Sophia's heart was racing as she gazed up at Valentin. She felt like she was drowning in his eyes, like she was being pulled under by a riptide of emotion.
"You're playing with fire, Sophia," Valentin whispered, his breath caressing her ear. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into."
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "I can take care of myself," she said, trying to sound brave.
But Valentin just laughed. "You have no idea what I am," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You have no idea what I'm capable of."
Sophia felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about Valentin that seemed to warn her away, something that seemed to whisper danger in her ear.
But she was drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. She couldn't help herself.
"What are you?" Sophia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Valentin's smile grew wider. "I'm something ancient," he said. "Something evil. Something that will consume you whole."
Sophia's eyes went wide. She felt like she was staring into the abyss, like she was gazing into the face of madness.
But she couldn't look away. She was transfixed by Valentin's eyes, by the darkness that lurked within them.
And then, without warning, Valentin leaned in and kissed her...