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I watch as she takes the drink, her hand a little unsteady as she brings the glass to her lips. She finishes it quicker than I expect; the liquid disappearing down her throat as if she’s trying to swallow her nerves along with it. Her eyes drift away from me, scanning the crowd, and I can feel the tension radiating off her. She’s wound up tight, unsure of what’s coming next. Perfect.

I plant myself beside her, letting my arm brush lightly against hers. She tenses at the contact, and I can’t help but smile behind my mask. There’s something so intoxicating about that mix of fear and curiosity in her—it’s a potent combination that makes this whole night even more exciting.

She turns to me, her eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to figure me out. “Are you Blade?” she asks, her voice a little bolder than I expected, though I can hear the uncertainty beneath it.

That makes me laugh, a low, amused sound that I can see catches her off guard. I point to my raven mask, the black feathers catching the dim light of the room. “Not quite,” I say, my voice laced with the kind of charm and confidence I know she’s drawn to. “The name’s Raven.”

She looks at me for a moment, her eyes searching mine through the mask, as if trying to decide if I’m telling the truth. But I can see the doubt slip away as she realizes I’m not the one she’s been waiting for. Still, she doesn’t pull back. If anything, she seems even more intrigued.

“I’m not Blade,” I continue, leaning in just a little closer, my voice dropping lower, more intimate. “But I can promise you this—I’m very much looking forward to getting to know you better.” I let the words hang between us, the implication clear. I can see the way her breath catches, the way her lips part slightly, as if she’s not sure how to respond.

There’s desire in my voice, and I know she hears it. But it’s not just about seduction—it’s about control, about showing her that while she might be searching for Blade, she’s going to find so much more. She’s here, she’s curious, and I can feel the spark of interest growing between us.

I place my hand on the small of her back, feeling the tension slowly drain from her shoulders as she relaxes, just a little. I can tell she’s still unsure, still trying to piece together the night ahead, but that’s part of the fun—watching her navigate the unknown, knowing we’re guiding her every step.

“Relax,” I breathe, my lips close to her ear, so only she can hear. “Tonight’s about letting go. Enjoy it.”

I feel her breath hitch slightly, and I know I’ve got her attention. But before she can fully settle into the moment, I lean in closer, letting my voice drop to a whisper, laced with playful challenge. “Why don’t you see if you can find Shadow… before Blade finds you?”

I pull back just enough to see the flicker of surprise in her eyes, followed by a spark of intrigue. I can tell she’s trying to figure out what that means, trying to decide if it’s a game she wants to play. But I know the answer already—she’s curious, drawn in by the mystery, by the thrill of the chase.

She looks at me, a question forming on her lips, but I just smile, giving her a slight nudge toward the crowd. “Go on,” I say, my voice low and encouraging. “See if you can find him. I’ll be watching. We all will be.”

With that, I step back, giving her space to move, to explore, to see if she’s up for the challenge. I know she’ll take the bait—it’s too tempting not to. The idea of finding Shadow before Blade catches up with her, of being hunted while she’s still trying to figure out the rules… it’s exactly the sort of thrill she came here for.

I watch as she hesitates for only a moment, then starts to move through the crowd, her eyes scanning the room with renewed purpose. A satisfied grin spreads across my face as I watch her go. This night is only just beginning, and I can’t wait to see how she handles what’s coming next.