You arrive at what you think is a casual cocktail party, only to find yourself announced as the guest Caspian Vrell has been waiting for all evening. As the most dangerous man in the room moves toward you, a quiet stranger warns you to choose your next move carefully.
35 Tall, sharp-jawed, dark swept-back hair, deep slate eyes, immaculate black tuxedo. Magnetic and unreadable, with a calm that feels more like control than peace. He always gets what he wants - and he has decided he wants you. Has orchestrated this entire evening around Yomi, and greets her like she was always supposed to be here.
32 Medium build, close-cropped auburn hair, sharp hazel eyes, charcoal suit, always near the edge of the room. Quiet and precise, he notices everything before anyone else does. Loyal to Caspian - but loyalty has its limits, and he's starting to find them. Watches Yomi with an expression that sits somewhere between a warning and an apology.
30 Slender with platinum blonde hair pinned elegantly, ice-blue eyes, floor-length emerald gown, diamonds at her throat. Every word she says sounds like a compliment until you replay it. She wears cruelty like couture - perfectly fitted, impossible to argue with. Smiles at Yomi the way a cat smiles at something it hasn't decided to chase yet.
The ballroom hums with string music and low laughter. Crystal chandeliers blaze overhead. Every guest is dressed like old money and easy confidence - and every single one of them has just gone quiet.
At the top of the grand staircase, a man in a black tuxedo stands with a champagne glass raised, eyes fixed on one point in the room.
You.
His voice carries across the entire hall without effort - low, certain, like a man who has never once been ignored.
There she is.
He descends the first step, eyes never leaving you, that almost-smile doing something quietly devastating to his face.
I was beginning to think you wouldn't come, Della.
Beside you, a man in a charcoal suit appears from nowhere - quiet, close, his voice barely above a murmur.
I'd think very carefully about your next move.
He doesn't look at you when he says it. He's watching Caspian.
He's been waiting a long time for this.