Helios

Chapter 1

The silence of my apartment was almost suffocating. I lay sprawled on my couch, staring at the ceiling, watching as shadows played across the surface. The mundane had taken over my life. Day in and day out, it was always the same. Wake up, eat, wander aimlessly, sleep. Rinse and repeat. I had outgrown the predictability of my routine, the endless loop of boredom that seemed to stretch on without end.

I sighed heavily, my fingers drumming against the arm of the couch. I needed something—anything—to break the monotony. My phone buzzed on the table beside me, breaking the silence. I snatched it up, eager for a distraction.

"Jayce," I said, a hint of a smile tugging at my lips.

"Naomi, you sound so dead," Jayce's voice came through the speaker, laced with amusement. "What's up?"

"Bored," I said, stretching the word out. "I can't take another night of doing nothing. Got any plans?"

"Well, I was thinking of heading to this new club that just opened downtown. 'Eclipse.' You up for it?"

I swung my legs off the couch, my heart quickening at the thought. A night out sounded perfect. "Count me in. I need to get out of here before I lose my mind."

"Great! Meet me there at ten. And dress up, will you? It's supposed to be fancy."

"Fancy, got it," I replied, a hint of excitement creeping into my voice.

After hanging up, I headed to my closet, rifling through my clothes until I found a sleek black dress that clung to my curves in all the right places. I slipped it on and spent the next hour carefully applying my makeup, adding just enough to highlight my features. I studied my reflection in the mirror, satisfied with the result. A little mystery never hurt anyone.

As the clock neared ten, I grabbed my purse and made my way out the door, my heels clicking on the pavement as I headed to the club.

When I arrived, Eclipse was already alive with the thrumming beat of music and the pulse of neon lights. I spotted Jayce at the bar, waving me over with a grin. I slid onto the stool next to him, and he handed me a drink.

"Looking good, Naomi," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ready to let loose?"

"You have no idea," I replied, taking a sip of my drink. The alcohol warmed me, loosening the tension I hadn't realized I was carrying. I felt lighter, more alive, as if the night had imbued me with its energy.

The dance floor called to me, and I pulled Jayce toward it. We slipped into the throng of bodies moving to the beat, losing ourselves in the rhythm. The bass thumped through my veins, the music coursing through me like a drug.

As we danced, I noticed a man standing near the edge of the floor, his eyes locked on me. There was something about him that drew my attention. He was tall, his dark hair neat and kept. His gaze was intense, penetrating, and I felt a jolt of recognition that I couldn't quite place.

Drawn by an invisible force, I danced my way over to him, our bodies falling into sync as if we'd done this a thousand times before. He moved with a grace that was almost predatory, his eyes never leaving mine. The air between us crackled with electricity, and I felt a pull, a need, that I hadn't felt in years. The music around us seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the rhythm of our movements and the intensity of our gaze.

As we danced, it felt like time itself slowed down, each second stretching out as our connection deepened. The way he moved—fluid, yet commanding—sent shivers down my spine, reminding me of a distant memory I couldn't quite place. His presence was intoxicating, each touch igniting a fire within me that had long been dormant.