YOU ARE WHAT I NEED [COMPLETED]

35

Flashback 

The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of burning candles and the aftermath of their recent "intimacy." Alicia lay draped over Devin's chest, a contented sigh escaping her lips as she traced patterns on his skin with her fingers.

"Was that favor I gave you good enough?" she asked, her voice soft and teasing.

Devin chuckled and kissed the top of her head, his fingers lazily playing with her hair. "It was lovely," he said, his voice low and smooth, the perfect mask of affection.

Alicia smiled, her heart swelling with what she believed was love. She settled further into him, relishing the feeling of being so close to him, of finally having someone who seemed to care about her—someone who saw her.

Devin, however, was already two steps ahead, his mind working through the next phase of his plan. He glanced down at her, a seemingly innocent question forming on his lips. "Alicia... have you ever wanted to do something that would solve all of your problems?"

Alicia stilled, the question catching her off guard. Claire's image flashed in her mind. For years, she had felt overshadowed, unseen, like her accomplishments were second to Claire's. And no matter how hard she tried, no one ever looked at her the way they looked at Claire. It ate at her, consumed her.

Alicia hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Yes. But it would be illegal."

Devin's fingers curled under her chin, tilting her face so she had no choice but to look into his eyes. His gaze was intense, almost hypnotic. "Whatever it is, it can't be that bad," he said, his voice low and soothing, a predator in disguise.

Alicia's eyes hardened, and for the first time, she said aloud what had been festering inside her for so long. "I want to make my cousin disappear."

Devin smiled, and it was the kind of smile that sent chills down anyone's spine if they looked closely enough. But Alicia, blinded by her need for validation, didn't see it. "Consider it done," he said smoothly, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Stick with me, Alicia, and I'll give you anything you want."

Alicia blushed, her heart pounding as she melted further into him, her mind awash with fantasies of finally stepping out of Claire's shadow. She rested her head on his chest, a wide grin spreading across her face. She had no idea that she had just sealed her fate in Devin's dangerous game.

Devin's smile lingered as he looked down at her, knowing full well that Alicia was nothing more than a pawn in his larger scheme. She was naive, easily manipulated, and now completely under his control.

Alicia's voice trembled on the other side of the phone as she stammered, clearly taken aback by Devin's sudden cruelty. For weeks, he had been sweet to her, giving her attention and affection she had never known. Now, the coldness in his voice was like a slap in the face.

"D-Devin... do you even care about me?" Alicia's voice cracked, her heart breaking as she asked the question.

"No," Devin replied bluntly, his tone flat and uncaring. Without another word, he hung up the phone, not giving her a second thought. Alicia's usefulness had run its course, and now, she was just as expendable as the rest.

 The plan had been so simple, so perfect. Alicia was supposed to slip the tainted drink to Claire, and that would have been the end of her. But somehow, Claire had managed to escape that fate, and Alicia had failed him.

"Useless," Devin muttered under his breath.

He had been toying with Alicia for weeks, playing her like a puppet, feeding her exactly what she wanted to hear. He knew her insecurities, her jealousy of Claire, and how easily he could manipulate those feelings. But now, as the plan crumbled before him, he felt nothing but disdain for her. 

Frustration burned through him. The plan had unraveled, and he needed to act fast. He called for his men, gathering them in the large underground bunker where they held meetings. His mind raced as he stood before them, knowing he had to take drastic action. Claire and her family had become too much of a problem, and it was time to end things once and for all.

"We're raiding Claire's family land," Devin announced to the group, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion. "We're killing everyone in sight. No one survives."

A roar of approval filled the room as his men cheered, the bloodlust in the air palpable. But not everyone shared the enthusiasm.

Conner, his closest friend for years, stepped forward, a look of disbelief on his face. "Devin, you can't do this. You're leading our people to their deaths. This isn't just some skirmish, this is war—against one of the most powerful supernatural families."

Devin's gaze snapped toward Conner, his frustration boiling over. He had always known Conner was soft, but now was not the time for weakness. "Are you really questioning my authority to save some creatures? Where is your loyalty Conner!" Devin demanded, his voice filled with venom.

Conner shook his head, his hands held up in a gesture of peace. "I'm loyal to our people, but I'm not a maniac like you. This isn't about loyalty. This is about survival. You're obsessed with revenge, and it's going to get us all killed."

The room fell silent, the tension between the two men thick enough to cut with a knife. Embarrassed and enraged by Conner's words, Devin acted without thinking. In one swift motion, he drew a knife from his belt and plunged it into Conner's throat.

A collective gasp echoed through the room as Conner staggered back, his hands instinctively reaching for the blade lodged in his neck. Blood poured from the wound, and Conner's eyes widened in shock as he choked, gasping for air.

Devin didn't flinch. He watched, stone-faced, as Conner collapsed to the ground, drowning in his own blood. "No one questions me," Devin said, his voice calm and steady as if he had just swatted a fly. "If anyone does, they'll end up just like him."

He looked down at Conner's lifeless body, disgust etched across his features. Once, he might have considered Conner a brother, but now, he was nothing more than a traitor who had stood in his way.

"Attack now," Devin ordered, his gaze sweeping across the room, daring anyone to challenge him.

His men, shaken but obedient, nodded and began to prepare for the assault. They knew better than to cross Devin now. And with Conner gone, there was no one left to stand in his way.

Devin watched them move, his heart filled with satisfaction. The attack would begin soon, and Claire's family would burn. 

Author's Note 

This book is coming to a close next week, but the stories don't have to stop here! If you liked what you've read, be sure to check out my fanfic, Crazy In Love. Thanks for all the love and support!