Moonstone Vale was Skyler's sanctuary, the one place where she could shake off the expectations of the Jasper Coven and just... be. The Vale was nestled at the border between Jasper territory and the Obsidian Circle's dark realm, a twilight zone that both covens quietly avoided, though no one ever said why. Its thick trees formed a canopy that allowed only slivers of moonlight through, and the hidden pools shimmered with a light that felt both ancient and alive. The air here had a charge to it, a hum of power that sent shivers up her spine. It made her spells stronger, more vibrant. It made her feel free.

Tonight, she was kneeling by a moonlit pond, carefully grinding elder leaves into a fine powder to mix with moonstone dust, her focus sharp as she chanted under her breath. This ritual was delicate work, and she didn't need distractions.

So naturally, that's exactly what she got.

"Well, well," a deep, mocking voice drawled from the shadows. "If it isn't Jasper's very own golden girl, out here playing with herbs."

Skyler's hands froze, and her heart jumped as she spun around. A tall figure stood at the edge of her clearing, leaning casually against a tree like he owned the place. Silver hair gleamed in the moonlight, falling just past his shoulders, and a lazy, arrogant smirk played on his lips. He was dressed in all black, naturally, with the kind of attitude that screamed "Obsidian Circle." She'd never seen him before, but she knew his type.

Of course. Only an Obsidian warlock would have the audacity to show up here, in her sacred spot, with that smug, careless expression.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, keeping her voice steady even as irritation simmered beneath the surface.

He pushed himself off the tree, strolling closer with all the grace of someone who thought the whole world was his playground. "Just enjoying the view. Didn't realize the Vale was exclusive to white witches."

She rolled her eyes, already over it. "It's not, but I'd appreciate it if you enjoyed the view... somewhere else." She turned back to her spellwork, hoping he'd take the hint.

But he didn't leave. Instead, he sauntered closer, hands in his pockets, looking around with an air of exaggerated curiosity. "So... white witch spells. I've heard they're very... safe," he teased, the mocking tone in his voice grating on her nerves. "Nothing like the real magic we practice."

Skyler clenched her jaw, glancing up to shoot him a glare. "Real magic? Please. Dark magic is just shadow tricks and cheap curses. Hardly impressive."

His smirk only grew wider, as if her disdain was amusing to him. "Oh, really? And here I thought your little Jasper Coven was all about peace and respect."

"We are," she replied, her voice firm. "We don't waste our magic on useless hexes or petty curses."

"Good girl vibes only, I get it." He chuckled, unbothered by her attitude. "Must be exhausting to be so pure all the time." He paused, then tilted his head in mock thought. "I'm Noah, by the way. Not that you care."

Skyler raised an eyebrow, giving him a look that was as dismissive as she could manage. "Correct," she said coolly, turning back to her spell. "I don't."

But he didn't move. Instead, he stayed close, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that was both unsettling and strangely magnetic. She could feel the weight of his stare, like he was dissecting every move she made, every word she spoke.

"Skyler, right?" he said, testing her name with a smirk that made her skin prickle. "Skyler of the Jasper Coven, out here gathering moonflowers like a good little white witch."

Her patience finally snapped. "What's your problem, Noah? Did the Obsidian Circle run out of people to annoy, so you had to come here?"

He chuckled, clearly entertained by her frustration. "Believe it or not, I find you... fascinating."

Skyler huffed, shoving her herbs back into her bag. "I'm sure you do. You seem like the kind of guy who enjoys irritating people."

"Oh, I do," he agreed, that infuriating smirk never faltering. "But I'm also intrigued. You don't see many Jasper witches wandering into neutral territory all alone. Rebellious streak?"

Skyler straightened, meeting his gaze with defiance. "Or maybe I just don't feel like following pointless rules." She shrugged, trying to brush him off. "Not that a warlock like you would understand."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh, I understand rebellion. You'd be surprised how much I get away with." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Maybe even more than you."

"Is that supposed to impress me?" she shot back, though a part of her was surprised at how much he was getting under her skin. He was arrogant, insufferable, and yet... there was something intriguing about the confidence he wore like a second skin.

He shrugged, flashing a grin. "I don't need to impress you, golden girl. But let's just say, if you're looking for a taste of real magic, you're hanging out in the right place."

Skyler rolled her eyes. "If by 'real magic' you mean cheap tricks and smoke, then I'll pass."

"Oh, I wouldn't call it cheap," he replied, his eyes glinting with a mischievous spark. "But if you're too scared to see what the Obsidian Circle is really capable of, I understand."

Skyler crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. "I'm not scared. I just have better things to do than entertain some warlock with a superiority complex."

"Superiority complex?" He laughed, the sound low and rich. "Coming from the golden girl of the Jasper Coven, that's a bit rich, don't you think?"

Skyler felt her cheeks flush with frustration, but she held her ground. "Listen, I'm done here. Feel free to enjoy your 'real magic' somewhere else. Preferably far away from me."

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"See you around, Skyler."

There was something in his tone that felt almost like a promise, and against her better judgment, a tiny thrill ran down her spine. She hated that feeling. Hated the idea of him thinking he'd gotten under her skin, even for a second.

Without looking back, she walked away, her heart pounding with a mix of irritation and something else she didn't want to acknowledge. There was something insufferable about that smug warlock—his arrogance, his jokes, his total disregard for boundaries. He was everything she couldn't stand, and yet... he was also everything she couldn't seem to shake.

As she left Moonstone Vale, her mind kept drifting back to that infuriating smirk, the way he'd said her name like it was a challenge. And as much as she tried to brush it off, one question lingered at the edge of her thoughts, a question she hated herself for wondering: Would she see him there again?

And perhaps, somewhere deeper, a part of her hoped that she would.