Chapter2
828 Words
The elevator dropped.
I felt my stomach slam into my throat.
Cassian’s body hit mine—not to crush, to shield.
His arms locked around me like steel.
The axe flew from my grip.
The vial shattered—gold and crimson exploded across the floor.
Livia laughed.
“Too late, little breeder.”
The elevator screeched. Metal screamed. Sparks.
Then—nothing.
We hung in the dark.
Emergency lights flickered red.
Cassian’s fangs were out. Full.
I shoved him. “Get off me.”
He didn’t. His grip tightened. “We’re stuck between floors.”
Livia stepped over the glass. Her heels clicked.
She crouched, picked up the broken vial.
Sniffed it.
“Still warm.” She smiled at me. “Your blood’s in there now. His blood. The daywalker’s blood.”
I lunged for the axe.
Cassian caught my wrist.
“Don’t.” His voice cracked—first time I’d heard fear in it.
Livia stood. “You think you’re in control, Elara? You’re property.”
I spat blood—mine—from biting my tongue. “Touch me and I’ll burn this building down.”
She tilted her head. “With what? Your nursing degree?”
Cassian growled. “Enough.”
Livia ignored him. “The board wants the heir. Alive. You? Optional.”
The elevator groaned. A cable snapped.
We dropped another foot.
I grabbed the wall. My nails scraped steel.
Cassian’s hand found my stomach—protective.
I slapped it away. “You did this.”
“I had no choice.”
“Bullshit.”
Livia sighed. “Cassian, you’re starving. I can smell it.”
He flinched.
She pulled a second vial from her coat.
Crimson. Thicker.
“Drink. Or I’ll force it down her throat.”
Cassian’s eyes locked on it.
His fangs lengthened.
I saw it—the hunger. The shake in his hands.
He hadn’t fed since the wedding.
Three days.
Livia dangled the vial. “One sip. You’ll heal. You’ll obey.”
Cassian’s voice was raw. “Give it to her.”
Livia blinked. “What?”
“Elara.” He turned to me. “Drink it. It’ll protect the baby.”
I laughed—sharp, broken. “You think I’ll trust you?”
He grabbed my face. “I’m trying to save you.”
“You poisoned me.”
“I had to—”
“Shut up.” I yanked free.
The elevator lurched again.
Livia smirked. “Clock’s ticking.”
I looked at the axe.
Then at Cassian.
His eyes were pleading.
I picked up the axe.
Livia stepped back. “Careful.”
I swung—not at her.
At the emergency hatch.
CLANG.
It popped open.
A shaft. Black. Endless.
I grabbed Cassian’s tie. Pulled him close.
“You want to save me?” I whispered. “Climb.”
He stared.
I shoved the axe into his hand. “Cut the cables. We drop. We die. Or we climb.”
Livia hissed. “You’ll kill the heir—”
“Then stop me.”
Cassian looked at the vial.
Then at me.
He dropped it.
The glass shattered.
Livia screamed.
Cassian grabbed my waist. “Hold on.”
He jumped—into the shaft.
I clung to him.
We fell.
Ten floors down.
We landed on the elevator roof—crumpled, alive.
Cassian’s arm was broken. Bone jutted.
I crawled to the hatch. “We’re not done.”
He laughed—weak, delirious. “You’re insane.”
“You made me.”
I kicked the roof hatch. It caved.
We dropped into the elevator car—empty.
The doors were pried open.
A maintenance tunnel.
I dragged him. “Move.”
He stumbled. Blood poured from his arm.
I ripped my silk robe—tourniquet.
He watched me. “Why?”
“Because I’m not dying in your cage.”
We ran.
Penthouse garage. 4:12 a.m.
His Bugatti—keys in the visor.
I shoved him in the passenger seat.
He was pale. Shaking.
“Feed,” I said. “Or you’ll pass out.”
He shook his head. “Not from you.”
I grabbed his face. “You don’t get to choose.”
I sliced my palm with the axe.
Blood welled.
I pressed it to his lips.
He froze.
Then—drank.
His fangs pierced.
Not gentle.
I gasped.
The gold in my veins burned.
He pulled back—eyes glowing.
“Elara—”
“Drive.”
I floored it.
The gate exploded open.
We shot into the night.
Highway. 120 mph.
Cassian’s arm healed. Cracked bone knit.
He stared at me. “You fed me.”
“Shut up.”
“You could’ve let me die.”
“I need you alive.” I gripped the wheel. “To kill you myself.”
He laughed—real this time.
I glanced at the rearview.
Headlights.
Three black SUVs.
Livia.
I smiled.
“Hold on.”
I swerved into the dark.
- Writer
