said, thumb brushing her trembling lip, "I want to fuck you every day, every hour, until you're dripping with me. I'll devour you whole, Raven—again and again—until you're begging me to stop, and even then I won't."
Her breath hitched.
"But that doesn't start tonight," I whispered. "Not until you choose me. Until you love me back just as hard as I already love you. And Raven?"
I pressed my forehead to hers.
"I will make damn sure you do."
She cried then, quiet, shattered, while I held her half-naked body against me.
When the tears slowed, I picked up her clothes, handed them to her.
She dressed slowly, fingers shaking.
"Seven-thirty tomorrow," she said, voice hoarse. "My place. It's…"
"I know the address."
"Don't be late."
She unlocked the door and walked out without looking back.
I stayed against the wall, heart pounding, cock throbbing, tasting her tears on my thumb.
Seven-thirty couldn't come fast enough.
Because tomorrow night, I was walking into her world.
And I was never coming out.