The halls were quiet.
Too quiet.
Aurelia padded barefoot down the corridor, her silk nightgown brushing against her ankles like whispers. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, but it wasn't fear this time.
It was hunger.
Not the kind for food. Not even love.
Something… deeper. Like a missing note in her song.
She opened the balcony doors and stepped out. The moon hung low and red in the sky. A blood moon.
Of course.
Trouble always came under crimson skies.
"Couldn't sleep, little wolf?"
The voice came from behind her. Smooth. Cold. Dangerous.
Aurelia turned slowly.
Caelum Vire stood in the shadows, leaning against the marble column like a living statue. His silver-blond hair was pulled back in a loose tie, revealing sharp cheekbones and eyes that gleamed like molten silver.
He hadn't knocked. Hadn't announced himself.
He never needed to.
"Are you stalking me now?" she asked, arms crossed, but her voice lacked bite.
"Would you like that?" he mused, pushing off the column. "Because I would, if you asked nicely."
He came closer, his scent a sharp mix of night air, iron, and something unnameable.
She didn't step back.
Not this time.
"I don't remember you," she said softly. "But my soul does."
Caelum's lips curved. Not into a smile, but something far more terrifying—approval.
"Then it remembers the promise."
"What promise?"
He tilted his head, studying her.
"To never let you go."
She shivered.
He noticed. Of course he did.
"You shouldn't be here," she whispered.
"Neither should you," he countered. "But you're drawn to danger, little wolf. You always have been."
Her breath hitched. "What do you want from me?"
He stepped even closer. Close enough that the tips of their fingers nearly touched.
"Everything."
Before she could speak, a growl cut through the air.
Not hers.
Not his.
But someone else's.
Caelum turned his head slightly, and a smirk ghosted over his lips. "Ah. The guard dogs have arrived."
Aurelia's eyes widened. "Ren? Aero?"
"Lucien and Rowan," he corrected, casually brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't insult them with pet names. They're killers when they need to be."
She froze.
A blur of black moved behind Caelum, and in seconds, Rowan had his sword at Caelum's throat.
"I dare you to touch her again."
Lucien emerged behind him, his eyes glowing an unnatural gold. "You're trespassing."
Caelum didn't flinch.
Didn't move.
Didn't even blink.
Instead, he looked… entertained.
"Relax, Nightblooms. I'm not here to harm her."
"She's not yours," Rowan growled.
"She was never yours to begin with," Caelum replied, voice low, razor-sharp.
"Enough."
The word snapped through the tension like a blade.
The Duke of Nightbloom appeared on the balcony, his black coat sweeping behind him like the wings of a vengeful god.
"Get away from my daughter."
Caelum's eyes met the Duke's—and something ancient passed between them. Hatred. History. Blood debts.
"Still keeping secrets, old friend?" Caelum asked with a chilling smile.
The Duke stepped forward. "You've made your move. Now leave."
Caelum turned to Aurelia one last time.
"You're not ready for the truth yet, Rea," he said softly, using the name only he called her. "But when you are… I'll be waiting."
Then he vanished into the shadows like he was never there at all.
The silence that followed was heavy. Almost unbearable.
Rowan rushed to Aurelia. "Did he touch you? Are you hurt?"
She shook her head slowly. "No. But… I think I know him."
Lucien's jaw clenched. "Of course you do. He's the son of the Devil Duke."
The Duke's fists were clenched. "That boy is poison. Stay away from him."
But Aurelia's heart thudded louder than his warning.
Because Caelum hadn't hurt her.
He hadn't lied.
And his touch, as terrifying as it was… felt like home.
Chapter 21 End.