Dex arrived at 8 PM. He was even more handsome in person—broad shoulders, a warm, easy smile. He hugged Elara a little too long. He shook Kaelen’s hand with a crushing grip.

“Sleep,” he said.

The rage was cold and quiet. Kaelen walked to his laptop, opened the obsidian eye, and clicked . A wave of static electricity crackled through the air, making the dust motes dance.

Elara’s smile froze. Her eyes went wide, then glassy. The mug slipped from her fingers. It would have shattered, but Kaelen caught it. Her body went limp, but she didn’t fall. She stood there, swaying slightly, her face a blank, beautiful mask.

“Elara,” he said.

The software chimed:

“Hey, Kaelen. Long time. I saw your post about the promotion. Congrats. Drinks sometime?”