The lake house buzzed with life as music pulsed through the warm night air, shaking the wooden porch with every beat. Fairy lights zigzagged overhead, casting a golden glow across the crowd that spilled from the house to the backyard. Kegs were tapped, red cups passed hand to hand, and the air was thick with smoke, laughter, and the scent of summer nights turned wild.
Scarlet stood in the center of it all-glowing.
Her birthday.
She didn't need a cake or a chorus of "Happy Birthday" to feel it. She felt it in the way people turned when she passed, in the way the lights seemed to burn brighter around her, in the way the night curled toward her like it knew she was its queen.
Ana looped an arm through hers, drink in hand. "You really outdid yourself this year."
Scarlet smirked. "Lucia would have a heart attack if she saw all this beer."
"Good thing she thinks we're at a study retreat," Ana said, sipping from her cup. "Besides, what's a twenty-third birthday without mild property damage and at least one emotional breakdown?"
"You're just hoping for the emotional breakdown."
Ana grinned. "It is tradition."
The lake shimmered in the distance, reflecting the string lights and moonlight in fractured gold. Music thumped from speakers set up on the deck, and a bonfire crackled just beyond, surrounded by a swarm of students dancing, flirting, or passing around a bottle of something probably illegal.
Scarlet's dress was short, clingy, and very much Brett's favorite color-deep cobalt blue. The fabric hugged her curves and shimmered with every movement. Her hair was curled, falling over her shoulders, her eyes rimmed in smoky silver shadow.
She was radiant-and she knew it.
"Happy birthday, Captain!" someone called from across the lawn. A few cheers followed as they raised their cups.
Brett Blackwood appeared beside her, two drinks in hand. "For the birthday girl," he said, handing her one.
She took it with a sly smile. "Flirting and bartending? Is there anything you don't do?"
"Laundry," he said. "And subtlety. I'm terrible at both."
Scarlet laughed, sipping the drink-it burned, sweet and strong. "What is this?"
"Liquid courage. You'll need it."
"For?"
He gestured toward the gathering crowd near the fire pit. "Truth or Dare. Drinking rules. You're up next."
She groaned but let him lead her anyway. His hand found the small of her back, resting there like it belonged.
Students hollered and made space as Scarlet and Brett joined the circle. Reenie, already flushed and laughing, held the bottle in the center, ready to spin.
"Look who finally decided to grace us," she said, slurring just slightly. "Birthday girl! You're up."
The bottle spun. Scarlet was dared to whisper something dirty into the ear of the person she found most attractive. With a slow smile, she leaned into Brett and whispered something that made him nearly choke on his drink.
------
Later, Brett was dared to strip off his shirt after losing a round of Never Have I Ever. The crowd whooped and cheered. Scarlet tried to play it cool-but her eyes definitely lingered.
Then came a round that changed the tone.
"Scarlet," Reenie slurred slightly, "I dare you to lick Brett's abs."
Laughter erupted, but all eyes turned on them.
Scarlet arched a brow. "That the best you've got?"
She rose to her knees in front of Brett, who leaned back slightly with a smirk, arms braced behind him. She leaned forward, slowly, her breath brushing over his stomach. And then she licked-slow and deliberate-along the edge of one perfect ab.
The crowd erupted in wild cheers.
Scarlet pulled back, a smug smile on her lips. Brett's mouth parted slightly, stunned and visibly affected.
"You okay?" she teased.
"Define okay," he breathed.
That moment changed everything.
Their dares got bolder, but the room got smaller. All Scarlet could feel was him. All Brett could see was her.
------
By the time the group began to wander back toward the porch and refuel on beer and chips, Scarlet tugged Brett's hand. "Come with me."
He followed without question.
She led him away from the noise, past the dock and down toward the boathouse. The sounds of the party dulled behind them, replaced by the lapping of the lake and the hum of insects in the grass.
The moon hung low, a white coin in the sky. The stars had come out to witness whatever was about to unfold.
Inside the boathouse, it was quiet, dark but familiar. The old wooden floor creaked beneath their feet as Scarlet turned, her heart pounding.
"You clean up nice," Brett said softly, stepping closer. "But honestly, I think you'd look better out of that dress."
Scarlet tilted her head. "You're lucky I like bold."
He took a step closer. "And you're lucky I have some self-control."
"Just some?"
"Don't test me, birthday girl."
Their lips collided before she could say another word. It wasn't like the kiss in class. This one was rougher. Hungrier. His hands roamed her back, settling just beneath the hem of her dress. She tugged him closer, moaning into the kiss.
Her hands slid beneath his shirtless torso, exploring muscle and warmth. Brett's lips trailed down her jaw, to her neck, where he bit lightly-just enough to make her gasp.
They moved toward the old couch in the corner, half-covered with a tarp. Scarlet pulled the cloth away and Brett dropped down, pulling her into his lap.
They didn't go all the way-but they came close.
When they finally broke apart, breaths ragged, clothes rumpled, Scarlet leaned her forehead against his.
"You're dangerous," she whispered.
He smiled. "So are you."
Before anything else could happen, they heard a voice calling from outside-Ana, breathless and alarmed.
"Scarlet! Reenie needs help!"
Scarlet stood instantly, smoothing her dress. "Come on."
-------
They found Reenie by the dock, trembling, her eyes glowing a sickly amber. Her skin glistened with sweat, and her breaths came shallow and sharp.
"Shift's trying to break through," Ana said quickly. "She's fighting it, but she's losing."
Reenie's jaw clenched as she dropped to her knees, trying not to howl. "Too many people... I can't... I can't stop it!"
Scarlet knelt beside her. "You're safe. We've got you."
"She needs grounding," Ana said. "Scar, use your aura-she responds to it."
Scarlet pressed her palm to Reenie's chest, summoning the enchantress power in her blood, wrapping it around her voice like silk.
"You're not alone," she whispered. "Breathe with me. Feel the ground beneath you. You're stronger than this."
Reenie whimpered, but her heartbeat began to slow.
Ana joined her on the other side, whispering spells in Old Tongue. Brett stood watch behind them, eyes darting for anyone who might wander too close.
After a tense few minutes, Reenie's glowing eyes dimmed. She collapsed into Scarlet's arms, shaking.
"You did good," Scarlet whispered. "You didn't lose yourself."
"I'm sorry," Reenie mumbled. "I didn't mean to ruin your birthday."
"You didn't," Scarlet said. "You reminded me why I fight. Why we're still here."
-------
The girls had taken Reenie home and by the time they got back, the party had dimmed.
Scarlet wandered back to the lake house alone, the hum of the night wrapping around her like a blanket. The house was quiet now, most of the guests either passed out or gone. Her bare feet padded softly across the wooden deck.
She curled up in one of the patio chairs, the stars wheeling lazily above her. The wind off the lake was cool against her skin. The drink buzz in her veins began to fade, leaving a softer ache behind-one she didn't have the words for.
Eventually, her eyes fluttered closed, and sleep pulled her under.
A shadow stepped onto the deck an hour later. Alec stood silently, his eyes landing on the curled figure of Scarlet, her curls tumbling over her shoulder, her legs folded beneath her. The moonlight painted her in silver.
He moved closer, kneeling beside her.
"You always did fall asleep in the strangest places," he whispered with a soft smile, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
She didn't stir.
He reached down and scooped her gently into his arms. She murmured something incoherent in her sleep and snuggled against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He carried her inside, careful not to make a sound. Once in one of the quiet guest rooms, he laid her down on the bed, pulling a blanket over her. His fingers lingered for a moment on the side of her face.
Then he bent down and whispered, barely audible:
"Happy birthday, Starling."
A soft kiss to her forehead-and he was gone, leaving only the scent of cedar and smoke behind.