Chapter Seven- Ashes Between Us
918 Words
🩸 Bloodbound Hearts: Chapter Seven – Ashes Between Us
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❖ Morning – Magnus’ Apartment
Magnus stood behind his closed bedroom door, forehead pressed to the wood. On the other side, he could hear Evelyn in the kitchen, plates clinking softly, her footsteps hesitant.
He should go to her.
Say something.
Anything.
But his stomach was twisted in agony. His throat burned like coals. He hadn’t fed in days, and the hunger had evolved beyond craving—it was pain now, a raw scream inside him.
He couldn’t let her see him like this.
He stepped back into the shadows, voice rough. “Arnold.”
Arnold appeared within seconds, leaning on the doorway with a sigh. “Still pretending you’re made of steel?”
“Tell her to stay away from my room. And not to wait for me.”
“You know that’ll break her, right?”
“I’ll break her if she comes in.”
Arnold didn’t argue.
Just left.
Magnus collapsed against the wall, clutching his side.
The pain was unbearable.
But not as unbearable as the thought of hurting her.
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❖ Evelyn’s Dorm Room – Afternoon
Evelyn stared at the packed bag on her bed.
Her fingers clenched the strap, emotions storming inside her—hurt, confusion, betrayal.
> Stay away from his room.
That’s all she got.
No goodbye. No apology. No explanation.
Just rejection.
Again.
Ivy walked in, chewing gum, and immediately sensed the mood. “He said what?”
Evelyn sat down. “He didn’t even say it. Arnold did.”
Ivy frowned. “He’s either trying really hard not to fall for you… or he’s just dumb.”
“Maybe both.”
Ivy gave her a side-hug. “You sure about leaving for a few days?”
Evelyn nodded. “I need space.”
And maybe he needed to realize what he lost.
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❖ Lilith’s Sanctuary – That Night
“Tonight,” Lilith said softly, brushing a velvet cloth over the ancient dagger on her altar. “She’s unguarded. Hurt. Alone.”
Darius, standing by the arched window, didn’t turn. “You plan to take her while she’s vulnerable?”
“She’s always vulnerable.”
“She has teeth now. Fire.”
Lilith smirked. “And we’ll extinguish it.”
The shadows behind her shifted.
Rogues.
Blood-drunk vampires with no loyalty, no conscience.
“She disappears tonight,” Lilith said. “Magnus will burn the city to find her.”
Darius finally looked at her. “And when he does?”
She smiled darkly.
“We’ll be waiting.”
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❖ Dorm Gates – Nightfall
Arnold leaned against his car, arms crossed as Evelyn approached the gate.
She looked distant. Guarded.
Ivy followed but stopped a few paces away, watching curiously.
“I came to see you off,” Arnold said.
“You could’ve texted.”
“I could’ve. But I didn’t.”
She sighed. “If you’re going to talk about Magnus—”
“I’m not going to defend him.”
That made her pause.
“But I’ll tell you this—he’s in pain. Real pain. Not just the emotional kind.”
Evelyn crossed her arms. “Then he should’ve let me help him.”
“He doesn’t know how.”
“Well, I don’t know how to keep being rejected.”
Silence settled.
Ivy cleared her throat. “So… this is the famous Arnold?”
He arched a brow and smiled. “And you are?”
“Ivy. Friend. Fan. Stalker. Take your pick.”
Evelyn actually chuckled, stepping aside. “She’s been dying to meet you.”
“Then I’m honored.”
“Try not to charm her into a trance,” Evelyn muttered before heading back toward the dorm entrance.
Arnold watched her go, concern flaring.
But Ivy tugged his attention away with playful questions.
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❖ Dorm Grounds – Just Moments Later
The courtyard lights flickered.
Evelyn rubbed her arms as the night wind picked up.
> Something feels off…
She reached the front door, pulled out her keycard—and stopped.
A figure stood in the hallway just beyond the glass.
Darius.
“Evening,” he said, smiling.
Her heart skipped. “What are you doing here?”
“Just wanted to talk. No tricks.”
She hesitated. “You shouldn't—”
Before she could finish, everything shifted.
The world tilted.
Pain exploded behind her eyes.
And then—
Darkness.
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❖ Dorm Room – Midnight
Ivy opened the door with a bounce, humming a pop song.
“Eve?” she called. “I brought snacks—”
The room was empty.
Bed untouched. Bag still on the floor.
She frowned.
> Maybe she got lost?
But an hour passed.
Still no Evelyn.
And the unease in Ivy’s stomach grew.
She grabbed her phone and scrolled to Arnold’s number.
> Please pick up. Please pick up.
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❖ Magnus’ Study – Midnight
Arnold’s phone buzzed.
He glanced at it, then stood. “Ivy’s calling me?”
Magnus, seated near the window, barely registered the name. “What is it?”
Arnold answered.
Ivy’s voice was tight. “She’s gone. Evelyn’s not here.”
“What do you mean gone?”
“She never came back to the room. I waited. I looked everywhere.”
Arnold looked up, eyes narrowing. “Magnus—”
The prince was already standing.
His body radiated fury and fear.
“She’s missing,” Arnold confirmed.
Magnus didn’t speak.
Didn’t breathe.
He simply vanished.
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- Writer
