Chapter 14_Hunger in the Shadows
414 Words
Lucien hadn't spoken to her in three days.
He still showed up — just past midnight, silent in the corner of her room like a dark guardian — but he wouldn’t touch her. Wouldn’t speak. He only watched. Eyes glowing, jaw tight, like he was holding something back.
Evi tried to act normal.
Tried to go to school. Smile at her friends. Eat lunch. But she could feel it in her bones:
> Something was coming.
One night, when Lucien didn’t show at all, she cracked.
She wandered outside, barefoot, cold, desperate for him.
That was when she saw the shadow.
Tall. Lean. Smiling like sin.
> “Hello again, little dove.”
Cassian stepped into the moonlight like he belonged to it. Dressed in all black, silver rings on his fingers, fangs barely hidden behind his smirk.
> “Where’s your dark prince tonight? Hiding from the truth?”
> “Leave me alone,” she snapped, heart hammering.
But her body betrayed her. She didn’t move. Didn’t run. Something about him pulled at her — darkly seductive, like a nightmare you didn’t want to wake from.
Cassian stepped closer. Too close.
> “You really don’t know, do you?” he whispered. “You think you’re his weakness. You’re not. You’re his trigger. His curse.”
Evi swallowed.
> “What are you talking about?”
Cassian leaned in, lips brushing her ear.
> “The kiss you shared? That wasn’t romance, little girl. That was a bond. One taste — and now he’s hungry. You’ve lit a fire in him that won’t burn out until one of you is destroyed.”
> “You’re lying—”
> “Am I?”
Suddenly, Lucien was there.
Faster than thought. Fangs bared. Fury unchained.
He slammed Cassian into the brick wall so hard it cracked.
> “Touch her again,” Lucien growled, “and I’ll rip your soul from your body.”
Cassian laughed, blood at the corner of his mouth.
> “Too late, cousin. You already marked her. Now let’s see how long your precious Evi survives your appetite.”
Lucien punched him. Once. Twice. A third time — until Cassian disappeared in a burst of shadow and smoke.
Lucien turned to her, trembling.
> “Is it true?” she asked, voice cracking. “Did something happen when we kissed?”
His eyes met hers. And for the first time… he looked afraid.
> “Yes.”
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- Writer
