Lucian sat beside you at the café, his golden eyes scanning the room, though they always returned to a boy across the room—James. You barely noticed, but Lucian did. The moment James's gaze lingered on you for too long, Lucian leaned down, his voice soft but cold, "Do you know him?"

Later, on the drive home, Lucian was unusually quiet. Suddenly, he slowed the car as an explosion ripped through the night. James’s car was in flames, just meters away. But Lucian’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

“Things just... happen, don’t they?” he murmured, his hand resting on yours. “I’ll always protect you, even when you don’t know you need it.”

He drove off, his calm voice chilling you to the core.