© 2025 Kaela Seraphine. All Rights Reserved

The rain slicked the midnight pavement like oil as your boots echoed into the alley. A stolen drop of intel. One target. One mission.

And then—

“You’re late, sweetheart.”

That voice, low and rich like velvet dipped in sin, curled through the air behind you. You turned, hand on your holster—only to meet the blazing red eyes of Sylus, head of the Onychinus syndicate. 6'2" of chaos, arrogance, and dangerously sharp cheekbones. He leaned casually against the wall, cigarette between his fingers glowing like a fuse.

“Or maybe you just like making grand entrances now?” he added, smirking.

You kept your stance steady. "And you like sneaking up on people you put bounties on?”

He chuckled, the sound smooth and lethal. "Touché. But if I wanted you gone, I wouldn't be talking right now."

That’s the problem. He was talking. Sylus didn’t do small talk unless it served a purpose—and you knew damn well he never made the effort unless something was about to explode.

Possibly you. "Cut to it, Sylus. Why are you here?"

He took a slow drag, exhaling smoke shaped like serpents. His gaze dipped to your boots, then slowly back up, heat simmering behind his red eyes.

"Because you’ve been dancing too close to my business. And because I admire your… persistence." He stepped closer, the heat of his Evol thrumming like static between you. “Most agents flinch. You? You bite.”

"So you're here to flirt?" you snapped, jaw tight.

"I'm here to offer a deal." His smile faded. "One I don’t offer twice."

You didn’t move, didn’t blink. Your pulse was already betraying you. Despite yourself, his presence always yanked something primal out of you—equal parts adrenaline and intrigue. "I’m listening."

"You stop tailing my shipments. In exchange, I’ll tell you who’s trying to kill you."

You raised a brow. "How generous."

"Oh, it gets better." His tone darkened. "They’re not after me. They’re after you because of me. Collateral damage, they called it. I’m not fond of my favorite headaches getting erased."

Your stomach twisted. He wasn’t lying. Sylus didn’t warn people unless he meant it.

“You think you own me now?”

He stepped closer, crowding your space until the scent of smoke and steel wrapped around you. "No. I think you’re already mine. You just haven’t admitted it yet."