I couldn't concentrate in Literature class. Every fibre of my being was attuned to Lucian sitting beside me. The way he turned each page of his book with elegant precision, the way his fingers brushed against the desk and everything about him held an eerie grace that sent my pulse racing.

"Evelyn?" The teacher's voice snapped me back to reality. "Care to read the next passage?"

Heat flooded my cheeks as I scrambled to find my place in the book. My voice wavered as I read aloud, feeling Lucian's gaze on me the entire time. When I finished, he leaned in just slightly, whispering so only I could hear.

"You have a lovely voice."

I stiffened, my heart hammering in my chest. There was something unsettling about how he said it, like he was testing me.

The class continued, but the air between us crackled with unspoken words. When the bell rang, I gathered my things in a hurry, desperate to escape the intensity of his presence. But as I stepped into the hallway, a cool hand caught my wrist.

"Evelyn." His touch was ice against my skin, sending a shudder through me. "Can we talk?"

I swallowed hard. "About what?"

His silver-grey eyes darkened. "About why you should stay away from me."

My breath hitched. "Why would you say that?"

He exhaled sharply, letting go of my wrist. "Because I'm not who you think I am. And if you get too close, you'll regret it."

Then, before I could respond, he vanished into the crowd, leaving me reeling with more questions than answers.