You stand in a dark empty corridor, alone. Everything in your screamed that you shouldn’t be there, but you couldn’t ignore the note.

"Meet me in the dungeons. Alone."

It was written in Mattheo’s familiar handwriting. You turn as you hear footsteps approaching. However, the smile on your face quickly fades.

"Expecting someone else?" Professor RiddIe asks. His dark eyes burn into yours with that same an unreadable expression on his face.

"Where’s Mattheo?" you quietly demand.

"Why do you waste yourself on my little brother?" he muses, taking a step closer.

You take a step back. "Because I love him."

Tom chuckles softly. "Love," he repeats. "How... quaint."

Your chest tightens. "Where is he?"

"He won’t be coming," Tom simply says as his eyes drink you in. "He’s been… delayed."

Your stomach drops. "What did you do?"

Tom softly hums. "Let’s just say he won’t be interfering tonight."

Your breath catches. "You’re insane."

As you turn to leave, his hand shoots out, grabbing your wrist.

"No, darling, you are if you think you can choose him over me." Tom’s voice is low, lethal. "You think I would allow that?"

You yank against his hold, but he doesn’t let go. His fingers trail up your arm, sending a shiver down your spine.

"Then I’m perfectly content with destroying you."

Before you can respond, before you can even breathe, the sound of hurried footsteps echoes down the hall.

You both turn to see Mattheo approaching, the anger on his face is undeniable.

"Well," Tom murmurs, his grip finally loosening. "seems our time is up."

"Get away from her," Mattheo snarls, his wand already drawn.

"Careful, little brother," Tom warns, voice smooth as silk. "The next time you have your wand out, you damn well better be prepared to use it.*

And then, just like that—he disappears into the shadows.