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1. Cassius

1

CASSIUS

I stride out of the Council's chamber, my wings twitching with anticipation as my mind already shifts gears to the task at hand. The weight of the mission settles on my shoulders like a familiar cloak - gathering intel on Liiandor, that forsaken dark elf stronghold. My mind runs over the end of our conversation.

"When do you want this done?" I ask, my voice low.

"As soon as possible," Brinda replies. "We can't give them time to strengthen their defenses further." When I don't answer she adds, "We all know that you are the best warrior. You're sneaky, smart, and can maintain a strong sun glamour."

An Elder next to her mutters, "Not to mention you won't get attached."

The Matriarch glares at him, but I cut in. "What does that mean?"

Brinda huffs before turning to me. "You are…apathetic. You know that."

I can't help but smirk at Brinda's assessment. "Sneaky, smart, and apathetic? You really know how to flatter a guy, Matriarch."

Brinda doesn't rise to my bait. Her green eyes bore into mine, unwavering. "This isn't a joke, Cassius. We need someone who can get in, complete the mission, and get out without letting emotions cloud their judgment."

I shrug, my wings rustling slightly with the movement. "And you think I'm your vrakken?"

"We know you are," she says, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Your sun glamour is unparalleled. You can blend in seamlessly with the dark elves. And your... detachment... will be an asset."

I consider her words, turning them over in my mind. It's true, I've never been one for getting caught up in the drama of it all. The war, the politics, the endless cycle of violence - it all seems so pointless. But maybe that's exactly why I'm suited for this.

"Alright," I say finally, my voice flat. "I'll do it. Not like I have anything better to do anyway."

Brinda went on to tell me that before I attacked, they needed information first. They wanted to really hurt Liiandor, and for that, I needed to do a little recon first. Which was fine by me. I didn't really care what I was getting sent out for anyway.

My footsteps echo through the cavernous halls as I make my way towards my quarters. I need to prepare, to gather my thoughts and?—

"Cassius."

That voice. I suppress a groan as Darana materializes from the shadows of a dimly lit corridor. Her ice-blue eyes flash with a mix of anger and possessiveness that has no place there. Not that I am going to fight her one way or another. If that's what she wants to waste her time — though only Akeldama knows why — then so be it.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" she purrs, her tone sickeningly sweet. Her platinum blonde hair seems to glow faintly, framing her face in an ethereal halo that belies her true nature.

I turn to her, face neutral. I can't remember the last time anyone pulled an emotion out of me, and she will be sorely disappointed when she realizes she doesn't…still. "To my quarters. I have work to do."

She steps closer, her fingers trailing along my arm. But the touch does nothing for me. "Work? What kind of work?" She tilts her head. "Does it have to do with why you were called before the Council?"

I shrug off her touch, taking a deliberate step back to put some distance between us. "That would be classified, Darana. You know I can't discuss it." My voice is firm, brooking no argument. I've dealt with her possessiveness for far too long, and I'm in no mood for her games tonight.

Her eyes narrow, all pretense of sweetness vanishing. "Can't? Or won't? What are they sending you to do now, Cassius?"

"That's none of your concern," I drawl.

She grabs my arm, her nails digging into my skin. "It is my concern. Everything about you is my concern."

I yank my arm away, fixing her with a cold stare. It's really the most enthusiasm I could muster. "We're not together anymore, Darana. You don't get to make those claims."

"Oh, but I do," she hisses, her face contorting with rage. "You think you can just walk away from me? After everything we've been through?"

"There is no 'we,' Darana. There hasn't been for a long time."

She laughs, a bitter, hollow sound that echoes off the stone walls. "You're a fool if you think this is over. Where are they sending you, Cassius? Above ground? To those filthy dark elves?"

I clench my jaw, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. But my silence seems to confirm her suspicions.

"They are, aren't they?" Her voice drops to a dangerous whisper. "You're going to Liiandor."

I take a step back, trying to put some distance between us. "This conversation is over, Darana. I have preparations to make."

She moves swiftly, blocking my path. Her eyes blaze with a manic intensity that is out of place on vrakken, even if she is on the newer side of being Made. "You're not going anywhere without me, Cassius. Especially not on some dangerous mission to Liiandor."

"I don't need your permission," I answer, my voice bored. "Or your protection."

Darana's laugh is sharp, cutting. "Protection? Please. We both know you're running away. Trying to escape what we have."

"What we have?" I raise my eyebrows. "We don't have anything, Darana. Not anymore."

Her face contorts with rage. "How dare you? After everything we've been through, everything I've given you?—"

"Given me?" I interrupt. "You've given me a warm body when I'm bored. It entitles you to nothing."

She steps closer, her finger jabbing into my chest. "Don't you dare try to minimize what we had. What we still have."

I grab her wrist, pushing her hand away. "We. Have. Nothing." Each word is punctuated, final. "There is no relationship, Darana. We were lovers, and now, we're not. Whatever twisted fantasy you've built up in your head, it's not real."

Her eyes narrow to slits. "You don't mean that. You can't just walk away from us."

"Watch me." I shoulder past her.

She grabs my arm, her nails digging in deep. "You're making a mistake, Cassius. You need me. You'll see."

I look over my shoulder, not bothering to let her think the touch affects me. It doesn't. Very little does. "The only mistake I made was ever getting involved with you in the first place. Stay away from me, Darana. I mean it."

I watch as Darana's expression shifts, her anger melting into something more calculated. She steps closer, her body pressing against mine, the familiar curves igniting unwanted memories. I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to step back.

"Come on, Cassius," she purrs, her hand sliding up my chest, leaving a trail of ice in its wake. "You can't tell me you don't miss this. The nights we spent together, the passion we shared..."

I grab her wrist, holding it firmly away from me. "Stop it, Darana. Those days are long gone."

She leans in, her lips brushing my ear, her breath hot against my skin. "Remember how good we were together? How I made you feel?"

"That's enough." I push her back with more force than necessary. My skin crawls where she touched me, and I resist the urge to wipe myself clean.

Her eyes flash with hurt before hardening again, a predatory gleam replacing the feigned vulnerability. "Why are you fighting this? We both know you want me. I can see it in your eyes, feel it in your body."

I shake my head. She was fun while there was nothing else to do. But now, there is. And I have grown tired of her. "I don't want anything from you. Not now, not ever again. Get that through your thick skull."

Darana's face contorts with rage, her features twisting into something ugly and feral. She lunges forward, trying to kiss me, but I turn my head at the last second. Her lips land on my cheek, leaving a burning sensation where they touch.

Disgusted, I shove her away harder this time, my hands connecting with her shoulders and sending her stumbling back.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I mutter, wiping my face with the back of my hand.

She stumbles back, her chest heaving, eyes wild with a mixture of hurt and anger. "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? How can you just throw away what we had? Everything we've been through together?"

I laugh, a cold, harsh sound that echoes off the stone walls around us. "You want to know the truth, Darana? I just wanted someone in my bed. That's it. Nothing more. You were convenient, nothing else."

Her eyes widen, shock and pain flashing across her face. For a moment, she looks almost vulnerable. "You don't mean that. You can't mean that, Cassius."

"I do," I say, my voice flat and emotionless. "I'm not interested in your theatrics or your obsession. Your opinion means nothing to me. It never has."

Darana's face twists with fury, her ice-blue eyes blazing with a dangerous light. "You bastard! You fucking bastard!"

I don't bother to answer as I stride away from Darana. My footsteps echo through the empty corridors as I make my way to my quarters. Maybe I should feel something after that interaction but I just don't.

I've barely felt anything in so long.

Shaking my head, I enter my quarters and begin gathering what I'll need for the mission. As I pack, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This assignment to Liiandor, as dangerous as it might be, offers something I've been craving: solitude.

Away from the suffocating tunnels of our underground home. Away from the watchful eyes of the Council. Away from Darana's obsessive gaze. Just me, my wits, and a job to do.

This mission won't be easy. It's been so long since I've been to the surface that I am at a disadvantage when it comes to moving without detection. But maybe I'll stumble across a few dark elves…leave a message.

For the first time in decades, I feel a spark of... something. Not quite excitement, but close. A break in the monotony, a chance to prove my worth beyond being Darana's obsession or the Council's tool.

As I finish packing, I allow myself a small smile. Whatever challenges await me in Liiandor, they have to be better than the last few decades.

Little do I know how drastically my life is about to change.

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