They had just arrived.
A line of luxurious cars stretched across the gravel entrance of the Winter Ball venue. Guests in glittering gowns and tailored suits stepped out one by one, masked and elegant. The building itself stood like something from a forgotten time,old stone, gothic arches, ivy crawling over the walls. It looked ancient, like it held a thousand secrets.
Burly men dressed in all black stood outside, unmoving. Guards. Watching.
Silently warning: Break the rules, and you'll regret it.
Emily clutched her silver mask tighter as they stepped forward. She handed her invitation to a man in a black coat who gave a slight nod before letting them in.
"Are you sure this ball is really as amazing as everyone says?" Emily whispered through her mask.
"Yes," Riley nodded with a grin. "Stop asking questions and enjoy the moment."
"Oh please," Gemma rolled her eyes dramatically. "Stop being such a pain and have fun."
With that, the blonde girl twirled her golden gown and strutted ahead, like she owned the entire event.
"Typical Gemma," Riley muttered. "She better behave herself or she'll be the first one thrown out."
A server passed by, and Riley grabbed a glass of champagne.
The inside of the ballroom looked like something from a fantasy. Chandeliers like crystal constellations hung from the high ceiling. The walls were draped in silk and gold.
Soft violin music played. It was like stepping into another century.
Emily was breathless. Her eyes flickered across the space, wondering who had the power, the wealth, the mystery to organize something like this every year?
Could it be a billionaire?
A secret society?
Or a shadowy mafia figure?
Her wandering thoughts came to a halt when she spotted a familiar face.
"Alan?" she said aloud.
He stood a few feet away, his chestnut hair unmistakable even under the black mask.
Beside him stood a brunette in red silk,Sarah. Of course.
They walked up to her.
"Emily," Alan greeted, his tone awkward.
"Hi, Riley," he added with a smile.
Riley didn't return it. She simply raised a brow, unimpressed.
She never liked Alan and she liked him even less after he broke Emily's heart.
"You still got that charming attitude, I see," Alan chuckled nervously.
"Sarah," Emily greeted with a polite nod.
Sarah didn't respond. She just stared. Cold and silent.
"It's nice to see you, Emily... with your date," Sarah said sweetly, her voice dripping with implication as she glanced at Riley.
Emily raised a brow.
"Of course," she said with a smile. "I'd never go back to my ex."
Riley smirked beside her, clearly impressed by the clapback.
"Alright, enough," Alan frowned. "Let's not do this here."
"Then maybe you should keep your girlfriend in check," Emily replied smoothly. "Excuse me."
She turned and walked away before Alan could respond.
"Emily, wait—" Alan reached out.
"Let her go," Sarah said, slipping her hand into his.
"Yes, let her go," Riley snapped, stepping forward. "And maybe you should stay away from my friend."
⸻
Emily wandered through the hall and into the outer garden.
She needed air. Distance. Quiet.
The garden was enchanting, lit with golden lanterns and filled with blooming flowers in twilight colors. She let her fingers brush a soft white blossom. But as she touched it, it withered instantly.
Her breath caught.
Was it already dying? Or... had she caused it?
Before she could think more, something slammed into her back. She staggered forward, spinning around.
A masked man stood there, face mostly hidden.
"Who are you?" Emily whispered.
He didn't answer. Instead, he reached for a knife.
Emily gasped, stumbling back—
But then a blur of black crashed into the attacker, knocking him to the ground.
Another man had arrived,masked, tall, and terrifyingly graceful. His dark hair ruffled in the wind. His gold mask shimmered in the low light. He walked with quiet, dangerous power.
He stood over the fallen man.
"Who sent you?" he demanded, voice low and threatening.
The attacker wheezed. "You're too late... She's weak. Just a witch. A stupid, useless—"
"You're clearly too weak yourself," the masked stranger said coldly.
"And yes... I'm the lifespan."
Emily froze confused.
That name. The Lifespan.
Rumored to be the most powerful, most dangerous man alive.
The attacker's eyes widened in panic.
"I'm surely the one ending your lifespan," the man whispered.
And then, in one swift movement, he slammed his hand into the attacker's chest.
Emily gasped in horror.
The man's body stiffened.
A heart was ripped out.
Then, the body vanished into dust.
Emily was frozen in place. Her eyes burned. She didn't scream but tears slid silently down her cheeks.
The masked man turned to her, surprised.
He moved fast. Too fast. One second he was across the garden, and the next, he stood right in front of her.
She trembled. "How... Why?"
She couldn't form full sentences.
To her surprise, he pulled her into his arms. Held her. Solid and steady. Her entire body shook.
She should have run. Should have screamed.
But something about him made her feel safe in the most dangerous way.
"Little lamp," he murmured against her hair.
Her eyes widened. That voice.
She knew it.
"You..." she whispered. "The sexy stranger..."
His eyes once black shifted. Crimson.
"What are you?" she asked softly, tears still streaking her cheeks.
"Someone you shouldn't want to be with," he said, his voice quiet, bitter.
Then his eyes faded back to black.
"Forget what you saw. Go back to the ball. And go home."
Emily stared at him. Something inside her told her to resist. But instead, her feet moved on their own.
She walked away, as if hypnotized. As if he controlled something deeper than her body,her will.
⸻
Moments later, another figure stepped into the garden. He, too, wore black.
"What happened here?" the man asked.
The masked stranger,Ethan glanced over his shoulder. "I think I just found my death."
"Stop being dramatic, Ethan," the other man rolled his eyes. "Did you find the span?"
Ethan nodded. "Clear this up, Henry. Don't inform Ryder. I need to see Santiago."
Then he vanished into the dark.
⸻
Meanwhile, back inside, someone else was having her own strange encounter.
Riley sighed, irritated. Emily had vanished. Gemma was nowhere to be found.
Then—
"Hello there," a voice said.
She turned.
A tall man in a black mask stood before her, his chestnut hair slightly curled.
Another cocky rich boy trying his luck, she thought.
"What now?" she muttered, not even hiding her annoyance.
"Feisty," the man laughed. "I like that."
"Who the hell are you?" she snapped.
He ignored the question. "Care to dance?"
"No."
Just then, someone shoved her from behind. She nearly fell but the man caught her smoothly, his arm wrapped around her waist.
Her breath hitched.
"Still no?" he asked again, smiling down at her.
Riley glared.
"...Just one dance," she muttered.
He grinned like he'd won something.
"Thank you." He spun her once before pulling her close, hand tight on her waist.
Riley gasped at the sudden movement.
But she didn't pull away.
Not yet.