Aria's lips curved into a polite smile, though her eyes betrayed the storm behind it. A low, familiar whisper pressed at the back of her mind, curling like smoke, but she shoved it down and managed a steady, "Good evening, Elara."
Zara's fingers tightened around Aria's hand, which didn't go unnoticed by Elara. Her gaze flicked toward them for a moment, and her jaw stiffened before she forced a smile.
Just then, a woman stepped from behind Elara. Elara wrapped an arm around her waist, guiding her slightly closer, then turned back toward Aria with a slight smirk. The gesture was casual and effortless, but it made Aria's chest tighten.
"Hey," the woman said warmly, extending her hand. "I'm Lily Forst. I've heard a lot about you, Dr. Aria. Thank you for saving Jane last year."
Aria shook her hand, smiling politely but tightly. Her eyes couldn't stop flicking toward Elara's arm still around Lily's waist. A twist of jealousy, fear, and something sharper coiled in her chest.
Lily's brow furrowed, sensing the intensity, but before the moment could grow awkward, Jane's voice rang out: "And now, my fiancé!"
The crowd erupted in applause. Cheers and laughter swept through the hall as Ashley stepped in, drawing everyone's attention.
Zara leaned closer, tugging gently at Aria's arm. "Hey… what's wrong? Are you hearing the voice again?"
Aria turned toward her. Her eyes were sharp, wild at the edges. Zara's stomach knotted. She swallowed and forced a shaky smile. "Arin… you're… scary when you look like that."
"Then don't look," Aria snapped, brushing past without another word. She sank into a chair, posture stiff, fists pressing against her knees. Her gaze lowered, though every muscle in her body screamed tension.
Zara exhaled softly, murmuring to herself, "Jealous… yeah, that's it." She moved to sit beside Aria, careful to respect her space but close enough to be grounding.
Aria shifted slightly but didn't pull away. Her eyes flicked toward Elara again, catching subtle movements. The tilt of her head, the curve of her smile. Each tiny gesture tightened the coil in her chest.
Even as the party swirled around them, Aria remained seated, staring at her glass of whiskey. Zara huffed, glancing at her. "Hey… you're a doctor. And drinking?"
Aria's brow lifted, irritation flashing. "Shut up and go get a dance partner."
Zara frowned and glanced toward the dance floor, where couples moved smoothly to the music. "You know I'm not good at ballroom dancing," she said, normally, then looked back at Aria. Her brow raised, following Aria's gaze across the room.
Her lip twitched into a small smile, but she bit it back and whispered, "Elara and Lily… they look good, right?"
Aria's eyes snapped to her, daggers hidden behind a calm mask. Zara cleared her throat, sipped her water. "Aren't you… hearing the voice?"
Aria snapped, "Heck the voice."
Zara choked on water and turned fully toward Aria. Her eyes widened, and her hand trembled as she set the glass down. "Your… your eyes, Arin."
Aria's gaze stayed fixed on Elara. Red flares began at the edges of her irises, sharp and predatory. Zara's breath caught; she shook her gently. "Arin… control yourself. What's happening?"
Around them, the party continued, laughter and music filling the hall, oblivious to the storm in their corner. Zara stepped in front of Aria, blocking her view of Elara. "Get up. We're going home."
Aria's lips curved into a cruel smile, pupils fully red. "I warned her… she won't be able to save Elara. Now see."
Zara's jaw dropped. She stumbled back and clutched the chair for support. "You…"
Aria rose from her seat, teeth flashing in a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Her voice deepened, strange and unrecognizable. "Not Arin…"
Zara gasped and grabbed Aria's hand. Her grip was firm, but her chest tightened. She knew if the curse fully took Aria, there would be nothing she could do.
Still, she could try. She placed the other on Aria's forehead, murmuring under her breath. Some nearby guests glanced over but quickly returned to the party.
Aria struggled, trying to push Zara away, but Zara held on. Calmly, she pulled a small pin from her bag and pricked her own finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto Aria's hand. The moment it touched Aria's palm, she stumbled, a shiver running through her.
Zara removed her hand from Aria's forehead and wrapped her arms around Aria. "Arin… you can't be near Elara. We need to go now."
Aria sank into a chair, shaky. Zara handed her a glass of water. She sipped, eyes still unsteady. "What… happened?" She whispered.
Zara cupped her cheek, thumb brushing along her skin. Her voice was low but urgent. "She was trying to swallow you fully… take your place. We need to move. You need to go to the hospital now."
Aria ran a hand through her hair, struggling to calm herself, then stood. "We can't go. What will Jane think?"
Zara's jaw clenched, "You know what you're up against, Arin. This isn't safe..."
"I can go by myself," Aria interrupted, a bitter smile tugging at her lips as she rested a hand on Zara's shoulder. "Besides, I don't want to sit here and watch everyone show off."
Without waiting, she grabbed her phone and started toward the exit, unsteady but determined.
Zara murmured to herself, "Why does she have to suffer so much?" Her fists tightened at her sides for a moment as she glanced back at the dance floor. Elara was still laughing, spinning with Lily, completely carefree. A spark of anger flared in her chest, but she exhaled slowly to keep herself from storming over.
She knew she should follow Aria, but also knew that crowding her would make things worse. Space was the only way to keep her safe. So, she turned and started toward the washroom.
Elara was still on the dance floor with Lily, but kept glancing toward Zara and Aria. She noticed the tension, saw Aria storm off, and watched Zara head toward the washroom. Her brow furrowed, and she paused mid-step.
Lily glanced at her, puzzled, but Elara managed a small smile. "I need to see someone," she said.
Lily nodded, and Elara moved toward the main door, where Aria had disappeared. She jogged outside, scanning the area, but Aria was nowhere in sight.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, she walked around and, after a few minutes, finally spotted her. She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, and slowly walked toward her.
Aria was sitting on a bench, her shoulders shaking and her face buried in her palms. Soft sniffles broke the quiet of the night.
As Elara walked closer, the sound made her heart ache. She lowered herself onto the bench beside Aria, keeping just enough distance so she wouldn't startle her.
Aria didn't lift her hands. Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with every word. "Why is it always me, Zara?"
Elara's chest tightened, and her own eyes threatened to fill, but she stayed silent, letting Aria speak.
"I always end up losing everyone I love… and now…" Aria's voice cracked, "…it feels like I'll be the reason Elara dies."
Elara's eyes widened, breath catching in her throat. Hearing the raw desperation in Aria's voice twisted something deep in her chest. Without a word, she slid closer, gently wrapping her arm around Aria's shoulders.
Aria froze. This touch wasn't Zara's. Slowly, she pulled her hands away from her face and turned toward Elara. Her cheeks were wet with tears, and her lips trembled. Her eyes widened, and she tried to push Elara away, but Elara held her firmly, brushing a hand across her cheek to wipe away the tears.
"Arin…" Elara murmured softly.
Aria bit down on her bottom lip. That name from Elara was the final straw that broke the wall she had built around herself. She closed her eyes and let out a choked sob. For the first time, she allowed herself to break, releasing the tension she had been holding in for so long.
Elara held her tightly as tears soaked through her shirt. She rocked Aria gently, murmuring soft, grounding words that Aria didn't hear but could feel.
When Aria's cries finally subsided, Elara carefully pulled back just enough to frame her face between her hands. Her thumbs brushed lightly against Aria's cheeks, steadying her. "What's happening? Why… please… tell me," she whispered, voice strained with worry.
Aria sniffled, eyes red and glossy, and opened her mouth to speak. But just then, a voice called Elara's name. Both turned and saw that Lily was waving toward Elara.
Aria took a deep, irritated breath as her sadness was overshadowed by something she didn't want to recognize. She lightly pushed Elara away and rose from the bench. She didn't know what was twisting inside her, but Lily's presence here, following Elara outside, tangled her emotions into a knot.
Before Elara could stand or even speak, Aria's fingers twitched deliberately. She murmured under her breath, "Home," and snapped her fingers.
In an instant, the night swallowed her. The space where she had stood pulsed and then, nothing remained.
Elara's jaw dropped, her hands still hovering where Aria had been. "Did she just…" she whispered, voice barely audible, disbelief etched across her face.