Reina knew mirrors better than most.
She knew how to use them. To study herself. Perfect her smiles. Tilt her head just enough to catch the light in her eyes and the curve of her lips. Mirrors were tools. Weapons. Secrets.
And right now, she was using one.
She sat cross-legged on her silk-draped bed, the full-length mirror before her, framed in gold. A glass of red wine swirled in her left hand. Her right touched her throat. Light fingers. Soft skin.
Behind her, the door creaked open.
"You watch yourself too much," Cassia said, stepping in without knocking.
"Someone has to appreciate the view," Reina replied, not turning.
Cassia smirked. "I hear your new neighbor is stealing some of your audience."
Reina finally looked up, catching Cassia's reflection in the mirror. "Nox."
"Mm. Intense, isn't she?"
"She's invasive."
Cassia shrugged. "Or maybe you're just not used to being the most dangerous girl in the room."
That made Reina pause.
She stood slowly, letting her silk robe fall just enough to reveal the lace beneath.
"Let her try," Reina said. "I play games better than anyone."
Elsewhere, Nox stood barefoot in the library's restricted aisle.
No one knew how she got in. No one dared ask.
She read silently, fingers gliding down the old leather spine of a book titled "The Myth of Touch".
Every girl breaks differently, it read. Some with a kiss. Some with silence.
She smiled. Closed the book. Slipped it back. And vanished down the aisle.
Night fell. The game began.
A secret party, whispered and masked. Girls in silk and wine, laughter and lipstick.
Reina, of course, hosted it. Her domain.
She dressed in blood-red velvet. A choker around her throat. Perfume behind her ears. A devil's smile painted in crimson.
She spotted Aria across the room, dressed in black, hair up, eyes darting. Nervous. Out of place.
And then—
Nox arrived.
Wearing white.
The room seemed to hush. Music slowed. Eyes turned. But her gaze only sought one face.
Aria.
Reina saw it.
Felt it.
And hated it.
She moved.
Intercepted.
Glided across the room like a blade in heels. Wrapped an arm around Aria's waist.
"Careful," she whispered in her ear. "You're being hunted."
Aria looked at her, startled. "What?"
But Reina only smiled. Tight. Sharp. "Dance with me."
They moved to the music. Close. Too close.
Reina's hand slid down Aria's back. "She's playing you. Nox. You see that, don't you?"
Aria hesitated.
"I don't know what she's doing."
Reina leaned in, lips brushing her ear. "She wants to unravel you."
"And you?"
Reina's fingers tightened. "I want to see what's under all that control."
Across the room, Nox watched.
Expression unreadable.
Glass in hand. Smile slow.
She waited until the dance ended, and Reina stepped away, victorious.
Only then did Nox approach Aria.
"Having fun?" she asked softly.
Aria turned. Breath caught. Eyes wide.
"I—"
Nox raised a finger. Touched her lips.
"Don't answer. Just follow me."
She turned. Walked toward the balcony.
Aria hesitated.
And followed.
---
Outside, the moon bathed them in silver.
Nox turned slowly. Stepped close. Closer. Until Aria was against the cold stone railing.
"She touched you."
"Reina?"
"Mhm."
"Why does that matter to you?"
Nox leaned in. Her hand slid around Aria's waist. "Because you let her."
Aria stared at her. "You don't own me."
Nox's smile deepened. "No. But I know you want to be owned. Just a little."
Aria's breath hitched.
"You're insane," she whispered.
Nox brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. "And you're shaking."
---
Inside, Reina watched from the shadows.
Her wine glass cracked in her hand.
Cassia appeared beside her. "You're losing."
Reina turned slowly. "No."
She smiled.
"I'm just getting started."
---
That night, three girls didn't sleep.
One with desire. One with fury. One with a journal and a plan.