“She started it.”
He smiled then. Quick and genuine. “Impressive legal argument.”
“I learned from the best.”
“You’ve known me four days.”
“Feels longer.”
His shoulders dropped, and for a second he looked younger. “It does.”
Neither spoke. Then the waiter appeared with the meat course, and Victor released her hand.
After dinner came dancing. Because of course demons waltzed.
Victor led her onto the floor with practiced ease, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers with formal precision.
“I don’t know how to waltz,” she whispered as other couples swirled around them.
“Follow my lead.” He pulled her closer. Close enough that his familiar scent surrounded her. “And try not to step on my feet.”
“No promises.”
But moving with Victor felt natural. Like her body already knew this rhythm, had been waiting for it. He guided her through the steps with subtle pressure, a shift of weight, the flex of fingers against her spine, small corrections that felt less like instruction and more like conversation.
“You’re a natural,” he said, low enough that only she could hear.
“You’re a good teacher.”
“I’ve had practice.”
“Centuries?”
“Give or take.”
She pulled back enough to see his face. “Do you ever get tired of it? The immortality thing?”
“Do you ever get tired of mortality?”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have.” His jaw worked, like he was biting back something he’d regret. “Eternity is all I know.”
They danced through two more songs before Lilith joined the floor, partnered with a demon whose black horns curved from his temples like a crown.
“Enjoying yourselves?” she called as they passed.
“Immensely,” Victor replied.
“Such a shame these things never last.” Lilith’s smile was sharp enough to cut. “Human lifespans are so limited.”
Ava felt Victor tense, but before he could respond, she spun them in the opposite direction.
“Don’t take the bait.”
“She’s testing boundaries.”
“Let her.” Ava met his eyes. “We know what’s real.”
