CHAPTER TWO

Julian's pov

The black taxi pulled up to the curb just outside Vespera.

Lights flashed through the tinted windows, casting a sharp blue and crimson hue across the leather back seat.

"Come on, come on! Let's go inside!" Nico cheered, practically dragging me out of the cab before my shoes even hit the pavement. "Oh my God, Julian, this is going to be insane!"

The sheer excitement in his voice made me chuckle despite my lingering exhaustion. Deep down, all I really wanted was to head back to our apartment, crawl into bed, and get eight peaceful hours of sleep.

But saying no to Nico Miller was a physical impossibility once he had momentum on his side.

The moment we stepped through the heavy double doors, a wave of booming bass vibrated straight through my chest.

Atmospheric smoke drifted beneath swirling strobe lights. People packed the dance floor, moving together in a sea of shadows, completely lost to the rhythm.

The air was heavy, thick with the sharp scent of expensive cologne, spilled liquor, and sweet electronic vapor. It was overwhelming, intoxicating, and far louder than anything my overstimulated medical-student brain was prepared for.

Nico didn't hesitate. He grabbed my wrist, steering us effortlessly through the crowd toward the polished mahogany bar.

"Two shots of silver tequila!" Nico yelled over the music to the bartender.

"Nico, no I don't really drink–"

"Shush, future doctor's orders!" he smirked, sliding a glass across the marble counter toward me.

With a dramatic roll of my eyes, I gave in, tossing the harsh liquid back in one go. The warm burn coated my throat, making my chest flush with heat. Within twenty minutes, two shots turned into three, and Nico was already swaying from side to side with a loose, lopsided grin.

"Okay, Jules," Nico laughed, tossing his hair back. "I am going to hit the floor and dance all this stress away before my brain short circuits!"

"Wait, Nico—"

Before I could grab his sleeve, he was swallowed whole by the pulsing crowd, leaving me alone at the bar with an empty glass in my hand.

I let out a heavy sigh, resting my chin in my palm. Typical Nico.

I reached for the glass of water the bartender had left for me, taking a slow sip. That was when a strange, prickly sensation crept down the back of my neck.

The temperature around me seemed to drop instantly. The loud music receded into distant noise as an overwhelming feeling of being watched washed over me. It wasn't the casual glance of a club goer it was a heavy, suffocating gaze, like a predator tracking prey from the shadows.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I slowly raised my eyes, scanning the crowded room.

At the far end of the VIP mezzanine, partially hidden behind a dark glass balcony, stood a tall figure. Broad shoulders, tailored black suit, completely still amidst the moving crowd. Even through the dim lighting, I could feel his dark eyes fixed squarely on me. Sharp.

Unblinking.

Cold.

I froze, my fingers tightening around my glass. But before I could focus on his face, the strobe lights flashed red, a group of dancers cut off my view, and when the light cleared... the figure was gone.

I frowned, rubbing my temple. Maybe the tequila was getting to my head.

Attempting to shake off the unsettling chill, I pushed myself away from the bar and headed toward the restroom to clear my head. After splashing cold water on my face and taking a few deep breaths, I walked back out into the club, scanning the crowd for Nico.

It didn't take long to spot him near the back edge of the dance floor, laughing and chatting with a tall guy I had never seen before.

I waded through the packed bodies, gently grabbing Nico’s forearm. "Come on, Nico. Let’s go home. It’s well past midnight."

Nico groaned dramatically, leaning his forehead against my shoulder. "I'm so exhausted... my legs feel like jelly," he mumbled, his words slurring heavily into my jacket.

"I told you," I muttered affectionately, wrapping his arm around my neck to support his weight.

He was leaning heavily into me, but I managed to guide us toward the exit. By the time we pushed through the doors and stepped outside, the cool night air slapped my face. The street was quiet, eerily deserted compared to the chaos inside.

I looked around anxiously. The streets were dead, and there wasn't a taxi in sight.

Just as I reached into my pocket for my phone, a sleek, jet-black SUV with dark tinted windows glided silently to the curb right in front of us, blocking our path.

The doors swung open. Two large men dressed in dark leather jackets stepped out onto the pavement, walking directly toward us with quiet, disciplined precision.

A brief wave of relief washed over me. I thought they were rideshare drivers or club security. "Excuse me, do you know if there's a cab—"

Before I could finish my sentence, the larger man clamped a heavy hand around my forearm.

"W-What are you doing?!" I gasped, stumbling backward.

The second man violently ripped Nico away from me, throwing him to the pavement. Nico hit the ground with a dull thud, groaning in pain.

"Let me go! Get off me!" I screamed, kicking frantically and swinging my elbows with everything I had left.

"Keep him quiet," a stern voice barked.

Suddenly, a thick cloth was pressed tightly over my nose and mouth from behind. A sickeningly sweet, chemical scent flooded my nostrils.

Panic surged through my veins. I clawed at the man’s iron grip, but my strength drained instantly. My knees buckled. My vision blurred into streaks of black and gray, the streetlights stretching into long beams of light.

The last thing I saw before my body went completely limp was Nico lying motionless on the cold stone pavement.

Then, darkness swallowed me whole.