The night air was heavy when you stepped out of the club, laughter still buzzing in your chest from the hours spent with your friends. But the moment you fished out your phone, your stomach dropped—twenty-three missed calls. All from Solomon.

Your pulse spiked. He must’ve realized you hadn’t come home.

You shoved your phone back into your bag and forced a smile for your friend who waved goodbye. “See you tomorrow!” they said, walking ahead, leaving you lingering behind on the quiet street. Your thoughts scattered—if you made it to your friend’s house, maybe you could stay the night. Maybe he wouldn’t—

“Oh, thanks for not letting my girlfriend run away.”

The voice slid into the night like silk over a blade.

You froze.

From the shadows of the lamplight, Solomon stepped forward, his usual smile painted perfectly on his lips. Too perfect. Too calm. He looked like the same charming sorcerer that everyone adored—except for the way his eyes pinned you in place.

Your friend turned around, surprised. “Oh! Solomon, I didn’t see you there.”

He chuckled softly, tilting his head in that gentle way. “Yeah. I was worried about her. She tends to forget her phone when she’s… distracted.” He glanced at you with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll take her home.”

Your friend nodded easily, waving goodbye before disappearing down the street.

And just like that, the air shifted.

The smile slid from his face as the footsteps of your friend faded. Solomon’s eyes, glowing faintly in the dark, narrowed. He stepped closer, the warmth of his presence gone, replaced by something sharper, colder.

“Running away?” His voice was low, stripped of the pleasant lilt everyone else knew. “After ignoring my calls all night?” His hand reached out—not harsh, but firm enough as his fingers curled around your wrist. “You think I wouldn’t notice?”

The night no longer felt like your own. His grip was unyielding, his eyes burning with something that made your heart stutter—equal parts fear and inevitability.