The city didn't care what happened at midnight.
By morning, the streets were already buzzing again, cars honking, sunlight dripping through tall glass windows, and the scent of overpriced coffee floating up from the corner below.
Alexis sat on the edge of the guest bed, bare feet brushing the cold marble floor.
The velvet gown was folded over a chair. Her lipstick smudged faintly on the rim of a half-empty glass of water Ivy had left beside the bed. A quiet gesture.
Like always, her friend hadn't asked questions when Alexis stumbled in late just handed her water, pointed to pajamas, and disappeared back into her bedroom with a yawn and a wink.
Now everything felt unreal. Like it hadn't happened. Like she'd dreamed the whole damn thing.
The masked ball.
The man.
The kiss.
His hands in her hair. That voice in her ear.
"Tell me to stop."
She exhaled slowly, palms pressed to her knees.
She didn't even know his last name.
Just...Kai.
And yet her body still buzzed like he'd left a mark she couldn't see.
A knock echoed through the apartment.
Soft. Measured.
She stilled.
Ivy's bedroom door was still closed. It was too early for food delivery. And no one ever buzzed this early without a reason.
Alexis padded barefoot to the door, unsure why her heart was thumping.
She opened it halfway.
And froze.
There was no one there.
Just a box on the doorstep. Matte black. No logo. No label.
Cautiously, she picked it up and stepped back inside, locking the door.
She sat at the kitchen counter and lifted the lid.
Inside, nestled in black tissue, was a single glass vial.
No note.
No explanation.
Just deep red liquid that shimmered when it caught the light.
Her fingers hovered over it.
The color wasn't wine.
It was thicker.
Richer.
Wrong.
The knock came again.
But this time… it wasn't at the door.
It was at the window.
The seventeenth-floor window.
Alexis turned slowly.
And there he was.
Kai.
Leaning casually against the glass like he'd walked up the side of the building instead of taking the elevator like a normal human.
He smiled like the rules didn't apply to him.
And maybe, they didn't.
She didn't scream.
Didn't jump.
She just walked to the window, drew the curtain aside, and opened it.
Cool morning air poured in.
"You're early," she said.
Kai stepped in without asking, eyes flicking to the vial on the counter.
"You left something behind last night," he said.
"I don't remember carrying blood in my purse," she replied dryly.
His eyes met hers.
Unblinking.
Unapologetic.
"I want you to know what I am before you make a mistake."
She stared at him. And the space between them stretched thin.
"A vampire," she said softly.
It wasn't a question.
He didn't nod.
Didn't smirk.
He just said, "Yes."
She stepped closer.
"No fangs?"
"Not unless I want them."
"No mind control? Glamour?"
He smiled slightly. "No need. You already see me."
She held his gaze. Her heartbeat steady. Her voice, calmer than she felt.
"Do you kill people?"
"Not anymore."
"Do you drink from them?"
"Only when invited."
Another pause.
Alexis reached for the vial, held it up to the light, and set it down again.
Then she looked him straight in the eye.
"I'm not scared of you, Kai."
And that… that seemed to rattle him more than any scream would have.