Chapter One
Kassie
“Wow, I can’t believe you set this up so fast!” Harlow stepped into my office-slash-bedroom and gazed around in amazement.
I moved in two days ago, but when you make most of your money online streaming, time is money.
Deep purple covered the walls, the fresh smell of paint still lingering.
I had my decor down to a science since I had been at this for so long. I moved everything from my last apartment to this townhome with my bestie, Harlow.
My bedroom and gamer office reflected me completely. The whole setup had a witchy-tech vibe. Fairy lights, tangled with purple neon strips, cast the perfect ambiance around my command center. A sleek black desk held a curved monitor, my custom mechanical keyboard with a color-shifting backlight, and the crown jewel—my PC tower with its purple LED heartbeat pulsing through tempered glass.
My plush black-and-purple gaming chair rested on a dark rug at my desk. Black lace curtains covered the windows.
The dark shelving around me told my entire story. Candles and crystals sat beside little bat figurines and vampire teeth replicas, creating a perfectly moody display. My collection of spicy novels lined up neatly along the shelves, right next to my capybara plushies—the ones I couldn’t resist buying because, honestly, they’re cute as shit.
Every piece added another layer of me to the space.
Mounted on the wall, my crescent moon shelf cradles tiny succulents nestled between colored potion bottles, all arranged beneath the smoldering gaze of Silas, a character from a game I couldn’t get enough of.
I draped every inch of the remaining wall space with black celestial tulle and woven fairy lights through it like stars.
Empty space made my skin crawl. I needed my surroundings as packed and layered as my thoughts.
The lighting was soft and flattering for streaming, creating a dreamy mix of witchy charm and gamer energy.
Fuck, it was the best.
I didn’t leave my bed out of the equation of my new room—no way!
It was a dark, princess fantasy.
It was a sleigh bed, wrapped in black leather. Luxurious velvet and satin bedding in midnight shades, piled with plush pillows, and a headboard with hidden surprises.
I sighed and rubbed my cheek.
Yet, no man to handle all these curves, and to try it out.
“It isn’t too dark, though, is it? I mean, you won’t get depressed?” Harlow stepped in, her bare feet sinking into the sparkly, lime-green rug on the floor. “Oh, pretty!”
I shook my head and hugged her from behind, my arms circling her waist. She let out a little laugh as her eyes followed the twinkling lights scattered across my ceiling.
“Nah, darkness is my old friend,” I hummed and walked over to the three monitors on my massive desk.
Behind me came the swish of Harlow's cottage core dress as she prepared for her own stream. Unlike my gaming setup, her channel featured her baking bread and sweets while wearing low-cut aprons and flirty outfits, chatting with viewers who came as much for her personality as her pastries.
Her fun, bubbly personality, the way she would knead the dough, got her enough subscribers to keep up with her stuffed animal collection and this townhome.
I don’t know why she wanted me here.
Harlow bounced on her toes while I dropped into my chair and jiggled my mouse. My triple monitors flickered awake, displaying the blood-soaked battle axe of my newest character. A half-demon, half-minotaur with purple hair that matched my walls.
“It was silly of me to think you hide in the darkness, when so obviously you are the light in here.” Harlow patted my head and placed a kiss on top of it.
I groaned and wiped it away, offended.
I swiveled in my chair, curling my fingers into claws. "Excuse you? This is a sanctuary of darkness. I literally hiss at the sun."
