friends on the other side

chapter five

The night of the ball had arrived, and Evelyn stood in the grand hall, surrounded by laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the shimmering lights reflecting off crystal chandeliers. She could hardly believe she was here, mingling with the wealthy and influential, wearing a dress finer than anything she had ever owned. But none of it mattered—none of it—compared to Lucy, who was just across the room, dressed in an elegant gown that seemed to glow in the candlelight.

Lucy was chatting animatedly with her friends, her laughter filling the room like music. And while Evelyn watched her, mesmerized, the tiny vial of Oscar's potion weighed heavily in her pocket. It felt almost like it was pulsing, urging her to act. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of why she'd gone to Oscar's shop in the first place, why she'd signed away her soul. This was what she wanted. She was sure of it.

In the next moment, Lucy's gaze flickered to her, and a slow smile spread across her lips. Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She could almost feel the magic stirring in the air as she made her way toward Lucy, her hand clutching the small vial in her pocket.

"Evelyn!" Lucy's voice was warm, welcoming, like an invitation to some secret world she had never been a part of until tonight. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Evelyn smiled back, feeling her nerves bubbling under the surface. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied, slipping the vial out as discreetly as she could. She quickly poured the shimmering liquid into the glass on the table beside them, handing it to Lucy. "Here, a toast? To new friends and unexpected nights."

Lucy's eyes sparkled as she took the glass, clinking it against Evelyn's. "To new friends." She took a long, slow sip, and Evelyn's heart hammered as she watched her, waiting, wondering.

Moments passed, and Lucy's expression shifted, her gaze softening as she looked at Evelyn. The air between them grew charged, almost electric. Lucy stepped closer, her eyes fixed on Evelyn with an intensity that bordered on hunger.

"You know, I've never met anyone quite like you, Evelyn," she murmured, her voice low and uncharacteristically intimate. "There's just...something about you. I don't want to be away from you. Not now...not ever."

Evelyn swallowed, feeling both excitement and an uneasy thrill at the intensity in Lucy's gaze. She hadn't expected it to work so quickly—or so completely.

Lucy moved even closer, reaching out to touch Evelyn's hand, her fingers brushing against her skin with a possessive warmth. "Come with me," she whispered, leaning in so close Evelyn could feel her breath against her ear. "Let's go somewhere...more private."

The suggestion sent a rush of conflicting emotions through Evelyn. She felt dizzy, uncertain, and yet... drawn in. Lucy's touch was magnetic, a pull she wasn't sure she wanted to resist. She found herself nodding, her heart racing as Lucy took her hand and led her through the crowd, past the bustling, laughing guests, and up the grand staircase.

When they reached Lucy's bedroom, Lucy shut the door behind them, her gaze never leaving Evelyn. She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Evelyn's waist, pulling her in with a desperation that was both thrilling and a little frightening. "I want you, Evelyn," she whispered, her voice filled with an almost manic intensity. "You're all I can think about."

Evelyn hesitated, feeling a thrill at Lucy's touch but also a nagging unease creeping up her spine. The potion had worked too well; Lucy's affection had become something more—something overwhelming, possessive. A small voice in the back of her mind warned her that this was no longer just a simple attraction.

But as Lucy's hands caressed her, her lips moving dangerously close, Evelyn's resolve weakened. She'd gone so far already. She'd signed her soul away for this. Maybe it was too late to turn back now.