98. Under the Rhythm of Shadows

98. Under the Rhythm of Shadows
The main hall was taken by an electric energy, the kind of vibration that made until the enchanted stone walls pulsed according to the rhythm of the music. The lights danced between shades of violet and silver, reflecting in the suspended crystals as if each beam was a captured fragment of moonlight.
Morgana, already with an open smile, let the body follow the fast compass that echoed through space. She turned, firm and light steps at the same time, the skirt of her black dress following the movement like a whirlwind. Beside her, Lysara moved with an almost feline naturalness, the platinum hair releasing soft sparkles under the lights, as if she had threads made of pure moon.
"You dance better than I remember" provoked Morgana, turning Lysara by the hand.
"And you’re slower than I imagined," replied Lysara with a mischievous smile, pulling her back to herself in one swift movement, causing Morgana to lose her breath for an instant.
The laughter of the two mixed with the sound of music. Morgana liked the lightness she felt with Lysara, as if there was no pressure, competition or expectations. Only the moment, only the dance.
"I confess that it surprised me to call me here," said Morgana, leaning in to speak close to her friend’s ear because of the noise. " I thought I would spend the night leaning against a wall, analyzing everyone as you always do."
"I would," Lysara admitted, with a half smile. "But you seemed to need company... and I needed some fun."
"Mission accomplished." Morgana took a step back, watching Lysara from top to bottom. "I think this is the first time I see you really... letting go."
"Shapeshifters don’t let go." She looked her in the eye, a playful glow hiding something deeper. "But perhaps I have inspired myself."
Morgana raised her eyebrow, curious.
"Inspired by whom?"
"For you, wolf." Lysara blinked and danced again, leaving Morgana with a slightly bewildered smile.
The music changed to something even more accelerated, and the two began to improvise steps, almost competing to see who could better follow the rhythm. Lysara seemed made of movement, adapting to each beat as water molds to the container, while Morgana had the strength and presence of someone who masters any dance floor.
In a quieter moment of the melody, Morgana pulled her gently to the corner of the track, just to breathe a little.
"You know, sometimes I forget how good it is to be with someone who doesn’t judge me for... being too intense."
"Who said I don’t judge?" Lysara teased, laughing, but her eyes softened soon after. "Joke. I like its intensity. I like the way you live things as if every second matters."
"Because it matters" replied Morgana, almost too serious for the tone of the conversation.
Lysara looked at her for a moment, as if she was trying to read something beyond the words. Then she leaned slightly.
"No matter what is happening to you and... the others, remember that I am on your side. Always."
Morgana felt a heat wave in his chest with those words. Maybe it was the mood of the party, maybe it was the glow in Lysara’s purple eyes, but she could not help smiling genuinely.
"It’s good to hear that."
The music gained strength again, and Lysara extended her hand.
"One more?" she asked, challenging.
"You’ll never beat me." Morgana took the hand, returning to the track.
And so the two plunged again in dance, the world reduced to lights, laughter and fast steps, as if, at least for that night, there were no wars to fight, threats to fear or hearts to dispute.
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The vibrant music began to subside, giving way to a soft sound, loaded with low notes and a slow, almost hypnotic rhythm. The lights of the hall became warmer and deeper, painting the walls with gold and reddish tones. The track, before taken by fast steps, turned into an ocean of bodies that moved slowly, glued, guided by a sensual compass.
Pandora, who was watching the track with a glass in her hands, felt a familiar presence approaching from behind.
"Will you waste a song like that just by looking?" Raven’s voice sounded deep and velvety, almost a whisper against her ear.
The fairy turned, meeting the vampire’s intense eyes. A half smile formed on Pandora’s lips.
"I thought you weren’t the dancing type."
"With the right partner... everything changes." Raven reached out, not as an invitation, but as a silent command.
Pandora hesitated just a second before putting his hand on hers. Raven pulled her into the center of the track with a steady movement, placing one hand on the fairy’s waist and interlocking the fingers of the other. The touch was firm, but there was a silent reverence in it, as if Raven knew exactly what effect it had and used it without haste.
The first step made Pandora feel the vampire’s body move against hers, not in a hurry, but with the precision of someone who knows the language of music in their own blood.
"Are you trying to seduce me, teacher?" asked Pandora, arching an eyebrow, though her voice had more fun than accusation.
"Me?" Raven turned it slightly, keeping it close. "I’m just dancing... and enjoying the best view of the party."
Pandora’s heart accelerated. Their eyes caught as if the rest of the hall had disappeared. Raven approached, speaking softly, the voice so close that every word seemed to rub on the skin of the fairy.
"You know... sometimes when you’re around, I forget where we are. I forget who’s watching. I just see you."
Pandora’s breath became shorter. Her hand in Raven’s instinctively clenched.
"It will end up making people talk..." muttered Pandora, although she did not move away.
"Let them speak." Raven slipped the hand that was on her waist a little lower, not indecently, but bold enough to make Pandora hold her breath. " There is only this song... and us."
Pandora smiled from a corner, leaning so that her lips almost fell into the vampire’s ear.
"And what will you do when the song ends?"
"That..." Raven turned Pandora again, pulling her back in a way that made their bodies align perfectly "... is a problem for the next song."
The slow music seemed to have been made for them. The rocking of the bodies, the fixed gaze, the tension that grew every second... Pandora felt like she was trapped in a spell, and maybe she was. The way Raven drove it was hypnotic, mixing strength and care, control and delivery.
When the last note sounded, Raven did not release Pandora immediately. They stood there for a moment as if to prolong the spell.
"Thank you for the dance, teacher." said the fairy with a smile full of meaning.
"It was nothing, Pandora." Raven returned the smile, but her eyes... her eyes said it had been everything.