He walked into my office with an aura that screamed ‘I own every room I walk into’

He had the kind of presence that didn’t need to announce itself, it simply commanded attention. His footsteps were slow, deliberate, almost too perfect, as if the marble floors weren’t worthy of his shoes.

I scoffed under my breath.

Of course. What else should I expect from an arrogant, self-centered, obnoxious jerk?

Everyone, meet The CEO of Draven Global Corporation. Lucien Darren. My biggest rival in the industry and, apparently, the universe’s favorite way of testing my patience.

“Miss Vale.” His voice was smooth, calm, the kind that rolled off his tongue like expensive whiskey. He was closer now, stopping just in front of my desk. “What an honor it is to finally meet you.”

I arched my brow. “I believe we’ve met on countless occasions, Mr. Darren. This isn’t the first, and it certainly won’t be the most memorable.”

He chuckled softly. “Ah, I guess my memory serves me differently, but perhaps this time will be different.”

He extended his hand. I stared at it for a second before sighing and politely accepting the handshake. But the moment our skin touched, a chill raced up my arm. His hand was cold, but not the usual kind of cold. This was icy, bone-deep, kind of cold.

I had goosebumps all over my skin.

This is new.

I haven’t had this kind of reaction in years.

I withdrew my hand quickly, masking my surprise behind an unimpressed expression. My eyes flicked up to study him. He wore a dark tailored suit, silver cufflinks, a faint smirk on his lips. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and yet there was something else in them. Something… off.

I sat down and crossed my legs. “I’m sure you’re here for something really important, otherwise you wouldn’t have come in person. So let’s cut to the chase, shall we?”

Lucien chuckled again, that infuriating sound that somehow managed to be both arrogant and magnetic. He withdrew his hand, adjusted his cufflinks, and sat down opposite me, unhurried, and confident.

“I’ve heard so much about you, Miss Vale,” he said, leaning back in the chair. “Well since we both dominate the tech industry, I thought it might be wise to share some ideas especially with the market becoming unpredictable, and let’s not forget AI is evolving.”

I interrupted him immediately. “We are not partners, Mr. Darren. We’re not friends, not allies, we’re rivals. And i don’t hesitate to crush anyone who stands in my way, you included. So whatever you came here to say, I assure you, I’ve already heard of it.”

A slow smirk curved his lips. “Are you always this feisty,” he asked, “or is it just because you see me as a threat?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “A threat?” I leaned forward across the table, meeting his gaze head-on. “You don’t even qualify as a challenge, Mr Darren. And the only reason I haven’t completely crushed you yet is because I feel sorry for your employees. It would be tragic to see so many jobless faces at once.”

I am sure he bit his lower lip deliberately, and I caught myself staring.

Damn it.

He was hot.

Focus, Sera. I scolded myself silently. You don’t do humans. Especially smug, arrogant ones who make it a habit of getting on your nerves.

“I’m not your enemy,” Lucien said suddenly. His voice softened, but there was something deeper in it. “Just because we’re rivals doesn’t mean we have to be at war.”

I tilted my head, feigning boredom. “How noble of you to say Mr Darren, but unfortunately I’m not interested. If you’ve got so much free time on your hands, maybe you should focus on making sure Draven Global gets nominated for the Evolution Tech Awards this year. I’d hate to see your streak of never winning continue. You know my company has taken that home five years in a row.”

His smirk deepened. “Confidence looks really good on you, Miss Vale.”

“And arrogance looks pretty predictable on you,” I shot back.

He leaned in, his eyes locking mine. For a moment, the air shifted. His gaze was steady, dark and I felt the faint hum of something wrong. The kind of wrong that whispered danger and desire in the same breath.

“There’s something about you,” he said quietly. “If you keep being this way with me and trying to push me off, I’ll have no choice but to keep coming back. I’m attracted to intelligent women like you” He smiled faintly. “It’s sexy.”

My stomach twisted. “Oh my gosh. You are unbelievable.”

“Guilty as charged,” he said, with a wink that made me want to throw my coffee at him.

He wasn’t lying, though. I could feel it, the honesty beneath the teasing, the magnetic pull. I hated that about my kind. Being a vampire also meant I could sense people’s emotions, and his? They were raw, curious and frustratingly sincere.

He is going to be a problem. A beautiful, stubborn, infuriating problem.

I straightened my back and forced my voice to sound steady. “Nicole,” I said, pressing the intercom button. “Get in here. Now.”

She entered almost immediately, her notebook in hand. “Yes, Ms. Vale?”

“I’m done here. Mr. Darren will be taking his leave.” My tone was sharp. “And from now on, no more personal meetings. I don’t care who they are, even if it’s the President or the Almighty himself.”

Nicole blinked but quickly nodded. “Understood, ma’am.”

Lucien’s lips twitched in amusement. “No exceptions, huh?”

“Certainly not for you,” I said flatly.

He stood up slowly, buttoning his suit jacket. “It’s been fun, Miss vale.” He teased, but as he turned to leave, I caught a flicker of red light in his eyes. It was quick and almost unnoticeable.

He adjusted his tie, gave a slight bow, and left without saying another word. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the faint scent of his cologne hanging in the air. It was rich, dark, and absolutely distracting.

Nicole turned to leave, but I stopped her. “Reschedule the interviews. I can’t do them today.”

She hesitated. “Of course. Should I—”

“And get the car ready,” I said. “I’ll be going to the club. I need to check on a few things.”

Her eyes flickered with concern, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded obediently, then turned and left.

When she left, I sank back into my chair, spinning slightly to face the skyline. For a moment, a hollow ache stirred in my chest, a flicker of something I’d buried long ago. I thought I had kept the darkness contained for years, But lately, it’s been whispering again.

About thirty minutes later, Nicole returned. “The car’s ready, ma’am.”

“Good.” I stood, grabbing my bag. “You can go home when you’re done.”

She smiled faintly. “Try to rest, Ms. Vale. You look… tired.”

I ignored the comment. That was just Nicole, always worrying, always soft. She’s the only human I’ve ever tolerated this long. “See you tomorrow,” I muttered, brushing past her.

The elevator doors slid shut, sealing me in. The descent began smoothly until it didn’t.

A sharp jolt made the lights flickered. Then everything stopped.

“Are you kidding me?” I hissed. The elevator hummed, as the air grew thicker. Then the lights began to violently flicker, over and over again.

And that’s when I felt it.

That cold creeping presence crawling up my spine, as words began scratching themselves across the walls.

“Did you miss me?”

My chest tightened.

I blinked, and more words appeared, one after another, jagged and fast. The elevator jerked violently, as if it was possessed.

The temperature dropped, as frost began to appear on the metal handle.

“Not again,” I whispered. “Not now.”

I stared at my reflection on the metallic walls, my eyes flashing faint silver, as my skin turned pale. I dropped to my knees as the whispers grew louder, a chorus of voices screaming. The sound of scratching on the walls became unbearable, until it felt like it was inside my skull.

“Who’s there?” I shouted.

No answer.

The lights exploded into a blinding flash. I covered my ears, gasping, the ring on my finger pulsing violently with energy. “Protego anima mea!” I chanted under my breath, my voice trembling. A faint golden barrier glowed around me, flickering weakly against the darkness closing in.

Then, as suddenly as it began, it went silent.

The elevator lurched once more and steadied. The lights came back on like nothing had happened. My hair clung to my face, the things in my bag scattered across the floor. My lipstick, purse, documents, and a dagger I haven’t used in years.

I was still kneeling, breathing hard, when the doors slid open with a soft chime.

And there he was..

He extended a hand, his voice low, almost gentle.

“Ms. Vale,” he said. “Are you all right? Do you need a hand?”

Hell no!

That was not the face I expected to see, as I looked up to see the owner of the voice.

And for a split second, I almost forgot how to breathe.

The man standing before me didn’t look like someone who belonged in my world. He looked different. Like he’d just walked out of one of those glossy magazine covers I usually despised. His hair was slightly messy in that intentional way men think looks effortless. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing the veins along his forearms, and his shirt fit him so well it almost looked sinful.

And those eyes, those eyes were so warm and kind.The sort of eyes that could melt an ice cold heart if he stared long enough.

I blinked, forcing myself to remember where I was. I refused to take the hand he’d stretched towards me.

Instead, I stood abruptly, straightened my clothes, and picked up my bag, quickly arranging the items that fell off. “Who are you,” I asked sharply, “and what the hell are you doing here?”

He looked startled at my tone but quickly recovered, offering a polite smile. “My apologies, Miss Vale. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” His voice was calm, deep, and annoyingly pleasant. “I’ve been trying to reach you for months. I’m Ethan Cole, investigative journalist with The City Chronicle.”

He handed me a business card, and I glanced at it briefly just enough to read his name before lifting my eyes to study him properly.

“Investigative journalist,” I repeated slowly, my voice filled with dry amusement. “You’re braver than you look if you actually thought ambushing me in my elevator was a smart move.”

“I wasn’t—” he began, but I raised a hand to stop him.

“This,” I gestured around, “isn’t the entrance to my company, and if you haven’t been able to get through to me yet, it’s because you’re not worth my time.”

He scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks slightly turned pink. “I know this isn’t proper,” he said quickly, “but I had to try. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to speak with you. It’s about something very important—”

I yawned loudly and turned away from the elevator doors. “Spare me the details, Mr. Cole. You’re boring me already incase you haven’t noticed. If you haven’t gotten an interview by now, that’s your problem, not mine. Maybe instead of staking out my building, you could use that time to properly improve your pitch.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but I was already walking away. My driver hurried forward, opening the car door.

“Have a good day, Miss Vale,” Ethan called after me.

I slid into the seat without replying, but just as the car began to move, I glanced out the tinted window. He was still standing there, smiling faintly as if he knew something I didn’t.

Damn it. He was cute.

I looked away quickly, reminding myself that I don’t do me who looked like walking temptations.

“Take me to the club,” I told my driver.

He nodded and bowed slightly.

So a little secret between us I own ‘The Crimson house’. Yes, it’s the most exclusive club in the city. But that’s strictly off the record. No one knows that, except a few people. So I prefer to stay behind the scenes.

We arrived twenty minutes later, and the neon sign of the Crimson house glowed like blood against the dark sky. The bass of the music thudded faintly through the walls even from outside. My heels clicked on the marble floor as I entered, and instantly, all eyes turned towards me.

As usual.

The manager, Cassian, spotted me almost immediately. He was standing near the bar, wiping his hands with a white towel. When he saw me, he grinned infuriatingly and walked over.

“Good evening, boss,” he said cheerfully. “It’s been a while.”

I rolled my eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? It sounds masculine and it makes me feel like I’m running a cartel.”

He chuckled, leaning one arm casually against the table. “Well, you do run things with an iron hand, and let’s be honest ‘boss’ suits you more. Remember, you’ve got that ‘Ice Queen’ reputation to maintain.”

I smirked. “Touché.”

He laughed. “So, what brings you down here tonight? Are you checking on your empire again?”

“Something like that,” I said, sitting at my usual corner. Same old business. I’m just making sure you haven’t run this place into the ground while charming your way through half the entire female staff.”

Cassian pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Ouch boss. You know I never mix business with pleasure.”

I arched my brow. “Oh Please Cassian, You mix everything with pleasure.”

He grinned wider and took a seat beside me, uninvited.

“I can’t remember asking you to sit dowm,” I said dryly.

He ignored me completely and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch lingered just long enough to make me roll my eyes.

“Have I ever told you,” he said softly, “that you’ve got the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen?”

I tilted my head toward him, resting my elbow on the table. “Yes, Cassian. You have. About a million times already. Every day, every hour, every minute.”

He chuckled. “Can you blame me though? I just can’t help myself”

“You’re so sweet-tongued,” I said, smirking. “That’s why the women can’t get enough of you.”

He stood up, still smiling. “That’s my superpower. That, and the reason you trust me enough to run this place.”

I waved a dismissive hand. “Okay superhero. Go make yourself useful, I’m starving.”

Cassian gave a playful bow. “Yes, ma’am.” Then he disappeared into the kitchen.

I took out my laptop, set it on the table and opened it. A dozen unread emails stared at me. I sighed and began replying, and for a while, the low hum of music and clinking glasses felt almost soothing.

Then the peace shattered.

Two men stumbled toward my table drunk, loud, and irritatingly confident.

“Hey there,” one of them slurred, pulling out the chair across from me before I could object. His friend stood behind him like some kind of bodyguard. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Yes I do,” I said, without looking up.

He laughed. “Oh, come on, don’t be like that. Why’s a beautiful woman like you sitting here all alone?”

“Maybe that’s because I prefer my own company,” I said flatly, typing another sentence.

He leaned forward, his voice dropping. “Maybe I could change your mind.”

“Or,” I said sweetly, “you could fuck off and look for someone else to annoy.”

The smile on his face vanished, as he slammed my laptop shut, trapping my fingers in the process.

His friend laughed. “She’s a feisty one, huh?”

The first one sneered. “You should’ve been nice, bitch. I was just trying to talk to you.”

I inhaled slowly. Then I smiled. “You’re right,” I said softly. “My bad. Come closer please.”

He hesitated but did as I said, leaning in with a smug grin.

I whispered something so quietly only he could hear.

Then his reaction was instant.

He screamed loudly. It was a raw, blood-curdling sound that cut through the music. He clawed at his arms, shouting about spiders crawling all over him. His friend froze, his face pale, as the man ripped off his shirt and bolted toward the door, still screaming.

The crowd parted in panic, whispers filling the air. The other man ran after him, stumbling.

Cassian burst out of the kitchen just in time to see the chaos. “What the hell just happened?” he asked, staring at me. “And what did you do this time?”

I smiled innocently and took a sip from the glass of wine the waiter had just brought. “Nothing,” I said smoothly. “I just decided to teach someone a valuable lesson about manners.”

Cassian sighed, rubbing his temples. “You can’t keep hexing people in my club, boss.”

“It’s my club,” I corrected, setting my glass down. “And technically, I can do whatever I want.”

He shook his head, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “You know you’re impossible.”

I smirked. “Yeah, that’s what everyone says.”

He sighed, muttered something and headed back into the kitchen, but I called out. “Cassian, when are the bodies coming in?”.

I know what you must be thinking. What bodies is she talking about? And what is she going to do with them?

Well, the Crimson House is not an ordinary place. It’s the most exclusive, most expensive club in all of New York City. Only the elite, the truly powerful, the dangerous, and the obscenely wealthy gets in.

From the outside, it may look like an ordinary luxury club. A glass façade dripping with gold accents, laughters echoing through the velvet-curtained balconies, the scent of champagne and smoke clinging to the air. But inside, it’s another world entirely. It’s a place where the boundaries between humans and the supernatural blur under dim crimson lights.

Ofcourse most humans don’t know about this, because it’s very easy to fool them. But for me, I can finally breathe whenever I’m here. This is my safe space, away from the exhausting performance of pretending to be human all day.

Just as I was taking in the familiar rhythm of music vibrating through the room, Cassian’s deep voice interrupted.

“My lady,” he said as he stepped outside, his voice smooth. “Your food is ready. Shall I serve it here, or…”

I cut him off before he could finish, not even looking up. “Cassian, have I ever had my meal in the presence of people before?”

He smirked. “Of course not,” he said simply.

“Then you have your answer.”

He lowered his head, the faintest trace of amusement tugging at his lips. “Very well then. I’ll have it served in your private VIP room.”

“Good,” I murmured, grabbing my bag and following him through the corridor.

The truth is, it’s no longer a secret that supernaturals lives among humans in New York. They could be sitting beside you at a café, buying flowers at a corner stall, or whispering things into your ear on the dance floor. You’d never know. Why? Because they have learnt how to hide it and blend in as humans, just as I have.

Cassian knows what I am. Atleast the witch part, not the other darker part of me. And so most of my staff are humans. They’re useful, loyal, and they know enough to keep their mouths shut. It’s best to have humans around when you run a place like this. They draw less attention, and besides, their fear makes them obedient.

When I stepped into my private VIP room, the atmosphere shifted. The lights dimmed automatically, revealing soft colored walls, a long velvet sofa, and a glass table. I dropped my bag on the table, kicked off my heels, and sank into the sofa just as Cassian entered with a tray.

He’s the only one allowed to serve me, more like the only human I trust and honestly, I don’t trust humans. He dropped the plates on the table, and began announcing what I was going to have . “For entrée,” he began, his voice sounding a bit dramatic, “we have steak with risotto on the side. If you’re feeling indulgent, we also have lobster surf and turf. And for dessert, a salted caramel chocolate cake. And to drink, water, which is very important, then your personal favorite the 1947 Chevalier Blanc.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as i clapped mockingly. “Do you have to be this dramatic every time you bring me food, Cassian? You know at this rate, it’ll be cold and stale before you finish your little presentation.”

His grin widened, wicked and boyish at once. “Well, I like to think of you as the queen. Plus you’re my priority, after all, and I have to make sure you’re happy and comfortable.”

“Then perhaps you should start by letting me eat before I actually starve,” I said dryly.

He chuckled. “As you wish.” He bowed slightly and left the room.

I shook my head, smiling to myself. Silly Cassian. He’s the only one who isn’t afraid of me. Or maybe he is, and he’s just better at hiding it. He treats me differently from most men I’ve met, and although I’d never admit it aloud, I don’t entirely hate it. But still, I don’t hesitate to put him in his place when necessary.

I began eating slowly, savoring every bite. I don’t rush my meals. Real food, is a luxury I rarely allow myself to have. And tonight, it might take a while for me to finish up as I occasionally glanced between my plate and the files scattered across the table.

Then I heard it, a commotion outside. People were arguing, raised voices, constant bickering.

Before I could make sense of it, the door bursted open.

Lucien.

I exhaled sharply, not even surprised. “Of course,” I muttered under my breath.

One of my staff followed him in, flustered and pale. “I’m so sorry, ma’am,” she stammered. “I tried to stop him, but he insisted he wanted this room—”

I raised my hand, cutting her off. “Shut up. I’m not interested in hearing your lazy ass excuses. Get out.”

Her eyes widened. She bowed quickly and left.

Lucien stood there grinning, like a man who knew exactly how much he annoyed me.

Before I could speak, Cassian stormed in, grabbing Lucien by the collar and shoving him back. “You can’t just barge in here,” he growled. “My apologies, ma’am, I’ll get him out of here immediately—”

“Cassian,” I interrupted calmly. “Let him go.”

He hesitated, confusion flickering across his face. “But—”

“He’s not worth the headache. And also, he’s a VIP, so he should be treated as one. Meanwhile he’s a business partner so I can handle him.” My tone gave room for no argument.

Cassian’s jaw tensed. He looked at Lucien like he wanted to tear him apart, but eventually released him and backed away.

“If he causes any trouble—”

“I’ll deal with it. You can go” I said firmly.

He lingered for a moment, then turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Lucien smoothed his collar, unbothered. “Well, that was dramatic,” he said lightly, taking the seat across from me.

I didn’t respond. I just went back to my meal, pretending he didn’t exist.

“Lovely place you’ve got here,” he added after a moment, then reached forward and, to my disgust, took a slice of my dessert.

I froze mid-bite. “Do you have a death wish?” I asked, my tone deceptively calm.

He smirked. “Relax princess. I’m not here to start a war with you. I was just curious.”

“Curious enough to trespass?” I arched my brow. “Or are you stalking me? I’m certain a man like you, has better things to do.”

He chuckled. It was a low sound that crawled under my skin. “If stalking you gets me your attention, I wouldn’t mind doing it more.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re insufferable.”

“Perhaps I am,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But I’m here for the same reason everyone else is, and that’s to have fun. I wanted this particular room, that’s all. So when I was told it was being occupied, I had to see who was occupying it.”

I set my fork down and stared at him. “You’re unbelievable. You can’t just disturb the peace of others, because you want attention, Lucien. You’re not the only one spending money here, we all are and being a jerk about it, doesn’t make it better .”

He tilted his head, studying me. “I guess you must be kind of a big deal here,” he said finally. “Seeing as the staff nearly fell on their knees while trying to please you.”

“They are just doing their job,” I said coolly. “They have to make sure that the customers are happy and satisfied. That’s how every business works. You, of all people should know that much. So it’s not a big deal.”

He smirked but said nothing. Then without warning, he leaned forward, placed his elbows on the table, as his eyes locked mine.

For a moment, the air shifted. The music outside dimmed into nothing, and the candlelight flickered as if it sensed something dark between us.

Then he whispered, “I finally know what you are.”