"Bottoms up, girl! Bottoms up!"

Maddison Frost didn't know who was pinching her nose and pouring alcohol down her throat. It was her first time drinking but, clearly, they didn't care. She was held, forced to gulp down what felt like barrels of liquor until her throat burned and her head spun.

Gathering every iota of strength she had left, she pushed out of the arms of the overenthusiastic party animal beside her, but it was too late. The alcohol was already hitting, it suddenly felt like the earth was tilting on its axis and throwing off her balance. She feebly shook her head, trying to pull herself together. The dizziness persisted, making her groan. This was bad. She had to sober up. Cautiously, she took a few steps through the crowd. She needed to get to the bathroom, a few splashes of cold water to the face would help.

A hand grabbed her arm, and a blurry but familiar face popped into Maddison's vision. "The graduation party isn't over, Mads! Where are you going?"

Even in her drunken blur, Maddison recognized that voice. Her cousin, Natalie Frost. She weakly held Natalie's hand.

"Nat, I don't... feel too good. I'll be in the bathroom; I need to wash my face. Slow down on the drinking while I'm gone."

Seeing that Maddison could barely walk straight, Natalie quickly stopped her, handing her a silver card. "Wait, take this. It's the key card for a room upstairs. Room 1606, go ahead and sleep it off."

Taking the card, Maddison nodded and made her way out of the party, trying and failing to walk straight. She felt as if a flame was burning inside her body and everything in front of her eyes was overlapping. Was this hell?

With groans of agony, she somehow made it to the sixteenth floor and staggered out of the elevator, making her way through the deserted hallway.

Thanks to the alcohol, she didn't notice the dark presence creeping up beside her until it was too late, and a clammy hand closed around her wrist.

"Hey, baby. You need some help?"

Trying to free her wrist, she looked up at the stranger and could faintly make out the man's face and his reptilian smile. A predator.

An annoyed sigh blew past her lips and she tugged her wrist away. "Get lost. Creep." Her body was heating up and she felt nauseous. This was awful.

A sickening chuckle reached her ears, and her wrist was captured again. "Come on now, baby, don't be stubborn."

"I said get lost!" Maddison tried to punch the guy and weakly missed. Her arm hung limp at her side, her energy depleted.

The creep laughed at her, pulling her closer in a way that made her want to throw up. "Don't fuss, sweetheart," he said. "I can tell you badly need a man right now. Why don't you let me satisfy your needs?"

"Get away from me," she insisted, struggling against him.

The assaulter chuckled evilly, courageously groping her body. Maddison tried to fight back but she had no strength at all. All she could do was scream, trying her hardest to escape him.

"Help! Is anyone there? Help me-" The man covered her mouth. With a burst of anger and panic, she parted her mouth and bit down on his hand as hard as she could.

With a groan of pain, he snatched her back by her hair and whipped a hard slap across her face.

Her sharp cry echoed through the hallway and bitter fear rapidly filled her heart. This couldn't be happening to her. Was this how her life would end? Her heart was pounding, limbs shaking.

"The nerve of you," he sneered. "How dare you bite me?"

He gripped Maddison's hair even harder, pushing her to the ground.

"You stupid brat. I tried to be a gentleman but brats like you don't appreciate it. You wanna do it right here? Fine, we'll do it here."

He started to rip at her clothes.

"Would you look at that?" An icy voice suddenly spoke in the deserted hallway, making the attacker freeze and stare down at Maddison. "Starting trouble in Krypton City? A lowlife like you? You've got some nerve."

Before the creep could even turn around to see who it was, a lethal kick cracked into his ribs and sent him flying. He slid across the floor and crashed into the wall, blood splattering out of his mouth.

A groan of pain gurgled out of him and he cursed in anger. "Who the hell are you? I'm gonna kill you..."

"I've got a busy schedule," the mysterious stranger muttered in a warning tone. "So, get lost whilst you have your limbs intact."

The assaulter reared up his head with a furious glare, but the moment he saw who had kicked him, he froze. The color slowly seeped out of his face, leaving him as pale as dough.

"You... y-you're Ash... Ashton Briar..."

Pure fear filled his eyes and the assaulter scrambled to his feet, fleeing in the opposite direction as though Satan was on his heels.

Maddison was still on the floor and, turning her head, she opened her eyes.

Her vision hadn't cleared much, but it was enough for her to see the person before her. A young man was looking down at her from above.

He had a striking appearance; the type that made you stare longer than you intended. His defined facial structure exuded a certain cold beauty, an enticing sort of danger. Beneath his thick brows were gem-like green eyes that sparkled brilliantly, and a prominent nose above a pair of full lips.

He parted those lips to sigh and then ran a hand through his raven black hair before adjusting the loose, white robe he wore. The garment was carelessly tied, leaving the peaks and dips of his muscular chest exposed, his bronze skin glossy with sweat. How beautiful.

Maddison stared at him through a vision that wouldn't stop blurring and eyes that wouldn't stop closing. Damn that alcohol. Was he an angel? She couldn't let him walk away; he'd saved her. A watery smile curved her lips. "You saved me. Handsome angel..."

She drunkenly babbled a few more words and Ashton Briar frowned.

Tiredly rubbing his temple, he realized leaving someone in distress was not his style. He wasn't exactly a hero, the very thought was sickening, but it wouldn't hurt to get the girl to safety.

Ashton studied her for a moment as she lay on the ground and sighed. He bent down and lifted her into his arms.

Plagued by the alcoholic heat roasting her body and unable to think straight, Maddison reached for him, wrapping her arms around him.

A soft pant parted her lips and her eyes fluttered closed as her hand roamed his body, seeking a way to fizzle out the fire burning inside her.