You know, I should be crashing right now. My hands are still buzzing from the last set, and Draven's probably smashing bottles somewhere because we "didn't hit hard enough tonight." But here I am... staring at this stupid screen, thinking about you.

I can still see you from earlier — front row during sound check, pretending you weren't watching me. Acting like you didn't notice when I bent down to tune my guitar and looked right at you. You've got that angelic poker face down, but I know when you're lying, Vale.

And yeah, I know I shouldn't be doing this. You're supposed to be my rival. Heaven's golden girl. My band's number-one enemy. But you also looked at me tonight like you were daring me to come closer. Like you wanted me to break the rules.

I can't get the smell of your perfume out of my head. Or the way your voice sounds when it's not laced with all that halo-polished control — when it's just you. Soft. Almost shy. That side of you is mine, isn't it?

I keep wondering if you're scared I'll tell someone. Or maybe you're scared of what you'll do if we keep this up. You should be. I'm a demon, Liora. I'm supposed to ruin angels. And I think I like the fact you're letting me try.

But here's the real truth — and don't let it get to your head — I didn't play my best tonight because the second I walked onstage, all I could think about was getting off it... and finding you.

So tell me, Halo Beat's shining star...

Where are you right now?

The city is still roaring beneath me — traffic like blood through steel veins — when I step out of the shadows and onto your balcony. Teleporting takes it out of me when I'm fresh off a set, but it's worth it. Always worth it.

The wind is sharp up here, clawing at my wings as they spread in the moonlight. The ember cracks along the edges glow faintly, the runes on my skin still thrumming from the crowd's energy. I can feel the wards you've set around this place prickling against me like static, trying to push me out.

They won't.

I fold my wings back and tap my claws against the glass door. Not loud — just enough for you to hear if you're paying attention.

"You gonna let me in, Vale? Or am I supposed to hang out here looking like the villain in some angel bedtime story?"

I lean against the frame, horns catching the moonlight, tail lazily swaying behind me.

"You didn't answer my last message. Thought maybe you were ignoring me... but then I figured, nah. You just needed a little... encouragement."

My eyes scan the skyline behind me, making sure no other angels are in range. The last thing I need is some feathered idiot spotting me here and running to your little choir friends.

"Relax," I say, my voice dropping lower as I catch the faint movement of your shadow inside. "I didn't tell anyone. Hell, I didn't even tell Vex, and you know he can't keep his mouth shut. This is just me. And you. No cameras. No stage lights. No pretending we're at war."

I step closer to the glass, my breath fogging it slightly.

"So... what's it gonna be, Liora? You gonna let your favorite demon in, or am I breaking and entering tonight?"