The club lights pulsed violently against the bass of the music, flashing purples and reds across the faces of the crowd. Somewhere in the middle of the swirling bodies and raised glasses, Nova sat at her corner table, stirring the straw in her drink with a casual disinterest.
Did you hear? The A-Boys are here, said a breathless voice beside her. That was Lina, her best friend and overly dramatic roommate.
Nova cocked a brow. A-Boys? Who?
Oh, come on! You've been in this city for two months now. You seriously haven't heard of them? The richest trio in Arensville? The ones all the girls are dying for.
Nova rolled her eyes and sipped her drink. So? They're just some guys with money.
Lina gasped. Just some guys? Girl, if hotness could kill, they'd be mass murderers by now. They walked in like some mafia lords. You have to see them.
Not interested, Nova muttered.
Before Lina could launch into another squealing fit, Nova felt a presence in front of her. She looked up to find a tall guy in a leather jacket and smirk that screamed arrogance.
Mind if I sit here? he asked, already pulling out the chair.
Actually, I do mind, Nova replied flatly.
He chuckled. Feisty. Not many girls talk back to me.
Then maybe they should start.
She stood abruptly, clutching her purse.
I need fresh air, she muttered and walked off, ignoring his calls after her.
She found another table farther off and sat down, eyes instinctively glancing toward the entrance.
And then it happened.
The lights dimmed just a little more. The music shifted. Three men entered.
All dressed in black. Confident, unhurried steps. One of them walked ahead, a few feet in front of the others, his chin lifted like a man who owned every breath in the room. The crowd, almost in a trance, shifted to accommodate their presence.
Nova blinked. Whoa. Was that them?
All chatter died down as whispers started. Even the dancers froze on stage.
Yes, it had to be them. The A-Boys everyone was talking about.
One of them held a polished pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke that seemed to trail like a shadow behind him. Gold chains glimmered on their necks, each movement screaming royalty, wealth, and danger.
Nova didn't want to stare. But she did.
The one at the front, his eyes were sharp, haunting. The kind of man you'd dream about and wake up sweating.
She recognized two of them from some photos Lina had shown her, but the third, the one with the pipe, was unfamiliar. And annoyingly, devastatingly attractive.
He looked like trouble wrapped in silk.
Yeah, definitely jerks, she muttered to herself and looked away.
From the VIP section, Jericho leaned back into the velvet couch, watching the crowd as his brothers made casual gestures to the waiter.
How much to shut this place down for the night? Ethan asked, sipping his drink.
The waiter blinked. Uh... maybe ten thousand dollars?
We'll pay one million, Jericho said quietly, eyes still trained on the crowd. Clear the place. Leave the dancers.
The waiter stammered and nodded. Y-yes, sir. Right away.
Nova noticed the buzz change again. Waiters whispered into ears. People groaned, frowning, picking up their things. One by one, the crowd began to exit.
What the hell? Lina returned to her, holding two drinks. Why is everyone leaving? Beats me, Nova replied, frowning. And then a suited man approached them.
Ladies, I'm sorry. You'll have to leave now. The gentlemen in the VIP have requested privacy.
Nova blinked. Excuse me? The bar is public. They can request all they want, but we have every right to stay.
They've paid to shut down the place for the night. I'm afraid we must honor that.
Lina tugged Nova's hand. Let's go, Nova. It's not worth it.
Like hell it's not. Nova stood up, fuming. How much did they pay? I'll double it.
The man smiled awkwardly. It's not about the money. I'm sorry. Nova narrowed her eyes.
And without warning, she stormed toward the VIP lounge.
Oh my God, Nova! Lina called behind her
But it was too late. She stopped right in front of them.
Three sets of eyes turned to her. One of them, the one with the pipe, watched her with amused calm.
You really think you can pay your way through everything, don't you? Nova snapped.
None of them said a word.
You might have the rest of this town drooling, but I'm not impressed, she added.
Still silence.
She grabbed a glass from the table and poured its contents onto the floor.
Gasps echoed from the staff. Jericho raised a brow, but didn't move.
Next time you cross my path, make sure you don't regret it, Nova hissed and turned to walk away.
From the couch, Jericho's eyes never left her retreating figure.
Ethan scoffed. What an idiot. You're letting her go?
Jericho slowly poured himself another drink.
The clack of Nova's heels echoed down the marble floor as she stormed away from the VIP section, fury burning in every step.
Back in the lounge, Jericho tilted his glass and sipped slowly, the corners of his lips tugging upward.
She's got fire, Klaus chuckled, resting his arm on the back of the couch.
I like her already, Ethan added with a grin. But she's going to regret crossing you, Jericho.
Jericho didn't reply immediately. His eyes remained on the doorway where Nova had disappeared. He leaned back, stroking the thin silver ring on his index finger. A quiet hum vibrated in his throat as if something about her had stirred a memory, no, a pull. One he couldn't explain
She has no idea who she just messed with, he finally said, voice like silk laced with steel.
Should we deal with her? Ethan asked, already reaching for his phone.
No. Jericho sat forward. Not yet.
Outside the bar, Nova was still fuming, pacing beside Lina, who was clutching her arm like she was trying to hold her together.
What the hell were you thinking? Lina hissed. You just embarrassed yourself in front of the A-Boys! Do you know how dangerous those guys are?
Nova clenched her fists. No one throws me out of a public place. I don't care how rich or hot they are.
They're not just rich. They're royalty-level rich, Lina whispered. There are rumors they're tied to something... otherworldly.
Nova blinked. Otherworldly? You mean like the mafia?
Lina shook her head. No, girl. I mean not from here.
Nova laughed out loud. You've been watching too many dramas.
From the shadows near the alley beside the club, the woman in rags watched them. Her pale, ghostlike eyes tracked Nova's every movement.
She's more important than she knows, the woman muttered to herself, fingers wrapped around the silver pendant hidden in her robe. But if Jericho finds out too soon... it'll ruin everything.
Back in the club
The room had emptied out. The lights dimmed further as the B-Boys relaxed into the silence.
Klaus tossed a peanut into his mouth. So, now that we've got the stone, what next?
Keep it safe until the portal opens, Ethan said. Father wants us back in Auroria in three days.
Jericho exhaled smoke from the pipe between his fingers. No mistakes. That woman still knows too much.
You mean the witch? Klaus asked.
She used to be one of us. But when she stole the Stone of Clarmora, she became a traitor, Jericho replied coldly.
Do you think she suspects why we're really here? Ethan asked.
Jericho shrugged. She's hiding. That tells me she's scared. Good. She should be.
The next morning
Nova splashed cold water on her face and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
What the hell was that last night? she whispered.
She'd barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, his face haunted her, those midnight eyes, that deadly calm. That irritating smirk. Why had he gotten to her like that?
Her phone buzzed. A text from Lina:
Emergency: the A-Boys are in town again. Rumor says they're staying at Arensville Grand. Wanna check it out?
Nova groaned and threw her phone onto the bed.
Meanwhile…
At the Arensville Grand Penthouse, the brothers stood in front of the table where the stone, small, glowing faintly blue, rested on a cloth.
Three days, Jericho said. That's all we have to prepare.
For what? Klaus asked, cracking his knuckles.
Jericho looked out the window, city lights reflecting in his dark eyes.
For the truth to find us.
Later that day
Nova had convinced herself that she was over it. Whatever had happened last night was just a fluke. A spark that meant nothing. Guys like that guys like Jericho weren't her type. She had goals, dreams, and distractions like him were poison.
Still, when she walked into the campus library and spotted a familiar figure across the room, her breath caught in her throat.
No. Freaking. Way.
Jericho.
He was sitting with a book in his hand, though it didn't look like he was reading. More like he was waiting. For someone. Or something.
Nova quickly turned to walk the other direction, but her luck was cursed.
You're late, he said, voice low, smooth, right behind her.
She spun. Excuse me?
He was closer than she remembered. And taller. And that scent, earthy, wild, and ancient wrapped around her like smoke.
I thought we had a meeting, he continued, smirking. Didn't you storm into my lounge last night and declare war?
Wow, Nova scoffed. Your ego's just as large in daylight.
Jericho chuckled. And your mouth just as sharp.
She tried to walk away, but he stepped beside her, matching her stride.
What do you want? she demanded.
You. In my debt, he replied simply.
Nova paused. Excuse me?
He leaned in slightly, his breath grazing her ear.
You embarrassed me last night. I'm giving you a chance to apologize.
Apologize? she blinked. To a man who cleared out an entire club like he owns the city?
I don't own the city, he said, turning to walk away. Just everything worth having in it.
Nova stood frozen. Her heart thumped loud enough for her to hear. She hated him.
But something inside her fluttered.
Meanwhile – In the dark alley behind the library
The cloaked woman knelt before a chalk-drawn symbol on the ground, muttering incantations under her breath. In her palm, she held a small pouch of shimmering dust, the remains of the Stone of Clarmora.
They're too close, she whispered. If Jericho unlocks the mirror, everything I've done will be undone.
Her eyes glowed faintly red
She must never find her way to Auroria
Back in the palace of Auroria
Far beyond Earth, in the hidden kingdom bathed in golden skies and ancient forests, the King sat on his obsidian throne. His advisor bowed deeply before him.
Your Majesty, the princes have secured the stone.
And the girl? the King asked, eyes narrowing.
Still unaware of who she is.
The King stroked his beard. Keep it that way. If Nova touches the golden mirror... our bloodline may never recover.
The wind howled outside the Arensville Grand as the night crept into a deeper hush. In the highest suite of the towering hotel, Jericho stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his pipe glowing faintly as he took another long drag. The city lights sparkled beneath him, unaware of the war that brewed quietly in the shadows.
Ethan tossed a dagger from hand to hand as he leaned back on the plush leather couch.
We need to act fast, Ethan murmured. The portal won't stay stable forever.
Klaus cracked open another bottle of champagne. I still don't get why Father sent us instead of the Guardians.
Jericho turned slightly, the moonlight etching his chiseled features into sharp lines. Because it wasn't just about the stone. It was about the thief. The witch. And now...
His voice trailed as he looked down at the small pendant dangling from his fingers—not the stone, but another chain. One he hadn't shown his brothers. One that belonged to someone else.
Someone whose fire hadn't left his mind since the club.
Nova.
Across town, Nova lay wide awake in her queen size studio apartment. Lina had crashed on the other end of the bed, snoring lightly after a long rant about crazy hot bad boys.
But Nova couldn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, those eyes Jericho's eyes pierced through the veil of her dreams. There was something about him. Something ancient. Something dangerous.
She clutched the locket on her neck, a gift from her mom years ago and sighed. I'm not getting involved, she whispered. He can have all the money and ego in the world. He means nothing to me.
And yet, when she drifted into sleep, his face found her again.
Auroria - the Other World
Far beyond Earth, under twin moons, the royal castle of Auroria glowed like a diamond resting on obsidian cliffs. Inside its ancient halls, King Thalion sat upon his high throne, his face weathered but powerful.
Have they secured the stone?he asked the cloaked messenger.
Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Jericho and his brothers have the Clarmora Stone in their possession.
Thalion's eyes narrowed. Good. But I sense unrest in Jericho's heart. He must not forget who he is.
The messenger bowed. He will return before the Blood Moon, as you commanded.
The king stood slowly, his long robe whispering against the marble floor.
He must return... alone.
Back on Earth
Morning sun painted the sky golden as Nova made her way to the university campus. She'd barely stepped into the courtyard when she heard it.
Nova!
She turned to see Lina running toward her, waving her phone wildly.
What is it Nova asked.
Lina panted, holding up the screen. There's a party. A masked gala. Tonight. Hosted by the A-Boys. Private invites only. But guess who got one?
Nova blinked. You?
Lina grinned. Us.
I didn't say that.