19

Serena sat on the edge of the bed, absently turning the black diamond ring between her fingers. There was something about it—something that called to her. Every time she wore it, the tail etched into the stone seemed to shimmer, almost as if it recognized its true owner. She frowned, shaking off the strange feeling.

Damian had left early for a business meeting, leaving her alone in the hotel suite. Normally, she would have taken the time to check on her own business affairs, but today, boredom gnawed at her. For once, she decided to do something different—to explore the city not as the CEO of a powerful corporation, but as a tourist.

Dressing in a flowing black sundress adorned with delicate white flowers, she stepped out into the warm breeze, the ocean scent mixing with the heat of the sun. She slipped the ring onto her finger, feeling an odd sense of completion as she did.

The beach stretched endlessly before her, the golden sands soft beneath her feet. She had been to Dubai countless times, but always for business—never to enjoy its beauty.

After wandering for a while, she came across an unusual-looking café nestled between two modern establishments. Unlike the sleek, contemporary designs surrounding it, this one looked almost out of place—old yet inviting, with wooden doors and lanterns swaying in the warm air.

Intrigued, Serena stepped inside. The cool interior was a welcome relief from the sun. She made her way to the counter, ordering a simple lemonade. The first sip was sharp and refreshing, the citrus bursting on her tongue. But then—something changed.

The taste shifted, becoming richer, deeper—almost intoxicating. Her senses sharpened, her skin tingling as though something ancient had been awakened inside her.

Her brows furrowed. As a siren, no substance, no drug, no poison could affect her. She should have felt nothing.

And yet… how wrong she was.

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time Serena made her way back to the hotel. The air was cooler now, the salty breeze from the ocean brushing against her skin. She had spent the day exploring, but her mind kept returning to the strange ring on her finger and the unsettling effect the lemonade had on her.

As she reached her suite, she paused. Something was off. The moment she opened the door, the metallic scent of blood hit her like a wave. Her siren senses sharpened instantly, her body tensing in instinctive alertness.

The room was in complete disarray. Her dresser was ransacked, papers scattered across the floor. And then—her heart clenched in fury—her Jimmy Choi heels, her favorite pair, lay shattered, their delicate design torn apart like garbage.

A surge of rage boiled inside her. Whoever had done this had made a grave mistake.

She moved silently, her bare feet making no sound against the floor as she stepped further into the suite. And then she saw him.

A figure crouched near her drawers, frantically searching for something. He wasn't human—she could sense it. A low-level supernatural being, weak but dangerous if underestimated.

He didn't hear her approach.

With lightning speed, she struck. Her fingers wrapped around his throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. He thrashed in the air, clawing at her hands, but she only tightened her grip, her nails digging into his skin.

His eyes bulged, his mouth opening in a silent gasp. And then, with a last desperate effort, he shifted.

A burst of black feathers exploded in front of her as he transformed into a crow, his wings flapping frantically as he tried to escape.

Serena's lips curled in disgust. Did he really think he could flee from her?

Summoning her power, she drew water from the air, weaving it into razor-sharp needles. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them flying toward the crow.

The moment the needles pierced his body, he let out a piercing shriek. Fire erupted from his form, consuming him in an instant. He burned midair, his ashes scattering onto the already ruined floor.

Serena stood amidst the chaos, her breathing steady, but something inside her shifted.

The flames flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The room felt different now—wrong.

Her vision blurred for a second, the edges of her world darkening.

She had never felt like this before.

Serena's vision darkened as the last embers of the burning crow faded. The strange heaviness in her limbs became unbearable. She tried to take a step forward, but the world tilted beneath her feet.

Her breath hitched.

Something was wrong.

The last thing she saw before everything went black was the cursed ring on her finger, its faint glow pulsing like a heartbeat.

And then—darkness.

____

Damian exhaled sharply, gripping the steering wheel as he sped toward the hotel.

He had been calling Serena for the past hour, and as expected, the infuriating woman had ignored every single one.

Typical.

His business associates had invited them for dinner—an event she couldn't afford to miss if they were to maintain appearances. But instead of answering her phone like a decent wife, she had chosen to be difficult.

A slow smirk played on his lips. She wants to ignore me? Fine. He'd make sure she wouldn't dare next time.

Ideas of subtle punishment danced in his mind as he pulled up to the hotel and made his way to their suite.

But the moment he stepped inside, his entire body tensed.

Something was wrong.

The air was thick with an unfamiliar energy, a lingering pulse of magic that made his instincts sharpen. His jaw clenched as he called out, "Serena."

Silence.

His steps were swift as he approached their bedroom. The moment he pushed open the door, his blood ran cold.

The room was a disaster.

Papers scattered. Broken glass on the floor. Torn shoes. And in the middle of it all—

Serena.

Motionless.

His heart slammed against his ribs as he rushed to her side, dropping to his knees. His hands hovered over her face, his mind racing between panic and fury.

"Serena," he called again, this time his voice lower, rougher. No response.

His fingers brushed against her cheek—cold.

A sharp wave of something unrecognizable clawed at his chest.

What the hell happened here?