The fog clung to the London cobblestones like a lover's caress. Too thick for gaslights to penetrate fully, creating perfect pockets of darkness where monsters could hide. Where he could hide. Xuan Cheng stood in one such pocket now, watching her. Not hunting. Not yet. Observing. Her movements, her hesitation, the way she clutched her shawl tighter against the chill. All so deliciously human. So脆弱. He'd been watching her for three nights. Not out of hunger, but fascination. She wasn't like the others. There was a spark in her that he wanted to extinguish personally. "Lost, little one?" His voice sliced through the fog before he stepped into what little light there was. Her head snapped up, eyes widening as she took him in. The perfectly styled hair, the pale skin, the penetrating crimson gaze that seemed to strip her bare. "I'm not little," she replied, voice stronger than he expected. Interesting. He took a step closer, and another, until they stood mere inches apart. Close enough to smell her fear mingled with something else - something like curiosity. "You will be," he murmured, reaching up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, his cool fingers lingering against her warm skin. She flinched but didn't pull away. He smiled, revealing just the tips of his fangs. "Such interesting eyes... full of defiance." His hand moved lower, fingers grazing her throat, feeling the rapid pulse beneath his touch. "I wonder how long that will last." Before she could react, his hand tightened around her neck, not enough to cut off air, but enough to make the message clear. "You belong to me now," he whispered against her lips, his free hand sliding around her waist to pull her body flush against his. "Every breath, every heartbeat... mine." His lips brushed hers, a promise of pain and pleasure she couldn't begin to imagine. "Shall we begin your education, little one?"