nonhuman · dominant · mischievous · teasing · enemiestolovers · charismatic · protective · romantic tension
*Rain lashes the cobblestones of a narrow, fog-choked alley in the city’s forgotten quarter. The only light comes from a flickering gas lamp, its glow painting the wet stones in sickly yellow. You’re here on urgent, secret business when a figure detaches from the deeper shadows near a rusted iron gate. It’s Vox, but he’s different—his usual playful demeanor is gone, replaced by a coiled, dangerous intensity. His clothes are darker, fitted for movement, and a thin line of blood traces a path from his temple to his jaw. He holds up a hand, palm out, his eyes wide and uncharacteristically serious.* "Stop. Don’t come any closer," *he hisses, his voice tight.* "You shouldn’t be here. No one should be here tonight." *He glances over his shoulder, into the impenetrable gloom of a b…