24. Faye

24

FAYE

I wake with a gasp, my senses overwhelmed. The world around me explodes into vivid detail - every grain of dirt on the cave floor, every whisper of air currents. My throat burns with an intense, primal thirst.

"Faye?" Cassius's voice rings clear, each syllable distinct. "How are you feeling?"

I try to respond, but only manage a rasp. My hand flies to my throat, panic rising.

"Shh, it's okay," Cassius soothes, his cool hand on my arm. "I'll help you feed soon. Just breathe."

I nod, forcing myself to focus. As I do, I become aware of my body in a whole new way. Strength courses through my limbs. I flex my fingers, marveling at how responsive they feel.

Slowly, I push myself up. The movement is effortless, almost too quick. I blink, adjusting to this new speed.

"Easy," Cassius murmurs. "It takes some getting used to."

I turn to look at him properly and gasp. His face is a masterpiece of light and shadow, every detail crisp and clear. But there's something else - angry red marks marring his pale skin, a slight hitch in his breathing.

"You're hurt," I rasp, reaching out to touch his cheek.

He catches my hand, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nothing that won't heal. How about you? Any pain?"

I shake my head, still marveling at how different everything feels. "Just... thirsty. So thirsty."

Cassius nods, understanding in his eyes. "Let's take care of that." His eyes drift over me, and for one brief second, I can see the relief there. "I'm so glad you are okay."

Warmth pours through my chest, the only thing pushing through my thirst. He guides me to my feet, and I'm struck by how light I feel. Each movement is precise, controlled. I take a step, then another, marveling at the grace I never possessed before.

Cassius leads me into the forest, his hand steady on my back. The night air is alive with scents and sounds I've never noticed before. I can hear the heartbeats of small creatures scurrying through the underbrush, smell the rich earth beneath our feet.

"Focus," Cassius murmurs. "What do you hear?"

I close my eyes, letting my new senses guide me. There - a steady thump-thump to our left. My mouth waters.

"I hear... something big. A dae?"

Cassius nods, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Good. Now, let's hunt."

We move silently through the trees. I'm amazed at how easily I avoid twigs and leaves, my footsteps as quiet as a shadow. The dae's scent grows stronger, and my throat burns with need.

Suddenly, it's there - a magnificent creature, grazing in a moonlit clearing. Before I can think, I'm moving, faster than I've ever moved before. The dae looks up, startled, but it's too late. I'm on it in an instant, my newfound strength easily bringing it down.

My fangs sink into its neck, and warm blood floods my mouth. It's like nothing I've ever tasted - rich, complex, life itself flowing into me. I drink deeply, lost in the sensation.

"Faye," Cassius's voice cuts through the haze. "That's enough. You need to stop now."

I growl, not wanting to let go. But Cassius's hand on my shoulder grounds me. With effort, I pull away, gasping.

The dae's lifeless body lies before me, drained. I should feel remorse, but all I feel is... alive. Powerful. The burning in my throat has eased, replaced by a warm satisfaction.

"How do you feel?" Cassius asks, watching me carefully.

I lick my lips, savoring the last drops of blood. "Incredible," I breathe. "Is it always like this?"

He smiles, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "The first time is... intense. But yes, it's always satisfying."

I nod, processing. Then a new scent catches my attention - smaller, faster heartbeats nearby. Without thinking, I'm off again, chasing down a pair of suru. They're quick, but I'm quicker. In moments, I've caught them both, draining them in quick succession.

As I finish the second suru, I feel Cassius's presence behind me. "You're a natural," he says softly. "But we need to be careful not to overhunt. Balance is key."

I nod, understanding. The initial frenzy has passed, leaving me clear-headed and more in control. I stand, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

I wipe the last traces of blood from my lips, savoring the lingering taste. As the initial frenzy fades, my senses sharpen even further. A new scent catches my attention - familiar, yet intoxicating in a way I've never experienced before.

Cassius.

His scent calls to me, a song I can't resist. I turn, my eyes locking onto him. He stands a few feet away, watching me with a mixture of pride and something else... something that makes my newly heightened pulse quicken.

Without conscious thought, I move towards him. My movements are fluid, predatory. I feel like a wildcat stalking its prey.

"Cassius," I purr, reaching him in an instant. My arms snake around his neck, pulling him close. Our lips meet in a fierce kiss, and I'm lost in sensation. Every touch, every taste is magnified tenfold.

He chuckles against my mouth, his hands settling on my waist. "Easy, sweetheart," he murmurs. "You'll get used to this feeling, too."

I pull back slightly, grinning up at him. "Who says I want to get used to it?" I tease. "I love how this feels. My body... it's incredible."

To emphasize my point, I step back and stretch, reveling in the power coursing through my limbs. "I'm strong now," I say, flexing my fingers. "Fast, too. Probably faster than you."

Cassius raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Is that so?"

"Mhmm," I hum, circling him slowly. "Want to test it out?"

His eyes darken. "Run, sweetheart." I turn ready to dash just when I hear him let out a low growl that has my core clenching. "But if I catch you, I'm going to fuck you."

I dart through the trees, my newfound speed thrilling. Behind me, Cassius gives chase. His prowess in the forest is breathtaking. The wind whips my hair, as the scent of damp earth fills my nose. But my senses are overwhelmed by him—by the promise of what's to come.

His footsteps gain on me, swift and sure. Excitement courses through my veins, a mixture of the thrill of the hunt and the anticipation of being caught. I can almost feel him, his breath hot on the nape of my neck, his presence like a wave about to crash.

In an instant, he's there, his strong arms encircling me, pinning me to the rough bark of a tree. His body presses against mine, every line of him hard and insistent. My heart pounds, echoing in my ears, as his lips brush against my ear.

"Got you," he whispers, his voice low and full of promise. The words send shivers down my spine, pooling warmth between my legs.

I can't move, can barely breathe. His grip is iron around my waist, possessive and unyielding. He reaches around, his hand circling my throat, a gentle but firm hold that sends a pulsing heat through me. I'm caught, trapped, and utterly at his mercy. The realization is intoxicating.

His other hand slides down, tugging my pants down with a rough efficiency that leaves me exposed and vulnerable. I whimper, a sound that's half protest, half plea. His breath is ragged in my ear as he whispers, "Time for my prize, sweetheart."

The words send a jolt of desire through me, setting every nerve ending on fire. His hand traces down my spine, leaving a trail of shivers, before he grips my hip, his fingers digging into my flesh.

"Cassius," I manage to gasp, my voice barely recognizable as my own. It's rough, raw, full of need.

He groans, a sound that rumbles through his chest and into mine. His lips trail down my neck, his teeth nipping lightly as he positions himself behind me. I moan, arching back against him, my body aching with need.

He doesn't waste time, thrusting into me with a force that steals the breath from my lungs. I cry out, gripping the tree for support as he fills me completely. The sensation is overwhelming, a mix of pleasure and pain that leaves me reeling.

"Holy First, Faye," he grinds out, his hips driving into me. Each thrust sends waves of pleasure cascading through me, building an intensity that threatens to consume me whole.

I can feel his need, his hunger, mirroring my own. He slams deep into me, a punishing pace that steals my breath. But I feel it for what it is — a claiming. And maybe it's this new side of me, now that I am no longer human, but I want it.

I want the smell of him. I want him to claim me. I want him to pump me full of cum and make me his over and over.

His grip on my throat tightens, and I can feel the pressure building, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter. My breath hitches, and I moan his name, a whispered plea for more.

"That's it, sweetheart," he growls, his voice ragged with desire. "Give me everything. Show me you're mine."

His words are a command, and my body obeys, shattering around him. The pleasure explodes, blinding and all-consuming. I cry out, my vision blurring as wave after wave crashes over me.

Cassius follows, his body tensing before releasing in a rush of heat. He groans, his hold on me tightening briefly before he collapses against me, his breath hot and heavy on my skin.

We stay like that, our bodies pressed together, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. The forest around us seems to hold its breath, the only sound the distant hum of night creatures and the whisper of leaves.

"Faye," he rasps.

I turn my head, my eyes meeting his. There's something in his gaze, a warmth I've never seen before. It makes my heart ache in a way I can't quite understand.

"Yeah?" I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He smiles, a slow, lazy grin that makes my stomach flutter. "You're incredible," he says, his thumb tracing circles on my hip.

I can't help but smile back, the warmth in his eyes making me feel seen, understood in a way I never have before. "You're not so bad yourself, pretty boy."

His laughter echoes through the forest, a sound that seems to chase away the shadows. In this moment, it feels like nothing else exists—just us, just this.

And for now, that's enough. That's everything.