Lena LaShae the Vampire

Hunter's Bait

After Lena's return, her time together with Cassie, though brief and cherished, was marked by an unshakable sense of unease. The Dravonix Initiative had retreated, but not for long. They were regrouping, and their obsession with Lena had only deepened after their failed attempt to destroy her. Valeria's death had shaken the organization to its core, and they sought to hit Lena where it would hurt the most: through Cassie.
One night, Cassie was walking through the city alone, running an errand that Lena had assured her would be safe. She had started to grow more confident, believing that with Lena by her side, nothing could touch her. But the Dravonix Initiative was waiting, watching for their chance. And when they struck, it was swift and brutal.
Cassie barely had time to react. A group of vampire hunters surrounded her in a dark alley, overpowering her before she could even cry out for help. She fought as hard as she could, but their numbers and their experience were too much. They subdued her quickly, binding her hands and gagging her, tossing her into the back of a black van before speeding off into the night.
She woke hours later in a cold, dark cell. Her body ached from the rough treatment, and she could taste blood in her mouth. The room was small, damp, and smelled of mildew. Chains held her to the wall, heavy and unyielding. Panic set in as she realized just how trapped she was.
After what felt like an eternity, the door to the cell creaked open. A man stepped inside, tall and menacing, wearing the signature gear of a vampire hunter. His eyes gleamed with malice as he approached her.
"Comfortable?" he sneered, his voice cold. "Lena isn't going to be able to save you this time."
Cassie glared at him, her heart pounding in her chest, but she refused to show fear. "Haven't you heard? Lena's dead."
He chuckled darkly, stepping closer until she could feel the chill radiating from him. "Nice try," he whispered, "but we both know that's not true."
"You won't get away with this," she spat, her voice defiant.
The hunter chuckled darkly, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look him in the eyes. "Oh, we already have. And Lena? She's going to walk right into our trap."
Cassie's heart sank as she realized their plan. They were going to use her as bait to lure Lena into a confrontation. She knew Lena would come for her, but she also knew that the hunters would be ready-armed to the teeth with weapons designed to kill vampires.
The next few days were a blur of torment and interrogation. The hunters wanted information about Lena-her strengths, her weaknesses-but Cassie refused to give them anything. They tortured her, pushing her to her limits, but she held on, determined not to betray Lena.
All the while, the hunters kept sending messages to Lena, taunting her with the knowledge that they had Cassie, though they wouldn't reveal where they had her captive. Lena, desperate to save her, began hunting the hunters down one by one, tearing through their ranks as she searched for her darling, Cassie.
Cassie's thoughts were consumed with Lena-wondering if she would come, hoping she wouldn't fall into the trap, and praying that if Lena did show up, she'd somehow survive the encounter. The pain from the torture was relentless, but her admiration for Lena kept her going.
Eventually, the hunters realized that their usual methods weren't going to break Cassie. She was too strong-willed, too connected to Lena. They decided to move forward with the final phase of their plan. They would let Lena come to them, and when she did, they would be ready.
One evening, as Cassie lay in her cell, barely conscious from the latest round of beatings, she heard the familiar sound of raven wings flapping outside the window. Her heart leaped, though fear twisted in her gut.
Lena was coming.