Valentine didn't wait.
The moment the lockets separated, she turned and rushed toward the stairs, her heartbeat loud in her ears, her mind screaming only one thing—run.
She moved fast.
But not fast enough.
Before she could pass him—
his hand shot out.
He didn't even turn.
His fingers wrapped firmly around her wrist, stopping her mid-step and pulling her back in one sharp motion.
"—!"
Her breath hitched as her body was dragged slightly off balance, and before she could react, her back met the cold wall behind her.
Not hard—
but enough to stop her.
Completely.
Artavius stepped closer.
Now he turned.
Slowly.
His grip on her wrist didn't loosen.
His face was calm again—too calm.
But his eyes—
still sharp.
Still watching.
He leaned in just enough, his voice low, almost a whisper near her ear—
"So… you're trying to run past me…"
A pause.
A faint smirk barely touched his lips.
"…dumb."
Valentine's eyes widened instantly, shock replacing fear for a second.
"Hey!"
Her voice snapped back, sharp and offended, her free hand pushing lightly against his chest.
"Don't call me that!"
Her breathing was still uneven, but there was something else now—
attitude.
Fire.
She glared at him, even though her wrist was still in his hold.
"Let go of me!"
For a second—
he didn't.
His gaze stayed on her, steady, unreadable.
Like he was deciding something again.
But this time—
it wasn't distant.
It was right there.
Between them.
And for the first time in a long while, something shifted inside Artavius. A strange, unexplainable connection—like he had seen her before… somewhere he couldn't remember.🦋