Chapter Eight - The Crimson Trap
945 Words
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❖ Magnus’ Study – Midnight
Glass shattered against the wall.
“DAMN IT!”
Magnus paced like a feral beast, his breath ragged, fangs extended, hands trembling with fury.
“She’s gone. She’s really gone…”
Arnold stood with arms folded, trying to stay calm, but even his jaw was tight. “We’ll find her. Just stop destroying things long enough to think.”
“Think?” Magnus turned on him, eyes glowing crimson. “She could be bleeding right now. Dying.”
“She’s not,” Arnold said firmly. “She’s important. If someone took her, they won’t hurt her. Not yet.”
Magnus stopped. His hands clenched into fists. “Lilith.”
Arnold blinked. “You think she’s behind it?”
“She was already spiraling. She wants to break me.”
Arnold sighed. “Then let’s confirm it.”
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❖ Unknown Location – Evelyn’s Room
Evelyn stirred awake, groaning as her head throbbed.
The room was dim, unfamiliar. Candlelight flickered along stone walls, casting shadows that felt alive.
She scrambled to the door—locked. She banged her fists against it. “HELLO? Anyone?!”
No answer.
She slumped to the floor, chest heaving with panic. Then—
Footsteps.
The door opened slowly.
Lilith entered, draped in a gown of black velvet, lips curled in a smile too wide to be sane.
“Look at you,” she cooed. “So helpless. So alone.”
Darius followed her in, silent, eyes cold.
Evelyn rose to her feet, fury and fear mingling. “Why are you doing this?! I’ve done nothing to you!”
Lilith’s face twisted. She let out a laugh—wild, unhinged. “Nothing? You did everything.”
“I don’t even know you!”
“It was all perfect before you came!” Lilith screamed, her voice shrill. “He was mine. My destiny. My darkness. And then you ruined it.”
Evelyn’s tears slipped down her cheeks. “You’re insane.”
Lilith’s voice turned to a whisper. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s said to me all week.”
Then she spun around and walked out, laughing to herself.
Darius lingered.
His eyes met Evelyn’s.
And then he left in silence.
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❖ Magnus’ Penthouse – Private Dining Room
The table was set for two.
Candles glowed. Red wine shimmered.
Magnus sat in silence until the door opened—and in came Lilith, smiling sweetly like a guest at a gala.
“You invited me to dinner,” she said. “I couldn’t resist.”
Magnus didn’t answer. He poured her wine.
She sipped. “Mmm… like old times. Remember the black-tie galas in Prague?”
He didn’t smile. “Where is she?”
Lilith blinked. “Who?”
“You know who.”
Her lips parted innocently. “Why ruin the mood?”
“I’m not in the mood.”
His hand moved lightning-fast, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her against the wall.
“I swear,” he snarled, “if you’ve harmed her—”
Lilith only laughed, even as her feet lifted off the ground.
“You’ve lost your edge, darling,” she croaked. “Where’s that savage who once drained a battlefield dry?”
“I buried him.”
“Then you buried your strength.”
His grip tightened. “Where is she?!”
Lilith smiled, eyes gleaming. “This blood moon… I’ll slit her throat and use her blood to awaken the forgotten ones. She’s more powerful than even you know.”
Then she vanished in a shimmer of smoke, leaving Magnus alone—breathing hard, fangs bared.
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❖ Silverthorne University – Dorm Courtyard
Arnold arrived just before curfew.
Ivy stood at the gate, biting her nails.
“She’s still gone,” she said softly. “And no one believes me.”
Arnold stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You did good calling me.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand. What is Evelyn? What are you guys hiding?”
Arnold hesitated.
But seeing her tears—something in him cracked.
“I can’t tell you everything,” he said softly. “But I promise… I’ll protect you too.”
She blinked. “Me?”
He looked away. “I don’t know why… but I don’t want to see you cry again.”
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❖ Unknown Chamber – Later
Darius entered Evelyn’s room with a tray.
Food.
Warm bread. Soup. Tea.
She stared at it.
“I’m not eating anything from her.”
Darius set it down. “It’s from me.”
She glared. “That makes it worse.”
He sighed, sitting opposite her.
“I didn’t want this. But Lilith… she’s not right in the head.”
“Then stop her!”
“I can’t,” he snapped. “You don’t know her. She was born obsessed. If she doesn’t get what she wants, she breaks things. Herself. Others. Me.”
Evelyn softened. “That’s not your fault.”
Darius’s expression darkened. “It is. I’ve enabled her for centuries. Covered for her madness. And Magnus… he made it worse.”
“Magnus didn’t ask her to be obsessed.”
“No, but he fed her obsession. Gave her just enough hope. Took her blood. Lied to her face.”
“You don’t understand him.”
Darius slammed the table. “And you do?!”
Evelyn didn’t flinch. “I’m trying.”
Silence.
He stood up, fists trembling.
“You know nothing, human.”
He left.
But he came back the next day.
And the next.
He stopped yelling.
Started listening.
And without meaning to…
He started to fall.
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- Writer
