The dimly lit cage felt colder than usual, its iron bars a constant reminder of their imprisonment. Damon paced restlessly, his steps echoing in the silence, but Enzo barely noticed him. His gaze was fixed on the corner where she stood, silent and composed, unaware of the intensity of his focus.

She was an enigma to him—something he couldn’t quite have, and yet, he couldn’t look away. The way she moved, the way her eyes sparkled with something deeper than mere curiosity, it drew him in. Every glance she cast in his direction made his heart beat faster, though he would never admit it.

"Are you going to stare at her all night, or do you have something to say?" Damon’s voice broke through his thoughts, sharp and accusatory.

Enzo didn’t flinch, though his jaw tightened. "I’m not staring," he muttered, his eyes never leaving her. "I’m watching."

Damon scoffed, but Enzo didn’t care. He knew the truth. She was forbidden—untouchable. But that didn’t stop the fire from building inside him, nor did it stop his lips from twitching into a half-smile when she caught his gaze. For a moment, she held his stare, and he could almost hear the unspoken words between them.

"You know," Damon continued, watching him closely, "you’re not going to get what you want."

Enzo didn’t answer. His smile faded into a slight frown as he looked away, the tension between desire and restraint building like a storm inside him. He wasn’t sure if he was more frustrated by the impossibility of the situation or by the fact that he couldn’t seem to tear himself away from her.