"She came to kill him. But desire cuts deeper than steel."
The wind in the Crimson Sect shifted that night.
Lucien felt it in his bones.
His new room, now closer to the inner palace after the Courting Trial, held a stillness that didn't belong. Not silence—calm before the storm.
He stood shirtless before a tall mirror, towel draped low on his hips, the faint glow of soul tattoos pulsing on his abs and forearms.
> [Warning: Unregistered Yin Source detected nearby]
[Status: Threat Level – Unknown. Intent: Hidden]
Lucien didn't flinch.
He turned, eyes narrowed. "You can come out now."
A soft click.
A figure stepped from the shadows—slim, cloaked, mask covering her face. She moved like a whisper, her steps silent, presence lethal.
Lucien raised a brow. "They sent an assassin already? I haven't even claimed the throne yet."
She didn't speak.
But she unsheathed two thin blades strapped to her back—cold steel gleaming in the candlelight.
Lucien sighed, slow and almost amused. "And here I thought tonight would be lonely."
She lunged.
He dodged—barely. The blade kissed his cheek, drawing a shallow line. Warm blood mixed with adrenaline.
He smiled.
> [Combat-Linked Yin Detected – Assassin Discipline: Veiled Flame Sect]
[Trigger Skill: Ecstasy Aura – Passive]
The second she got close again—she stumbled.
Her footing faltered.
Lucien caught her wrist mid-strike, spinning her, twisting the blade from her grip. Her back slammed into the wall, her body pinned by his.
Their breath met.
The masked assassin froze.
Lucien leaned closer, his voice a low whisper. "You're trembling."
She didn't answer. But her chest rose and fell faster, heartbeat pulsing against his bare skin.
> [Yin Pulse Detected – Body reacting to Aura Influence]
[Emotion: Conflicted Desire. Lust: Rising... 27% → 43%]
Lucien's hand slid down to her waist—testing, slow, firm.
She didn't pull away.
Instead, she whispered, "Finish it."
Lucien smirked. "You sure you know what you're asking for?"
He reached behind her head—and removed the mask.
Her face stunned him.
She was young—barely older than Nyra—but her eyes… they were full of death and desire.
Sharp. Tired. Hungry.
Not for food. Not for blood.
But for something she'd been trained to resist.
Connection.
Lucien's hand came up to her face, thumb brushing the corner of her lips.
"You've never failed a kill, have you?" he asked.
She shook her head slowly.
His voice dropped to a whisper. "Then tonight… will be your first surrender."
[18+ Scene Begins Below]
He didn't rush.
Lucien moved as if she were made of glass and gunpowder—dangerous and delicate.
His lips touched her jaw first, then her neck. Her breath hitched. Her hands, once holding blades, now dug into his shoulders.
She gasped when his mouth found her collarbone—not from fear, but from sensation. Something she'd never been trained for.
He backed her toward the bed, slowly undoing the straps on her black armor.
Piece by piece.
Layer by layer.
And she let him.
Her body, honed for death, now surrendered to touch.
Lucien laid her down gently, his hands never leaving her skin.
Their eyes locked as he entered her—slow, deep, deliberate. She cried out—quiet, raw, vulnerable. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper.
Every motion was precise, controlled—but soaked in intimacy.
Lucien didn't dominate.
He worshipped.
He made her forget she was trained to kill.
She melted beneath him, fingers shaking, lips whispering his name like it was both prayer and curse.
> [Yin Harvest in Progress – High Purity Assassin-Type Energy]
[Bonus Skill Gain: Shadow Veil – Temporary Invisibility in Lust-Affected Zones]
Her climax hit hard, full-body tremors rocking her frame.
Lucien followed, burying himself inside her, growling into her neck.
> [Yin Harvest Complete: 100%]
[Bond Formed: Assassin Disciple – Code Name: Lira]
[Skill Acquired: Shadow Veil (Lv1)]
[Emotional Layer Cracked: Lira now conflicted about mission]
They lay tangled in silence.
Her voice finally came—quiet, almost broken.
"I wasn't supposed to feel anything…"
Lucien kissed her shoulder. "Then maybe you finally lived tonight."
She turned her head to face him, eyes wide and vulnerable.
"What are you?"
Lucien smiled. "Your first mistake."
And maybe your only salvation.
---
To Be Continued...
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Next Chapter: Assassin's Regret — Lira's Choice [18+]
She was sent to kill Lucien. Now she doesn't know if she wants to protect him... or lose herself to him forever.