The gala never truly quieted, but there was a shift—subtle, sharp—as if the air had grown too still.
Evelyn felt it in her bones.
Somewhere in the crowd, danger breathed beside them, dressed in velvet and jewels.
Alexander stepped in closer, his hand gently grazing her back—not possessive, not commanding. A signal. He was ready. He was watching.
"We don't run," Evelyn said, her voice low.
He gave a tight nod. "We end it."
A soft chime echoed through the atrium as another group entered, laughter trailing behind them like perfume. Among them, a woman in silver. Beautiful. Graceful.
And wrong.
Caelan arrived at Evelyn's other side, his jaw tight. "She doesn't belong. I checked the list—twice."
Alexander's eyes sharpened. "Then she's one of them."
The woman in silver moved through the crowd like silk sliding over a blade. She smiled. Greeted. Laughed. But her gaze landed too often on Evelyn.
And then—just for a second—on Alexander.
Recognition.
Not just a glance.
A history.
Evelyn felt it like a slap.
"She knows you," she murmured, not accusing—just curious.
Alexander's voice was flat. "I once buried her family."
The revelation hung in the air like smoke.
Evelyn stepped forward. "Then let's make sure she doesn't rebuild it."
Before either man could stop her, she moved into the crowd, blending effortlessly. Her gown sparkled like the stars outside, but her eyes were sharp. Focused.
The woman's smile faltered as Evelyn approached.
"My, my," she purred. "The little heir."
"You're not supposed to be here," Evelyn said. "And you're not fooling anyone."
"Oh, but I'm not here to fool." She leaned closer. "I'm here to finish."
A flick of her fingers—and suddenly, movement exploded from the far side of the hall.
A diversion.
Guards rushed toward the disturbance—but it was Caelan who intercepted the cloaked figure making for Evelyn's back.
Steel clashed. Spells sparked. Gasping guests screamed and scattered.
Alexander appeared beside Evelyn a heartbeat later, catching her hand and spinning her away from a flash of crimson light. His voice was calm in the chaos.
"Stay behind me."
"No," Evelyn snapped, her eyes blazing. "Fight with me."
They did.
Side by side.
Back to back.
And when it was over—when the woman in silver was gone, leaving only a burnt sigil behind—Evelyn turned to find Caelan breathing hard, blood staining his shoulder.
Alexander's hand was still gripping hers.
But it was Caelan who reached for her first.
"You alright?"
She nodded, but her gaze darted between them.
Because for the first time… she realized neither man would walk away easily.
And she didn't know yet which one she wanted to follow.