Thirst For You

Elias sat in the dimly lit corner of Eva's favorite café, his fingers drumming against the wooden table. The laughter and chatter of the patrons around him felt distant and muted. He couldn't shake the storm brewing in his chest—a volatile mix of frustration and possessiveness. Across the room, Eva was talking to Blake, her expression warm and attentive. It had been Blake's idea to meet here, of course, and once again, Elias found himself on the periphery of their interaction.

When Eva excused herself to get more coffee, Elias stood abruptly and crossed the room. His towering presence loomed over Blake, whose casual demeanor faltered for a split second before he plastered on a smile.

"We need to talk," Elias said, his voice low but laced with menace.

Blake leaned back in his chair, feigning nonchalance. "About what? Eva? Don't worry, I'm just being a good friend."

"You're overstepping," Elias growled, his eyes narrowing. "She's my priority. Not yours."

Blake chuckled, shaking his head. "Your priority? Elias, all I see is someone controlling and possessive. Eva deserves someone who respects her choices, not someone who tries to cage her."

The words struck a nerve, but Elias refused to show it. "And you think that someone is you?"

Blake's smile turned bitter. "At least I care about her well-being. Can you say the same? You're so wrapped up in your world, you can't see how much your presence is hurting her."

Before Elias could respond, Eva returned, her eyes darting between the two men. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing," Blake said quickly, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off his jacket. "Elias was just… expressing his concerns. Right, Elias?"

Elias clenched his jaw, forcing himself to nod. "We were just talking."

Eva's brows furrowed in confusion, but she chose not to press further. Still, the tension lingered, and the unease in her expression was enough to make Elias's chest tighten with regret.

Later that evening, Magnus confronted Elias in the quiet sanctuary of the library. The air was thick with the scent of old books and flickering candlelight.

"You need to pull yourself together," Magnus said bluntly, closing the tome he'd been studying. "This possessiveness… it's not you, Elias. And it's going to push Eva away if you're not careful."

Elias rubbed his temples, the weight of Magnus's words pressing down on him. "I know. But every time I see Blake with her, it's like…"

"Like what?" Magnus prompted, his tone softening.

Elias hesitated. "Like I'm losing her. And after everything, I can't lose her again,Ive waited so long Magnus. I just can't."

Magnus sighed, closing the gap between them. "I get it. But you're letting your emotions control you. And while you're busy fighting Blake, there's a bigger threat looming."

Elias's gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?"

Magnus hesitated, the weight of his secret knowledge pulling at him. His studies in dark magic had revealed unsettling truths—traces of Lucian's meddling in Blake's growing obsession. But Magnus wasn't ready to share this yet. Not until he was certain of what Lucian's endgame was.

"Nothing specific," Magnus finally said. "Just a feeling. Be careful, Elias. Don't let your guard down."

A week later, the city was abuzz with excitement over the annual masquerade ball. Eva, ever the secret social butterfly, had convinced Elias to attend. The grand event was held in an opulent ballroom, its gilded walls and sparkling chandeliers creating a dreamlike atmosphere. But despite the festive surroundings, Elias couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his chest.

The evening started smoothly enough. Elias and Eva danced under the soft glow of the chandeliers, their movements graceful and in sync. But as the night wore on, Elias's mood soured. Blake was there, of course, weaving through the crowd and stealing glances at Eva whenever he thought Elias wasn't looking.

Finally, Elias had had enough. He excused himself from Eva and followed Blake to a quieter part of the ballroom. "What are you doing here?" Elias demanded, his voice barely above a whisper but dripping with anger.

Blake turned, his mask unable to hide the smirk on his lips. "Enjoying the party, just like everyone else. Or is that not allowed in your world?"

Elias stepped closer, his fists clenched. "Stay away from Eva. This is your last warning."

Blake's eyes darkened, and for the first time, his composure cracked. "Or what? You think you can scare me, Elias? You're nothing but a coward who took everything away from your only family. If Eva knew the truth about this…"

Before Blake could finish, Eva appeared, her eyes wide with concern. "What's going on here?"

Blake opened his mouth to respond, but the fury in Elias's eyes made him think twice. Instead, he stormed off, leaving Eva to face Elias alone.

"Elias," she said softly, her voice laced with worry. "What's happening? Why are you and Blake always at each other's throats?"

Elias sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's nothing important Eva.."

But even as he said the words, he couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

Meanwhile, Lucian's servant intercepted Blake as he left the ballroom, his face flushed with anger and frustration. The servant's voice was calm and steady as he spoke. "You need to control yourself. We're so close to breaking Elias. Don't let your emotions ruin the plan."

Blake hesitated, his clenched fists slowly relaxing. "I just… I can't stand how he looks at her, like she's his possession."

The servant's eyes gleamed with cunning. "And that's exactly why you need to stay focused. Play your part, and soon enough, Elias will be out of the picture. Then Eva will finally be free… and yours."

Blake's jaw tightened, but he nodded. The servant's words were like venom, seeping into his mind and solidifying his resolve. Unseen by either of them, the dark threads of Lucian's scheme were pulling tighter around them all.

The servant returned to Lucian's lair later that night, bowing before his master. "The plan is progressing, my lord. Blake is proving to be an eager pawn."

Lucian's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Good. Continue to guide him. His emotions make him easy to manipulate, and soon, Elias will have no one left to turn to and Eva will finally be mine"