Chapter Twelve - Waves
1134 Words
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❖ Morning – Silverthorne University Parking Lot
The summer sun peeked through layers of cloud, painting golden streaks across the sky. Evelyn stood by the edge of the parking lot, her bag slung over one shoulder and Ivy chattering excitedly beside her.
“Finally! A break,” Ivy said, practically bouncing as she twirled her ponytail. “No exams, no classes, no nosey professors.”
Evelyn smiled faintly, her gaze drifting to the car pulling up.
Arnold’s sleek black convertible rolled to a stop in front of them. The engine purred like a beast barely contained, and the moment he stepped out—white shirt rolled at the sleeves, sunglasses perched on his golden hair—Ivy nearly stumbled.
“Hey, pretty girls,” he smirked, tossing their bags in the trunk. “Ready for paradise?”
Evelyn laughed. “Where are we going again?”
He pulled open the door for them. “First, my place. Then... I had an idea. What do you girls think about a beach house?”
Ivy gasped. “A beach trip?! Like, sun and swimsuits and oceanside romance?”
Arnold shrugged, flashing a grin. “All you have to do is convince Magnus.”
Evelyn froze a little.
“Me?”
“You’re the only one who can.”
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❖ Later – Magnus’ Study
Evelyn peeked her head inside the study where Magnus sat reading, a pair of glasses perched delicately on his nose. He looked up when he sensed her presence.
“I need a favor,” she said, inching in.
He raised a brow. “A favor?”
“Summer break started, and Arnold thought it’d be nice to go to the beach. Just a few days. Ivy’s coming too. He said you own a place there?”
His gaze lingered on her face.
“I do,” he said finally.
She stepped closer. “Will you come with us?”
A pause. A breath. Then—
“Yes.”
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❖ Arrival – Magnus’ Private Beach House
The house stood like a glass temple near the edge of the sea, sleek and modern, overlooking the vast turquoise water. Waves crashed against the shore just feet away.
Ivy clung to Evelyn’s arm. “This place looks like something out of a billionaire romance drama.”
“That’s because he is one,” Evelyn murmured.
Magnus stepped out shirtless, low-slung black beach pants hugging his hips, his silver hair tousled by sea breeze. Evelyn blinked at the sight of him, blood rushing to her cheeks.
Arnold followed with a grin, sunglasses pushed up into his blond hair, carrying a cooler of drinks.
“Race you girls to the water!” he shouted.
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❖ Afternoon – On the Beach
The sun was high. The beach glowed.
Evelyn and Ivy wore sleek swimsuits—Evelyn in deep burgundy, Ivy in a teasing lilac two-piece. They turned heads without trying. But their men?
They stopped the world.
Magnus stood by the edge of the water, the sea breeze whipping through his hair. His pale skin glistened slightly in the sun, his lean frame powerful and perfectly sculpted. Every girl nearby stared—until he looked at Evelyn.
Only her.
Arnold, on the other hand, had his arms behind his head, letting Ivy playfully apply sunscreen to his back while girls passed by sighing and whispering.
Evelyn smiled watching them. But as she strolled across the rocky part of the beach, her foot caught on a sharp stone.
"Ah!" She stumbled.
Magnus was by her side instantly, sweeping her up into his arms.
"You’re hurt," he said sternly, eyes flicking down to her scraped foot.
“I’m fine,” she muttered.
“You're not walking. Let me carry you."
As he walked back with her nestled against his chest, Ivy—sensing the attention—grabbed Arnold’s hand.
“Carry me too,” she whined with a pout.
Arnold snorted. “Seriously?”
She widened her eyes. “My legs hurt.”
“Alright, drama queen.” He lifted her effortlessly, making her squeal and cling to him.
From a distance, they looked like two powerful princes with their princesses.
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❖ Evening – Shoreline Sunset
The four of them sat around a bonfire later, roasting marshmallows and drinking cold sparkling juice. Ivy sang off-key to a song Arnold played on his phone while Evelyn leaned into Magnus’s side, his arm protective around her waist.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” he murmured.
She nodded. “It was perfect.”
Their eyes met.
“Swim with me,” she whispered.
He blinked. “You don’t know how.”
“You’ll teach me.”
He exhaled but nodded, and moments later, they were waist-deep in water. Evelyn floated back against his chest, his arms holding her steady.
“You’re good at this,” she whispered.
“I’ve had centuries to practice.”
Her hips shifted slightly as she teased, pressing her back to him.
His breath hitched.
“Evelyn...”
“Yes?”
“You’re playing with fire.”
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❖ Night – Magnus’ Room
Evelyn curled on the massive bed beside him, playing with strands of his silken hair.
“You used to be cruel, didn’t you?” she whispered.
He nodded. “I was. Before you.”
She smiled, stroking his cheek as he pressed soft kisses to her neck, not biting—just nuzzling. Breathing her in.
She asked questions—about his past, about the things he’d seen, about what scared him.
“I’m not afraid of battle,” he said quietly. “But I’m terrified of losing you.”
Her fingers trailed down his bare chest.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He smiled into her skin.
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❖ Ivy & Arnold – Guest Bedroom
Arnold stood at the balcony door, shirtless, his eyes turned toward the moon. Ivy wrapped her arms around his waist.
“You’re thinking again.”
He turned. “Thinking of you.”
She smirked, then tiptoed and whispered, “Then show me.”
She dragged him back to the bed. Their mouths met in a fiery kiss, bodies colliding, tangled sheets falling to the floor. He kissed down her neck, and her breath hitched.
Then—
Fangs.
He bit gently, feeding from her neck, moaning at the taste. But one taste wasn’t enough. She arched beneath him.
“I’m yours,” she whispered.
He growled—and claimed her.
The night was theirs.
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❖ End Scene – Elsewhere
Far away, in the ruins of a stone chapel hidden in mist, someone watched through a glowing mirror.
Not Lilith.
Someone else. A shadow.
Watching Evelyn.
“Soon,” the figure whispered. “She will awaken it.”
Lightning split the sky.
And the real storm… was coming.
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- Writer
