I let my fingers stroke my dagger to calm my nerves, but the feeling of a looming threat persists. Alden comes over to me. "Relax," he murmurs, his voice low, just for me. His hand brushes mine, a fleeting touch that sends a jolt through my veins. "You're safe here. With me."
I nod, forcing a smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. "I know." He is my protector, but when I have had this feeling before, a dragon was near.
Later, as the band takes a break and the crowd thins, Alden suggests we step outside for some fresh air. We wander down a quieter street, the only sound the distant rumble of a streetcar and the occasional chirp of crickets. The night is warm, the humidity clinging to my skin like a second layer, making every breath feel heavy, intoxicating.
"You're still holding back," Alden says abruptly, his tone gentle but firm. His eyes search mine, and I feel stripped bare under his gaze. "Even tonight. Even with me."
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. The weight of his words presses down on me, a burden I can't shake. "It's hard not to, Alden. Every time I let my guard down, something happens. Someone tries to kill me, or I almost expose myself, or—"
"Or you remember that you're not just Layla," he finishes, his voice soft, almost a whisper. "You're the bearer of the black diamond. The target. The hunted."
I stop walking, turning to face him. The streetlight casts his features in shadow, but I can see the concern in his eyes, the lines of worry etched into his face. "It's exhausting," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "Pretending to be normal. Pretending to be human."
He steps closer, his hand brushing mine again, this time with purpose. His touch is warm, grounding. "You are human, Layla. And you're a dragon. And you're so much more than either. But you don't have to carry it all alone."
I look away, my throat tight with unshed tears. "I know. But it's not that simple. If I let go, even for a moment, someone could get hurt. Someone I care about."
"Like me?" he asks, his tone light but his eyes searching. His thumb strokes the back of my hand, a small, intimate gesture that sends shivers down my spine.
I meet his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes. Like you."
For a long moment, we just stand there, the weight of our unspoken words hanging between us like a storm cloud. Then, Alden smiles—a soft, sad smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "You're stronger than you think, Layla. Braver than you know. And you're not alone. Never forget that."
Before I can respond, he pulls me into a hug, his embrace warm and familiar. I close my eyes, letting myself sink into the comfort of it, the scent of sandalwood and smoke that clings to his clothes. For a fleeting moment, I allow myself to forget the diamond, the dragons, the fear. For a fleeting moment, I'm just Layla.
But as we pull apart, the world rushes back in. The distant sound of footsteps, the faint glow of a cigarette, the way Alden's eyes narrow, his body tensing like a coiled spring.
"What is it?" I ask, my hand instinctively going to my dagger. My heart pounds, a drumbeat of warning.
"I'm not sure," he says, his voice low, dangerous. "But something's off."
We stand there, frozen, as the night seems to hold its breath. And then, from the shadows, a figure emerges—tall, lean, with eyes that glow like embers in the dark. My blood runs cold, every instinct screaming at me to run, to fight, to survive.