Thirst For You

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Eva's apartment, casting a soft glow over the room. Elias stirred, his head pounding as memories of the previous night flickered through his mind. He groaned, sitting up slowly, only to find Eva sitting cross-legged in a chair nearby, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Rough night?" she teased, holding out a glass of water.

Elias accepted it gratefully, downing the drink in one go. "I think I'm officially retiring from human indulgences," he muttered, rubbing his temples.

Eva laughed, standing up and moving to sit beside him on the couch. "You'll get the hang of it. Small steps."

As she spoke, a sudden tension filled the room. Elias's golden eyes darkened, his gaze darting toward the window. He stood abruptly, his body rigid. "He's here."

Eva frowned, following his gaze. "Who's here?"

"Lucian," Elias growled, his voice low and filled with warning. His sharp senses picked up the faintest trace of his brother's presence, lingering like a shadow in the air.

Eva placed a calming hand on his arm. "Elias, you're being paranoid. We've been through this. Lucian wouldn't dare come here—not now."

"He's watching," Elias insisted, his tone unwavering. "I can feel it."

Eva sighed, her grip on his arm tightening. "Even if he is, he can't hurt us. Not here, not now. Magnus has everything under control."

Elias reluctantly sank back onto the couch, though the tension in his body remained. Eva cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. "Trust me, Elias. We're safe. I won't let him ruin this moment."

He searched her eyes, finally nodding, though the unease in his chest didn't fully dissipate. As Eva leaned her head on his shoulder, his gaze drifted back to the window, the nagging sensation of Lucian's presence refusing to leave his mind. Somewhere, beyond their sight, Lucian stood in the shadows, his crimson eyes fixed on the apartment. A wicked smile played on his lips as he murmured to himself, "Soon, brother. Very soon."

The city was alive with energy as Eva guided Elias through its bustling streets. The golden light of the setting sun painted the skyline in hues of amber and rose, casting long shadows over the cobblestone roads. Eva pointed out landmarks and shared anecdotes from her human life, her excitement infectious.

"That bookstore over there?" Eva said, gesturing to a quaint shop with ivy creeping along its facade. "I used to spend hours there. The owner knows me by name. We should stop by sometime."

Elias nodded, his golden eyes scanning their surroundings. He was trying—for her sake—to adapt to this modern world, but the hum of human life still felt foreign. Yet, he couldn't deny the warmth that blossomed in his chest as he watched her animated expressions.

"You're so at ease here," he murmured, his voice soft but tinged with awe. "I envy that."

Eva smiled, looping her arm through his. "You'll get there. Baby steps, remember?"

Their walk eventually led them to a small café tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. A group of Eva's friends sat at an outdoor table, waving enthusiastically as they approached. Among them was Blake, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a carefree grin that immediately set Elias on edge.

"Eva!" Blake called, rising to greet her. His arms wrapped around her in a friendly hug, but Elias's eyes narrowed at the gesture.

"Blake, this is Elias," Eva said, stepping back to introduce them. "Elias, Blake's an old friend. We used to work together."

Blake extended a hand, his smile easy and genuine. "Nice to meet you, man. Eva's told me a lot about you."

Elias hesitated before shaking Blake's hand, his grip firmer than necessary. "Has she?" he said coolly.

Eva shot him a look but chose not to comment. Instead, she ushered them all to sit, seamlessly steering the conversation to lighter topics. As the evening wore on, Elias's mood grew darker. Every laugh Eva shared with Blake, every inside joke, felt like a blade twisting in his chest.

When Blake leaned closer to Eva to show her something on his phone, Elias could no longer contain himself. His hand shot out, resting possessively on Eva's shoulder. She glanced at him, puzzled.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Elias's jaw tightened. "I'm fine," he replied curtly, though his golden eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

The tension didn't go unnoticed. After a few more minutes, Blake stood, sensing the awkwardness. "I should head out," he said, his tone light but cautious. "It was great catching up, Eva. And Elias, good to meet you."

Elias gave a stiff nod, watching Blake walk away until he disappeared into the crowd. Only then did he relax slightly, though his mood remained stormy.

"What was that about?" Eva asked once they were alone. Her voice was gentle but firm.

Elias looked away, his expression conflicted. "I don't trust him."

"Blake's just a friend," Eva said, placing a hand on his arm. "You don't have to worry."

"I'm not worried," Elias said quickly, though the sharpness in his tone suggested otherwise. "I just... don't like how he looks at you."

Eva sighed, her thumb tracing soothing circles on his arm. "Elias, you have nothing to prove. I chose you. I will always choose you."

Her words softened the edges of his jealousy, but the possessiveness lingered, a shadow he couldn't quite shake. As they resumed their walk, Elias vowed silently to himself to protect her—even if it meant guarding her from those who claimed to be her friends.

Meanwhile, as Blake walked home through the quiet streets, his mind lingered on Eva. Her laughter, her warmth, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke—everything about her seemed to radiate a light he couldn't ignore. His hands clenched into fists at the thought of Elias. "He doesn't deserve her," Blake muttered under his breath. "He's ruined everything. If he weren't in the picture..." The words trailed off, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth as he disappeared into the shadows of the city.

Unbeknownst to Blake, a shadowy figure had been watching him from the rooftops. One of Lucian's followers, cloaked in the dark magic of his master, smirked as he took in Blake's muttered frustrations. The bitterness, the jealousy—it was all fuel for Lucian's schemes.

The follower slipped into an alley and whispered an incantation, his words carried through the ether to Lucian's lair. "Master, I've found a potential ally. The human, Blake, harbors resentment toward Elias. He's ripe for manipulation."

Lucian's cold laughter echoed through the connection. "Excellent. Keep an eye on him. Nurture his hatred and ensure he's ready to strike when the time comes. Elias's downfall will be all the sweeter when delivered by a trusted friend of my darling Eva's."