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" R osie?" My father approached cautiously, concern etched deep across his features. "Are you alright, sweetheart? What was that about?"

"I," I started, then stopped, unsure how to explain.

How could I tell my father that my date had almost transformed into his true demonic form in the middle of Stephany's engagement party?

That Roger had been seconds away from experiencing whatever supernatural punishment Aldaine had been about to unleash?

I settled for a half-truth. "Roger was being inappropriate. Aldaine stepped in." I rubbed my arm where Roger's fingers had dug in, sure there would be bruises tomorrow because it was bright red.

Dad's expression hardened. "Inappropriate how?"

Before I could answer, Stephany pushed her way forward, her face flushed with anger and something else, excitement, almost. As if she'd just discovered a particularly juicy piece of gossip .

"What the hell was that?" she demanded, eyes darting between me and the direction Aldaine had disappeared. "Your boyfriend just threatened my fiancé! And did you see, did anyone else see?"

"See what?" I challenged, lifting my chin defiantly.

Stephany faltered, clearly struggling to articulate what she thought she'd witnessed without sounding insane. "There was something wrong with his eyes. And how did he get over here so fast? He was clear across the lawn with Mr. Blackwood!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," coolly, looking at her though my heart hammered in my chest. "Maybe you've had too much champagne."

"Don't gaslight me, Rosie," Stephany hissed. "Something isn't right about him."

Jan appeared at her daughter's side, placing a restraining hand on her arm. "Stephany, that's enough. Where's Roger?"

"He went back to the house," someone in the crowd offered. "He looked pretty shaken up and drunk as hell.

Jan's eyes narrowed as she studied me. "What happened here?"

I took a deep breath. "Your future son-in-law cornered me, grabbed me hard enough to leave bruises, and said some pretty disgusting things. Aldaine intervened. That's all."

Dad's face darkened with anger. "He put his hands on you?"

"Dad, please," I pleaded, suddenly exhausted. The last thing I wanted was for this to escalate further. "I just, please, I need to find Aldaine."

The crowd was still watching, still murmuring, some guests not even bothering to hide their fascination with the unfolding drama.

Phones were still out, probably capturing my humiliation for posterity.

This was exactly what I'd hoped to avoid by coming with Aldaine in the first place, becoming the center of unwanted attention, the family disappointment, and causing scenes.

"Of course," Dad his voice gentled. "Go. We'll talk later."

Jan looked like she wanted to object but held her tongue. Stephany just stared, her expression calculating as I pushed past them and headed in the direction Aldaine had gone.

The fairy lights overhead seemed to mock me with their cheerful glow as I searched through the crowd, ignoring the curious glances and hushed comments that followed in my wake.

Where would he have gone? Back to our room?

Out to the car? Or somewhere else entirely, using whatever demonic abilities he possessed to simply vanish from the estate?

The thought sent a fresh wave of panic through me. He wouldn't just leave me here, would he? After everything we'd shared?

But his final words echoed in my mind: "I'm not good."

It wasn't just what he'd said, but how he'd said it with such finality, such conviction. As if he'd been trying to convince himself as much as me.

I'd seen the moment he shut down, built those walls back up, and retreated behind that cold, untouchable facade. I recognized it because I'd done the same thing countless times in my life, pulling away before someone else could hurt me, protecting myself by being the one to end things first.

But Aldaine hadn't been protecting himself. He'd been protecting me. From himself.