Thirst For You

Blake's mornings started to follow a strange new routine. Each day, just before the city woke, he found himself walking to a secluded park on the outskirts of town. The air was always cold and damp, the fog thick enough to veil their clandestine meetings. There, Lucian's servant awaited him, always cloaked in shadows, his demeanor a mix of patience and eerie composure.

"You're late again," the servant said one morning, his voice devoid of irritation yet heavy with judgment.

Blake shoved his hands into his pockets, his expression defensive. "It's not easy sneaking out every day. Eva's starting to notice."

"Then you must be more careful," the servant replied smoothly. "If she suspects, our efforts could be ruined before they've even begun."

Blake exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. "I don't even know why I'm doing this anymore. What's the plan here? You keep saying we'll protect her, but it feels like all I'm doing is spying."

The servant's glowing eyes narrowed slightly, his smile faint and unreadable. "You're doing exactly what's needed. Trust me, Blake. This is how we keep her safe. Elias's grip on her is strong, but we'll weaken it, little by little."

Blake hesitated, doubt creeping into his mind. But the servant's words were always so convincing, so well-timed. The thought of Eva being manipulated by Elias—the supposed thief and destroyer—spurred him forward. "Alright. What do we do next?"

The servant stepped closer, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "We exploit their weaknesses. Observe her closely. Watch for moments of tension between her and Elias. Anything that might create distance between them. And as for Elias..." He paused, his eyes gleaming with malice. "We sow seeds of doubt. Make him question his place in her life."

Blake nodded slowly, the plan taking shape in his mind. "And what about their friend, Magnus? He's always around, and he seems... protective."

The servant's expression darkened slightly. "A complication, to be sure. But one we can manage. For now, focus on Eva. Magnus is not our immediate concern."

Their meetings continued daily, each one building on the last. The servant fed Blake a steady stream of doubts and carefully constructed lies about Elias. Blake, driven by his jealousy and growing desperation, absorbed every word, his resolve hardening with each passing day. The image of Eva in Elias's arms haunted him, fueling his determination to act.

"Remember," the servant said one foggy morning, his tone almost fatherly, "this isn't about revenge. It's about justice. Eva deserves someone who truly understands her, who truly cares for her."

Blake nodded, his jaw tightening. "And that's not Elias."

"Exactly," the servant replied, his smile growing. "Stay the course, Blake. Together, we'll ensure her safety and happiness."

But as the days turned to weeks, the servant's motivations became increasingly unclear. While Blake's obsession with Eva grew, so too did the servant's influence over him. And though Blake couldn't see it, Lucian watched it all unfold from afar, his plans inching closer to fruition.

It wasn't long before Blake's presence began to disrupt the fragile balance between Elias and Eva. Every time Elias managed to steal a moment alone with her, Blake would appear, often under the guise of needing Eva's advice or company. At first, Elias tried to brush it off, but his patience wore thin with each interruption.

One afternoon, Elias and Eva had planned a quiet walk through the city park, a rare chance to talk freely without distractions. Just as Elias reached for her hand, Blake emerged from a nearby path, waving cheerfully. "Eva! I've been looking for you. I could use your opinion on something."

Elias's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. "Blake, can't this wait?" he asked, his voice calm but strained.

Blake feigned surprise. "Oh, I didn't mean to intrude. I just thought Eva might like to help. You don't mind, do you?"

Eva glanced between the two men, sensing the tension but unsure how to address it. "Of course, Blake. What do you need?"

Elias clenched his fists, the frustration bubbling under his composed exterior. This wasn't the first time Blake had inserted himself into their plans, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to mask his irritation.

Another evening, Elias had arranged a quiet dinner for Eva at her favorite rooftop restaurant. The setting was perfect—candlelight, soft music, and the city lights sparkling in the distance. But just as the first course arrived, Blake showed up unannounced, claiming he'd been passing by and saw them.

"What are the odds?" Blake said with a laugh, pulling up a chair before Elias could protest. "This place is incredible. Mind if I join?"

Elias's eyes darkened, his voice low and controlled. "Actually, we were hoping for some privacy."

Blake ignored the comment, launching into a story about his day as Eva listened politely. Elias sat in stony silence, his grip on his fork tightening with every passing moment.

The final straw came one evening when Elias and Eva shared a rare, peaceful moment in her apartment. They were curled up on the couch, laughter and easy conversation filling the room. The sound of a knock on the door interrupted them, and Eva rose to answer, only to find Blake standing there with a sheepish smile and a bouquet of flowers.

"I thought you might like these," he said, holding out the flowers. "Just a little something to brighten your evening."

Elias stood, his expression stormy as he crossed the room. "Blake, this is getting out of hand," he said, his voice a low growl. "You can't keep showing up like this."

Blake's smile faltered, but he quickly recovered. "I'm just trying to be a good friend, Elias. No harm in that, right?"

Eva stepped between them, her brow furrowed with concern. "Please, let's not do this. Blake, maybe it's best if we talk tomorrow."

As Blake reluctantly left, Elias turned to Eva, his frustration spilling over. "He's always here, Eva. Always. Don't you see what he's doing?"

Eva sighed, her voice soft but firm. "He's just lonely, Elias. Maybe we should give him some grace."

Elias said nothing, but his jaw tightened, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Deep down, he knew this wasn't the end of Blake's interference—and that it was only a matter of time before something gave.