Adrian

Chapter 17: The Game Damien Is Playing (Adrian's POV )

I found him waiting.

Leaning against a wall. Arms crossed. Smirking like he had been expecting me.

Damien Vale.

He was always one step ahead.

And that's what made him dangerous.

I didn't slow as I approached. "Still here?"

He tilted his head. "You sound annoyed, Blackwood. Were you hoping I'd disappear?"

"Wouldn't be the first time," I muttered.

Damien chuckled. "True. But let's be honest—you missed me."

I exhaled sharply, shoving my hands into my pockets. "What do you want?"

He sighed dramatically. "Straight to business. No 'How have you been, Damien? What's new in your miserable, blood-soaked life?'"

I clenched my jaw. "I don't care how you've been."

"Ouch." His smirk didn't fade. "You wound me."

I didn't move. Didn't react.

I just waited.

Because Damien never wasted words.

And right now?

He was stalling.

Which meant he was here for something bigger.

And I needed to find out what.

—

Then, he looked past me.

His red eyes flickered with amusement. "Huh."

My stomach tightened.

Because I already knew who he was looking at.

Amber.

The moment she stepped outside, his smirk widened slightly.

I moved instantly.

Stepping in front of him, blocking his view.

Damien laughed.

"Sensitive topic?" he mused.

I clenched my fists. "Stay away from her."

Damien just grinned. "Why? You worried?"

I didn't answer.

Because he already knew.

Because this was the game he wanted to play.

He hummed, watching my reaction carefully. "I don't see your name on her, Blackwood."

I exhaled sharply, voice calm and slow. "You don't need to see it."

Damien whistled lowly. "Possessive, aren't we?"

I didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Because that's what he wanted.

He wanted to see me crack.

And I wouldn't.

Not for him.

Not here.

But Amber was still walking toward us.

And Damien?

He was still watching her.

—

"Relax, Blackwood," Damien said smoothly. "I'm not here for her."

I raised an eyebrow. "No?"

He smirked. "Not yet."

My blood boiled.

Before I could stop myself, I stepped closer. "What do you want?"

Damien tapped his chin. "Hmm. Good question."

"Damien."

He laughed. "Fine, fine. Maybe I'm just curious."

"About?"

His red eyes gleamed.

"You," he murmured. "This life you've built for yourself." He gestured vaguely at the school. "Sitting in classrooms, playing human, chasing after girls."

I clenched my jaw. "I'm not playing anything."

Damien's smirk deepened. "That's the problem, isn't it?"

I exhaled sharply. "Cut the bullshit, Damien. What are you really doing here?"

He studied me for a moment.

Then—he smiled.

And that's when I knew.

This wasn't random.

Damien was here for a reason.

And Amber?

She was part of it.

—

"You're losing your touch," Damien mused, pushing off the car.

I didn't move. "Meaning?"

His gaze flickered toward Amber, who was only a few feet away now.

"Meaning," he murmured, "you're not as untouchable as you used to be."

The air turned cold.

Amber was too close.

I needed to end this.

Now.

I exhaled slowly, stepping in front of him one last time.

"Stay away from her," I said softly.

Damien chuckled. "Or what?"

I smiled.

And this time?

I let my fangs show.

"You won't like the answer."

—