The room pulsed with an eerie silence, the kind that made every shadow seem alive, waiting to strike. Aanya’s pulse hammered in her ears, a beat that matched the tension crackling between her and Veer. He still stood protectively in front of her, his suit now streaked with black ichor and sweat glistening on his brow.

But in the brief moment of calm, Aanya couldn’t help but notice how the golden light danced on his jawline, making him look even more unfairly attractive. *Great,* she thought. *About to die, and I’m still distracted by this guy’s face.*

Veer turned to her, catching her staring, and one corner of his mouth quirked up in that maddening half-smile. “Enjoying the view?”

Aanya rolled her eyes, hoping he didn’t notice the blush creeping up her neck. “Yeah, totally. Who wouldn’t find a demon-slayer in a blood-splattered Armani suit *super* hot?”

“Noted,” Veer replied, stepping a little closer, his eyes locked on hers. His presence was magnetic, and even surrounded by darkness and horror, Aanya felt herself lean toward him. It was ridiculous, being drawn to him like this when their lives were on the line. But there it was—a moment that felt as fragile as the hope she clung to.

Then, without warning, a blood-curdling scream erupted from behind them. Aanya yelped and grabbed Veer’s arm, clutching it so hard she was sure she left nail marks. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest, and she whipped around, eyes wide. But there was nothing—just empty shadows.

“Okay,” she said, her voice shaking. “That was unnecessary. Like a bad horror movie jump scare. Seriously, do these demons *take acting lessons* or something?”

Veer’s lips twitched. “Maybe they just enjoy messing with you.”

“Oh, well, lucky me,” Aanya grumbled, still clutching his arm. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream, laugh, or pull him into a kiss just to feel something human in all this madness. But before she could sort out her tangled emotions, the shadows shifted again, and this time, they did not come to play.

A hand—a very human-looking one—burst out of the wall beside them, grabbing Aanya’s wrist. She screamed, instinct taking over as she kicked at the grotesque limb. It released her with a squelching sound, retreating back into the darkness, leaving a trail of thick, black ooze on her skin.

“Oh my god, *gross*!” she shrieked, wiping her wrist on Veer’s jacket. “I swear if I die here, I’m haunting you forever.”

“Fair,” Veer said, the humor in his voice doing little to hide the tension. But he gently reached for her hand, his fingers warm and grounding. “You okay?”

The world around them felt like it was spinning off its axis, but somehow, his touch steadied her. “I’m... okay-ish,” she managed, her voice softer, the fear and adrenaline tangling with something she couldn’t quite name. She looked up at him, and for a split second, it was just the two of them, lost in a moment that felt almost... romantic.

Then, Veer leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers. “I don’t want to lose you,” he whispered, and Aanya’s heart twisted, part fear and part longing. His breath was warm against her skin, and she closed her eyes, waiting, wanting—

*CRASH!*

A chandelier overhead shattered, sending shards of crystal and darkness raining down on them. Aanya and Veer jumped apart just as another creature oozed its way through the broken ceiling. It was monstrous, with too many eyes and a mouth that unhinged like a snake's, dripping with something *definitely not water*.

“Romantic mood ruined?” Veer asked, drawing his weapon.

“Completely,” Aanya replied, though she couldn’t stop the nervous laughter bubbling up. “Let’s kill this thing before it kills my will to ever kiss you.”

Veer’s grin was wolfish. “Deal.”

The creature lunged, and Veer moved to protect her, his blade slicing through the air. Aanya, no longer content to be just a damsel in distress, grabbed a fallen piece of crystal and aimed for one of the creature’s many eyes. “Take that, you slimy nightmare!”

The crystal pierced its target, and the monster screeched, recoiling. Aanya allowed herself a brief moment of triumph before the creature's shadowy tendrils began to close in on them again. She was about to panic when Veer grabbed her waist, pulling her close.

“This way,” he said, his voice urgent yet calm, and for a heartbeat, Aanya almost forgot the monsters and the shadows. Almost.

They made a break for the hallway, Aanya’s pulse still thundering, her mind racing. But as they ran, she couldn’t help but think: whatever was happening between her and Veer was as dangerous and electric as the horrors chasing them.

And for some inexplicable reason, she didn’t want it to end!

**Did you guys like it? I need a review 🤞**