A Nagging Thought

The hunger is different now.

Not the relentless thirst for blood that claws at my insides, but something deeper—something insidious that wraps around my mind and refuses to let go. Liam.

Ever since that night by the river, his face haunts my thoughts. His eyes, sharp and expressionless, yet filled with something that stirs a forgotten part of me—something I have no business feeling. He is human. I am not. And yet, every time I close my eyes, he is there.

I shake my head, trying to push him out of my thoughts as I stand in the training hall, rolling my shoulders. Across from me, Lucian stands with his arms crossed, his golden eyes scanning me with suspicion.

He exhales sharply and steps forward, rolling his neck. "We're done with swords for now," he announces. "Today, we focus on hand-to-hand combat. Your body should be as deadly as any blade you wield."

I nod, shifting my stance instinctively. I am fast, stronger than most, but Lucian is a different kind of beast. He is calculated, methodical, and every move he makes is laced with purpose.

He continues, "A Nightwalker should be able to incapacitate a target without needing a weapon. If you're disarmed in battle, you fight with your fists, your feet, your instincts. Hesitation gets you killed."

He takes another step toward me, his golden eyes gleaming. "And tonight, I'm going to make you hesitate."

I barely have time to react before he lunges. His speed is monstrous, but I meet him halfway, ducking under his fist and driving my elbow into his ribs.

A satisfying thud meets my ears, but Lucian barely flinches before twisting, his forearm crashing into my jaw.

I stumble back, blood pooling in my mouth. The taste only fuels the fire inside me.

"Sloppy," Lucian growls. "You're thinking about something else."

I spit to the side and steady my stance. "I'm thinking about kicking your ass."

Lucian smirks, amused. "Then do it."

He lunges again, and this time I am ready.

I meet him head-on, weaving under his strikes. The air between us sizzles as our blows land—elbows, knees, fists, every strike meant to shatter bone and tear muscle. He grabs my arm, twisting it at an unnatural angle, but I use the momentum to flip over his back, landing a solid kick to the side of his head. He staggers but doesn't fall.

"Better," he admits. "But not good enough."

His knee drives into my stomach, knocking the air from my lungs. I gasp but refuse to go down. I swing, but he catches my wrist and twists, sending me crashing to the ground.

I barely have a second to recover before he is on me, his arm pressing against my throat. His weight pins me, forcing me to struggle against him.

My vision blurs at the edges, my lungs burning, but I refuse to submit.

I growl, my fangs flashing as I grab his wrist and twist, rolling us over so I am on top. Before he can react, I bring my elbow down onto his throat, stopping just before crushing his windpipe.

Lucian smirks. "That's more like it."

I release him and stagger to my feet, my chest heaving. My body aches, but the fire in my veins is stronger than ever. Lucian stands as well, rubbing his neck as he eyes me.

"You're distracted," he says finally. "Your anger's unfocused."

I wipe my mouth and look away. "I'm fine."

Lucian scoffs. "No, you're not. You've been different ever since that night. I smell it on you. The indecision. The weakness."

I clench my fists. Weak?

"You don't know what you're talking about," I mutter, striding past him. But as I reach the entrance, his voice stops me cold.

"If you're doing something reckless, Lord Marcus will find out. And when he does, you won't be able to lie your way out of it."

I swallow hard and force myself to walk away.

...

That night, the dreams come again.

I am running through the woods, my bare feet sinking into the damp earth. The scent of rain clings to the air, then the human.

Liam.

He is there, standing by the river, his back to me. Moonlight bathes his form in silver light, his posture tense as if he is waiting for something. Waiting for me.

I try to call out, but the wind swallows my voice. Then suddenly, Liam turns, and his eyes—those piercing, knowing eyes—lock onto mine. Not afraid. Never afraid.

Then the scene shifts.

Blood. The scent is overwhelming, thick and metallic. A body at my feet. Hands stained crimson. And Liam—his face frozen in betrayal as his body crumples into the darkness.

I jolt awake, gasping.

My hands are shaking. The hunger is there, but so is something else. Something dangerous.

I can't do this anymore.

With careful movements, I dress in black, slipping into the shadows like I have done countless times before. But this time, it isn't hunger driving me.

It is him.

The fortress looms behind me as I dart through the trees, my footsteps soundless against the wet ground. The night wraps around me like a cloak, hiding me from the watchful eyes of the Nightwalkers.

I know the risks. If Marcus finds out, there will be no mercy. If Lucian catches me, he will force me to explain. And if Liam—

I stop abruptly, my breath catching in my throat.

He is there.

Exactly where he has been in my dreams.

By the river.

Waiting.

My chest tightens as I watch him, his hands dipped into the cool water, his gaze distant, lost in thought. He looks different in the moonlight—less human, more something else. As if, somehow, he already knows I am here.

Leave, a voice in my head whispers. Before it's too late.

I take a step forward instead.

CRACK!

A twig snaps again. Liam slowly turns, his eyes locking onto mine.

The world holds its breath.

"You came back," he murmurs.

And I know then—this is only the beginning.