Show Me.

Chapter 12- Cade teaser

Jul 15, 2026

∙ Paid

I’m following a monster, a God I am helpless to defeat. The very concept unsettles me, to know that something could be that powerful. It’s terrifying, and wrong.

“I can hear your heart.” Kai says dryly and I straighten.

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I can tell you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared of you.” I say bluntly.

Kai stops abruptly, turning toward me. A golden glint glowing in his eye. “No? Just scared of what I’m capable of, scared because you can’t kill me if you needed to.” He says with a twisted smile.

I put my hands in my pockets and straighten my shoulders.

“Yes.”

“Oh! I wasn’t expecting you to admit that.” His posture drops as if he’s disappointed.

“Who wouldn’t be afraid of an enemy they can’t kill.” My tone casual as I continue walking.

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m your enemy, think of me as more of a nuisance.”

I look over at him as he matches my pace.

“I’ve killed people for less than that.”

“Ah yes, the big scary hunter has met his match.” He spoke in a dramatic tone, as if I was joking.

“Does any of this affect you in the slightest? Does it even occur to you that the person you claim to care for so deeply will die.”

I don’t meet his eyes, but his silence speaks volumes.

“Who knows how old you are, and how much longer you will exist. Why does any of this matter to you in the first place?” I ask, genuinely curious at this point.

It’s quiet for a moment before he speaks.

“I don’t know.” I look at him and he’s wearing a gentle smile, the one he wore while looking at Calli. “I’ve seen many things in the centuries I’ve been alive— none of it compares to how she makes me feel when I’m with her.”

“I envy your honesty.” I say, slowing my pace. “It’s almost childlike.”

“Wow, for a moment I feared you were paying me a compliment.”

I glance over to him and for a moment, it’s as if I don’t despise him.

“She will die eventually. You know that.”

“And when she does, I’ll have no choice but to accept it.”

“You’re stronger than me then.”

“I would have thought that was obvious.” He says chuckling, then going quiet.

We walk the remainder of the way in silence. Walking up the steps and into the house, Karma greets us.

“My baby!” Kai says picking Karma up and snuggling her. She purrs and paws at his nose.

I glare at them.

“Traitor.” I whisper walking past them.

Become a paid Subscriber to continue!