chapter 8(b)

b.The Chase: A Predator's Gambit

Lucas blurred past Caden, a streak of pale fury against the night, his laughter echoing over the roar of the waves. Chloe's scent-fear, salt, and jasmine-led him straight to her.

"*Run!*" Caden's voice tore through the air, raw and desperate.

She stumbled on the black sand, her breath ragged, as Lucas tackled her to the ground. She however managed to slip from his grasp.

Chloe scrambled free, sprinting into the jungle's shadowed maw. Lucas turned, fangs bared, but Caden was already on him, slamming him into the sand with a force that sent a shockwave through the beach.

Caden lunged, his fist aimed at Lucas's jaw. Lucas ducked, his claws raking upward, slicing through Caden's forearm. Blood sprayed, dark and glistening, as Caden twisted, driving his elbow into Lucas's ribs. The crack of bone echoed, and Lucas staggered, spitting blood.

Lucas retaliated, scooping a handful of black sand and hurling it into Caden's eyes. Caden roared, blinded, but his instincts kicked in. He spun, dodging Lucas's follow-up strike, and grabbed a jagged driftwood branch. With a grunt, he drove it into Lucas's thigh, the wood splintering as it pierced flesh.

Lucas snarled, yanking the branch free and swinging it like a club. Caden caught it mid-air, snapping it in two, and drove the splintered end into Lucas's shoulder.

They crashed into the surf, the waves churning around them. Lucas pinned Caden beneath the water, his hands vise-like around his throat. Caden's vision darkened, but he twisted, sinking his fangs into Lucas's wrist until bone snapped. Lucas howled, releasing his grip, and Caden surged upward, dragging them both onto the shore.

Lucas kicked Caden in the chest, sending him skidding across the sand. Caden retaliated with a burst of speed, slamming into Lucas like a freight train. The impact sent a plume of sand into the air, obscuring them both.

Lucas emerged first, his claws slashing through the haze. Caden ducked, the strike grazing his cheek, and countered with a brutal uppercut that lifted Lucas off his feet.

Caden grabbed Lucas by the hair, dragging him to the water's edge. With a guttural cry, he tore out Lucas's throat, the spray of crimson arcing like a macabre fountain. Lucas gagged, clutching his neck, as Caden drank deeply from the wound-a grotesque communion.

Caden collapsed beside Lucas's twitching body, his brother's blood bitter on his tongue. "Why...?" Lucas rasped, his voice a wet rattle.

"You left me no choice," Caden whispered, his eyes glistening.

Lucas's hand trembled, pointing past Caden. "That succubus... she's... familiar..."

Caden turned.

Selene descended from the cliffs, her tail coiled around a silver hammer. "Hello, darling," she purred, swinging the weapon at Caden's skull.

He dodged, but the hammer struck Lucas's face instead, crushing bone to pulp. The second swing grazed Caden's shoulder, Selene's tail flicking out to nick his arm-a pinprick, but lethal.

**Poison.**

Caden's veins burned. He staggered, vision blurring, as Selene laughed. "Did you think I'd let you keep her? You're *mine*, Caden. Always have been."

He collapsed onto Lucas's corpse, the world spinning. Selene hoisted him over her shoulder, her strength effortless. "Sleep now, love. The real game's just beginning."

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A False Sanctuary

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Chloe stumbled through the jungle, her breath ragged, her mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. The echoes of the fight-Caden's roars, Lucas's screams-still rang in her ears. She didn't know where to go, who to trust.

Then she saw it-the villa. Light spilled from the windows, a beacon in the darkness. She ran toward it, her feet sinking into the black sand, and burst through the door.

Selene stood in the foyer, her tail flicking lazily, a glass of wine in her hand. She turned, her amber eyes glowing faintly. "Well, well. Look who's come crawling back."

Chloe stumbled through the villa's doorway, her chest heaving, sweat mingling with the saltwater still clinging to her skin. Her lungs burned, her throat raw from panting, as she collapsed against the wall. Words tangled in her mouth-*Caden, monster, blood*-but all that escaped was a ragged gasp.

Selene turned from the hallway mirror, her reflection sharp and unbothered. "Darling," she purred, gliding forward. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Chloe tried to speak, but Selene silenced her with a finger to her lips. "Shh. Breathe."

The succubus pulled her into a tight embrace, her claws resting lightly on Chloe's back. "You're safe here," she murmured, her voice honeyed and low. "I won't let anything harm you."

Chloe shuddered, the fight seeping out of her as Selene's perfume-jasmine and iron-filled her senses.

The door creaked open, and Angus stepped inside, his hair damp from the ocean breeze. He froze, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene-Selene crouched beside Chloe, her claws lingering on the girl's face.

"Selene," he said, his voice sharp.

She turned, her smile widening. "Angus, darling. I was just comforting our guest."

Angus strode forward, his movements deliberate. He wrapped his arms around Selene from behind, his lips brushing her ear. "You're too kind, love. But Chloe looks exhausted. Maybe she should rest."

Selene's tail twitched, her grip on Chloe loosening. "Of course. How thoughtless of me."

Chloe blinked, the fog in her mind lifting slightly. "I... I think I need to lie down."

Selene stood, her smile never wavering. "I'll show you to the guest room."

Selene led Chloe up the stairs, her movements graceful and unhurried. The guest room was lavish, the bed draped in silk, the windows overlooking the jungle.

"Rest here," Selene said, her voice soft. "You're safe now."

Chloe nodded, her eyelids heavy. "Thank you, Selene."

Selene's smile was almost tender. "Sleep well, darling, I'll make you a meal I'm sure you are starving."

As the door clicked shut, Chloe collapsed onto the bed, her mind swirling with half-formed thoughts. She didn't notice the faint vibrations beneath her-the sound of fists pounding against stone.

In the cellar, Caden slammed his fists against the reinforced door, the sound echoing like thunder. Lucas's blood coursed through his veins, amplifying his strength, but the silver-infused walls held firm.

"Selene!" he roared, his voice shaking the foundations. "You think you can keep me here?!"

Above, Selene paused at the top of the stairs, her tail flicking in irritation. "Quiet, love," she murmured. "You'll wake the girl."