Chapter 2

He was breathtaking. The kind of man who looked like he stepped out of a dream and into a spotlight. Selene could hardly breathe.

His arms held her, firm and effortless, pulling her from her fall like she weighed nothing. Her body pressed against his, and for a second, the world slowed.

Then his hand brushed the bare skin at her lower back.

She flinched.

Not from heat—but cold. Bone-deep, unnatural cold that sent a jolt through her spine.

She stepped back quickly, shaken. Her eyes searched his face, trying to make sense of the strange sensation.

Then recognition hit her like a slap.

L.D.

Her lips parted, but no words came. Her heart stuttered in her chest.

She looked around. Some people who loitered near the entrance of the disco club cast idle glances their way. At first, they didn’t recognize him. But when they did, murmurs began. Camera phones were raised.

Without another word, Selene turned and ran out before anyone could take a picture.

---

As Selene walked quietly the lonely dark road, more tears began spilling.

Damien had shown her their old sex chats, demanding she come back to him—or he’d release everything to the world. The videos. The messages.

The worst part? He had recorded their intimate moment during video calls without her knowing. Every second of that moment, now a weapon in his hands.

Her hands trembled.

Damien had always been obsessive. Controlling. When they dated, he cut her off from everyone—no male friends, barely any female ones. He wanted her entirely to himself.

He was aggressive too, lashing out often and mostly at her. Eventually, she’d had enough and walked away.

He thought she’d come crawling back once she “came to her senses.” But she never did.

She blocked him on every social platform and avoided him.

And now, tonight of all nights, he had shown up again—with threats.

Threatening her with them. Telling her to come back to him or watch her secrets spread like wildfire.

---

After Selene stormed out, Anna turned slowly, her eyes meeting Hailey’s glare.

“What the hell is going on?” Hailey snapped. “What did that psycho do to her?”

Anna raised a brow. “How should I know? I was standing right next to you when everything happened.”

Hailey took a step closer, jaw clenched. “If there's something... just know he’s dead the next time I see him.”

Without waiting for a response, Hailey turned and stormed back into the lounge, fury trailing behind her like smoke.

Inside, the party continued like nothing had happened.

Bass thumped. Lights pulsed. Laughter spilled from expensive lips. No one noticed the storm that had just passed outside the room.

“Anna.” Lily sauntered over, heels clicking against the marble. She glanced at her watch, then leaned in close. “We’re still waiting for L.D, like you promised. But unless you're hiding behind a lie, now would be the time to come clean."

She dropped her voice, sweet and venomous. “If L.D isn’t your cousin, fine. I won’t say a word. But you’ll pay me fifteen grand. Biweekly. Non-negotiable.”

Anna’s lips curled into a cold smile as she scanned her up and down. “You disgust me.”

She turned her back without another word and made her way toward the couch, her fingers flying across her phone screen.

Her message to Lucien was short, sharp.

Tell me now if you’re not coming. Don’t let me be the idiot they all laugh at.

---

“Who was that?” Derrick asked, walking in just as a camera flash burst across his face.

Lucien stood by the door, eyes fixed on the dark street where she had vanished.

“I intend to find out,” he said, slipping on his gloves with slow, deliberate precision.

His thoughts spun.

She didn’t burn.

She should have.

He had just arrived when she stumbled into him. A human girl. A chaotic moment. But when he touched her... nothing. No scream. No blistering skin. No scorched flesh. No pain.

That had never happened before.

Lucien Drazen was not just any vampire. He was royalty. Born with a gift that felt more like a curse. His touch could sear skin from bone. It could burn anyone it touched.

But her?

She hadn’t even flinched.

Something was wrong.

“I’ve taken care of the body,” Derrick said, his voice low. “No loose ends. No witnesses. Your father expects you at the auction tonight.”

Lucien didn’t look away from the alley.

“He has another son for that.”

“He’s away. Business in Prague. Won’t return until next week.”

Lucien exhaled, slow and steady, still staring at the spot where she disappeared.

Then a voice cut through the room.

“L.D.”

Annalise entered like she owned the place, conversation falling silent around her. Her heels clicked softly across the floor. Hailey followed, quiet and unreadable.

The girl with them didn’t stop. She brushed past Lucien and Derrick like they were furniture.

“I’m going to find Selene,” she said to Annalise. “I’ll be back.”

Anna gave a quiet nod before glancing at Lucien.

Before she could speak, Lily gasped, “It’s L.D.”

Gasps and murmurs erupted as more crowd and attention gathered around them. Phones shot up. Flash after flash lit the hallway as people scrambled to capture the moment.

Lucien scanned the crowd, unamused.

“This is what you called me for?” he said, voice low as he leaned toward Annalise.

“Damien showed up, ruined my friend’s night, and now she’s gone. I think he has something on her. Something serious. I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

Lucien gave a small smile for another photo, just enough to shift attention away from them.

More girls began circling, phones raised with bold curiosity. Lucien gave them a cold, polite glance.

Derrick tried to hold them back, but they wouldn’t move. Even as bouncers stepped in, the crowd pressed closer.

“So you called your college friends just to waste my time?” he murmured. “I expected better from you.”

“Lucien, you owe me,” Annalise said through her teeth, her smile still sweet for the cameras. “Either pay me back or keep owing.”

Lucien sighed.

He hated debts.

“Where’s the VIP lounge?” he asked flatly. “Let’s get this over with.”

---

Selene slowed to a stop.

She turned.

The street behind her was still. Empty. Shadows draped the sidewalks like a blanket, muffling everything. She didn’t recognize the buildings. Didn’t know how far she’d walked.

Her pulse quickened.

She’d let her feet carry her, too fast, too far, hoping to escape the chaos inside her head. Now she was lost.

A pair of headlights cut through the dark.

A van rolled toward her, engine low and growling.

Selene hesitated, then stepped forward and raised her hand.

The van slowed. Tires crunched against gravel. It pulled up beside her and stopped.

The passenger window slid down.

A bald man leaned out, eyes cold beneath thick brows, his beard tangled and greasy. “Where you headed, sweetheart?”

The driver chewed gum, red bandana knotted over dirty hair. His grin was too wide. Too eager.

Her arms folded over her chest. The chill hit her. Her black dress clung tight, too short, too thin. She felt exposed.

“I’m good,” she said, taking a step back.

She turned.

A door slammed open behind her.

Selene bolted.

But she didn’t get far.

She hit something hard. Unmovable.

It was the driver.

He was in front of her.

Selene’s eyes went wide. Breath caught in her throat. That wasn’t possible.

He was just right behind her.

She backed up.

But before she could scream, a hand came from behind and slammed against her neck.

Pain burst through her skull.

Her knees buckled. The ground tilted.

Then—nothing.

Just black.