Once we've paid, we head back to the house. Jack and Vince follow me to my room, flopping onto my bed like they own the place. Jack stretches out, arms behind his head, before glancing at me with a rare hint of sincerity.
"So... I'm sorry that I've been a bitch," he says, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
I laugh, shaking my head. "You have nothing to apologize for. You should see me after I've had a few shots."
They both chuckle, and just like that, the tension dissolves. We talk, filling the room with easy banter as they help me put my new clothes away. It's oddly comforting—having them here, like we've done this a million times before.
The door creaks open, and Xavier steps in. He stops, his gaze flicking between Jack and Vince before his expression turns unreadable. "I didn't realize they were in here," he says, his voice smooth but distant.
Jack stretches, making a show of standing up. "We were just about to go downstairs and get some food," he announces before grabbing Vincent by the arm and practically dragging him out. I don't miss the way Vince rolls his eyes but follows without protest.
Now it's just me and Xavier.
He steps forward, holding something draped over his arm. "There's a party tomorrow to celebrate your return," he says, his voice calm but firm. "You'll need a dress. The pink one won't do."
He unfolds the fabric, revealing a deep red dress, the colour rich like blood and fire. "I bought you this," he continues. "I hope you like it."
I stare at the dress, my fingers grazing over the soft, elegant fabric. "It's beautiful," I admit, my voice quieter than I intended. "But I don't know if I could wear something so... perfect."
Xavier smiles, that rare, unreadable expression dancing across his face. "Why don't you try it on?" His voice is calm, coaxing. "I picked out a few others while you were trying on the pink dress."
I glance up at him, surprised. He smirks, and just like that, butterflies stir in my stomach, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through me.
"I'll be very honest," he murmurs, stepping closer.
Before I can process what's happening, he reaches out, his fingers brushing against my cheek as he tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. The touch is light, fleeting, but it sends a shiver down my spine.
My breath catches. "Xavier..."
He looks me in the eyes, and for a moment, the air between us shifts—charged with something unspoken, something I don't know how to name.
He sits on my bed, his presence filling the room with an unsettling calm. As I walk toward the bathroom, the sudden explosion of yelling from downstairs makes me stop in my tracks. A loud bang follows, shaking the walls, and I freeze, anxiety bubbling up in my chest.
"Stay in here," Xavier commands, his tone sharper than I've ever heard.
Before I can say anything, he rushes to the door, locking it behind him with a decisive click. The sound of raised voices only gets louder. I can hear Mel, her father, and the unmistakable tension in their words. Then, Xavier's voice cuts through it all, ice-cold and laced with fury.
"Get the fuck out of my house. You were never welcome here. Leave now, or I'll make you regret it."
I hear footsteps, hurried and panicked, and then the sound of a door slamming shut, followed by a heavy silence. But my heart is still racing. I can't move. What if they're not gone yet?
I turn around to see Mel standing in the doorway of my room, her expression twisted in anger. Her voice is sharp, venomous as she hisses, "This is how you treat me after everything I've done for you?"
I freeze, my pulse quickening. "You nearly had me killed, Mel," I reply, the words spilling out in a mix of disbelief and fear.
She sneers, stepping forward, her eyes cold and calculating. "You would've been better off dead than with him, Shay. Xavier... he isn't who he says he is."
My heart skips a beat as she gets closer, her words like poison in the air. "He is a—"
Before she can finish her sentence, a flash of flame erupts in the room. I scream, "NO!" but it's too late. The fiery explosion of hellfire consumes her in an instant, her screams cut off by the scorching heat.
I stand there, frozen in shock, unable to process what just happened. My gaze darts to the doorway, where Jack stands, a smirk twisting his lips as the remnants of the fire flicker out.
"Why did you do that?" I scream, my voice raw with rage and confusion.
Jack looks at me, unbothered, as if killing her was no more significant than swatting away a fly. "Because she was a threat to you, Shay. You don't need to know what she was going to say." He pauses, his tone hardening. "But you do need to understand—no one hurts you, not while I'm here."
I take a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. "You didn't even give me a chance to hear her out!"
Jack's gaze hardens, his voice low and controlled. "And what would you have done with her lies? We all know she was trying to turn you against him. That's the last thing you need right now."
My breath catches, a lump rising in my throat. "She was still my best friend."
Jack's expression falters, just for a second, before his features harden again. "Shay," he says, his voice softer now, but still firm.
The pain in his tone cuts through me like a knife, and before I realize it, tears are welling in my eyes. My chest tightens, the weight of everything suddenly too much to bear.
I turn away from him, my legs carrying me to the window as the tears slip silently down my face. The cool glass chills my fingertips as I grip it tightly, trying to steady myself.
And then, I see him.
Mel's father stands across the street, just outside the yard, his figure tall and menacing. His eyes meet mine, and I feel a strange chill wash over me. For a moment, his gaze seems to soften, almost as if he's recognizing something in me. But then it shifts—something darker, knowing.
I hold my breath, my heart racing. He knows.
His stare never wavers, and I can't help but feel like I'm trapped, caught in the web of a much bigger game than I ever understood.
"Shay," Jack's voice sounds like a distant echo behind me. "Don't let him get into your head."
I don't respond, too lost in the quiet storm raging within me. The tension in the room grows thick, and I can feel the weight of everything shifting.
I feel the power radiating inside me, pulsing like a storm. A hand touches my arm — I turn quickly and see its Xavier.
"Shay don't let them—" he starts, but before he can finish, I slam my hand against his chest without thinking.
He flies back, crashing into the wall.
"Shay, calm down!" Jack yells, panic in his voice.
I can't. The magic surges. I lose control.
"Dad! Vincent! I need some help!" Jack shouts.
They come running in — but it's too late. Darkness crashes over me, pulling me under.