Beyond the Gateways

Chapter 1: The Spark of Uncertainty

Ariana sat at the corner booth of the café, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup absentmindedly. It was an ordinary Thursday evening. The kind of night that seemed to stretch endlessly with no real promise of anything exciting. She'd agreed to this date out of sheer curiosity—or maybe because she was tired of the quiet, predictable routine she had been following for the past few months. Her gaze flickered to the clock on the wall, noting that she was right on time.

A blind date, set up through a dating app. Something about it felt almost... ridiculous.

Her phone buzzed once again with another message from him—Dorian. She hadn't heard much from him since their initial exchange, but his words always seemed to linger, like a whisper in her mind that she couldn't shake. His messages were playful, flirtatious.

"Can't wait to meet you, beautiful. Hope you're ready for an interesting evening."

Ariana snorted, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Interesting? She'd bet he was one of those charming, silver-tongued types who probably didn't take anything seriously. It was clear to her that he wasn't looking for anything more than a night out. But who was she to judge? After all, she wasn't exactly looking for a lifelong commitment either. She could handle a few hours of casual conversation with a stranger.

The door to the café opened with a soft jingle, and she looked up. He stepped in, his presence immediately commanding attention.

Dorian.

His appearance was... striking, to say the least. A tailored leather jacket, his dark hair a little longer than most, and eyes that held a hint of something mischievous, something that felt just a touch too sharp for a normal man. He scanned the room, and their eyes met across the café. His lips curled into a smile that was both confident and cocky.

Ariana straightened in her seat, trying to keep her expression neutral. Don't be impressed, she reminded herself. But damn, there was something about him—something that immediately put her on edge.

"Is this seat taken?" His voice was smooth, but there was an undertone to it that Ariana couldn't quite place.

"No," she replied, her voice steady.

He slid into the seat across from her, not bothering to ask for permission, a confident grin still playing on his lips. "Ariana, right? You look just like your pictures. A little more... guarded, though."

Her lips twitched. "I prefer to keep my guard up." She met his gaze directly, determined not to let his charm disarm her.

"Smart," he said, leaning back in his chair. "But that can be a little lonely, don't you think?"

Ariana raised an eyebrow, not impressed. "I don't mind being alone."

"Oh, I'm sure you don't. But everyone has their weak spot. Mine just happens to be a good challenge." His eyes gleamed, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was sizing her up, like she was some kind of puzzle he was trying to solve.

Ariana set her cup down a little harder than necessary. Something about his confidence—it rubbed her the wrong way. "I'm not interested in playing games, Dorian."

He smirked, leaning forward. "No games, I promise. But a little danger... now that sounds interesting, doesn't it?"

She froze, her heart skipping a beat. His words held a weight to them, and there was something in the air—something strange. The temperature in the room seemed to drop just slightly, though no one else seemed to notice. Her fingers tightened around her cup, her pulse quickening.

Dorian seemed to notice the change in her expression. "You feel it too, don't you? Something... off." His gaze never left hers, his voice taking on a darker tone. "You're not as ordinary as you seem."

Ariana felt a chill run down her spine. She was used to feeling like an outsider in the world she lived in, but this? This felt different. He knew something she didn't.

A low growl, almost imperceptible, seemed to echo in the distance, and she stiffened. She didn't know why she heard it or where it came from, but it chilled her to the bone.

"Are you hearing that?" she asked, voice tight.

Dorian's smirk faded for a split second, replaced by something far more intense—almost predatory. "I thought you'd be more in tune with your surroundings," he said, his tone dropping to a whisper.

Before she could respond, the Rune of Protection in her chest flared. Without thinking, her hand shot up in front of her—an instinct, a reflex. A faint, shimmering barrier of golden light pulsed into existence between them. Ariana blinked, her breath catching in her throat. What was that?

Dorian's lips parted slightly, but he masked his surprise with a chuckle. "Interesting," he murmured, his eyes glinting with something darker now. "Seems we're not entirely strangers after all."

Ariana pulled her hand back quickly, trying to compose herself. What was happening? The barrier had felt like it had come from her, but she hadn't known how or why it appeared. Was it magic? Her magic?

Her gaze met Dorian's again, and for the first time, she saw the truth behind his charming facade—a glimpse of something dangerous, something that hinted at more than just a random night out.

"I don't know what you're playing at, Dorian," Ariana said, her voice steady despite the racing thoughts in her mind. "But I don't trust you."

He leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly, a predatory glint still lingering in his expression. "That's the problem with you, Ariana. You trust too little. But trust me when I say... you'll need me."

She felt a ripple of unease, but she was no longer interested in backing down.

"No," she shot back, standing up abruptly. "I don't need you."

Just as she turned to leave, something in the air shifted again. A shadow flickered in the corner of her vision, as if something unseen was watching them from the shadows. A growl echoed again—closer this time, louder, unmistakable.

Ariana froze in place.

Dorian didn't move.

But something dark was coming.