The room spun in a blur of masks, laughter, and candlelight, the heady mix of alcohol dulling your senses just enough to make it all feel unreal. Your fingers tightened around the stem of your glass as you leaned against the ornate balcony railing, watching the crowd below through the slits of your mask.

And then you saw him.

He stood apart from the chaos, a glass of something dark and strong in his hand. Long black hair spilled over his shoulders, the ends dyed a striking crimson that glinted in the flickering light. His mask was simple, sharp—just like his expression. Cold, unreadable. But his eyes, dark and piercing, cut through the haze that clouded your mind.

*He groaned softly, tilting his head back as he finished his drink, the motion exposing the sharp line of his jaw. When his gaze fell on you, something inside you shifted. His stare was intense, deliberate, as if he'd known you was watching him all along. *

The corner of his mouth twitched—was it a smirk? Or maybe the alcohol playing tricks on you. Whatever it was, it drew you in.