☆Chapter 4☆

The thief's fingers had barely brushed Maya's satchel when, in a blur of movement, her hand clamped down on his wrist with a grip like iron. His eyes snapped up in shock, only to find her glowing, molten blue gaze locked on him, wide awake and far from amused. Before he could even react, she yanked him forward with surprising strength, throwing him off balance.

In one fluid motion, Maya kicked the knife from his hand and twisted his body, sending him sprawling onto the wooden floor with a loud thud. He groaned, disoriented and winded, but before he could catch his breath, she was on him.

Straddling his chest, Maya pinned the would-be thief down, her legs tightening around his waist with ease. The thin fabric of her nightgown shifted dangerously as she moved, revealing a flash of her bare thigh, and as she leaned over him, the loose neckline slipped slightly, teasing the curve of her breast. His breath hitched as he realized just how vulnerable he was, not only because she had him in a compromising position but because of the raw, unearthly beauty that now loomed over him like a predator toying with its prey.

Maya's smirk deepened, her hair cascading down like molten silver as she leaned closer, her lips hovering just above his ear. "Going somewhere, thief?"

The man, momentarily mesmerized by her proximity, struggled to focus as she tightened her grip on his arm. His pulse raced, a mix of fear and something else entirely coursing through him. "P-please," he gasped, his voice trembling. "I-I wasn't going to hurt you. I swear! Just, just following orders."

Maya arched an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Orders? And who exactly sent you?"

"X-Xavier!" he sputtered, desperation creeping into his voice. "He… he sent me! Said you killed some of his men outside town, the ones with the cart! He… he wants you dead."

Maya's eyes gleamed with interest as she tilted her head, pretending to consider his words. "Ah, so this Xavier doesn't like losing his men. I suppose I'll have to give him a proper introduction to what real power looks like."

She shifted her weight, her thigh brushing against his side, and he nearly whimpered at the contact. Her nightgown, having slipped further, revealed more of her smooth skin, and the thief's gaze flickered between terror and helpless attraction. Maya noticed, of course, but found it amusing more than anything. She leaned in even closer, her lips just inches from his.

"I'm going to let you live," she whispered, her voice low and sultry. "But only because you're going to deliver a message for me."

The thief nodded furiously, his entire body trembling beneath her. "Y-yes, anything! I'll do it, just, just don't kill me!"

Maya released his wrist and stood, her body moving with the fluid grace of a predator that had just let its prey go, for now. She towered over him, adjusting her gown with a languid motion that seemed to mock his helplessness.

"Tell Xavier that I'll be waiting for him outside town by the old well at dawn," she said, her tone commanding. "If he wants to settle this, he can meet me there. But if you don't deliver the message exactly as I've told you, I'll find you. And next time, I won't be so forgiving."

The thief scrambled to his feet, clutching his bruised arm and backing toward the door as quickly as his legs would allow. "I-I'll tell him! I swear!" he stammered before bolting from the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Maya watched him flee, a satisfied smirk curling her lips. She stretched lazily, her earlier fatigue now forgotten, replaced by the thrill of what was to come. The prospect of facing Xavier and his Crimson Twilight gang intrigued her, especially the part about their vampire leader.

"This could be fun," she mused aloud, glancing out the window as the first hints of dawn began to creep over the horizon. She turned back to the mirror, admiring the subtle curves and silver strands of her chosen human form.

~"Thanks for reading the chapter. If you like it then please send me your powerstones and golden tickets. I also love reading your comments, so feel free to me a message. "~