Fire and Ice

The door clicked shut.

Ariel knew.

The air shifted—thickening, coiling around her like unseen fingers.

The room, already dim, seemed to darken further, as if the shadows recognized their master.

She didn't have to turn around.

She could feel him.

Luciel.

His presence was a slow suffocation, a heat curling over her skin, dragging down her spine. He wasn't touching her. Not yet.

But he didn't need to.

He had already taken up all the space in the room.

Ariel inhaled sharply, steeling herself.

Luciel stood there, leaning against the doorframe with casual arrogance.

His golden eyes flickered, scanning her from head to toe, as if deciding exactly how he wanted to ruin her.

The weight of his gaze made her skin burn.

She swallowed hard, keeping her chin high. She refused to look weak.

She would not cower.

She would not give him the satisfaction.

The air shifted again.