19. Faye

19

FAYE

I pace along the shoreline, my eyes fixed on the churning waves where Cassius disappeared. The sun beats down on my skin, but I barely notice the heat. My heart races, each beat a reminder of the time slipping away.

"Come on, pretty boy," I mutter, kicking at the sand. "What's taking so long?"

The magic from the tablet thrums through my veins, a constant reminder of our connection. It pulls me towards the water, urging me to follow him. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to dive in after him.

A mynah cries overhead, making me jump. I scan the horizon, searching for any sign of Cassius's return. Nothing but endless blue meets my gaze.

My stomach twists with worry. What if something's gone wrong? What if he's hurt? The thought of losing him sends a jolt of panic through me.

"Dammit, Cassius," I growl, kicking a piece of driftwood. "You better not die down there."

I close my eyes, focusing on the pull of the magic. It's there, a faint pulse beneath my skin, but it feels... wrong. Strained. Like something's interfering with it.

My eyes snap open. Something's not right.

I take a step towards the water, then another. The waves lap at my feet, cool and inviting. Every instinct screams at me to go after him, to make sure he's okay.

But I promised I'd stay put. He made me swear not to follow.

I grind my teeth, torn between my promise and my fear for his safety. The magic pulses stronger, more insistent. It's trying to tell me something.

I'm about to take another step towards the water when a chill runs down my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I whirl around, instincts screaming danger.

A blur of white and platinum blonde slams into me, knocking me off my feet. I hit the sand hard, the air rushing from my lungs. Before I can catch my breath, a hand wraps around my throat, pinning me down.

I blink, focusing on the face above me. It's a woman – no, a vrakken. Her ice-blue eyes blaze with fury, her lips pulled back in a snarl.

"Where is he?" she hisses, her grip tightening.

I claw at her hand, gasping for air. "Who-"

"Don't play dumb, you filthy human," she spits. "Cassius. Where is he?"

My mind races. Who is this woman?

I struggle against her grip, but she's impossibly strong. Black spots dance at the edge of my vision.

"He's... gone," I choke out.

Her eyes narrow. "Gone where?"

I don't answer, focusing on trying to breathe. She loosens her grip slightly, allowing a trickle of air into my lungs.

"Listen here, you little bitch." She gets uncomfortable close to my neck. "I know you know who I am. Darana? Ring a bell?" I don't dare say a word, even though I have no idea who she is. "I don't know what you've gotten in your head, but Cassius is mine. He will be my mate."

My stomach twists and sours. Does he have… a girlfriend? A mate?

What the fuck is happening?

"Tell me where he is," Darana demands, "or I'll bleed you dry right here."

I glare up at her, defiant despite the fear coursing through me. "Get the fuck off me."

She snarls, revealing gleaming fangs. "Wrong answer."

Darana's head dips towards my neck, and I brace myself for the pain of her bite. But just before her teeth touch my skin, she freezes.

Her head snaps up, nostrils flaring as she scents the air. Her eyes widen, then narrow dangerously as they lock onto mine.

"You reek of him," she growls. "He fed from you."

The rage in her eyes intensifies, and I know I'm in serious trouble. Her grip on my throat tightens again, cutting off my air completely.

"You think you can take him from me?" Darana hisses. "He's mine."

I thrash beneath her, desperately searching for a way out. My vision starts to darken at the edges, black spots dancing before my eyes. I can't breathe. Can't think. The pressure on my throat is unbearable, and panic claws at my chest. This can't be how it ends.

My survival instincts kick in, adrenaline surging through my veins like liquid fire. With a burst of strength I didn't know I had, I buck my hips and twist violently, catching Darana off guard.

Her grip loosens for just a second, but it's enough. I manage to fling her off me, her nails raking across my skin as she goes flying. I scramble to my feet as she lands in the sand with a dull thud, gasping for air and fighting the urge to collapse. My legs feel like jelly, but I force myself to stay upright, every muscle tense and ready to fight or flee.

My heart pounds in my chest, threatening to burst through my ribcage. The taste of copper floods my mouth, and I realize I've bitten my tongue in the struggle. I spit blood onto the sand, my eyes never leaving Darana's crumpled form.

She's already starting to stir, and I know I don't have long before she's back on her feet. The wounds from her nails burn across my skin, but I push the pain aside. I've survived worse, and I'll be damned if I let this crazy bitch take me down now.

I watch as Darana rises, her movements fluid and predatory. Her ice-blue eyes lock onto mine, burning with a hatred so intense it makes my skin crawl. I shift my stance, ready to dodge or strike as needed.

"You little whore," she hisses, her voice dripping with venom. "I'm going to tear you apart."

She lunges at me, impossibly fast. I barely manage to duck under her outstretched arms, feeling the rush of air as her claws swipe inches from my face. I pivot, driving my elbow into her ribs as she passes. The impact jars my arm, like hitting solid stone.

Darana whirls around, snarling. Her hand shoots out, grabbing a fistful of my hair. Pain explodes across my scalp as she yanks me towards her. I cry out, stumbling forward.

Her other hand comes up, aiming for my throat. Panic surges through me, and I react on pure instinct. I drive my knee up, catching her in the stomach. It's like kicking a wall, but it's enough to make her loosen her grip.

I twist away, strands of hair tearing free from my scalp. My heart pounds in my ears as I scramble back, putting some distance between us.

Darana's eyes narrow, a cruel smile twisting her lips. "Is that all you've got, human? No wonder Cassius will tire of you soon."

Her words sting, but I push the feeling aside. I can't let her get in my head.

She rushes me again, faster than before. This time, I'm not quick enough. Her fist connects with my jaw, sending me sprawling onto the sand. The world spins, pain exploding through my face.

I taste blood in my mouth as I roll, narrowly avoiding her foot as it stomps down where my head was a second ago. The sand shifts under me as I struggle to my feet, my vision blurring.

Darana doesn't give me a chance to recover. She's on me in an instant, her hand wrapping around my throat once more. She lifts me off my feet like I weigh nothing, her grip tightening.

I claw at her arm, gasping for air. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision. I can feel my strength fading, my limbs growing heavy.

No. I can't let it end like this.

With the last of my strength, I bring my legs up and kick out, catching Darana square in the chest. The impact sends us both flying apart. I hit the ground hard, sand flying up around me as I roll.

I push myself up onto my hands and knees, coughing and sucking in deep breaths. My throat burns, and every inch of my body aches. But I'm alive.

I look up, searching for Darana. She's already on her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. She takes a step towards me, murder written across her face.

Darana's eyes flash with fury as she circles me, her movements predatory. "You pathetic little human," she snarls. "You think you can come between us? Cassius and I have history. You're nothing but a temporary distraction."

Her words cut deep, stirring up doubts I've been trying to ignore. The magic from the tablet pulses within me, feeding my anger and confusion.

"You're just a blood bag to him," Darana continues, her voice dripping with venom. "Once he's done with you, he'll come crawling back to me. That's how it always is."

Something inside me snaps. With a primal scream, I lunge at her, the magic exploding through my body. We grapple in the sand, rolling and clawing at each other. But it's clear I'm outmatched. Darana's vrakken strength is overwhelming, and I find myself pinned once again, gasping for air.

As we struggle, my mind races. Has Cassius been with her this whole time? Did I let myself trust him, only to be used? I curse my own naivety, anger and hurt battling within me.

If only I had my bow, I think desperately, searching for any way out of this situation. But I'm weaponless, facing an immortal creature fueled by jealousy and rage.

Darana's fangs gleam in the sunlight as she leans in close. "I'm going to enjoy draining every last drop of blood from your body," she hisses.

Fear grips me, but I refuse to give up. I thrash and fight, my fingers clawing at the sand, searching for anything I can use as a weapon. But there's nothing.

As Darana's teeth graze my neck, I can't help but wonder: where is Cassius? Did he abandon me to this fate? The doubt and betrayal sting almost as much as my impending death.

I struggle against Darana's iron grip, my heart pounding in my chest. Her eyes gleam with malicious intent, and a chill runs down my spine.

"Actually," she hisses, her breath hot against my ear, "I have a better idea."

Before I can react, her hand tightens around my throat. I claw at her arm, desperate for air, but it's like trying to bend steel. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision as panic sets in.

"No," I try to gasp, but no sound comes out.

Darana's face looms over me, a cruel smile twisting her beautiful features. The world starts to spin, my lungs burning for oxygen. I think of Cassius, wondering if he'll return to find me gone – or worse.

My limbs grow heavy, my struggles weakening. As consciousness begins to slip away, a final, terrifying thought flashes through my mind: What does she have planned for me?

The darkness closes in, and I feel myself falling into the abyss. The last thing I see is Darana's triumphant smirk before everything fades to black.