The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 54: A Prey With Thorns

Chapter 54: A Prey With Thorns

Isadora had her back to his chest, and her butt perched on his lap. In that moment of realization, she didn’t dare to move. Solely because of the uncomfortable bulge poking her cheeks.

"Is this the best your anger can do, love?" he said with a soft sneer.

Suddenly aggravated again she yanked away from his hold, ignorant to the idea he had actually let her go.

"You’re taunting me!" she snapped.

"Is it working?" he mused, glaring at her flushed cheeks and the rage burning in her eyes. "I think it is," he added, his tongue flicking over his lips.

She growled, on the verge of going after him again but she somehow found the willpower to hold her stance.

Instead, she focused her anger on the dagger at her side, gripping the handle so tightly that it felt as though it might cause blisters.

Kraven had never seen anything more beautiful than the way she looked at him in that moment.

The thrill it sent through his body stirred the shadows within. Her gaze was that of a prey with thorns, and the hunger to devour her grew too great to resist.

He wanted to push, bend and break her—And he was only getting started.

Kraven rose to his feet and pulled out a dagger much bigger than the one Isadora had causing her to be on alert.

"Come to me, Isadora," he said, slowly bringing the blade to his stretched lip, and licked it.

His silver eyes glowed eerily, and suddenly, it felt as though the shadow cast by the fire grew larger.

"...Let me have a taste."

Isadora’s heart thundered harshly in her chest, her body quivered in fear as she stared at the hungry monster before her.

The lust in his eyes was one of a vermin ready to eat his prey.

And she was stuck here with him. She mentally cursed herself for making a move against him but there was no turning back now, running won’t do anything and this space cannot cover a distance.

"Don’t," he warned in a dark tone, traces of amusement gone and replaced with something raw and dangerous.

He could tell what she had in mind and that thought scared her. Was her only option facing him? Does she even stand a chance?

"You think too much, Isadora."

Her heart momentarily stopped because he was suddenly in front of her, his blade coming for her head.

’He’s going to kill me!’ her panicked thoughts caused her to duck quickly.

She fell to her butt, her breathing hoarse and her heart on the verge of leaping off her chest.

The blade that could have taken her head was now pinned on the tree behind her.

Kraven stared at her with a dark look in his eyes before a smirk slowly formed. "I wasn’t even fast enough and yet you dodge that? Very impressive."

Trying to steady her breathing, she pressed her hand to her throat, checking for any damage. She felt a cut on her cheek and the blood stained her fingers.

She’s not going to survive this!

Isadora desperately crawled away, creating as much distance as possible. When she heard his looming footsteps she turned and her pulse quickened.

He’s coming!

Isadora met a dead end, which was the lake. She pondered her choice of either jumping in or facing the devil coming for her.

But she couldn’t even process her thoughts as Kraven crouched in front of her, the tip of his dagger pointed directly at her head..

"Again with the thought of running..." he said. "You don’t run, Isadora, not until I say so..."

Tears were on the verge of spilling, her lips trembling uncontrollably. This man was terrifying to the core.

The aura that clung to him was like death itself. She had spent moons traveling with him, yet none of it had been as deadly as this.

It was far worse and it reminded her of the abyss when he almost choked the life out of her.

Rav isn’t here to save her from him.

"You know fear, Isadora, yet you face it... that is strength."

’What is he talking about?’ she thought, confused.

Her state of mind numb with fear was released and her shaky eyes leveled to her dagger, pointed at his chest.

Tears fell before she could stop them, and she remained frozen, as if time itself had paused around her.

"Fear is not absence of courage... it’s knowing danger and the decision to face it."

She brought her teary eyes back to his hollow gaze, so soulless.

"Shall we make a deal, love?" he asked, his usual humor was back as he retreated his dagger.

Whatever happened a second ago was suddenly like a fresh nightmare.

"W-What deal?" she asked in a shaky tone, barely recognizing her own voice. It sounded weak and worthless.

"Win the Hunt and I’ll grant you an audience with Lord Raven."

Her eyes lit with hope at his words.

"And then you can appeal to him with whatever you want."

She gulped. This was Kraven... he could be trying to trick her again. "What’s the catch?"

He chuckled. "Easy... become my disciple."

Her mind suddenly flashed to Nyssa when she called him master. She did not want to be in that category.

"Under one condition," she spoke with bravery as the fear washed away and replaced it with the determination to survive.

"Anything for you, love."

"I’ll not become your disciple"

He narrowed his eyes. "Then what’s the point of the catch?"

"I don’t want a label, because I intend to use you."

Kraven’s heart skipped a beat, a fast one. His lips parted for a moment and then curled into a dashing smile with his dimples on full display.

"I’d very much like that."

"Then teach me, Kraven..." she said in a stern tone, she did not wish for what transpired to happen again. To cower in fear while he got a kick out of it.

"I want to survive."