Thirst For You

The sun had barely risen, casting a warm glow over Eva's apartment. She moved around her small kitchen, preparing breakfast. The routine was a welcome distraction from the chaos her life had become. She focused on chopping vegetables, the rhythmic motion soothing her frayed nerves yet, despite the calm of the morning, the unease from her manipulated memories lingered. Lucian's words echoed in her mind, twisting her perception of the past and her feelings for Elias. She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts, but they clung to her like a dark cloud.

Suddenly, the air in the room seemed to shift, and Eva felt a chill run down her spine. She turned, knife still in hand, and gasped. Elias stood in the doorway, looking more desperate and broken than she had ever seen him. His usually composed demeanor was shattered, his eyes filled with a heartbreaking mix of sorrow and helplessness.

"Eva," he said, his voice trembling. "I need to talk to you."

Eva's heart raced, a mix of anger and fear bubbling up inside her. She set the knife down and took a step back, her hands trembling. "What are you doing here, Elias? You need to leave."

Elias shook his head, his eyes pleading. "Please, Eva, just listen to me. I know you're scared and confused, but everything you've been seeing in your dreams—it's not true. Lucian is manipulating you."

Eva's eyes narrowed, her voice hard. "How do I know you're not lying, Elias? I've seen the memories,I remember the pain, the betrayal, It was you who killed me, over and over again."

Elias's expression twisted in pain, his voice breaking. "No, Eva. You have to believe me. Lucian has been using dark magic to twist your memories, to make you hate me. I've never wanted anything but to protect you."

Eva felt tears well up in her eyes, her heart torn between the love she once felt and the fear instilled by Lucian's manipulation. "Why should I trust you? How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Elias took a step closer, his desperation palpable. "Because I love you, Eva. I've loved you for centuries, through every lifetime. I would never hurt you. Lucian is the one who has been trying to keep us apart, who has caused all this pain."

Eva's resolve wavered, the sincerity in Elias's eyes making her heart ache but the memories of her dreams were strong, the fear and doubt clouding her judgment. "I don't know what to believe anymore," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Elias reached out, his voice soft and filled with sorrow. "Please, Eva, look into your heart. You know the truth, deep down. Don't let Lucian's lies tear us apart."

Before Eva could respond, the door to her apartment burst open, and Lucian strode in, his presence commanding. "Elias, how dare you come here!" he snarled, his eyes flashing with anger.

Elias turned to face his brother, his own eyes hardening with determination. "I won't let you manipulate her anymore, Lucian. She deserves to know the truth."

Lucian laughed, the sound cold and mocking. "The truth? You're the one who's been lying to her, Elias. You've always been the jealous, possessive brother. You can't stand the thought of her choosing me."

Eva watched the confrontation, her heart in turmoil. She felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, the conflicting emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "Stop it, both of you!" she cried, her voice shaking. "I can't take this anymore."

Lucian moved to her side, his touch gentle but his eyes filled with hidden malice. "Don't listen to him, my love. He's only trying to confuse you."

Elias took a step forward, his voice desperate. "Eva, please, you have to trust me, look into your heart, remember the love we shared."

Eva's head spun, the weight of the manipulated memories pressing down on her. She looked between the two brothers, her heart aching with the confusion and pain. "I don't know what to do," she whispered, tears blurring her vision.

Lucian tightened his grip on her arm, his voice soothing but insidious. "You know what's best for you, Eva, stay with me. I will protect you from him."

Elias's voice broke, his eyes filled with heartbreak. "Eva, don't let him deceive you. I love you more than anything in this world, please, don't let him take you from me."

Eva's heart ached with the intensity of the emotions swirling within her. She felt the pull of Elias's love, the memories of their past lives together, but the fear and doubt instilled by Lucian's manipulation were strong.

"Please, Eva," Elias whispered, his voice a desperate plea. "Choose me."

The room fell silent, the tension thick and suffocating. Eva stood between the two brothers, her heart torn in two. She knew she had to make a choice, but the weight of the decision felt impossible.

As the moments stretched on, Eva felt a cold certainty settle over her. She took a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with sorrow. "Elias, I'm sorry. I can't...I can't trust you."

Elias's face crumpled, his heartbreak palpable. He took a step back, his eyes filled with despair. "Eva, no...please."

Lucian's smile was triumphant as he pulled Eva closer, his eyes gleaming with victory. "You made the right choice, my love."

As Lucian led her away, Eva's heart ached with a sense of loss and regret. She glanced back at Elias one last time, seeing the depth of his heartbreak despite her decision, a part of her heart felt uneasy, the love she once felt for Elias still lingering.

Elias watched them go, his soul shattered by the weight of her rejection but even in his despair, he vowed to continue fighting for her. The battle was far from over, and he would not give up on the woman he loved.