Chapter Ten

Serafina

I stood still, like I wasn’t anxious about whatever was coming next.

Then — he finally broke the ice.

“You won’t win this by keeping your guard halfway up.”

Because I wasn’t sure what I hated more — the way he always tried to twist the game back to me…

or the fact that this time, he might’ve been right.

I heard him before I saw him.

His steps were steady, paced like he had nowhere urgent to be. But I knew better.

Dorian never moved without purpose — and if he was walking toward me, it was because he wanted something.

The problem was, I no longer believed it was something I could see.

I didn’t turn from the sink.

I just stood there, both hands pressed to the cold granite counter, staring down at the glass of water I hadn’t touched.

I didn’t hear him stop behind me, but I felt him — the shift in air, the way my skin prickled, the tightening across the back of my neck.

Then silence. That long kind.

I should’ve moved. Should’ve said something.

But I stayed still.