Ariana's world is about to shatter.
When a chance encounter on a dating app leads her to Dorian, a charming yet mysterious man, she finds herself drawn into a world of magic she never knew existed. Sparks fly between them along with an undeniable te...
Ariana hadn't expected to see Dorian again so soon. After their conversation in the old library, she had returned home with more questions than answers, her mind whirling with the revelation that her world was far more complex than she had imagined. The mention of the Gateways and the Other Side had shaken her to her core, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable in ways she hadn't before.
But the strangest part? She hadn't felt alone in this. Despite Dorian's arrogance and cryptic words, he seemed to know things—things that only someone who understood this hidden world could know. For now, she needed him, even if she didn't like it.
It had been only a few days since their tense encounter in the library, and now they were walking side by side through a quiet alley, the city's usual noise a distant hum. The air felt heavy, just like the night she had first felt the dark energy. But this time, she knew what was out there, lurking just beyond sight.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," Ariana muttered under her breath, glancing at Dorian, who walked a few steps ahead of her, his posture annoyingly relaxed. "I should be in bed, not out here chasing after... whatever this is."
Dorian's lips curved into a half-smile, though his eyes remained focused on the shadows ahead. "You can turn back if you want. But we both know you won't."
She clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to snap at him. He wasn't wrong. Something had shifted inside her since the night of their date, something that called to her, tugging her toward the unknown. It was as if the Gateways themselves were pulling her closer.
"I still don't trust you," she said, her voice firm, though her steps quickened to match his pace.
"I'm not asking you to," Dorian replied, glancing at her with a brief flicker of amusement. "But I'm the only one who can help you right now. And you know it."
Ariana hated that he was right. She didn't want to rely on him, didn't want to feel like she was walking into this strange, magical world with someone who had their own agenda. But Dorian's knowledge was undeniable, and the way he had handled her magic—understanding it better than she did—made it clear she needed him.
"So, what exactly are we looking for?" she asked, trying to shake off the frustration simmering in her chest.
Dorian's expression grew more serious as he scanned the darkened street ahead. "Signs. Residual magic. We're close to a Gateway, but something's wrong. I've been sensing disturbances, like someone's trying to force their way through."
Ariana's heart skipped a beat. "Through to what?"
"The Other Side," Dorian replied, his voice low. "The place where all the magic comes from. And trust me, the things trying to break through aren't the type you want wandering around your world."
A shiver ran down Ariana's spine as they moved further into the shadows, the weight of his words pressing down on her. She had only just begun to grasp her connection to the Gateways, and now there was a threat she could barely comprehend. But even more unsettling was the fact that she didn't feel entirely afraid.
Because despite the danger, despite the uncertainty, there was a strange sense of belonging here—like this was where she was meant to be.
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