Shadows flitted across the south end of the city, where a looming warehouse stood. The exterior was originally painted over in black but became the target of creatively bored youths. One side of the building showcased the devil hovering amidst a group of fallen angels and humans alike, their faces contorted in a mixture of pain and pleasure.

A lone girl entered the warehouse, humming softly under her breath. She easily maneuvered the heavy door despite her petite size, closing softly behind her. Her nonchalant humming invaded the too quiet cavernous room as she headed directly towards the door at the opposite end. 

Before she could reach the door, she sensed a movement in the shadows in the corner of her eyes and smiled a predatory smile.

“Come out to play, Mikael?” She called out, before quickly concealing herself behind the closest metal column.

“I would play your game, if you let me.” A voice returned, with undertones of sensuality in the dark timbre of his voice.

Victoria suppressed the urge to shiver at the challenge in his voice and peered into the darkness, everything made clear as if it were day. She heard a light scurry to her right and she clicked her tongue. 

“You fight dirty, little boy. Why would I ever let you-“

She was cut off when a dark shadow moved impossibly fast and she was immediately pinned to the wall, her arms held above her head.

“How do you know I’m not playing with you right now?” He murmured into her ear, sliding his mouth down to her neck. 

He could smell the fresh blood she had taken, pulsating deliciously beneath the fragile skin. He opened his mouth, his tongue lightly flicked out at the base of her neck.

Victoria glanced at him with barely concealed rage as he continued his hold on her. His eyes danced dangerously, his mouth tugged at the corner in amusement and desire.

“Don’t.” She grit out, no longer amused.

“It’s no fun if you give up already.” It was his turn to cluck his tongue, deliberately releasing her slowly, his eyes still inviting her.

“Fuck you.” She spat, coldly brushing past him.

“Don’t tempt me.” He called after her, his voice filled with silent laughter. He watched her lithe body slip behind the door before exiting the warehouse.

A shadow removed itself from his right.

“Don’t mess with her. No one survives her wrath.” Julian quietly cautioned, throwing a light at him. He tucked his hands in the pocket of his worn jeans, his rock t-shirt a poor defense from the incoming winter.

Mikael shrugged, lighting a cigarette. “Who says I wanted to survive it?” A slow smile appeared again, recalling the sweet scent of her skin.

Julian remained passively staring ahead at the dark streets, uninterested in his comrade’s tirades.

“Did you hear about the girl?” He asked instead.

Mikael raised an eyebrow. There could only be one person the great Julian Roux would ever bother to break his usual cool silence to mention. 

“Where is she now?” His voice resumed a serious tone, the playfulness gone for now.

Julian shrugged, not bothering to brush the hair out of his eyes as they crossed the street. “If she’s smart, she’ll stay away from Kian.”