CHAPTER 116: POISON

CAIN’S POV

The desire to rip off her clothes and possess her was strong, but his urge to make her fall for him was stronger. Cain stared at the book in his hands, the cover unlike any he’d seen before.

"The Act of Edging," he muttered, tossing the book aside with frustration, even as he felt like he was the one being toyed with.

He had feigned sleep, but rest had eluded him entirely. The only satisfaction he found was knowing that Violet hadn’t slept well either. Even with half his vision gone, he could see it—the way she stepped out of the bathroom. She was ready, practically daring him to touch her. But he had resolved not to give in.

"She’s a witch! I’m only keeping her around because she’s my mate!" The thought simmered in his mind as he stared at the tension in his crotch. Shaking himself free of the distraction, he glanced at the rapidly changing scenery outside the car window.

Vazer was to contact him soon after the monthly meeting of the vampire council. That would mark the start of their plan, but it was still a few days away.

"Javi doesn’t know when to quit, does he?" Cain thought, struggling to imagine anyone else with a motive to attack his food facility. Javi seemed the likely culprit.

Cain had been toeing the line with Eldric, especially after his recent stunt. There was no reason Eldric would stoop to something so petty.

"I’ll finish this quickly and head back." The idea of Violet being near Fiona didn’t sit well with him. Fiona appeared outwardly calm, but Cain knew better. Eldric’s relentless training and punishments had smoothed out her fiery edges, but he could see it—Although she looked calm and fragile on the surface, it was clear to him that she was simply moments away from an explosion.

He frowned, irritated by the distance he had to cover. The time it would take to reach the facility and return was far longer than he’d prefer.

Fiona hadn’t slept a wink after returning to her room from dinner. The entire night, she lay staring at the ceiling, her mind restless. Her plan had been simple: wait for the right moment to use the aphrodisiac and seduce Cain. But as midnight approached, Fiona realized she couldn’t wait any longer.

The thought of "Viole," a mere man, sleeping beside Cain infuriated her beyond reason. She fumed, clawing at the sheets as she imagined the scent of Cain lingering on his skin. It was maddening. Her vacant gaze shifted to the wall, her mind a whirl of rage and desperation.

Hours passed. Only when she saw the first rays of sunlight creeping through the window, their warmth brushing her face, did she reach a decision.

"He needs to die. The lover needs to die," she resolved, bolting upright on the bed as the thought crystallized.

Fear flickered briefly. Going against Eldric’s explicit orders terrified her, but she found herself not caring anymore.

"If I have to spend one more night with him alive, I might as well just die," she whispered to herself, rising slowly from the bed. She walked over to her dresser, her fingers trembling as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles marred her face, evidence of her sleepless night.

Her hands reached for her neck, gently touching the delicate necklace she wore. Slowly, she removed it, holding the small vial that dangled from its chain.

"Death," she murmured, staring at the vial’s contents. She didn’t open it. There was no need.

Instead, Fiona rang for a servant and instructed them to bring two cups of freshly brewed tea. She turned back to the mirror, methodically powdering her face and applying makeup. Each stroke was deliberate, transforming her appearance into one of angelic innocence.

The dress she chose was a soft blue, paired with earrings that highlighted her delicate features. She clutched the vial tightly, mentally preparing for her plan. As soon as Cain left, she would act.

"I can always make a servant take the fall. Threatening their family should be enough," she thought with a cruel sense of confidence. People would do anything to protect their loved ones—even die.

She waited by the mirror, fixing her face and hair until the clock assured her that Cain had left. Satisfied, she stepped out of her room, pleased to see the servant obediently waiting with the tea set on a trolley.

Slowly, Fiona approached the door, raising her hand to knock gently. Beside her, the servant stood silently, awaiting further orders.

"This will be quick. I’ll poison his cup, and he’ll die. Blaming a servant will be easy," she thought, the plan unfolding vividly in her mind. "Cain will be furious, but he won’t hurt me. Father’s control over him is absolute."

She knocked again, her mind spinning with contingencies.

"I’ll leave the mansion right after. A club with plenty of witnesses should do. Father will be angry, but what’s one punishment compared to this?" Her body trembled at the memory of Eldric’s wrath, but she tightened her fists, steeling herself.

"The lover will be gone. Once the love potion is perfected, Cain will be completely and utterly mine," she whispered, her voice trembling with conviction. She waited for the door to open, fully prepared to force her way inside if necessary. The possibility that the door might remain closed never once crossed her mind.

Seconds passed. Fiona was about to order the servant to announce himself when the door slid open. Her heart stopped momentarily, only to be replaced by pure revulsion as she saw who stood before her.

It was him. The foulest, most detestable person she had ever encountered. Violet’s piercing purple eyes met hers, and Fiona barely restrained the urge to claw them out.

Forcing a polite smile, she inclined her head slightly in greeting. "Good morning, Viole. I was feeling a bit restless and thought it would be nice for us to chat over tea." She gestured to the trolley the servant wheeled forward, her expression serene despite the simmering hatred beneath.

Fiona waited confidently, sure she would be allowed entry. Her smile never wavered, though her thoughts churned with venom.