Adrian

Chapter 16: The Warning (Adrian's POV)

I barely made it down the hall before I felt him.

Damien.

I didn't have to turn around.

Didn't have to see his cocky smirk to know he was there.

His presence was like a storm pressing against my skin.

Heavy. Unwanted.

And when I finally turned to face him?

He was already watching me.

Like he was enjoying this.

Like he had been waiting.

—

"You've changed, Blackwood," Damien mused, leaning casually against the wall. "Didn't think I'd ever see you playing house with humans."

I clenched my jaw. "And yet, here you are. Watching me. Following me."

He smirked. "Can't help it. You're just so… fascinating."

I exhaled sharply, stepping closer. "Stay away from her, Damien."

His red eyes gleamed. "Her?"

His smirk widened.

"Ah," he murmured. "So it is about her."

I didn't answer.

I didn't need to.

He already knew.

And that's what made this dangerous.

Damien had a talent for destroying things I wanted.

And now?

He had found her.

—

"You always did have a weakness for pretty girls," Damien murmured, tilting his head. "I wonder… does she know what you are?"

My muscles tensed.

His smile widened.

"She doesn't, does she?" he hummed. "Poor thing. Sitting so close to a monster and having no idea."

My hands curled into fists.

Damien saw.

And he liked it.

"You're enjoying this," I muttered.

He shrugged. "Of course. It's fun watching you pretend to be one of them."

I exhaled slowly, forcing my expression back to neutral.

"You're not here for me," I said, voice calm. "You're here for something else. So say it and get out of my way."

Damien chuckled. "You really think I came here for something?"

I didn't blink. "I know you did."

His smirk shifted.

Just slightly.

But I caught it.

And that's when I knew—this wasn't random.

Damien Vale never did anything without a reason.

And right now?

He was circling something important.

Something I hadn't seen yet.

Something that had brought him here.

I tilted my head. "What are you up to?"

Damien smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

And then—just like that—

He turned and walked away.

And somehow?

That felt more like a threat than anything he had said..

___