Cravingz [Editing]

Ch. 36. (surprise)

Lyonna's POV

I felt the bed dip on the other side, but I didn't pay it any mind as I slept. I was exhausted and didn't have the energy to investigate. Suddenly, a soothing sensation washed over my mind, and I sank deeper into the comfort of sleep.

But then anxiety jolted me awake. No way—this had to be my mind playing tricks on me. I turned in bed and was startled to find a shirtless Stefan asleep beside me on my pink mattress. I nearly fell out of bed in shock.

Confusion swirled in my mind as I tried to figure out how he got here. Then it hit me: I was naked under the sheets.

With a panicked scream, I jolted upright, desperately checking my clothing and sighing in relief when I saw I was dressed in bed shorts and a long-sleeve shirt.

"Bad dream?" Stefan chuckled, his gaze fixed on me. I smacked him lightly for messing with my mind, but the realization that he was actually in my bed settled over me.

I yawned and covered my mouth, then suddenly shot up, thinking of my brother.

"Does Chad—"

"He's not here, so calm down, princess," Stefan interrupted, propping himself up in my bed. I glanced at the clock—it was 7:30 a.m.

"Stefan, why are you here?" I asked, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I was curious how he'd gotten in, but that thought quickly faded. He reached for my teddy bear, and I rolled my eyes as he began to play with it.

"Ash, about yesterday—I'm sorry," Stefan said, but I turned my back to him, brushing my hair with a hairbrush instead. I caught his reflection in the mirror and felt a sharp pain shoot through me, causing me to lurch against the dresser.

Stefan was beside me in an instant, his arms around me. But the ache intensified with his closeness, and I pushed him away. Coughing violently, I felt blood spill from my mouth and trickle down my nose.

"S-s-Stefan, what's g-going on?" I managed to choke out before coughing up more blood. My head spun, and everything went black.

Chadwayne's POV

"So my sister is dating a half-witch, half-vampire?" I murmured softly, trying to process the bombshell Kendrick had just dropped. A chuckle escaped my lips as my mind whirled with thoughts.

Does she know I'm a witch?
Does she know she's adopted?
Does she know about our real parents?

All these questions swirled in my head, but the real concern was: what does she know? I felt no emotional attachment to her, but I needed answers. It was time to stop playing nice and make my first move. I glanced at Chloe and Kendrick, who were hanging on my every word. They had agreed to work with me, but I could see uncertainty in their eyes.

Coveta was pulling the strings behind the scenes, her influence growing stronger. She had her own agenda, and I was more than willing to play my part in it.

"I have a plan," I said, my voice low and steady. "We need to keep Ash away from that half-breed. If we can get close to her, we can manipulate the situation in our favor."

Kendrick nodded, his expression serious. "But we need to act fast. If she finds out what we're up to..."

"Then we'll make sure she doesn't," I interrupted. "We'll keep her distracted, away from Jacob, Jessica, and that vampire, Stefan. They're a threat to our goal, and we can't let them interfere."

Chloe shifted nervously. "What about the hex? Are you sure it will work?"

"It will work," I replied with a smirk, recalling the ritual I had performed. "As long as Ash stays away from Stefan, she'll be fine. Otherwise, she'll suffer the consequences."

Stefan's POV

I was overwhelmed with fear as I looked at Ash, who was unconscious yet seemed to be battling something within herself. Moments after she collapsed, I noticed a familiar symbol on her neck, and my heart dropped.

She's been hexed.

Panic threatened to consume me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I could feel the energy in the room shifting, as if something dark was hanging in the air. Just then, my phone rang, and I glanced at the caller ID: Unknown.

With trepidation, I answered the call. A feminine voice, laced with amusement, came through the receiver.

"Surprise."

Her laughter echoed in my head, igniting a fire of rage within me. "Who is this?" I demanded, my grip tightening around the phone.

"Oh, come on, Stefan. You know who I am. I've been watching you," the voice purred, dripping with malice. "Isn't it cute how you're so protective of the human? But I must say, you've made a terrible mistake trying to intervene. The hex is already in place."

I felt my blood run cold. "What did you do to her?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Just remember, I'm always one step ahead. And if you care about her, you'll stay away from her or don't ." she taunted before hanging up.

I cursed under my breath, anger bubbling inside me. 

Rushing to her side, I knelt down and brushed a stray hair from her forehead. "Wake up, Ash. Please," I whispered, panic tightening in my chest. But all I could do was watch as the symbol on her neck pulsed ominously, a dark reminder of the danger she was in. 

 I had to keep Ash safe—at least until I could figure out how to turn this situation to my advantage.

The game was on, and I wasn't about to lose her.

~°~°~°~°~°~°

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