Aria Wynter's POV
The streets of Ashwood City pulsated with an existence that did not belong in the human realm. Neon illumination adorned the wet pavement with electric blue and crimson sunglasses, their brilliance warped by the relentless drizzle. The city's heart beats loudly and chaotically, and the magical district vibrates with energy. Towering skyscrapers loomed above narrow lanes, their mirrored windows concealing secrets and techniques so powerful that I felt compelled to fight against my skin.
I went through the gang, a restless current of individuals and beings pushing past me, some too fast, some too strong. The air hummed with whispers of energy, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being observed. It was not paranoia; I knew better than to ignore impulses like these.
Pass had stayed behind with the female, leaving me to deal with what I informed him had turned into an easy lead. However, there has been nothing easy about this site. Blackwood Tower dominated the skyline, its spire reaching into the heavens like a blade ready to pierce through heaven. I felt uneasy after making the call on my own.
My senses have been overly keen this night. The sound of laughter from a nearby membership pierced through my ears like a bell. A person's cologne wafted beyond, rich and delightful, and I could almost taste it in the air. My pulse accelerated, and my chest tightened, as the town seemed to wrap in on itself about me.
I ducked into an alley, pushing against the cold brick wall, hoping to keep my breathing consistent. My imaginative and clairvoyant abilities faded for a minute before returning to awareness, clearer than they had ever been. Every aspect of the area around me became too bright—the way the rain glistened on the cobblestones, the faint glimmer of a cigarette ember in the distance, the way shadows shifted unnaturally at the edge of my vision.
"Get a grip, Aria," I said under my breath, forcing myself to move ahead.
The membership was simply announced in advance, with the entrance marked by a bright crescent moon image. The bouncer at the door gave me a quick glance, his gaze lingering for an extra second. I disregarded the nagging feeling of uneasiness and stepped inside.
The air became heavy with heat and sound, with the bassline of the song resonating through the earth. Vampires lounged in shadowy corners, their eyes shining like polished stones, while werewolves—impossibly tall and imposing—moved among the crowd with a casual superiority that made my skin crawl. Humans were also present, albeit in smaller numbers, with a palpable lack of knowledge of the agency they were defending.
I didn't belong here, not truly. However, I wasn't about to backtrack.
I was halfway to the bar when I felt it—a strong and compelling presence that drew me in like gravity. I became and locked eyes with him.
Elijah Blackwood.
He stood at the edge of the room, leaning casually against a pillar, but there was nothing casual about how he looked at me. His black match nourished him, and it became made just for him, with acute functions that were all angles and shadows. The room appeared to bend around him, attracting attention even from those who were too terrified to meet his gaze immediately.
I swallowed hard and forced myself to walk toward him, every step planned, even if my legs felt like they were wading in quicksand.
"You're a long way from home, Detective," he said as I approached, his voice pure but with an undercurrent of danger.
"You already know who I am," I responded, keeping my voice consistent.
"Of course I do," he replied, a small smile on his lips. "The Wynter call carries weight in Ashwood, even after all these years. However, I can't figure out why you're here right now."
"I'm looking for solutions," I said, meeting his stare head on.
"answers to what?" He asked, tilting his head slightly, his dark gaze narrowing. "Or have to I say… to whom?"
He said it in such a way that my blood ran cold. He was aware of Lily. He needs to.
"Why don't you tell me?" I shot again, hesitant to show him how upset I was.
Elijah chuckled gently, his tone low and dangerous. "You're bold. "I'll come up with that." He moved closer, the air between us sizzling with tension. "but boldness can get you killed in this town, in particular when you begin asking the wrong questions."
"I'll take my chances," I replied, refusing to back down.
His smile vanished, replaced by something harsher, more calculated. "You're not like the others," he remarked quietly. "There's some thing… different about you."
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, a piercing pain surged through my temples. I staggered lower back, clutching my head as images flew before my eyes: shrubs drenched in moonlight, shadows darting between them, and the echo of a wolf's scream.
"Elijah," a voice said, breaking the enchantment.
I blinked and looked up to see a man approaching—a massively built werewolf with a scar running down the side of his face. He paused a few feet away, his gaze shifting between Elijah and me.
"We've got a problem," he said, his tone harsh.
Elijah's visage clouded, yet he did not avert his gaze from me. "This verbal exchange isn't over," he said, his tone promising. Then he turned and went away, leaving me standing in the center of the room, my heart thumping and my mind racing.
I staggered out of the club, the cool night air hitting me like a slap. My thoughts had become jumbled, and my body was vibrating with a strange electricity that I couldn't explain. I slumped against a lamppost, attempting to regain my breath.
The images from earlier played back in my mind—the moonlit forest, the shadows, the howl. They felt real, rather than just goals or hallucinations. They felt like recollections.
The rain began to pour more heavily, soaking my garments, but I only noticed somewhat. My senses were still heightened, with every sound and smell enhanced. I should pay attention to the faint hum of strength in the lamps and smell the ozone in the air.
I had no idea what was going on with me, but one thing became clear: I wasn't the same person I was when I left Ashwood City.
And something began to change within me; however, it was not completed.