Chapter 5 – The Midnight Gathering

(Jasmine's POV)

The moment I stepped out of the car, I knew Mira and I had made a mistake.

The estate was massive—an architectural masterpiece bathed in the glow of a hundred golden lights. The wrought-iron gates loomed high, wrapped in vines and lanterns, while a long driveway led to a towering mansion that looked like something out of an old-world fantasy.

But it wasn't just the building that left me uneasy.

It was the people.

Guests arrived in sleek black cars, stepping onto the cobblestone entrance with effortless grace, their evening wear so extravagant it looked almost theatrical. Women draped in silk, diamonds, and mystery. Men dressed in dark tailored suits, moving with a presence that demanded attention.

And then there was us.

Mira exhaled dramatically beside me. "Okay… so we definitely missed the dress code memo."

I glanced down at myself—a simple black dress, nothing too casual but nowhere near as opulent as the floor-length gowns surrounding us. Mira wore something similar, stylish yet practical, designed more for comfort than blending in.

"We look fine," I muttered, adjusting the strap on my shoulder.

Mira scoffed. "Jas, we look like we're here to steal the catering trays."

She wasn't wrong.

I turned to her. "We could still leave."

She narrowed her eyes. "After all the effort it took to sneak out. Not a chance. We're getting in, even if we have to pretend to be lost tourists."

I smirked. Of course, she wasn't backing down.

Still, as we approached the gate, unease settled in my stomach.

This wasn't a normal party.

I could feel it in the air—something charged, electric, and unfamiliar. It pressed against my skin, whispering in the back of my mind that I didn't belong here.

But I ignored it.

Mira and I exchanged a glance, silently reaching into our jackets, our hands brushing against the cold handles of our knives.

Just in case.

With that, we stepped through the gates.

If I had felt out of place outside, it was ten times worse inside.

The ballroom was breathtaking—tall arched ceilings with glistening chandeliers, walls adorned with deep gold and obsidian detailing, a grand staircase curling along one side of the room. Everything about it screamed power, wealth, and something far older than either of us.

But the strangest part?

The people.

There was something off about them.

They moved differently—too smooth, too controlled. Conversations were whispered, but there was something else woven into them, something almost… predatory.

Mira nudged me, whispering, "Why do I feel like we just walked into a secret society?"

I exhaled slowly. "Because I think we did."

Before we could process it further, a man approached me.

"Excuse me, miss," he said smoothly, bowing slightly. "Would you care to dance?"

I blinked. "Oh. Uh—"

Mira nudged me. "Say yes."

I shot her a look but sighed. He was polite, well-dressed, and—most importantly—seemed human enough. Besides, if we were trying to blend in, avoiding people wasn't the way to do it.

So, I took his hand.

The moment he led me to the dance floor, I could feel the stares.

My partner, a handsome man with an easy smile, leaned in slightly. "I hope you don't mind the attention."

I swallowed. "Attention?"

He smirked. "You're the most beautiful woman in the room. Of course, people are looking."

I nearly choked.

"Oh," I said awkwardly. "Uh… thanks?"

He chuckled. "You don't seem like someone used to compliments."

"More like not used to fancy parties where everyone is dressed like royalty and I look like I wandered in from the wrong address."

He grinned. "I think you fit in more than you realize."

I wasn't sure about that.

We continued our conversation as we danced—lighthearted, amusing, a welcome distraction from the suffocating tension that seemed to fill the room.

Until the music stopped.

And the room fell silent.

I froze.

A heavy tension settled over the space, thick and unspoken.

Then I saw it—the spotlight.

And it was on me.

My dance partner stiffened. His eyes flickered over my shoulder, and suddenly, his entire demeanor changed.

The warmth in his expression vanished, replaced by unease. He gave me a tight smile before quickly stepping back.

"Enjoy your evening," he murmured before disappearing into the crowd.

I barely had time to process his sudden departure before I felt it—a presence.

Slowly, I turned.

And then I saw him.

He stood at the edge of the dance floor, dressed in black, towering over the crowd like he owned the room.

No—like he owned the world.

His presence was undeniable, sharp like a blade against silk. The kind of beauty that wasn't just striking but lethal.

His silver eyes locked onto mine, unreadable, intense.

I forgot to breathe.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

It was like the entire room had disappeared, leaving just the two of us standing on opposite sides of a moment I didn't understand.

He was the most handsome man I had ever seen.

And yet, something about him terrified me.

The space between us felt charged, heavy, like something had been set in motion the second our eyes met.

I didn't know who he was.

I didn't know why everyone else seemed to fear him.

But I knew one thing.

This night was about to change everything.