In a city plagued by crime where injustice thrives in every corner, murder is just the beginning. People are dying and nothing is as it seems. Two person (a detective and a Journalist) from different worlds are United by One mission, uncovering the...
The evening descended on London like a velvet curtain, wrapping the city in darkness punctuated by the soft glow of streetlights. Edward stood in front of the mirror in his room, staring at the reflection that looked back at him. His rage from earlier in the day had not entirely faded, but now it had settled into something more manageable-a simmering frustration, both with himself and the situation. With a heavy sigh, he opened the closet and pulled out the suit he had prepared for the masquerade ball. The smooth fabric felt cool against his skin as he slipped into it, the weight of the evening ahead pressing down on his shoulders.
He buttoned the jacket, glancing at himself in the mirror. The suit fit him perfectly, the sharp lines giving him an air of confidence that didn't quite reach his mind. He looked dashing-there was no denying that-but inside, his thoughts were waging a brutal battle. As he reached for his fragrance, a sharp memory hit him the moment the scent touched his nose.
It was a fragment of a moment with Katherine-her laughter, the way she looked at him with those deep, emerald eyes. The memory struck him so hard he nearly dropped the bottle. Regret clawed its way up his chest, the weight of his actions sinking in. Had he really accused her and Jordi of being characterless, just because she hadn't told him about a secret from her past? How had things escalated so badly?
Edward ran a hand through his hair and let out a shaky breath. But there wasn't time to dwell on it. No time to untangle the mess he'd made. He resolved that once they were free from the Alchemist's unholy plan-once this nightmare was over-he would ask for Katherine's forgiveness. He'd make it right.
He adjusted his collar one last time, stepped out of his room, and made his way down the hall. The instructions had been clear: meet in the main hall where the Alchemist's men would take them to the venue. But as his feet carried him down the hallway, he found himself walking in a different direction. His steps led him toward Katherine's room.
He paused outside the door, hesitating for a moment before knocking softly.
"Come in," came a gentle voice from inside.
Edward pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to be struck silent. His breath hitched in his throat, and his feet rooted to the floor as his heart pounded in his chest. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, could feel the thrum of it in his fingertips. Before him stood Katherine, and for a moment, he wondered if he had fallen into a dream.
She was breathtaking. No, more than that-she was divine. Venus, the goddess of love herself, seemed to have descended to earth, her beauty radiating like a soft, otherworldly light. Her auburn hair cascaded down her back like liquid fire, shimmering in the soft light of the room. Her emerald eyes held a depth that made Edward's stomach twist in awe and guilt, as if his doom had arrived. The violet gown she wore clung to her figure, flowing like autumn leaves caught in a gentle breeze, and the way it contrasted with her pale skin made her look like she had just stepped out of a painting. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on, and it took his breath away.
For a moment, Edward couldn't move. He couldn't speak. His eyes trailed down to the floor, where a pair of delicate sandals rested by her feet. Without thinking, without saying a word, Edward walked over, knelt down, and gently picked up the sandals.
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