Eternal desire

Chapter 7

**Chapter 7: The Rival Vampire**

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light over the quiet streets of Crimson Hollow. Amara’s thoughts were still a whirlwind after what had happened between her and Lucien. The kiss they shared was all she could think about—how everything changed in that moment, how his words echoed in her mind: *“I’m too selfish to push you away.”*

She smiled to herself, brushing her fingers over her lips as she walked home, but the warm feeling was short-lived. Something wasn’t right. The air suddenly felt colder, heavier. Amara stopped in her tracks, her instincts screaming at her that she wasn’t alone.

"Out for a midnight stroll, little human?" A voice, sultry and smooth, slithered from the shadows.

Amara turned quickly, her heart pounding. A woman stepped out from the darkness—tall, with strikingly sharp features and flowing raven hair. Her eyes were like shards of ice, cold and unforgiving. She carried herself with a regal arrogance, her every movement graceful, but there was something unmistakably dangerous about her.

Amara instinctively took a step back. “Who are you?”

The woman’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “I’m someone you should be very afraid of.” She took a step closer, her gaze flickering with disdain. “Cassandra. And if you haven’t already heard of me, darling, you should have. I was Lucien’s before you even knew his name.”

Amara’s blood ran cold. *Lucien’s former lover?* She swallowed, trying to maintain her composure, but the woman’s presence was suffocating.

“You’re the reason he’s been acting so strange,” Cassandra said, her voice laced with venom. “A little human girl, distracting him from what really matters. Do you even know what you’ve gotten yourself into?”

Amara’s fear quickly shifted to anger. “You don’t know me,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “And whatever you had with Lucien is in the past.”

Cassandra’s smile widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, sweet girl, you’re so naive. Lucien may have indulged in a little distraction, but don’t think for a second that you’re anything more than a passing fancy. You don’t belong in his world. You’re nothing compared to me.”

Amara clenched her fists. The sharpness of Cassandra’s words stung, but she refused to let it show. “Lucien’s not yours anymore,” she said firmly. “He made his choice.”

Cassandra’s expression darkened. “And that’s exactly the problem. You’ve blinded him, made him forget who he is. But I won’t let that last. I’ve had centuries to perfect the art of claiming what’s mine.” Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “I won’t let a human girl take him from me.”

Amara took a deep breath, her heart racing, but before she could respond, Cassandra’s eyes glinted with malice. In a flash, she was right in front of Amara, her hand wrapping around Amara’s throat. The speed and strength took Amara by surprise, and she gasped, struggling to breathe.

“Do you honestly think you can keep him?” Cassandra sneered, her grip tightening. “You don’t stand a chance. I could end you right now, and he would forget you ever existed.”

Amara’s vision blurred, her fingers clawing at Cassandra’s hand, but the vampire’s strength was overwhelming. Just as the darkness began to close in, a powerful voice cut through the night.

“Cassandra, *enough*!”

In an instant, Lucien was there, his presence commanding, his eyes burning with fury. Cassandra’s grip loosened, and she let Amara go, but her icy smile remained. Amara stumbled back, gasping for air, but Lucien was immediately by her side, his arm protectively wrapping around her.

“I warned you, Cassandra,” Lucien growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Stay away from Amara.I never loved you and will never love you, all the people I loved are dead. If I loved you then you should be dead by now so quit this obsession."

Cassandra crossed her arms, unfazed by Lucien’s anger. “You’re really going to throw away centuries of history for *her*?” she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. “A fragile human who won’t even live a fraction of our lives? You’ll regret this, Lucien.”

“I made my choice,” Lucien said coldly, his eyes never leaving Cassandra’s. “Amara is under my protection. You won’t touch her.”

Cassandra’s gaze flickered with a dangerous light, but she kept her composure. “You think you can protect her from everyone? From the enemies that will come for her because of you?” She laughed softly. “You’re a fool, Lucien. She’s your weakness. She’ll be the death of you.”

Lucien’s jaw tightened. “I’d rather die than let anything happen to her.”

Cassandra’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. “You’ve always been stubborn, Lucien. But this isn’t over.” She cast a glance at Amara, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent. “We’ll see how long you can keep her safe.”

With that, she disappeared into the night, leaving a chilling silence in her wake.

Amara leaned into Lucien, still shaken, but his arms around her were like a shield. His touch was warm, comforting, even though his body was trembling with anger.

“She won’t stop,” Amara whispered, her voice hoarse. “She hates me.”

Lucien’s grip on her tightened, his voice soft but fierce. “I won’t let her hurt you, Amara. I swear to you, nothing will happen to you.”

“But she’s right,” Amara said, her voice trembling. “You have enemies—people who want to destroy you. And I’m just… I’m just human. I’m not strong enough.”

Lucien gently cupped her face, his eyes filled with both love and determination. “You’re stronger than you think,” he said. “And I don’t care how many enemies come for us, I will protect you. I’ll always protect you. Nothing is going to happen to you, Amara. Not as long as I’m here.”

His words sent a wave of warmth through her, and for a moment, the fear subsided. She believed him, even though she knew the danger was far from over. She rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her.

Lucien held her close, his eyes scanning the darkness as if searching for the shadows that still threatened them. But in that moment, with Amara in his arms, he made a silent vow.

Whatever it took, he would keep her safe.

---

Tension rises as a new threat enters Amara’s world, one that won’t back down easily. But with Lucien by her side, she’s ready to face whatever darkness comes their way.