Sophia's heart pounded as Lucian's fingers brushed against her wrist. His touch sent a wave of warmth through her, an unfamiliar heat pooling low in her stomach.
She should pull away.
She didn't.
Lucian tilted his head, studying her. "You feel it, don't you?"
"What?" she whispered.
"This pull between us." His voice was low, smooth—dangerous.
Sophia swallowed. Yes, she felt it. But admitting it would make it real.
"Who are you?" she asked again.
Lucian smirked. "Someone you're not ready to know."
Her brows furrowed. "That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I'll give you—for now." His eyes darkened. "Go home, Sophia. Before I lose the will to let you."
Her breath hitched. Was that a warning? Or a threat?
Either way, she should listen.
But as she stepped back, Lucian's fingers caught hers.
"Don't let Ryan touch you again," he murmured.
Her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
Lucian's gaze burned into her. "He doesn't deserve you."
Anger flared in her chest. "And you do?"
His smirk deepened. "You have no idea, little fae."
Sophia froze. Fae?
Before she could demand answers, Lucian released her hand and vanished into the shadows, leaving her trembling—confused, furious, and craving more.
---
Chapter Eight: Whispers of the Unknown
Sophia lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling.
Little fae.
Lucian had called her that. But why?
Her fingers clenched the sheets.
Something was happening to her. The strange dreams. The visions. The pull toward Lucian.
She needed answers.
Pulling out her phone, she typed: What is a fae?
The search results flooded her screen.
Fae: Mythical beings of extraordinary beauty and power, often connected to nature and magic. Some legends speak of fae royalty—goddesses among their kind.
Sophia's blood ran cold.
That was ridiculous… right?
A sudden chill swept through her room.
She sat up, heart pounding.
A shadow moved in the corner.
Her breath caught.
"Lucian?"
Silence.
Then, a whisper.
"You're waking up, little fae."
Sophia gasped. The voice wasn't in the room.
It was inside her head.
---
Chapter Nine: The Awakening Begins
The next morning, Sophia barely recognized herself.
Her auburn hair, usually soft waves, gleamed with an unnatural vibrance under the sunlight.
And her eyes.
She leaned closer to the mirror, heart pounding.
The once warm brown had a golden shimmer, like liquid sunlight bleeding into the edges.
No. This wasn't real.
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to wake up from whatever dream this was.
A knock on the door startled her.
"Sophia?" Ann's voice came from the hallway. "Hurry up, we're gonna be late for school!"
Sophia hesitated, staring at her reflection one last time.
She didn't have time to deal with this.
Throwing on a hoodie and sunglasses, she grabbed her bag and rushed out.
But as she stepped into the morning sun, a new sensation washed over her.
Power.
It hummed beneath her skin, wild and untamed.
And across the street, leaning casually against a sleek black car, Lucian watched her.
Waiting.
Sophia swallowed.
She wasn't ready for this.
But something told her—it was already too late.