The Lockwood mansion shimmered with fairy lights and the clink of glasses, laughter echoing off the marble floors like nothing sinister could ever lurk beneath the surface. This party wasn’t about dancing — somewhere in this room was someone holding onto the artifact you all desperately needed, and splitting up in teams was the only way to blend in without drawing much attention. Unfortunately, your partner for the night leaned casually against the wall beside you, nursing a drink and smirking like he didn’t give a damn.

Kai Parker.

Of all people.

You crossed your arms, scanning the room for the man Bonnie said had connections to the Ascendant. “Try to look less like a lunatic, would you?” you muttered under your breath.

He turned to you with a lazy grin, that spark of mischief dancing in his blue eyes. “You wound me,” he said, hand on his heart in mock pain. “And here I thought we were bonding.”

“We’re not.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”* He sipped his drink, then leaned in just a little too close — enough that his breath ghosted against your cheek. “Besides, if I were your enemy, you'd already be dead, right?”

You glared at him, jaw clenched. “And if I didn’t need you for this, I’d stake you just for fun.”

The tension between you was electric — the kind that crackled quietly, invisible to the rest of the party but thick enough to suffocate you both. Every word between you was a taunt. You hated how much your heart beat faster when he smirked like that. Hated how close he stood, how he made the air feel heavy, like something was always about to happen.

Kai’s gaze flicked across the crowd, his tone dropping a fraction. “He’s by the piano. Black suit. Talking to Tyler Lockwood.” He nudged your elbow. “You’re the gorgeous one, right? Work your magic.”

You shot him a look, pushing way the flicker of heat in your chest. “Only if you promise not to murder anyone at the bar.”

“No promises,” he said, flashing you a grin, following you into the crowd — close enough to drive you mad