She continued, her tone dripping with evil certainty. "But I know that it will. I know that she will hurt a great deal, and that's fine. But I think that it's worth it. I know she will not be able to be my best friend. I know she will not be able to be her best friend."
I smiled to myself, my thoughts knitting the last strands of the scheme. All was fine. Each move choreographed. She laughed, her eyes glinting with excitement, a wild spark flickering in their centers.
She did not yet realize the full scope of what was headed their way.
But she would.
I could make her come in with a bang. I could make her believe she was loved and cherished, a willing participant in my twisted game. I knew I could turn her around, break her to my command, make her yield. She would believe she was strong, that she was worthy of me. That was the key to it all—making her believe that surrender was not defeat, but destiny.
A low, thunderous chuckle shook my chest. "I knew it would be the work of her best friend. I knew she would be hurting so badly and that my plan would work. And I knew I could change her mind and get her to come in. with a kiss. A deep, all-consuming, inescapable kiss."
Or perhaps more.
Yes, much more.
She moved, her lips relaxing a little as she breathed out. "How long will it take?"
I spun to face her completely, cocking my head as if considering something monumental. "I don't know," I confessed, though I knew precisely how long it would be. "But it'll be the last time we're together before she gets ill. And it won't be the last time we're together as a family. I think it's vital that you remain centered on what's most important."
She nodded, a hint of skepticism passing over her features for an instant before she dismissed it. She wanted to believe me. She needed to believe me.
I touched her, placing my fingers gently on her wrist. "That's great, Selene. I've heard your stories, but this is important. I think it helps to focus on what matters most. And I want you to think about how this will be for you."
I leaned down, my mouth hot against the flesh of her cheek. "You're going to have to choose. Regret it, even. But it's all right. Because soon enough, everything will be made clear."
Her Adam's apple jiggled as she swallowed hard. "I—"
"Shh." My finger moved along her jaw. "I don't think it's a good idea to exit this room with ill intentions. I think you'll learn from your errors."
I could see it—the conflict. The way she wanted to run but the way she wanted to remain. The way she wanted to believe me but wasn't supposed to.
But I would break that hesitation. I always did.
She looked at me, her eyes full of a mix of shame and relief. I didn't want her to cry. No, I needed to stop her from crying.
Tears equaled doubt. Doubt equaled hesitation. And hesitation was not safe. I moved closer, speaking in a hushed whisper. "The only way that you can prevent this from happening is to trust me."
A deep breath. A slow release.
She was mine now.
I sat in the room's dimmed darkness later that night, staring at my phone. The screen cast unforgiving shadows on my face, distorting the picture in the black mirror-like surface.
"You're correct, Lucian. If anything needed to be done, I would take charge," a voice announced in the dark. "You understand, you're my closest friend, and I am here to protect you, not harm you."
I smirked. Lies rolled so easily off her tongue now.
I breathed deeply, controlling my tone. "I know that's a lot of promise, but we have to change. You need to hear me out. Come up with something that makes sense. We can't do it the way it was."
She nodded slowly, understanding seeping in on her like poison.
I reclined, as the last vestige of doubt flared and went out of her eyes.
Much, much later, I sat on the cold tile bathroom floor, back against the door. The far-off hum of water running was almost imperceptible. My fingers drummed against the phone screen, my brain a maelstrom of calculated mayhem.
Behind the locked stall stood another presence.
"I apologize for interrupting you," I growled, my words thick with laughter. "It was just a little too much fun."
A chuckle. "Sorry?"
I grinned. "I believe I've finally figured out just how much you want this."
A pause. A sharp inhale.
"Do you think you've got the right kind of. devotion?" I asked, my tone taunting.
A shiver. "I don't believe I've ever experienced anything quite like this before."
"Good," I breathed. "That's the way it should be."
The door to the bathroom creaked open, the dim light of the hall causing long shadows on the floor.
"I'll tell you more about that." I exclaimed, rising to my feet and advancing, a stalking creature finally closing in on its prey.
Chapter Over. To be continued in the next chapter ????????