Chapter 17: A Dance of Lies

The air between them was charged—a silent battle neither of them wanted to lose.

Raine held Kairo's gaze, unfazed. "Believe what you want."

Kairo chuckled, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're a good liar, Raine. But I'm better at spotting them."

She shrugged. "And yet, you still don't know who I am."

His smirk widened. "Yet."

Dangerous.

That one word echoed in her mind. Kairo Lin wasn't someone who let things go.

Before she could counter, the door behind them creaked open.

Zayne Kross.

His red hair was tousled, his silver earrings glinting under the dim light. He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.

"Well, well," Zayne mused, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did I interrupt something? You two scheming, or just flirting?"

Raine rolled her eyes. "Please."

Kairo smirked. "A bit of both."

Zayne's gaze flickered between them before settling on Raine. "Be careful, sweetheart. Kairo's like a snake—he likes to play with his food before he eats it."

Raine smirked. "Good thing I bite back."