Crimson Ivy

Dangerous Invitations

By Friday night, Kylie Jonson had become the center of Blackthorn Academy’s universe.

Not because she wanted attention.

But because two of the most powerful boys in the school suddenly couldn’t stop circling her like predators fighting over territory.

And everyone noticed.

The whispers followed her everywhere.

In hallways.

In classrooms.

Across social media.

Even now, as Kylie walked through Blackthorn’s upper courtyard beneath the glow of golden evening lights, students openly stared.

“She’s the one.”

“Dante almost broke someone’s jaw for her.”

“No, Adrian threatened the school board because of those gossip posts.”

“Which one is she dating?”

Kylie kept walking.

If she murdered every gossiping rich kid in this school, there would be no students left by Monday.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

She opened it reluctantly.

Wear black tonight.

— D

Kylie rolled her eyes instantly.

Another notification appeared.

Ignore him.

Wear silver instead.

— Adrian

She stopped walking.

Then stared at the screen in disbelief.

Serena, beside her, nearly screamed laughing.

“Oh my god. They’re fighting over color coordination now.”

“They need psychological help.”

“They need you.”

Kylie shoved her phone into her blazer pocket.

“No. They need hobbies.”

Serena smirked knowingly.

“You still going tonight?”

Kylie sighed.

Everyone at Blackthorn knew about the annual Devereux Masquerade Gala.

A private elite party held inside the Devereux family estate every year.

Politicians.

Models.

Celebrity heirs.

Children of billionaires.

And apparently—

Kylie had received two separate invitations.

One personally delivered by Adrian.

The other thrown onto her desk by Dante with:

‘Come if you want to stop being bored.’

Serena linked arms with her dramatically.

“You have to go.”

“I hate parties.”

“You’re literally built for expensive drama.”

“Not helping.”

Serena grinned.

“Please. This is the most entertaining Blackthorn has been in years.”

—

9:42 PM

The Devereux Estate looked unreal.

Massive black gates opened toward a sprawling mansion glowing with gold lights against the night sky. Luxury cars lined the curved driveway while masked guests disappeared inside beneath chandeliers visible through enormous windows.

Classical music echoed faintly outside.

Kylie stepped out of the car slowly.

And silence followed.

Heads turned immediately.

Because Kylie Jonson wore black.

A long satin dress clung elegantly to her figure, the slit along her leg revealing just enough skin to become dangerous. Her dark hair spilled over one shoulder in soft waves while a silver-black masquerade mask hid part of her face.

Beautiful.

Deadly.

Untouchable.

Several boys openly stared.

Girls whispered instantly.

And from the top of the mansion steps—

Dante Reyes nearly forgot how to breathe.

“…Jesus.”

He stood beside the entrance in an expensive black suit he clearly hated wearing. His dark eyes dragged over Kylie slowly, intensely.

Possessively.

Kylie noticed immediately.

Unfortunately.

“You look uncomfortable,” she said as she approached.

“I am.”

“Because of the suit?”

“No.” Dante smirked slightly. “Because I just realized half the men in this house are staring at you.”

Kylie arched a brow.

“Sounds like a personal problem.”

“You make a lot of those.”

Before she could continue walking, Dante caught her wrist gently.

Not rough.

Not teasing.

Just enough to stop her.

“You came.”

Something about the way he said it felt dangerously sincere.

Kylie’s heartbeat betrayed her slightly.

“I was curious.”

Dante’s eyes darkened.

“That’s worse.”

Music drifted from inside the mansion as guests laughed and drank beneath crystal chandeliers.

Then suddenly—

The atmosphere shifted.

Kylie felt it before she saw him.

Adrian Devereux descended the staircase slowly like the party itself belonged to him.

Which, technically, it did.

Conversations lowered instantly.

Adrian wore an all-black tailored suit with silver detailing near the collar. A dark mask concealed part of his face, but it only made him look more intimidating.

Beautiful in the kind of way that made people nervous.

His gaze found Kylie immediately.

Then moved toward Dante’s hand still around her wrist.

The temperature dropped.

Dante noticed and smirked.

“Oh look,” he murmured. “Your other boyfriend’s here.”

Kylie elbowed him hard enough to make him laugh.

Adrian finally stopped in front of them.

“You’re late,” he told Kylie calmly.

“It’s a party, not a funeral.”

“That depends how the night goes.”

Dante barked out a laugh. “There he is.”

Adrian ignored him.

His eyes lowered briefly toward Kylie’s dress.

For the first time since meeting him—

He looked genuinely affected.

Like he forgot what he planned to say.

Then quietly:

“You wore black.”

Kylie crossed her arms slightly.

“I look terrible in silver.”

A tiny smile threatened at the corner of Adrian’s mouth.

Tiny.

But real.

Dante looked personally offended.

“Wait—you actually listened to him?”

“She ignored both of us,” Adrian corrected calmly. “Which somehow makes it worse.”

Kylie stared at both of them.

“You’re insane.”

“Probably,” Adrian said.

“Definitely,” Dante added.

And somehow—

For one terrifying second—

The three of them almost looked comfortable together.

Until a girl approached.

Tall.

Blonde.

Perfect.

Her arm slipped naturally around Adrian’s.

“Kiss me hello?” she purred.

The atmosphere shattered instantly.

Kylie’s expression cooled.

Adrian looked annoyed.

The girl finally noticed Kylie and Dante standing there.

“Oh.” Her smile sharpened. “You’re the new girl.”

Dante visibly disliked her already.

“Kylie,” the girl continued sweetly, “I’m Vivienne. Adrian and I have known each other for years.”

The implication was obvious.

Territory.

Claiming.

Kylie smiled politely.

“That must be exhausting for him.”

Dante choked on laughter.

Vivienne’s expression twitched.

Adrian smoothly removed her arm from him.

“We’re not together.”

“But—”

“We’ve never been together.”

Cold.

Final.

Vivienne looked humiliated.

And suddenly furious.

Her eyes flicked toward Kylie.

Then she smiled again.

Artificially.

“Well,” she said softly, “Blackthorn girls should be careful. Pretty things break first here.”

Kylie held her gaze calmly.

“Then it’s lucky I’m not fragile.”

Vivienne walked away before her anger became obvious.

Dante looked impressed.

“You really don’t fear anyone, huh?”

“I fear poor fashion choices and men who think motorcycles count as personalities.”

Dante clutched his chest dramatically.

“You wound me.”

Adrian’s eyes lingered on Kylie again.

Longer this time.

Like every second near her made something inside him unravel further.

Music swelled through the ballroom.

Couples moved elegantly across the marble floor beneath crystal lights.

Dante suddenly held out his hand toward Kylie.

“Dance with me.”

At the exact same moment—

Adrian quietly said:

“No. Dance with me instead.”

Silence.

Several nearby students openly stared now.

Kylie blinked once.

“You both realize I’m a person, right?”

“Obviously,” Dante said.

“That’s the problem,” Adrian added softly.

Her pulse skipped.

Dante smirked slightly.

“Choose.”

Kylie looked between them carefully.

Dante’s fire.

Adrian’s ice.

Chaos.

Control.

Both dangerous.

Both staring at her like she was becoming something addictive.

Kylie should’ve walked away.

Instead—

She stepped forward.

Straight between them.

Then continued toward the ballroom alone.

Over her shoulder, she said calmly:

“If either of you can behave for one song, maybe I’ll reconsider.”

Dante stared after her in disbelief.

Then laughed under his breath.

Adrian watched her disappear into the crowd.

Silent.

Focused.

Dangerously captivated.

And somewhere deep inside him—

Something else smiled again.

Something darker.

Something that whispered:

She chose neither.

Yet.