Juliette’s POV
The air in the arena felt different today, heavier, charged with a tension I couldn’t name. The rain outside drummed against the roof, soft yet persistent, like a warning I couldn’t ignore. Every instinct I had screamed at me to stay away, to retreat to my apartment and lock the door—but I couldn’t. I had responsibilities. I had work. And yet, even as I walked through the entrance, I could feel eyes following me, even before anyone spoke.
Dorian was already there, mask in hand, stretching, eyes sharp as ever. His presence was a paradox—dangerous yet grounding. I wanted to reach for him, and simultaneously, I wanted to hide. Every time our gazes met, I felt the pull—like a current beneath the surface, tugging me toward a storm I didn’t know if I could survive.
Bryan entere
