Thirst For You

Magnus led Eva and the barely conscious Elias deep into the heart of the forest. The trees closed in around them, their dense canopy casting long shadows that danced in the moonlight. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. They reached a small, weathered shed nestled among the trees—a hidden sanctuary far from Lucian's reach.

"Eva, help me get him inside," Magnus instructed, his voice calm yet urgent. Together, they supported Elias, guiding him into the shed. Inside, the space was scrubby but secure, with protective wards carved into the walls to shield them from dark forces.

Eva gently laid Elias on the cot, her heart aching at the sight of him in such torment. His eyes, once filled with love and tenderness, were now wild with hunger and confusion. She could sense the primal thirst for blood that lurked beneath the surface, threatening to consume him completely.

Magnus busied himself with preparing remedies from an assortment of herbs and ancient ingredients he had brought with him. "We need to suppress his cravings," he explained, mixing a potion with practiced precision. "This will help, but it's not a cure. Elias must find the strength within himself to fight the darkness."

Eva nodded, her determination unwavering. "I'll do whatever it takes to help him."

Magnus handed her a vial of the potion. "Make sure he drinks this. It will give him a chance to regain some control."

Eva took the vial and approached Elias, her heart heavy with worry. She sat beside him, gently lifting his head to help him drink. "Elias, please, you have to take this," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Elias's eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of recognition and love breaking through the madness. "Eva…," he murmured, his voice strained. He drank the potion, the bitter taste causing him to frown.

As the potion took effect, Elias's breathing steadied, but the wild look in his eyes remained. "Thank you," he whispered, his hand reaching out to touch Eva's face. "I'm so sorry… for everything."

Eva held his hand, tears streaming down her face. "You have nothing to apologize for."

Magnus watched them, his expression a mix of concern and resolve. "We need to keep him stable and safe. Lucian won't give up easily. He'll come for you both again."

Eva nodded, her fear replaced by a steely determination. "Then we need to be ready. Tell me what I need to do."

Magnus began to explain his plan, detailing the steps they would take to restore Elias's sanity. "First, Elias must regain control of his instincts. We'll use the protective wards and the potion to buy him time."

Elias listened, his eyes focused on Magnus. "I will fight this," he vowed, his voice gaining strength. "I won't let the darkness win."

Over the following days, Eva and Magnus worked tirelessly to help Elias regain control. There were moments of progress, where Elias's true self shone through, but the primal thirst always loomed close. Magnus used his knowledge of ancient remedies, black magic and rituals to strengthen Elias's resolve, but it was Eva's unwavering love that provided the greatest strength.

Elias's bloodlust was overwhelming. Every time Eva came close, he had to fight the primal urge to attack. His sensitivity to the scent of her blood was so intense that it drove him to the edge of insanity.

One evening, as the sun set behind the trees, Elias's struggle reached a fever pitch. His eyes were red with hunger, and he growled low in his throat. "Eva… you need to stay away. The smell… it's too strong… I can't control it."

Eva's heart broke for him, but she refused to leave his side. "I won't leave you, Elias."

Magnus stepped in, his expression serious. "Eva, you need to give him space. His cravings are too strong right now. Let the potion take effect and give him time."

Eva reluctantly backed away, her eyes filled with tears. "Stay strong, Elias. I believe in you."

Elias's gaze followed her, his love battling the monstrous hunger within him. "I'll fight this… for you," he vowed, though his voice was strained and desperate.

The nights were the hardest. Eva could see the torment in Elias's eyes as he struggled against his bloodlust. She could feel his pain and confusion, and it tore her apart. She often found herself standing just outside the shed, whispering words of encouragement through the thin walls.

"Elias, I'm here. We're in this together," she would say, hoping her voice could reach him and provide some comfort.

Inside, Elias would press his forehead against the cool wood, fighting the urge to break through and reach her. "… I can't bear this… the thirst is unbearable," he would whisper back, his voice filled with anguish.

Magnus tried to provide some comfort as well. "Elias, focus on her voice. Let it guide you back. Remember who you are, and why you're fighting."

Despite the constant struggle, there were moments when Elias's true self would surface, providing glimpses of hope. During one such moment, as Eva sat beside his cot, Elias reached for her hand, his touch gentle despite the inner turmoil. "Eva, thank you for staying… I really don't deserve you," he said softly.

Eva shook her head, tears in her eyes. "You're everything to me, Elias and I know you're stronger than this darkness."

Magnus watched them, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "We're making progress. Small steps, but progress nonetheless. Just keep fighting, Elias."

As Elias healed, Magnus revealed crucial information about their situation. "We need to understand that Elias's cravings are not just physical—they're also psychological. Lucian's manipulation has left deep scars."

Eva listened intently, her heart heavy with the weight of the revelations. "What can we do to help him?"

Magnus sighed. "We must be patient and provide him with constant support. But more importantly, we need to strengthen the bond you share. It's his lifeline."

Eva clenched her fists, anger and determination flaring within her. "We have to protect what we have."

Magnus nodded. "We will. We'll continue to use every means at our disposal—potions, wards, and love. Together, we can overcome this."

As they continued to work on restoring Elias's sanity, the bond between Eva and Elias grew even stronger. They recounted memories that helped Eva fully remember their love and the promises they made. These moments were tender and heartwarming, strengthening their bond and providing hope for the future.

One night, as they sat together in the shed, the soft glow of candlelight illuminating their faces, Eva held Elias's hand tightly. "I believe in us, Elias. No matter what happens, we'll find a way."

Elias looked into her eyes, his gaze filled with love and determination. "I will fight for you, Eva. Always."