The Grand Entrance and Eyes That Burn

The black SUV pulled up to Julian Mercer's family farmhouse, and I couldn't help but gasp. What was normally a rustic, charming property had been transformed into something straight out of a music video. Strobe lights flashed through the windows, and the bass from the music inside thumped so hard I could feel it in my chest even from the car.

"Oh my god, Julian went all out," Seraphina said beside me, her excitement palpable.

Debra leaned forward from the back seat, her platinum blonde hair falling over her shoulder. "This is going to be epic. Are you ready, Elara?"

Was I ready? I tugged at the hem of my black dress for the twentieth time since putting it on. The fabric clung to my curves like a second skin, the length stopping mid-thigh – much shorter than anything I'd ever worn before.

"I think so," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.