Chapter 6

AIYANA

The music pulses through the room, the beat vibrating in my chest as I spin next to Alyssa. The colorful lights reflect off her sparkly pink dress, and for a moment, I feel light. My forest green dress hugs my body, accentuating my curves, and the bold neckline makes me feel powerful. I’ve never felt comfortable dancing, but I promised Grandma I’d have fun, so I’m trying. And, somehow, it’s working.

Until a hot sensation runs down my spine, a shiver that has nothing to do with the music or the crowded dance floor. It’s a stare. That stare. I don’t have to look to know it’s Maxim.

The fire in that gaze burns my skin like a summons I refuse to answer. He’s here. Somewhere in this room, watching me.

Alyssa grabs my hand, laughing excitedly.

"Two hotties incoming, and one of them is looking straight at you!"

"What?" I raise an eyebrow, but before I can react, the seniors are already here.

One of them tall, messy brown hair and light eyes is Seth. The super-friendly human I partnered with in chemistry during my first three years here. He smiles at me.

"You here to dance or just flaunt that amazing dress?"

I let out a laugh, feeling unexpectedly at ease.

"Why not both?" I tease, shrugging.

Seth pulls me closer and starts moving effortlessly to the rhythm of the music. He’s a good dancer, and I begin to relax. He mentions a disastrous experiment with sulfuric acid we had freshman year in chemistry class, gesturing animatedly as he tells the story.

"We almost blew up the lab. The teacher never trusted me again. I blame you, you distracted me with your ridiculous beauty." He winks playfully.

I laugh for real, feeling, for the first time in a long while, just like a normal girl at a school dance.

But the heat on the back of my neck doesn’t fade.

Maxim is watching.

Seth leans in, speaking low against my ear, his voice deep and seductive:

"It’s kind of loud in here. Wanna go for a walk?"

I know what he means. And why not? Maxim made it clear he doesn’t want me, so I don’t owe him anything. Time to make up for lost time. I nod, and Seth grabs my hand, leading me off the dance floor.

We walk down a dim hallway to an empty room. As soon as we step inside, he closes the door behind us and comes closer, his eyes now shining with something different. His hands slide along my arms, my waist, and he leans in, biting gently at my neck. My body tenses.

"Seth…" I begin, but he doesn’t stop. He tries to kiss me, his fingers gripping my skin harder than I’d like. Alarm bells go off inside me. I don’t want this.

"Stop." My voice comes out firm, but he ignores it.

I try to push him away, but Seth grabs my wrists, his face now twisted into something dark and aggressive.

"Come on, Aiyana. You’re the one who came with me." His voice is different now—full of arrogance.

My blood turns cold.

"Let go. Now."

But he doesn’t.

He shoves me against the table behind me, the hard edge pressing into my lower back. My body is still warm from the alcohol I drank, my head spinning slightly, and he uses that to his advantage. Seth grabs my hair, yanking my head back, ripping a cry of pain from me.

"Relax," he whispers against my skin, his lips brushing my neck.

My instinct kicks in before my brain does. With all the strength I can muster, I raise my knee and slam it into his inner thigh. Seth curses and stumbles back for a second, but not enough.

He glares at me, his once-friendly eyes now filled with something dangerous. In one swift move, he slaps me across the face. My vision blurs, my cheek stings, but adrenaline surges through my veins. I try to back away, but he’s already grabbing me again, spinning me and shoving my stomach against the table.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

How did I get myself into this?

"I was gonna make this nice, but since you wanna act like a nasty little slut, I’ll give you exactly what you’re asking for."

My hands grip the wood, the world spinning slightly, and I feel it. I feel it when he yanks my dress up, his fingers sliding down my thigh.

Then an explosion.

His touch vanishes.

Then an explosion.

His touch vanishes.

My breath catches in a gasp, and for a moment, all I can hear is my own heart, pounding deafeningly.

I open my eyes, blinking to clear my vision.

And then I see.

Seth is on the ground, body rigid, and in front of him stands a shadowy figure, green eyes glowing in the dim light.

Maxim.

A second later, he’s on Seth, his fists moving too fast to count. The sound of bones breaking makes me flinch.

"Maxim, stop!" My voice comes out weaker than I want, but he doesn’t seem to hear.

His fists keep landing, one after the other, each punch fueled by primal, animalistic rage.

I run to them and try to pull him back by the arm, but he shoves me away with enough force to make me stumble.

"Maxim, you’re going to kill him!" I scream, desperation overtaking me.

But he doesn’t stop. The smell of blood is already thick in the air, and Seth lets out a weak groan, like he’s on the edge of unconsciousness.

I can’t let this happen.

My hands shake as I step closer again. I know if he keeps going, there’ll be nothing left of Seth but a bloody body on the floor.

I take a deep breath and place my hand on Maxim’s shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath my fingers. He’s boiling with rage, his body radiating heat like he’s about to combust.

"Maxim…" My voice is soft, hesitant.

He doesn’t react.

I tighten my grip, ignoring the fear crawling over my skin.

"Please stop. For me."

His fist pauses midair. Maxim’s breathing is heavy, uneven, and for a moment, I think he won’t listen. But then, slowly, he lowers his arm.

His eyes lock with mine, that half-moon gaze freezing me in place, and suddenly, I can’t breathe.

He looks like an angel—but a dark one. Terrifying and beautiful all at once.

"You’re… defending him?" Maxim’s voice is hoarse, thick with disbelief.

I shake my head quickly.

"No. But if you kill him, it’ll only bring you trouble. You could go to jail, Max."

He lets out a bitter laugh.

"Wouldn’t be the first time I had to take out the trash."

Maxim makes a move toward Seth again, but I grab his hand tightly, trying to pull him back to me.

"No." My voice is firmer now. "Come with me. Let’s get out of here."

He hesitates. His fingers tremble beneath mine, and I know his mind is still drowning in rage.

So I do the only thing I can think of. I step closer and whisper, with all the honesty I have left:

"Please, Maxim. Stop for me."

He stiffens, his breathing ragged. Slowly, Maxim lifts his head and meets my eyes. There’s a wild light in them, something that makes my breath hitch.

And finally, he exhales a long breath and pulls away from Seth’s barely conscious body.

"Fine," he says, his voice still full of anger. "But only because that guy isn’t worth it."

"Thank you."

Then he mutters something under his breath, points a finger at me, and commands:

"You’re coming with me."