Valeria's POV
The night air was cool, carrying the sound of distant laughter and the rhythmic beat of music that echoed down the beach. Adrian and I walked side by side, the sand soft beneath our feet. We had just extinguished the bonfire, but the warmth of the evening still lingered in my chest, a reminder of the unexpected ease with which we had spent time together.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," I muttered, trying to act annoyed as we neared the party.
Adrian shot me a sly grin, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Oh, come on. A little fun never hurt anyone."
I rolled my eyes, but the thrill of the unknown bubbled up inside me. I was well-acquainted with my limits, but Adrian… Adrian was like a magnet, pulling me into his orbit whether I liked it or not. And, to be honest, I didn't mind as much as I should.
We neared the gathering, the flickering light from a large bonfire casting shadows on the crowd. People were scattered in groups, chatting, laughing, and enjoying the night. It wasn't anything special—a typical beach party—but there was something about the energy here that was different. Maybe it was the way the waves crashed against the shore, or the wildness in the air that made everything feel a bit more alive.
Adrian nudged me, drawing my attention back to him. "You're not backing out now, are you?" His voice was playful, but I could sense the underlying curiosity in his tone.
"I didn't say I was backing out. Just making sure I don't get caught in some ridiculous game," I replied, my eyes scanning the crowd for an escape route.
"There are no ridiculous games," he reassured me, though his smile suggested otherwise. "At least, not yet."
I huffed, but there was no real irritation in my voice. I had a feeling I'd be roped into whatever madness he was planning before the night was over. The idea of being around so many people didn't bother me—what bothered me was the thought of revealing too much about myself.
As we joined the party, I felt a subtle change in the atmosphere. The music seemed to pulse more intensely, and the laughter, though lighthearted, took on a darker edge. It was almost as though the night was holding its breath, waiting for something.
"Come on, let's grab some drinks," Adrian said, gesturing toward a table laden with bottles and cups.
I hesitated, but then, seeing how casual the entire scene was, I followed him, settling into the rhythm of the night. Adrian was an expert at blending into the crowd, making himself known without drawing too much attention. It was a talent I had never quite mastered. My life had always been one of control and power, and blending in had never been a necessity.
I took a drink, the coolness of the glass easing some of the tension that had built up in my chest. It wasn't the party or the people that bothered me—it was the way Adrian made me feel.
A shiver ran down my spine, and I instinctively took a step closer to the fire, letting its heat soothe me. The glow from the flames cast long shadows across the sand, and I caught a glimpse of something—something strange.
Adrian's face seemed to shift in the firelight, and for a moment, I saw it again—those faint, shimmering lines across his skin. It was almost imperceptible, but I knew what it was. The power I'd been trying to suppress for so long was waking up. It wasn't just the firelight, or the music, or the people around me—it was something deeper.
I had been avoiding this, hiding from the part of me that was more than human. But tonight, it felt impossible to keep it all buried.
"What's on your mind?" Adrian asked, his voice cutting through the noise of the party as he stepped closer to me.
I blinked, snapping back to the present. "Nothing. Just… I don't know. Something about tonight feels strange."
He chuckled, clearly dismissing my response. "You're overthinking it. It's just a party. Relax."
Easier said than done. The pull of my own power was undeniable, like a flicker of fire just beneath the surface of my skin, itching to be unleashed. I hadn't used it in months, not since I learned to control it, to bury it deep within me. But now, in the presence of so much energy, so much life, I could feel it stirring.
"You're doing that thing again," Adrian said, his voice teasing but laced with curiosity. "What's going on with you?"
I turned to look at him, my eyes narrowing. "What thing?"
"You know, that 'I'm hiding something' thing," he said, a smirk dancing on his lips. "It's kind of like your superpower."
I stiffened at his words, but only for a moment. I couldn't let him catch on, not now. The last thing I needed was for Adrian to start poking around in places he didn't belong.
"Relax," I said, forcing a smile. "I'm fine. Just not used to being around so many people."
"Sure," he said, clearly not convinced, but deciding to let it go—for now.
I looked back at the crowd, my mind drifting. I couldn't deny the chemistry between us, the pull that seemed to grow stronger every time he was near. But with it came a deeper danger, one I wasn't sure I was ready to face. He didn't know what I was, didn't know the power I held within me. And for now, it was better that way.
I could feel the stirrings of my power again, just beneath the surface. My skin began to glow faintly, the energy radiating from me in small bursts. I quickly shoved the sensation away, but the damage had already been done. Adrian had noticed.
He was staring at me now, his eyes locked on mine, a mixture of confusion and curiosity swirling in their depths.
"What was that?" he asked, his voice low, almost to himself.
I didn't know how to respond. He couldn't know. Not yet. I needed more time.
"What?" I asked, trying to act nonchalant. "You're seeing things. It's the fire. It's playing tricks on you."
Adrian didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press the matter further. Instead, he took another drink, leaning back against the fire pit. "Yeah, maybe. I must be seeing things."
The music swelled again, and I felt a rush of heat flood my veins, my power threatening to break free. But I pushed it down once more, forcing myself to focus on the present. I couldn't let it take control—not when I was still figuring out what this connection with Adrian meant.
"You want to get out of here?" Adrian asked, his voice soft but insistent.
I hesitated. The pull of the party, the noise, and the people around me, felt suffocating. I needed space.
"Yeah," I replied, my voice quieter than usual. "Let's go."
We turned away from the crowd, the weight of unspoken tension hanging between us. Whatever this was, whatever I was beginning to feel, it was becoming harder to ignore.
As we walked back toward the edge of the beach, away from the party, I couldn't help but wonder what Adrian would think if he ever truly saw me for what I was. Would he be scared? Would he run? Or would he stay, despite everything?
For now, though, it didn't matter. All that mattered was the fire that burned between us—unstable, unpredictable, and undeniably dangerous.