Serpentine Desires

The prey

Thank you for waiting fro me. I was on a vacation so I couldn't update. Don't forget to leave comments.

"Master Morozov is waiting for you."

"Thank you."

I nodded at the man as he side-stepped and opened the door. 

Ivan was beside me, stepping inside the room with me on his back. My hands were clamped with sweat, and my throat felt dry as sand. I shouldn't be here, but once again, I found myself where I didn't belong. They say fate has a cruel sense of humor—what you run from often has a way of chasing you down. 

My father always said, the wolves will find you if you carry the scent of fear. Right now, I reeked of it. But I had no choice. 

Sometimes the only way out was through, even when the path felt like walking on broken glass.

As soon as we entered inside, Lucius was walking towards us wearing his signature smile that was supposed to be warm but it was anything but that. In some way, he reminded me of Judas. That mischievous glint in his eyes, the way he analysed a person. 

Like he could see right through them, and that scared me more than anything right now. His eyes lit up as they landed on me and I unconsciously straightened my back. 

"Greetings, Ms Rosewood," he took my hand and kissed the back of my hand. "Bring some wine for the young lady."

I pulled away and gave him a tight-lipped smile. 

"No, I'm fine. Thank you." 

The man didn't like that. 

He tilted his head, a touch of smirk playing on his lips. "I insist."

I hesitated before murmuring, "T-thank you."

Ivan, who had been silent, shifted uncomfortably beside me. He was sitting close, too close, as if he could shield me from whatever storm was brewing. 

Or was it only me or Ivan looked quite nervous beside his brother? Lucius was now settled back into his chair as he arched an eyebrow. 

"What do you have for me?"

I swallowed hard. I had so many things. The files. The drive in my pocket. And Judas's medical reports. It could be informative for him. Knowing Judas was pretending to be blind. But I needed an assurance first.

So I raised my head and clenched my fists. "Nothing for now." I glanced at Ivan, then back to Lucius, summoning whatever courage I had left. "I wanted to get some conditions straight first."

"Conditions?" Lucius's voice was smooth, almost mocking, as he leaned forward. The atmosphere felt thick like a noose tightening around my neck.

"Sera—" Ivan's voice was a warning, but I cut him off, my voice stronger than I expected.

"No." I turned to Ivan, meeting his eyes. "Please, Ivan. Stay out of it. If I'm going to... observe for you, I need to know why. I can't just trade one prison for another."

"Spy?" Lucius chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're using such an ugly word, Ms. Rosewood. You're not spying, you're simply... observing. I thought you understood that." His smile returned, sharp as a blade. "And as for why? Isn't it obvious? You're helping to win your freedom back. Or perhaps... I misjudged your resolve."

My breath hitched as he stood, circling me like a predator. His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it felt like a knife in my back. "You speak of prison, but I've done nothing but offer you freedom. Choices. You chose to be here, did you not? Yet you speak of conditions like I've bound you in chains."