Authors Note: I had to change the summary because it obviously wasn't as clear as it should have been. Sorry if it caused confusion! :)
Darien ran his fingertips over the emerald medallion. It had been a gift from his mother and ever since the day that he had received it, it was seldom removed. Sighing, he stared up from his place on the dirt, brown couch as Cassandra prepared for a night at the Dungeon. Most of the building had survived the fire although the rest was closed off for renovation. Her black jean pantsuit was tight and skimpy, not leaving much to the imagination. Tresses of gleaming, maroon hair poured down her back and he couldn't help but wonder what his father's excuse was for leaving her. She turned to him, a smirk dancing upon her flawless features. She had obviously felt his eyes on her.
"Are you sure you're not coming?"
He nodded in response. "I'm not very popular there".
She nodded, understanding. Ever since his little episode at the club, the Followers had been searching for him, curious as to his purpose and interest in their prince.
"I could help get them off your back"
He only laughed. "Don't bother". He rose to help her fit a raven collar across her slender neck, a crimson heart hanging from its chain. "They're the least of my concern".
She smiled a little before a slight haze of sorrow grew in her eyes. He sensed her apprehension. "What's the matter?"
"You're just like him, you know".
"Just like him?"
"Stanton", she whispered. When he didn't respond, she decided to continue. "Your eyes-"
"I have my mother's eyes", he spat, not meaning to sound so harsh. "We only share the color".
"Oh, Darien", she turned around before slipping her arms around his neck, an almost evil smile playing on her lips. "You're in denial".
He only pushed her away. "Go now. The night's waiting"
"The night is still young", she responded, still toying with him.
"Fine", he smirked. "I'll go". And leaving her in utter surprise, he picked up his jacket and headed for the door.
"Back to the end of the line", the masculine security guard glared down on him, daring him to retaliate. Darien only grinned and seeped into the man's mind. Humans were so easily deceived. It was almost pathetic. A look of confusion spread across the guard's face. "What was I doing?"
"You were letting me in", Darien reminded him.
"Oh… oh right", the man stammered, moving aside so that he could enter the club. Darien moved along, despite the screaming of angry teenagers who had unjustly witnessed his manipulative scheme. He glanced up at the stage to see the Vanessa dancing, a strange, but enticing melody flowing from her lips.
In the depths of your shadow glows an eternal light
He stopped to listen to her words, so steadily pulling him in, as a tiger stalks its prey.
There's a key to my fire only you can ignite
He felt a presence behind him.
My demon lover
A hand took him by the shoulder, sending him out of his trance. He immediately flinched, his eyes widening. He cursed when he saw who had confronted him.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Stanton asked, staring as the words so smoothly flowed from Vanessa's lips. "The story of a darker love".
"Your story, I presume?"
The man nodded.
"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"
Stanton chuckled a little before changing the subject. "I see you had no trouble getting in".
"Only following your example", he shot back. "I thought it was clear. We're enemies now".
Stanton gazed at him. Was that regret in his eyes? "I know", he sighed. "But I would hate to destroy you".
Darien cocked an eyebrow.
"Again", he added. Then before they could further their conversation, Serena, Vanessa, and two other girls walked over.
"So how'd I do?" Vanessa asked the others, enthusiastically.
"You did great", Darien intervened. They all looked up to stare at him, curiosity in their eyes. Serena turned to Stanton.
"You never introduced me to your friend".
"We're not friends", Darien immediately countered. He looked on at both of them. They were now having some kind of mental conversation. Serena was obviously annoyed. He sneered as Stanton's eyebrows furrowed. Was it possible that something could make his highness sweat? This was surely nothing that he had ever witnessed before.
"Are you new here?" The girl with dark, long hair asked from his side, a huge smile covering his face. "What's you're name, stranger?"
"Darien", he responded, taking his eyes off of Stanton. "Darien Weiss".
"I'm Catty", she held out her hand and he reluctantly took it. She turned to the bickering couple. "Don't mind it. There's always something with them".
The hungry look lit his eyes again. "Perhaps you could tell me more about it". He grinned charmingly, creeping slowly into her mind in attempt to make her more agreeable.
"Well, he's only risked his life for her a thousand times-"
"Chica", the raven haired girl interrupted. "Don't you think you're talking a little bit too much?"
"Oh", Catty shook her head before turning away from him. "Sorry. I don't know what got into me". She patted him on the shoulder. "I'll talk to you later". With that she grabbed Vanessa by the arm and dashed off onto the dance floor, their bodies moving with the rhythm of fast paced techno music. Darien turned back to Stanton and Serena, who were now in each other's arms staring at him, a look of fierce accusation in their eyes. He had apparently told her what she wanted to know.
Love? He thought to himself as he went over the information that Catty had just entrusted in him. A smirk crossed his face as he watched him slide an arm around her. So gentle. So protective. Possibly.
"Later", he waved and started the other way, and before they could stop him, he was out of the EXIT door. What he wanted to do, he couldn't do there. He would wait until tomorrow. Then she'd be alone.
The music room was small in width with an incredibly high ceiling. The morning sun streamed in, immersing the newly painted chair stands in a bright illumination. He watched as Serena glanced up to admire the radiant glow of the sun, although her true love was for the moon and the shadows in the night. She slowly bent down to reach her cello when he stepped into the room.
"Serena", he greeted her. She only stepped back, alarmed by his presence.
"What are you doing here?" She spoke venomously.
"I wanted to talk to you". She turned to run the opposite way, but he only blocked her path. "Because I don't want to hurt you". She sighed exasperatedly and rushed the other way, only to be stopped. "But you're leaving me no choice". And before she could make her move, he took her by the wrists and flung her against the wall, holding her in place. She wriggled and thrashed around in an effortless attempt to escape, but it was no use. Finally realizing that she wouldn't get loose if she didn't stop struggling, she let herself fall limp and just glared at him with those forest green eyes. She shifted her weight a bit and turned to the side. If they had been any closer, he would be smothering her.
"This isn't very comfortable for me", he spoke in mock irritation. "Is it for you?"
She only continued to glare.
"Will you listen now?"
She paused a while before nodding. Then gradually he backed away from her, still keeping her in close range so that she could not escape.
"I need you to break up with Stanton"
"What?" She spat.
"Shh", he put a finger to her lips. "It's for your own good".
"What does your revenge on Stanton have to do with me?"
He laughed. "It has everything to do with you as you're obviously the only thing he gives a damn about anymore".
Her eyes widened: Astonishment that she could be the force that would lead to her lover's downfall.
"Now I'm giving you a chance to survive".
She looked up: Hope that she could save a doomed relationship.
"You can either break it off now and save yourself, or I'll do it. And believe me Serena, when you fall, you'll fall hard".
She shook her head. "Never": Stubborn faith that their love was inevitable.
He was growing frustrated now. "I'm offering you mercy on a silver platter. Why won't you take it?"
A death glare warped into her features and without hesitation her eyes scorched into his.
"I'd sooner die". Then, daring him to stop her, she fled from the room. He wouldn't interfere. He had asked for an answer and she had given it. From the outside of the door, he could see her rushing away, her emerald green eyes flaming: Foolish determination that existed only in a star crossed lover's heart.