Morning in Nocturne didn't look like morning.
The sky was gray, the streets were still wet from last night's rain, and the city moved like it had never slept.
Luna Vale stood near the window of apartment 304, watching the traffic below.
Cars rushed through intersections.
People hurried along sidewalks with coffee cups in their hands.
Normal life.
Yet Luna knew something about this city already.
Nothing here was truly normal.
Her phone lay on the table behind her.
Silent.
But the conversation from last night echoed in her mind.
Brevis Draven.
The name alone carried weight.
In most cities, powerful men hid behind businesses or politics.
But Brevis ruled the shadows openly.
Crime. Money. Fear.
Everything in Nocturne eventually traced back to him.
And somehow…
He already knew she was here.
"Great start," Luna muttered quietly.
She grabbed her jacket and headed out.
If she planned to stay in this city, she needed to understand it first.
---
Two hours later.
Luna walked into a small café near the center of town.
The place smelled like roasted coffee beans and fresh pastries.
Warm lighting made the room feel peaceful—almost too peaceful for a city like Nocturne.
She ordered a black coffee and sat by the window.
Her eyes moved carefully around the room.
A couple arguing quietly.
A college student typing on a laptop.
Two businessmen discussing something serious.
No obvious danger.
Still, Luna stayed alert.
Old habits never died.
She lifted the coffee cup and took a sip.
Then someone sat down in the chair across from her.
Without asking.
Luna didn't look surprised.
Slowly, she placed the cup down.
"You should really learn basic manners," she said calmly.
Silence answered her.
Then a deep voice replied.
"And miss the chance to surprise you?"
Luna finally looked up.
And for the first time…
She saw Brevis Draven.
He looked exactly like the rumors described.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Dark hair slightly messy like he had just run his fingers through it.
But what stood out most were his eyes.
Dark.
Sharp.
Like they were constantly studying everything around them.
He wore a black coat and gloves despite the mild weather.
Power surrounded him like an invisible storm.
Several people inside the café had already noticed him.
And quickly looked away.
Fear.
Luna leaned back slightly in her chair.
"So the devil leaves his throne sometimes."
Brevis smiled faintly.
"You're surprisingly relaxed."
"Should I scream?"
"That would be disappointing."
Their eyes locked.
The air between them felt charged.
Dangerous.
Brevis rested his arm on the table casually.
"You moved cities three times in two years," he said.
Luna's expression didn't change.
"You're very interested in my travel history."
"You interest me."
That answer came too quickly.
Luna tilted her head slightly.
"That sounds unhealthy."
Brevis chuckled.
"I've been called worse things."
A waiter approached nervously.
"Sir… would you like anything?"
Brevis didn't even look at him.
"No."
The waiter nodded quickly and left.
Luna noticed how the entire café felt tense.
People whispered quietly.
Some even paid their bills and left early.
All because one man had entered the room.
Power like that was rare.
And dangerous.
Luna leaned forward slightly.
"So tell me, Mr. Draven. Why exactly are you stalking me?"
"Observation isn't stalking."
"Showing up at my table says otherwise."
Brevis studied her face.
"You're not afraid."
"You keep saying that like it's strange."
"It is."
He leaned slightly closer.
"Everyone fears me eventually."
Luna held his gaze.
"Maybe you just haven't met the right people."
For a moment…
Brevis didn't speak.
Then he laughed quietly.
"You're either very brave…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Or very foolish."
"Possibly both."
The tension between them thickened.
People at nearby tables were pretending not to listen.
But their curiosity was obvious.
Brevis suddenly stood.
"Walk with me."
Luna didn't move.
"That sounded more like an order."
"It was."
She crossed her arms.
"I don't follow orders from strangers."
Brevis leaned slightly toward her.
His voice dropped lower.
"Then consider it an invitation."
Luna stared at him.
Something about him felt… different.
Dangerous, yes.
But also strangely calm.
Like a predator that never rushed.
Finally she stood.
"Five minutes," she said.
"That's generous."
They walked out of the café together.
Outside, the city buzzed with life.
Cars passed.
People talked.
But the space around Brevis remained strangely empty.
No one wanted to stand too close.
They walked in silence for a minute.
Then Luna spoke.
"You still haven't answered my question."
"Which one?"
"Why are you interested in me?"
Brevis stopped walking.
They stood near a quiet alley.
Rainwater dripped slowly from fire escapes above.
Brevis turned toward her.
"Because you're hiding something."
Luna smiled faintly.
"Everyone hides something."
"Yes."
His gaze sharpened.
"But not everyone disappears from three cities after powerful men suddenly lose money."
Her smile faded slightly.
"So that's the story you heard."
Brevis watched her carefully.
"You're a mystery."
"And you like mysteries."
"I solve them."
Their eyes locked again.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Brevis stepped closer.
Close enough that Luna could feel the heat of his presence.
"Tell me something honestly," he said quietly.
"What?"
"Why did you come to my city?"
Luna met his gaze without hesitation.
"Maybe I wanted to meet the devil."
Brevis's lips curved slowly.
"That's dangerous curiosity."
"Maybe."
She stepped past him.
"Or maybe I'm just passing through."
Brevis turned slightly.
Watching her walk away.
Rain began falling again—light at first.
Then heavier.
After a few steps, Luna stopped.
Without looking back she said,
"You shouldn't follow me, Mr. Draven."
Brevis leaned casually against the wall.
"And why not?"
Luna finally glanced over her shoulder.
Her silver eyes glowed under the dim streetlight.
"Because I might not be the prey you think I am."
For a moment…
Brevis looked almost impressed.
Then he smiled.
Dark.
Intrigued.
"Good."
Rain soaked his coat as he watched her disappear down the street.
"Prey is boring anyway."
He pushed himself away from the wall.
His phone vibrated.
A message from one of his men.
"Should we continue watching her?"
Brevis typed back immediately.
"Yes."
Then he added another message.
"But don't interfere."
He slipped the phone back into his pocket.
For the first time in a long while…
Brevis Draven felt entertained.
And slightly obsessed.
"Luna Vale," he murmured.
"You just made Nocturne interesting."