CHAPTER 35 — The Monster’s Intent
605 Words
Kaela’s wrists burned where the ropes held her, though she had long since stopped struggling. Every pull only left her more bruised, more exhausted, more afraid that the next moment would be the one where everything ended.
Heavy footsteps echoed outside the cell door.
Her heart slammed painfully in her chest.
He was coming back.
The lock clanked.
The hinges groaned.
And Adrian stepped in — his figure filling the doorway like a nightmare given shape.
His shirt was loosened, collar crooked, his breath sharp with the scent of expensive liquor. His eyes — hungry, unhinged, shining with a delusion only he believed.
“You look so much like her…”
His voice dragged like a blade over stone.
Kaela’s pulse stuttered.
“…Adriana.”
She flinched when he said her name.
He smiled — a twisted, broken thing.
“She loved me once, you know. Until they took her from me.”
His footsteps approached the bed.
Steady.
Certain.
Predatory.
Kaela shook her head violently. “I am not her. You’re sick if you think—”
His hand slammed beside her head, silencing her with the violence of the gesture.
The wall shook.
She gasped.
Adrian leaned close — too close — breath chilling her skin.
“Oh, I know you’re not her.”
His voice darkened into something raw and obsessed.
“But you can finish what she started. You can destroy the Blackwoods better than anyone ever could.”
His fingers hovered near her cheek, trembling — not with hesitation, but anticipation. Kaela jerked her head away, breath ragged with disgust and terror.
He laughed softly.
“I like when you fight.”
The ropes strained as she pulled against them again — pure adrenaline forcing her body to move.
“You can try to run. You can scream,” he murmured.
“But in the end… you are mine to use.”
Kaela’s eyes widened — fury overriding fear.
“You think Vionn won’t come for me?” she spit out.
“He’ll destroy you.”
Something in Adrian’s expression snapped — a flash of madness twisting his face.
“Vionn already lost once.”
His voice turned into a venomous whisper.
“He won’t make it in time again.”
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him — his stare deep, obsessed, spiraling.
“You will forget him,” he hissed.
“You’ll learn to want me.”
“I’d rather die,” she whispered.
His smile widened — chilling.
“That can be arranged.”
For a moment — a terrifying moment — his hand slid down toward the rope binding her wrist… as though considering undoing it.
Not to set her free.
But to take control of every inch of her.
Kaela thrashed, panic rising — the bed rattling under her.
“Don’t touch me!” she screamed.
He only laughed again — low and sickly amused.
Then suddenly — his head jerked sharply, as though he heard something only he could sense. His grip loosened.
Slowly, he pulled back — rage simmering under his skin.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered, stepping away.
“I’m only waiting for the perfect moment.”
He reached the door — turned back — eyes gleaming with that terrifying promise:
“Next time… I won’t stop.”
The door slammed shut.
Kaela’s entire body trembled — the air finally rushing back into her lungs.
Her vision blurred with tears she refused to let fall.
Because she wasn’t broken.
Not yet.
Vionn would come.
He had to.
She clung to that — like breath.
Like survival.
Like love.
- Writer
