The party passed in a blur. At least, it did for Lucy.
In reality, barely fifteen minutes had gone by.
Suddenly—
She reached up and touched the back of her neck.
Damp.
Her brows knitted together. "Weird..."
Her chest felt warm. As the seconds ticked by, it felt warmer.
"Lucy?"
Maya’s voice sounded oddly distant.
Lucy blinked. "Sorry... what did you say?"
"I asked if you’re okay."
Lucy forced a smile. "Yeah. I just..."
She frowned as she paused in her sentence. Why did it suddenly feel so hot?
Her pulse drummed against her ribs. The music seemed louder than before. Or was it just her?
She gulped. Even that simple action seemed like a difficult task.
"Actually..." She rubbed her temple. "I think I need some fresh air."
Maya immediately looked concerned. "Should I come with you?"
Lucy shook her head.
"No." She smiled reassuringly. "It’s probably just too stuffy in here."
Sasha glanced around the crowded lounge. "To be fair, it is packed."
Lucy nodded gratefully. "I’ll only be gone for a minute."
Without waiting for either of them to protest, she slipped into the hallway.
Lucy let out a sigh of relief as the door closed. She leaned against the door, closing her eyes as she tried to steady her breathing.
She tugged at her shirt as she felt the heat spread.
"I need to get out of here," she murmured, stumbling as she made her way forward.
Just as she reached the elevator, it slid open.
Lucy blinked once.
Then she blinked twice. Her lips parted as she stared at the person in the elevator.
"P-professor?" She called out, her voice laced with disbelief.
Kane cocked his head to the side as he observed Lucy.
Just as he was about to speak, Lucy swayed.
He was quick to step out of the elevator, catching her by wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Lucy?" He called out with a whisper.
Lucy grinned, then frowned. "Why are you double?"
Kane’s brows creased as he studied her. Her face was uncharacteristically red, fine beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her back was damp.
He held up two fingers as he asked. "How many fingers am I holding up, Lucy?" He Asked softly.
Lucy stared at his fingers and replied confidently, "six."
"Shit." He cursed under his breath. It was rare for him to let out a curse, but he did.
Steadying her, he walked back into the elevator, his arm still firmly around his waist.
"What are you doing here, Lucy?" He whispered, his lips accidentally brushing the tip of her ears.
Goosebumps slowly rose on her body as her throat turned dry.
"I’m here to attend a party," she answered honestly.
Kane caught the faint scent of alcohol. Not enough to make someone this disoriented.
His frown deepened.
"How many drinks did you have?" He asked again.
"I only had one..." she whispered. "Charles gave it to me..."
Her brows slowly drew together. "No..."
She looked up at Kane, panic creeping into her eyes.
"He... wouldn’t..."
The memory of his smile flashed through her mind. Her breath caught in her throat.
"He did something to my drink."
"Charles?" Kane’s eyed darkened.
"Yes," she admitted. "My roommate’s ex-boyfriend. I kind of confronted him. This must be his sick and twisted version of revenge."
Then, she let out a deep sigh. "I shouldn’t have let my guard down around him."
Kane’s arm around hers tightened unconsciously. "Trusting someone doesn’t excuse what he chose to do."
Lucy met his gaze, her throat tightening. She’d been blaming herself.
Somehow, he’d managed to take that burden away with just a few words.
The elevator doors slid open.
Lucy blinked back her tears as she looked out. "Where are we headed?"
Kane didn’t hesitate. "My apartment."
Lucy’s eyes widened. "W-what?"
"You need somewhere quiet," he replied calmly, guiding her out of the elevator. "You are in no condition to return to that party."
Lucy opened her mouth to argue. She really wanted to.
But her legs felt like jelly beneath her. The hallway stretched endlessly before her.
Or perhaps... she was imagining it.
Kane slowed his pace to match hers, his hold on her tightening anytime she stumbled.
"You can walk?"
Lucy nodded. "I think..."
He let go of her slightly as she took one step. Then another.
By the fourth, her knees threatened to buckle.
Kane caught her before she fell.
"I’ll take that as a no."
Before she could protest, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back.
The world tilted as Lucy let out a soft gasp.
"P-professor?"
"It’s Kane."
Lucy blinked as she registered his words. "Huh?"
"When we are outside the university..." His voice remained steady. "...you can call me Kane."
Lucy stared at him for a long time, before she finally gave in.
"Kane."
Hearing his name leave her lips did something strange to him.
Kane promptly ignored it. There was no use dwelling on his confusing feelings and thoughts.
Stopping before a dark wooden door, he shifted her weight slightly before entering the passcode.
The lock clicked and the door swung open as he stepped inside.
The apartment was quiet.
Lucy slowly looked around through heavy eyelids.
"It’s... beautiful..."
"Thank you."
He carried her toward the living room before gently setting her down on the sofa.
The moment he let go, she reached for him almost instinctively.
Her fingers wrapped around his sleeve.
"Don’t go..." She whimpered.
Kane froze.
Lucy didn’t seem to realize what she’d just done.
Her eyes were glazed. "I..."
She swallowed weakly. "I don’t feel so good."
For the first time that night... a flicker of genuine worry crossed Kane’s face.
Kane gently pried her fingers from his sleeve.
"You’re safe," he said quietly. "I’m not going anywhere."
Lucy’s grip loosened, but only slightly. Her breathing had grown uneven, each breath warmer than the last.
Kane crouched in front of her, searching her face. Something wasn’t right.
This wasn’t ordinary intoxication. This was more.
He reached for his phone without taking his eyes off her.
There was only one person he trusted to identify exactly what she’d been given.
As his thumb hovered over the contact, Lucy let out a soft whimper.
"Kane..."
His gaze snapped back to her.
Her eyes were half-lidded, unfocused.
"Please..."
She reached for him again.
"Help me..."