The Midnight Oath

Chapter 7: Lucy's Suspicion

As the days turned into weeks, Lucy’s concern for Elara grew into a palpable tension. She
had watched her friend change, consumed by a passion that felt both exhilarating and
terrifying. Every time Elara spoke of Damien, a flicker of fear ignited in Lucy’s heart.
One afternoon, as they sat in the café, Lucy finally voiced her worries. “Elara, I know you
care about him, but you have to be careful. I’ve noticed strange things about Damien,” she
said, her voice trembling slightly.
“What do you mean?” Elara replied, defensive. “He’s just an artist.”
“There’s more to him than that,” Lucy pressed, her hazel eyes earnest. “You know I’ve
always been good at reading people. There’s something lurking beneath the surface,
something dark. You have to remember what we’ve been through.”
Elara sighed, frustration bubbling up within her. “Lucy, I appreciate your concern, but you
don’t understand. He’s not like the others. He… he gets me.”
“But at what cost?” Lucy countered, leaning in closer. “You’re putting your heart on the line
for someone you barely know. You can’t let this obsession blind you to the truth.”
Elara opened her mouth to respond but faltered. She wanted to believe that Lucy was just
overreacting, that her friend didn’t understand the connection she had with Damien. But
deep down, a sliver of doubt began to creep in.
“Damien is different,” Elara insisted, her voice wavering slightly. “He knows about my family.
He understands my pain.”
“But you don’t know *his* pain,” Lucy replied softly, her tone a mix of concern and empathy.
“Just promise me you’ll be cautious. Don’t lose yourself in this.”
Elara nodded, torn between her loyalty to Lucy and her growing feelings for Damien. The
warmth of her friend’s concern felt comforting, but the flame of passion that burned within
her for Damien was harder to extinguish.