Bound by shadows: A Love Against All Odds (Bloodthirsty series)

15: Shadowed Deceptions

The figure's words echo in my mind, "The real danger is still to come." My breath catches in my throat as I try to discern their face in the dim light. The café's flickering lights cast unsettling shadows, deepening the sense of foreboding that fills the room.

"Who are you?" I demand, trying to keep my voice steady. My hand inches toward the gun concealed in my jacket, ready for anything.

The figure steps closer, just enough for the light to catch the edge of their jawline, revealing a smirk that sends a chill down my spine. "Someone who's been watching you for a long time, Alora. But tonight... I'm here to deliver a message."

My instincts scream at me to run, to escape before it's too late. But I stand my ground, refusing to show any sign of fear. "What message?" I ask, every muscle in my body tense.

The figure leans in, their voice dropping to a near-whisper. "You're not the only one Lupé's betrayed. There are others. And they're coming for both of you."

Before I can react, the figure slips back into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared. I'm left alone, the weight of their words pressing heavily on my chest. My heart races, and I force myself to take deep, steadying breaths.

The sense of being watched lingers, and I quickly scan the café, but there's no sign of the mysterious figure. The patrons around me seem oblivious, engrossed in their own conversations and meals, unaware of the storm brewing around them.

I need to get out of here. Fast.

I push open the door and step out into the cold night air, my mind racing. Betrayal, danger, Lupé... it's all becoming too much to handle. I need answers, and I need them now. But as I start to walk away from the café, I feel a hand on my shoulder.

I spin around, ready to fight, but it's just a stranger—a man in a dark coat who looks just as startled as I am. "Sorry," he mutters, quickly walking past me.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. My paranoia is getting the better of me. I need to stay focused if I'm going to figure this out.

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My new apartment in Manhattan is barely furnished, just the basics—a bed, a couch, a few dishes. I haven't had time to make it feel like home, and honestly, I'm not sure I want to. It's just a safe place to lay low, to regroup and plan my next move.

But tonight, as I clean the kitchen, I can't shake the feeling that something is off. There's an eerie stillness in the air, as if the city itself is holding its breath.

I finish washing the dishes and move to the window, pulling it open to let in the cool night breeze. The sounds of the city filter in—honking cars, distant sirens, the hum of life. I close my eyes, trying to find a moment of peace in the chaos.

Then, out of nowhere, a paper airplane flies through the window, landing at my feet. I stare at it, my heart skipping a beat. Cautiously, I pick it up and unfold it. The words scrawled across the paper send a chill down my spine:

"We know where you are. You can't hide forever."

My blood runs cold. They've found me.

I crumple the paper in my hand, anger and fear twisting in my gut. There's only one person who could be behind this—Lupé. He's taunting me, playing his twisted games.

Enough is enough. I'm not going to sit around and wait for him to strike. It's time to confront him—once and for all.

*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:· ·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱