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The first time I entered The Red Raven was when luck seemed to favor me for the first time in months. I’d found a golden quarter eagle in the mud and had not eaten anything in two days. What followed was madness, perhaps, but the hunger had made me desperate.I approached The Red Raven with my quarter eagle clenched in my numb fist. It was an establishment known for its fine fare, and even from its exterior, there was no doubt it held a certain prestige. Something had drawn me to it, though I knew not what. Perhaps it was the way steam fogged up its golden windows, and the dark, shifting figures within mesmerized me. I was not certain.Nonetheless, I held up my quarter eagle to the doorman, who raised a brow at my face and mud-smeared boots. After a pause, he grunted and stepped aside.Had I known I was to spend most of the coin on a single meal? Yes, I had. The simplest fare at The Red Raven was two dollars, and I had only known because I had heard it as I staggered past people in the streets. It was two days’ wages for many people. But I did not care; hunger had overridden all reason.The moment I stepped inside, heat seeped into my bones. Its interior was beautiful— exposed bricks, gleaming gears, steaming copper pipes, and soft glows emitted from the lamps bathed everything in a warm light. The furniture was made of rich wood and fine crimson leather. Behind the bar, bottles glinted on shelves that rotated at the pull of a lever.The place was filled with raucous laughter and loud conversation; bearded men arm-wrestled one another or played cards and dice with stacks of coins on their tables. I was not fond of the thick cigar smoke that filled my nostrils, but I was in no position to complain when for once in many months, I could afford a few hours of warmth and a good meal.The food was truly exquisite. Tender, pink cubes of steak, and warm, crusty bread slathered in melting butter. I had stuffed the cheese into the bread and devoured it. The stir-fried jie lan with ginger was wiped clean as well. I finished the plate of food in no time at all, until my pint of cider was left.I remained on my stool until before closing time, not keen to face the cold outside once again.Then, the tavern keeper, Bridget, noticed me. As she and the other barmaids cleared the tables, she approached and placed a worn, callused hand on its edge. She’d asked if I had a place to stay. Before I could respond, she took hold of my arm and guided me to the third floor, where the tavern’s employees lived. She offered me work, to begin the very next morning.I had hoped to give her the quarter eagle as payment, but she merely clicked her tongue and shook her head. She said, “You need not pay for tomorrow’s work.”She gave me four days a week at first, though the other girls worked five to six. I later learned she paid me the same wage as the other barmaids, three dollars a day. I was not the first girl she had taken in, nor would I be the last. And for that, I was indebted to her.The consistent meals helped. I gained weight. The uniform, once loose and ill-fitting, began clinging to my figure. My monthly cycles also returned.It did not take me long before I noticed the regulars. There were well-dressed travelers, mercenaries, and men from the military, their thick cloaks doing little to hide the gleam of gauntlets or pauldrons. Their sturdy boots were sometimes armored, as well.Some only came at night. Beautiful men and women who moved with predatory grace. They unnerved me, though they never caused any trouble. Their eyes watched us, and the bartenders, in a manner that reminded me of a cat eyeing a bird.During my second month at The Red Raven, things changed. I had stumbled upon a beautiful woman with her mouth pressed to Mary’s wrist as I was carrying a tray of dirty dishes back to the kitchens. I had frozen, heart pounding, as the woman slowly lifted her head and smiled, blood dripping from two teeth that were far too sharp to be natural.That had been the true nature of The Red Raven— a place that catered to vampires as well as men. The day after my discovery, Bridget and Mary drew me into one of the empty spare rooms. Bridget asked if I might be interested in donating blood to a client. It would be a good sum, she said, and could serve me well as I decided what to do with such an amount in the future.I was speechless, at first. I had expected them to ask me to keep the vampire woman secret— or perhaps to leave the tavern altogether.“Do any others here provide donations?” I had finally asked.Bridget nodded. “Only Mary and Thomas, one of the cooks. The proprietor requested I ask only when a vampire takes interest in an employee’s blood, although your, or their consent, is essential in this matter.”This new knowledge piqued my curiosity. Someone sought my blood? I was unsure whether I should be disturbed or flattered.“Have you given your blood this month?” I had asked Mary.She merely shrugged. “She offered more for a taste directly from me, and I accepted,” she said, her tone nonchalant.The next day was my first donation. The doctor, an olive-skinned woman with red eyes, noted down my weight and blood pressure with practiced efficiency. She scribbled the results on a chart and, after a cursory glance at me, explained she would only draw half the typical amount, given my slight build.“I would not have you faint, Miss Xu,” she had remarked.I had been uneasy; my breath quickened when she approached with the needle in hand. The doctor’s eyes flickered toward my chest, and I recalled that vampires could hear the steady beating of hearts as easily as I might hear a ticking clock. She drew the needle, and after feeling a sharp sting, a piece of gauze was quickly placed over the puncture.The dizziness had been brief, and after a glass of water and a few minutes of rest, I was back to my usual self.I had been shocked when I was given my first payment: eighty dollars— four coins. Four double eagles, their warm gleams heating the skin of my palms as if I’d cradled fire in my hands. It had been difficult, but I swallowed the lump in my throat and shook my head to dispel the pricks at my eyes. I had never held such a sum in my hands, let alone seen, a double eagle.“Is it truly eighty dollars for half a pint?” I had asked, incredulous.“No, Miss Xu,” the doctor explained with a wry smile. “The customary price is fifty to seventy dollars for a full pint, yet the client has insisted on paying this amount for but a mere taste.”I had been eager to donate again as soon as possible, but she shook her head and gave me a look.“You will need to wait a couple of months before we can take another half pint from you,” she explained, amused.“A couple of months?” I repeated.“Yes. We drew only half the typical amount, and you still felt dizzy afterward. We cannot have you fainting when Lord S— the client has yet to sample your first donation.”I was lucky that Bridget kept me employed despite the change in circumstances. Eighty dollars was more than enough to sustain me for a few months, but I appreciated the stability of The Red Raven, nonetheless.I had expected my second payment to be half of the first, but I was mistaken. When two months had passed, and the doctor deemed me fit enough to donate once again, the payment was eighty dollars.A few days after my second donation, Bridget summoned Thomas and me to one of the private parlors once supper service had concluded and the tavern was being tidied.“I have something for you both,” the tavern keeper said, once we both sat down, perplexed, in the plush chairs. She handed us each an envelope sealed with crimson wax, with the tavern’s raven symbol pressed into it.Inside was a sheet of paper, the writing elegant and looping, in ink the color of wine. Dear Miss Xu,
It is with great pleasure that I extend an invitation to you for a masquerade ball hosted by myself at my estate.
Should you accept, arrangements will be made for you to procure a fitting costume, whether it be by purchase or by rental, from a shop I have arranged for your convenience. The address will be disclosed upon your acceptance of this invitation.
Although the ball will be held at nine o’clock, on the evening of February the 14th, guests are encouraged to arrive at the foyer by eight o’clock. A selection of fine food and refreshments will be provided throughout the night.
If you wish to attend, please leave your response with Bridget at your earliest convenience. Should you decline, no further communication will be required.
I shall look forward to your presence.
Yours sincerely,
S
Proprietor, The Red Raven
February 14th. A week hence.I lowered the invitation, my thoughts whirling. Had it come from my client? It must have. I could think of no other who would extend an invitation, much less for a masked ball.“Why was Mary not invited?” Thomas inquired with a furrowed brow.“Mary’s client already partakes directly,” Bridget replied. “You and Ada, however, provide your donations in bottles. This event is reserved for those whose clients wish to meet in person, to alter clients or arrangements, or possibly entertain the notion of multiple clients.” She paused and glanced at me. “But that does not apply to you, Ada. You are petite. One client is all you shall have. The clients who requested both of your bloods will be present, of course.”My heart leapt. “H— I mean… They will be there?”“Yes, but I shall give further details later, when we are alone.” She sounded amused, and I flushed under her scrutiny.I scanned the rest of the invitation. “But… which store should we visit for costumes?” I asked, turning to Thomas, who merely shrugged.Bridget reached into her pocket and withdrew two slips of paper. “This shop here caters to the clients’ needs; they specialize in costumes for such gatherings.”I opened the folded paper to read:The Night’s Veil240 Velvet Lane When I looked up, Bridget was watching us, expectant. “So, it is a ‘yes,’ then, if you’ve inquired about costumes?” she asked with her eyes on me.I nodded.“How about you, Thomas?” She turned to him.He studied the invitation once more. “My client will be there?”“Indeed.”“Then I shall also attend.”Bridget nodded. “Very well. Off to bed with you, now. Once I’ve relayed your answers to your respective clients, we shall head to the shop in two days.”Thomas bade us both good night before closing the door behind him.“How shall I know him?” I asked. “My client, I mean.”“He desires that you find him for yourself, should you choose to attend the ball.”I stared, astonished. “You mean… there will be no hints? No clue whatsoever?”Bridget smiled. “I am afraid not, Ada. That was his wish. No hints. He would have you find him on your own.”“So, it is a game of hide-and-seek.” The idea was both intriguing and unsettling.She shrugged, nonchalant. “I suppose.” Two days later, Bridget escorted me and Thomas to The Night’s Veil, shortly after the sun had set.The shop was not large, but elegant, with marble pillars flanking the polished wooden door. We were greeted by a tall, slender man with pale skin and deep red eyes. He ushered us inside and promptly drew the velvet purple curtains across the windows. I only heard the click of the door locking before I saw the blur of movement, and he reappeared bearing a silver tray with three glasses of champagne and a plate of tea-infused petit fours adorned with flowers and leaves sculpted from sugar and icing.We accepted the glasses with murmured thanks, and I allowed my gaze to wander over the rest of the shop. The floors were covered in thick, red carpet, and the walls were lined with smooth wooden panels. Countless handmade masks were displayed in glass cases. I noted that most of them were designed to cover only the upper portions of the face.Bolts of luxurious silks, linen, chiffon, and lace hung from thick wooden beams suspended above us. The masks were beautiful, crafted from leather, papier-mâché, metal, and ceramic, and decorated with feathers, thread, ink and jewels of every color imaginable. There were masks of countless animal species, smiling harlequin jesters, and even masks that depicted the sun, the moon, real blossoming flowers, and even several fashioned from delicate crystal.I was nearly breathless with the beauty that surrounded me, until my eyes fell upon the price of a singular mask, written in shining black ink: $250.“I don’t believe I will be able to afford this,” Thomas said with wide eyes.“Nor I,” I agreed. I couldn’t fathom how one could justify a price for a single mask, when we had not yet even seen the costumes at the back of the shop. My heart sank. I did not need to open the coin pouch at my hip to know that even with the money from my blood donations, there was no possibility—“Rest assured, Miss Xu, both of your clients have taken care of all expenses,” the shopkeeper said with a smile and bow of his head.“Truly?” I shared a wide-eyed look with Thomas, who looked just as baffled as I was.We turned to Bridget, who was quietly flipping through a catalog of materials and designs and sipping at her champagne.“The both of you are free to choose any mask and costume you wish,” the shopkeeper continued smoothly.When my gaze fell upon it, I found I could not look away. It was a half-mask crafted from white porcelain, its surface adorned with golden filigree swirling around the eyes, pointed ears, and delicate lines that represented its whiskers.“Ah, is that one to your liking?” the shopkeeper asked as he stepped up beside me.I nodded, too entranced to speak.“Very well. I shall show you to the dressing room.”I carefully lifted the mask, surprised by how weightless it felt. “Will the costume fit?” I asked as I followed him across the store.“It will.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
For the first time in a long while, I’d had a night of broken sleep; I’d been too excited at the prospect of seeing who my client was. What kind of person was he? What did he look like?I did my best to hide my yawns during my late morning shift, but I kept looking at the clock so often, even Thomas gave me a lighthearted smack on the back of my head for heightening his own excitement.By the time Bridget finally excused me and Thomas to the staff dining room for a small supper of bread and vegetable soup, my sleepiness had dissipated.I spent the next couple hours freshening up and getting ready, with Mary’s help.When I put on the white dress for the second time and twirled in the mirror, it took me back to just a few days ago, at The Night’s Veil. Putting it on had been the first time I’d ever felt beautiful. And again, I felt beautiful.It ended a little below my knees, with an elegant off-the-shoulder neckline; its edges were stitched with silver thread, though swirls of gold decorated the neckline and bust.Thomas looked good in his costume, as well: a fitted, tailored jacket with a flowing tail and black trousers, along with a black half-mask, black gloves and boots, he looked like a phantom in corporeal form.Bridget flitted between me and Thomas, ensuring everything about our costumes and hair and makeup was perfect.And soon, it was time. On the night of February the fourteenth, the cold silence of the stars above felt softer than usual, and even the chill of late winter could not touch me.When we exited the tavern, a vehicle was parked outside. It was sleek, elegant, and black, with brass piping and gears; the copper steam engine at its front released a steady stream that looked more like mist than smoke.A masked man stood on either side of the open doors. They both wore hooded black cloaks with golden clasps, and raven masks completely covered their faces. They bowed as Thomas and I entered the vehicle, sliding along the rich, velvet seats.They closed the doors for us, and it didn’t take long before we began to move forward with a low rumble. I could only assume they took their masks off when they drove.We arrived outside of the mansion ten minutes later.The estate and its sprawling, meticulously manicured grounds were enclosed by great pillars of white stone, which framed the black metal gates. The mansion’s exterior was a tasteful blend of dark wood, light stone, and red brick, while the railings and balconies were of polished copper, as were the slowly turning gears on a couple of the exterior walls.The interior was just as beautiful— furniture made of dark wood and leather, a great chandelier hanging from the ceiling and lamps emitting warm golden-orange light, carpeted stairs on either side of a beautifully carved stone archway, black stone statues of winged dragons, and serpentine jade ones perched on top of wooden pedestals. There were exposed steaming brass pipes and turning, clicking gears on the walls, evidence of the technology that was now part of the mansion itself.The guests were all dressed in their best costumes. I saw people dressed as rabbits, stags, foxes, wolves, owls, and swans; women dressed in floating pastel dresses with beautiful silk butterfly wings pinned to their backs; some wore dresses that flickered like flames or shimmered like water.There was a broad, muscled man with an intricate golden lion mask, though its mane was carved in a way that reminded me of the tongues of fire; a slender woman with a teal-and-gold mask decorated with peacock feathers clutched his arm as they passed.Thomas and I followed the scent of food into the formal dining room. Tables swathed in red were heaped with more dishes than I had ever seen: freshly baked breads and cheeses, roast beef, pheasant, braised pork belly, abalone with wood ear fungus and bamboo shoots, steamed clams in rice wine, and roasted vegetables. I studied the little placards beside the dishes that I’d never seen or heard of: lobster fricassee, blanquette de veau, haricot de mouton.One table was dedicated to all the bottles and decanters of maotai, wine, whiskey, vodka, and brandy, with labels in languages I could only guess the pronunciation of; some of them sat in buckets filled with ice.A smaller table held all the desserts: fresh strawberries, round golden pears, grapes, and slices of dragon fruit beside delicate little chocolates, egg tarts with flaky crusts, almond cookies, macarons and eclairs, chilled mango pudding, fruit tarts, ice cream, and something dusted with powdered sugar labeled “beignets.” “Remember what the client said, Ada. One glass,” Thomas said with a pointed look at me. “No more, no less.” The last I saw of him was the swish of his coattails, and he disappeared in the throng of guests.I wasn’t sure how he had the confidence to find his client on his own, but perhaps his had the foresight to give him a hint. My stomach was in knots, but the memories of what life had been like for me just a few months ago returned, and I forced myself to get a plate of strawberries and a handful of grapes, along with a chocolate and macaron each. I wasn’t going to eat anything too rich, or anything that would’ve spilt sauce on the dress.Once I’d finished, a footman came up to me and offered a glass of white wine while placing my empty plate on his tray.For the first twenty minutes, I took small sips as I watched the costumed guests. At first, I skimmed the room for raven masks or costumes, yet aside from the two men who had driven Thomas and me here, I saw no others.I sighed, frustrated, and drained the remainder of the wine. The cool liquid slid smoothly down my throat and settled, warm, in my stomach.
This is absurd. How am I to find him when I have no knowledge of what he looks like, nor any clue as to what costume he would be wearing?
I scarcely knew how to begin the conversation, much less with all these strangers, be they vampire or human.One glass of wine barely affected me. If anything, it seemed to heighten my senses. I could feel the multiple pairs of eyes, their varying shades of red on the back of my neck as I slipped between the guests. At times, something silky brushed against my shoulder or wrist. Twice, I swore I felt a finger, or the back of a hand graze dangerously close to my lower back. But when I whirled around, most of the guests were engaged in conversation, laughing, or sipping from their glasses, though I caught the lingering gazes of several men and women eyeing me hungrily.I swallowed and turned away, feeling heat spread across my cheeks. Those were not phantom touches— I knew what they were.Taking a steadying breath, I made my way to the drinks table, suddenly thirsty once again. I poured myself a glass of water from the chilled pitcher and drained it in one swift motion before setting it down and heading back into the throng of people. Perhaps it would be wiser to seek out Thomas, instead.“Have you wandered astray, little cat?” A vampire wearing a leopard mask blocked my path back to the foyer. From the corner of my eye, I noticed three others moving forward as well, with slow and deliberate movements.“Not lost,” I replied softly, though my heart quickened in my chest. The leopard’s eyes glinted from beneath his mask, and it took more effort than I cared to admit keeping my voice steady. “I am looking for someone.”“Are you?” The leopard’s tone was almost mocking. “I’ve watched you prowl about this room for the better part of the last half hour, and it seems you have yet to find this someone.”I cleared my throat. “I’ll know when I’ve found him.”“Is that so?” an amused voice said from behind me, in a low, smooth timbre. It was the sort of voice that could silence a room without raising its volume.I turned and my heart leapt to my throat, as a tall, commanding figure ducked under the archway leading to the foyer. He was powerfully built, in a way I’d only ever seen in mercenaries and soldiers, and his shoulders were so broad, they alone seemed to block the light from the lamps, rather than his height.He wore a red waistcoat, and a black velvet-and-leather coat fastened with golden buckles. Black pauldrons and vambraces shaped like overlapping scales glinted like the surface of a dark lake, looking like the armor of a great warrior in a long-forgotten myth. The man had thick, silver hair and a half mask made of black-and-silver metal with an outstretched wing on either side; two curled horns emerged from the top of the mask. Aside from his lips, chin, and defined jawline, all I could see of his face were his eyes, which were bright red.
Is this my client?
The vampire stepped towards me, and there was an immediate shift in the people surrounding us; the men and women who’d started in my direction either stopped in their tracks or backed away, falling silent.“I’ve been looking for you all night.” He promptly wrapped a hand around my waist, pulling me close to him. I couldn’t help but notice how big his hand was. He was so close, his warm scent filled my nose— leather, crushed pine needles, and perhaps some kind of spice, though it was unfamiliar to me.Then, he addressed the others that were watching us. “Apologies. She’s with me…” He glanced down at me, “If you agree, that is.”I blinked. He was giving me the choice. I looked up into his eyes, and something within me seemed to tremble. I could not yet see his whole face, but I’d never had such long eye contact with another vampire before. And he towered over me; even with the heels on, I just barely reached his shoulder.But somehow, I knew that this was him. This was my client.I wasn’t sure where I got the courage, but I mustered up enough to reach out and place a hand on his shoulder. He barely glanced at it before refocusing his attention on me. His stare was making my face flame, but somehow, I was able to respond with a relieved, “I was beginning to think you might never show yourself.”The edge of his lip curled. His finger trailed down my wrist; something hot sparked up my arm, and he grabbed my hand, completely engulfing it in his warmth.The vampire led me away from the crowd of guests to the empty billiards room before he spoke. “I must confess, my dear, I was watching. But you took far longer than I expected. I’d almost begun to think you’d never find me… or did I make it too difficult for you?” His tone was light.“But it was you who insisted on making this a game. No hints whatsoever? I had nothing to use in a room nearly full of strangers.” He had left me alone and let me wander by myself. I had not cared for that, or the looks those vampires had given me. I took a deep breath as my heart began to slow. He stopped and turned to me, and he must’ve noticed I was trying to hide the anxiety in my tone, and heard my heartbeat, because he gently caught my chin, tilting it up to look at him. “Forgive me. I did not mean to make you feel lost. Games are fun because of how thrilling they can be, and though I had to interfere in the end, I rather enjoyed watching you hunt.”When I looked into his eyes, I could tell he was sincere. “I suppose I can’t stay angry with you.”“For saving you, a thank you would suffice. Expressing your gratitude through actions is likewise effective.” His tone was teasing, but there was a flicker of something… more intent than I expected.I narrowed my eyes. “I changed my mind.”He laughed softly.Somewhere in the vast mansion, the clock tolled the hour, and I jumped.The vampire noticed my startled, bewildered look and gestured towards the open door; when I turned, I saw the costumed guests had begun to file out of the formal dining room in pairs or groups, into another room.“The long-awaited revelry,” he said, giving me a sidelong glance. “Unless you plan on remaining here by yourself?”“Do I not have the privilege of knowing my dance partner’s name?”He bowed a little and extended his hand, his eyes never leaving mine. “Will you not dance with me, first? I promise you’ll find out afterward.”I felt a small curl of pleasure at this sight. It would be hard to refuse him.The vampire’s hand completely enveloped mine, in a warmth that was both soothing and, strangely, familiar. His touch comforted me in a way I had never felt before. He led me through the archway to the ballroom where the other guests were already waltzing to the rich, melancholic notes of the cello and violins.He led me into the dance with quiet confidence; his movements were effortlessly elegant. His eyes only ever sought mine, and mine his.The room seemed to fall away around us, and an image of us dancing across the sky flashed across my mind.The sound of shattering glass and a startled cry snapped me back to reality. The dancers around us faltered, and a cacophony of screams pierced the abrupt silence.Then, there were a dozen voices shouting at once: “Run!” “Come with me!” “Stay back!”Nearly everyone in the ballroom scattered, like a flock of birds taking flight.I just barely saw the face of one vampire wearing a ram mask with twisted horns lunging at me before he blurred; I heard colliding bodies, and there was a rush of wind as I was shoved back, and I staggered as I slid across the polished floor.The ram’s lips curled, revealing his lengthening fangs. A chill ran down my spine.The silver-haired vampire pulled me to my feet and stepped in front of me, and for a brief second, when my eyes darted to his, I saw his countenance was hard and cold, rather than the quiet intensity I had seen just moments before. “Do not lose yourself, Lawrence. I would rather not kill one of my customers.” His voice was unnervingly calm.The archway darkened, almost as if the lamps’ electricity was beginning to fizzle out…Lawrence’s eyes glittered, and he shot forward again, but with a lazy flick of my dance partner’s fingers, the attacker was flung back and lifted into the air, as swirls of red-black energy intertwined around his struggling form like snakes.My pulse raced, but I could only watch with shallow breaths.The silver-haired vampire turned to look at me, and his eyes softened when they found mine. “Don’t look.”I knew it was better to obey, and so I did.I felt the warmth of his fingers brush over my eyelashes and brows. As my head tipped and my body sagged to the floor, his strong hands caught me around the waist before I succumbed to darkness.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
He drew ever closer.I fled, further into the deepening darkness, my heart quickening to match my footsteps, echoing on the cobblestone street. The silver lights from the streetlamps and gleaming towers of black glass blurred past me. The fiery moon was silent as it bled across the sky.I shall find you. It is not difficult. His voice was dark but sweet. A whisper that feathered across my cheek.I turned, straining to see in the shadows that lengthened around me. Suddenly, I collided into something solid as strong hands seized me by the shoulders.When I dared to look up, his blood red eyes glowed in the darkness.
I told you I would find you.
He opened his mouth to reveal the glint of his— I awoke surrounded by warmth and softness. My eyelids were still heavy, and I blinked slowly, lifting my head.I found myself in a four-poster bed with sheets of white and crimson, in one of the most opulent chambers I had ever seen. The golden light from the lamps was dim, yet I could see a dark figure seated in a chair beside the bed. It shifted, leaning forward.The vampire was handsome but intimidating. High cheekbones, a straight nose, and silver hair now more tousled than when I first encountered him.There was a soft creak as he rose and moved his chair closer. I watched him from the corner of my eye, wary, though he surprised me by saying something I had not anticipated.“How are you feeling?” His tone was gentle.“I suppose I’ve been better.” My dry throat hurt, but I noticed that his broad shoulders relaxed, almost imperceptibly. “Is Thomas all right? And his client?” I kept my gaze on his, which seemed to soften.“They are both well.” He reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and handed it to me.I drank eagerly, and the cool water soothed my throat. He took the glass from me and filled it again with a pitcher I had not noticed before, setting it back on the bedside table.“And you?” I was not sure if it was a foolish question, but now that it was just the two of us… I preferred to ask rather than remain silent. I needed to know he was all right, too. My eyes traced his pleasantly surprised face, then down his form. He appeared to be unharmed, and from where I sat, there was nothing to suggest otherwise.He smiled, and there was an unmistakable warmth in his eyes. “I am well, thank you. Although, there is no need for concern on my account.”
I am glad.
There was a moment’s pause before I asked, “What of Lawrence?”The vampire exhaled softly. “I managed to restrain him until he returned to his proper self. I am fortunate no lives were lost— human or vampire, though there were several grave injuries. They have all been sent to a doctor, another of our kind. My assistants have kept me updated on their progress, and from what I was last told, everyone has been recovering well.”“That is fortunate.”He leaned forward, and I felt my cheeks heat under the intensity of his gaze for what could’ve been the twentieth time in less than a day. “And how about you, Ada? The doctor found no contusions, scrapes, or other injuries of note. Is your head all right? Do you feel any pain?”I shook my head, attempting to ignore the quiver my heart had made when he said my name.He sighed, relieved. “Good.”I considered him for a moment. “I don’t believe it’s fair that you know my name, but I don’t know yours.”The vampire gave me a faint smile. “Having shared a dance with me, it is only just that I uphold my side of the bargain. It’s Sylus.”Sylus. The name danced in my mind as my eyes traced his features. It suited him.He tilted his head. “Not the name you expected for a vampire? Or for a proprietor of a tavern?”“I’d forgotten you were The Red Raven’s proprietor.”“I visit once a week to ensure everything is in order.” His smile was sly. “Although that certainly isn’t the only business I dabble in.”I suppose I would’ve been surprised if the tavern had been his only business, I thought. Then, I blinked as the weight of his first sentence fully sank in.He’d frequented the tavern multiple times while I was there, and I had never once noticed him. Surely, I would’ve sensed this vampire with broad shoulders and silver hair. His presence would’ve filled any room he walked into. How could I have missed him?Sylus’ lips tugged into a knowing smile. “Bridget informs me whenever she takes someone in.”“Every person she’s taken in … none of them have given her trouble?”“She has an eye for judging character.” He paused. “When I came to the tavern a few days after Bridget allowed you in, your scent was not unpleasant. But you were not as…” he hesitated. “Appealing as you are to me, now.”Not as appealing. I thought for a moment, considering the consistent meals I had begun to receive, my weight gain, and the return of my monthly cycles.“Is the smell of my blood related to… my health?” I asked slowly.Sylus nodded. “People have varying tastes. Your first donation was satisfying, but the taste of anxiety lingered in your blood.”My eyes widened. “You can taste emotions?”“Yes. And smell them, as well. I do not relish the taste of fear, anxiety, or any of the… weaker emotions. There are some who find it uplifts their mood. I suppose they prefer the sharper flavor. I once knew a lord who preferred fear in the blood he drank. He had a certain way of acquiring his tastes, and though I did not care for his methods, I—” He broke off, and shook his head. “He was kind to me.”“My second donation must’ve suited your preferences, then.”“I tend to take sips to savor it. That’s what I did with your first donation; it lasted me just over a week. But your most recent one, you were in far better spirits. Quite elated, if I remember correctly.”I laughed, and pleasant surprise flickered across his handsome face. “Yes. The prospect of earning money certainly helped.”His tender look made my cheeks heat. There was a comfortable silence for a moment. Sylus stifled a yawn, and a smile, unbidden, tugged at my lips. I had never considered a yawning vampire to look so endearing. He glanced at the clock on the wall, and that was when I realized it was a quarter past seven.He rose from the chair. “I’m going to bed. I’ll see you again this evening.”“Sleep well.”He turned and smiled softly. “I shall, now that I know you are well.”Warmth fluttered within me, though I could not say if it was near my heart or stomach, and it took great effort to resist the impulse to smile back at him. True to Sylus’ word, I did not see him until after sundown.It was strange joining him for supper and watching as the maids and butler served dishes I had eaten earlier that morning— congee, ham, sausages, potatoes, tea eggs, toast with butter and jams, coffee, tea. It was stranger still watching a vampire eat.I could not help but watch him, distracted from my own plate of roast venison and vegetables; I knew he had seen my astonished expression, for there was the slightest twitch at the corner of his lips. Sylus continued eating in silence, until I found I could no longer hold my question at bay. “Do all vampires eat, or are you, perhaps, an exception?”“We can eat in small quantities, to give those around us the impression we are human.”My eyes darted down to his nearly finished plate, which had been piled with eggs, ham, and potatoes a few minutes before. He nodded at my unfinished plate. “Do you plan on polishing off your food? It is getting cold.”I reluctantly turned back to my meal. Perhaps he will answer my question in due time. After the dishes had been cleared, Sylus sipped at a cup of coffee while I picked at some fruit.“Once you’ve fully recovered, you’re free to continue working at the tavern, if you’d like. But you’re more than welcome to continue staying here. If you decide to, I could ask Luke and Kieran to bring your belongings to my estate, if you wish.”“Were they the ones who…? The ones in raven masks?”Sylus nodded. “My assistants. They’re twin brothers.”“I have yet to properly introduce myself.”“You’ll have ample time to do so, if you are willing to let me continue caring for you.” He set his cup down and regarded me in silence.Continue caring for you. I was stunned, and though I attempted to conjure up some sort of response, my mind remained blank.The heat of his stare made me swallow and drain the glass of water in front of me.When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. “Ada.” I glanced up at him from beneath my lashes. “I thank you for the donations you have given me hence, but if you are willing, there are… more intimate ways for me to partake in it.”I met Sylus’ gaze and thought back to when I had first stumbled upon the vampire woman with Mary. My heart quickened at the thought of his lips pressed to my wrist, and from the smallest flicker of his eyes, I knew he had heard it, although he kept his face carefully neutral. It was hard to believe that had been months ago.“The same rules would apply. This would only happen with your consent. But, if you’d like to return to the tavern, or end our arrangement altogether, say the word and I shall leave you be.”“And if I consent?” I asked.After a pause, he said, “Then I would feed from you.”“Where?”Sylus reached for the hand I had placed on my chair’s armrest, and I noticed his skin felt cooler compared to yesterday. His forefinger and thumb easily encircled my wrist as he pulled it closer and turned it over, so my palm faced up.Goosebumps rose along my skin when he gently traced the vein inside my wrist, which, to my embarrassment, began pulsing more erratically.“Most people seem to be most comfortable with this location, once they have consented,” he whispered, and the sound of his voice, coupled with his touch, at that moment, stirred something in me… something unlike anything I had ever known.I must’ve been so dazed, that I’d lost track of what was happening, because when I came to, Sylus had leaned forward with furrowed brows, his face inches from mine.“Are you all right?” He pressed a cool hand to my heated forehead.“I’m fine.” I shook my head a little, flustered.“Hmm.” He pulled back, sat back down in his chair, and said, “You consent, then?”“Yes.”“In that case, I… would prefer if you stayed at my estate. It would be more convenient for the both of us, don’t you think?”I nodded.“I will continue paying for the blood,” he said, and though I opened my mouth to protest, he continued, “I could pay twice—”“No.” I shook my head. “I do not want to be paid.” I sighed. “Sylus, I already chose to continue the arrangement. And I think it’s fair for me to assume that…” There’s something deeper— I cleared my throat before continuing. “I believe it is entirely fair for me to refuse. If you continue to allow me to stay here without worrying about any expenses…”Sylus inclined his head a little. “This need not be said.”I gave him a look that I hoped he would understand. There you have it.His lips twitched.“But it is only fair for me to continue being paid for my labor at the tavern.”“It is.”The idea of Sylus feeding from another person… another woman made my stomach clench. I worried my lip. I had no right to feel as possessive of him as I did.“Will you begin feeding from me… tonight, then?” I asked, rather taken aback by my boldness.His chuckle was deep. “Eager, are we?”I met his amused look directly.Sylus leaned towards me once again. “As tempting as that is, let us begin tomorrow night. I want to ensure you are well-rested. If you’d like, you can do a shift at the tavern in the morning.” The following night, shortly after I had freshened myself, he led me to his bedchamber.It was as dark and elegant as him. The floors were made of smooth, black marble; the walls, too, were crafted from dark wood, and occasionally interspersed with black columns trimmed with gold. There was a great, marble fireplace, flames already crackling within, and plush rugs in front of it. Several black leather chairs surrounded a low wooden table, and there was a potted plant in each corner of the room. The four-poster bed was massive, with red curtains and black-and-red sheets and pillows.He was watching me, and when I turned to look at him, I did not need to ask what he was thinking.“I suppose I should not be surprised a vampire would have a cold, dark bedchamber,” I quipped with a slight raise of my brows.The firelight reflected in his red eyes seemed to dance with amusement. “What would you change about it, kitten?”I stared at him for a moment before the words sank in. “Kitten!” I repeated, barely suppressing a scowl.Sylus chuckled. “An appropriate name, don’t you think?” He grazed a finger against the porcelain mask on the wooden table, and my heart quickened when I realized it was the one I had worn to the ball just two days before.Kitten… The word lingered in my mind, and I mulled over the way he had said it. I suppose I don’t mind it, if it’s coming from you.He was watching for my reaction, and when our gazes met, his smile was faint.“Hm.” I wandered about the room, keenly aware of the fact he was following me, though he barely made any sound, and it unnerved me. “Perhaps a wooden shelf, there,” I said, gesturing to one of the potted plants in the corner. “I would have suggested a bookcase, but you clearly have more than enough of those in your study.” He chuckled behind me, and the sound sent warmth blooming within my chest. “I daresay some brighter colors and soft textures would warm the atmosphere of this place, as well.”“Soft textures?” his voice repeated near my ear, stifling a laugh.My heart stuttered in my chest, and I turned, startled, to find him standing much closer than I expected. On instinct, I extended a hand, which he caught with his, the skin cool against mine, and trailed his thumb against the inside of my palm. Frissons of awareness shivered up my spine.Sylus inhaled deeply, closing his eyes, his breath melting against my fingers. “Your presence alone adds enough softness and warmth for me,” he murmured. The very manner in which he spoke those words seemed to drain the strength from my legs, and I found myself clutching his hand tighter as he led me to sit in one of the leather chairs.He disappeared into the adjoining bathing room for a moment before reappearing again in a flash, with a couple towels and a glass of water.He pulled one of the other leather chairs closer, so that they were side-by-side, and sat in it; I took in deep breaths to calm myself.“Do you need a few minutes? If you are having second thoughts, we need not—”I shook my head. “I’m ready.”Sylus’ gaze was penetrating, but after a few seconds, he nodded and glanced down at my hands clasped in my lap. I raised my right wrist to him, and he was careful as he took it, his cool, long fingers gliding over my rapid pulse.“Be calm,” he murmured, his thumb rubbing gentle circles. “It will be over swiftly.”I saw a flash of fangs, and then they were sinking into my wrist. The pain was sharper than I had expected, like searing needles; I gasped and tensed in the chair. Sylus pressed a big hand on my thigh, steadying me. I felt his lips and tongue, cool at first, but gradually and noticeably warming, suck and lick at the blood that trickled out of me.He groaned softly, and the sound made something within me clench.Soon, the pain had faded, and I was focused on the feel of his hot mouth. I sighed, and then Sylus pulled away. There was a dull throb at my wrist. His tongue glided over the puncture wound, which heated at the wet sensation, and a dark, red mist slowly coiled around my arm and brushed against it, like the delicate shadow of a feather. The mist dissipated, and when I blinked, the wound had left no trace on my skin.He raised his gaze to mine. “Are you all right?” he asked me, in a calm, measured tone.I nodded, though my head tipped, and I felt myself sway, as if he had indeed taken some of my strength— just enough to leave me rather faint. His other hand caught me, and after I had drunk some water, he helped me sink back into the leather chair.Sylus pressed a kiss to the inside of my wrist, where he had sunk his fangs into me only moments before. “Thank you.” The sound of his voice was heady, caressing my cheek and making my eyelids droop. “Thank you.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The day following Sylus’ first feeding, I noted my breasts felt heavier, more tender than usual, and I knew my monthly cycle was approaching. As I had surmised, I awoke with a smear of blood between my legs a few days later.After freshening myself, I found him in his study, sifting through ledgers and sheafs of paper. Our eyes met across the room, and he returned his attention to the numbers before him as he said, “I think it is best we forgo tomorrow’s feeding.”I stared at him, and there was the oddest sinking sensation in my gut. “But…” I stammered but could not think of what to say.“No. You are menstruating. I shall not take any more blood from you.”A part of me was horrified, and embarrassed, but it did not surprise me that he could smell the blood.“Are you certain?”“I will not perish from a few days without your blood.” His eyes took in my face, and a faint smile pulled at his lips. “And you need not worry; your scent is far from unpleasant.” After a pause, Sylus continued, “Have you not seen me acquire sustenance through another way?”I considered his words for a moment. It was true… I’d seen him eat impressive quantities of food. Nevertheless, it felt peculiar, if not unsettling, that I was not providing him with blood within the confines of his own estate.Later that evening, when I joined him for supper, the table was set with heartier fare than I had anticipated— braised beef shank, roasted pheasant, bamboo shoots and oyster mushrooms, chicken soup with ginseng, and steamed buns. There was also a bowl of red bean soup placed beside me, kept warm with a heated plate beneath it.“Sylus, what is all of this?”After seating himself beside me, looking rather pleased with himself, he said, “I requested the chef prepare a selection of iron-rich foods that will aid your circulation and strengthen your constitution.”“And what is the reason for that?”“You are menstruating.”“Did you believe my menstruation would compel me to consume all this food?”Sylus smiled. “If my memory serves me correctly, one’s appetite tends to increase. Your body requires additional iron. I shall partake in this meal as well, foregoing my usual fare.”In the days that followed, he occasionally provided thicker undergarments and warm water or tea. Each evening, maids would enter my bedchamber with bed warmers and heated blankets. He also asked whether I wished to take a respite from work at the tavern, but I declined; remaining occupied served to distract from the occasional twinges of soreness at my abdomen. The day after my menstruation ended, when I returned to the estate from a shift at The Red Raven, Sylus asked if I was fit, and willing, enough for a second session.When I agreed, he asked me to meet him in his study after I had finished preparing for bed.For once, despite eating with me all evenings hence, he did not join me for supper. Luke and Kieran provided me company instead, though they kept their raven half-masks on, and nibbled at the dishes that had been provided. I noticed that the pair of them ate far less than Sylus did.I could not bring myself to eat much, as well, as there was a kind of excited nausea in the pit of my stomach.
What is the matter with me? Was I looking forward to being bitten and having my blood drained from me?
After several minutes, I heard quiet snickering from across the table. I glanced up to see that Luke and Kieran had stopped touching their food and were gazing at me with their cheeks resting upon their palms.“What is it?” “Excited?” Luke was the one who asked, first, and the only reason I had been able to differentiate whose voice was whose was because I’d been talking to them for a few days.“For Lord Sylus’ feeding?” Kieran continued.I cleared my throat and looked back down at my plate. “I am nervous, is all,” I said, which was half-true, and stuffed my mouth with some food so I would not have to immediately answer.They only grinned at me, but I was grateful when they turned the conversation to other things for the rest of the meal.After I had freshened myself, and slipped into a bed gown over my chemise, I knocked on the polished wooden door of his study, and Sylus’ voice from within called out, “Enter.”Although I had been here before, it was difficult to resist the temptation to admire the décor. It was filled with towering bookshelves and warm light. My eyes lingered on the exquisite porcelain tea sets in the wooden display cabinet, the hanging scrolls of beautiful calligraphy, and the silk scrolls depicting a pair of flying, red-crowned cranes, and of a serpentine black dragon twisting among the inky clouds and mountains.He was seated at his desk, a pair of reading glasses perched upon his nose— a faint smile tugged at my lips, for I had never seen him like this before. But I’d never seen him look so exhausted.“Are you all right?” I asked him, and Sylus slowly lifted his gaze, removing his glasses and setting them down on the desk. He rose and crossed the room in a blur.“I am, thank you. And you? How fared your supper with Luke and Kieran?”“It was satisfactory.” I paused. “I noticed that they partook far less than you.”He cast me a sidelong look, that might have held the smallest flicker of amusement. “Indeed.” But he gave me no further explanation, and I hid my disappointment as well as I could.Sylus had already arranged towels and water on the desk, and once again, he moved two leather chairs together, ensuring that we were seated comfortably side-by-side.Though I was rather nervous, my heart did not seem as loud as a drum as it was the first time we had done this.The pain that blossomed from my left wrist was not as sharp as it had been before, and I was uncertain whether it was because I now knew what to expect, or another reason entirely.This time, Sylus kept his gaze on me as he drank from me, and for several blissful moments, all I could hear was the steady thump of my heart and the crackling of the fire, for I, too, could look nowhere else but at him.When he finally withdrew, healing the bite with his conjured mist, he pressed a kiss to my wrist and grazed his warm lips against my fingers. “Thank you,” he murmured, never once looking away from me. Then, he placed my palm to his smooth cheek and hummed softly. A week after I had taken up residence at his estate, he led me on a tour of the grounds. Several times, I noticed a shadow pass above us, and when I glanced up, a large black raven had begun to circle above us.He whistled, and the raven descended and alighted upon his outstretched hand.“This is Mephisto,” Sylus said, running a hand over the bird’s sleek black feathers. He deftly removed a small scroll of parchment bound to its leg and tucked it into the pocket of his waistcoat.The raven made a soft noise and turned its head to me, regarding me curiously with intelligent eyes.“Your pet?”He shook his head. “He does not take kindly to being called that,” he said, and Mephisto clicked his beak in my direction.“I beg your pardon.”Sylus approached me, and when I glanced up at him, he gave me a small but reassuring nod. I slowly extended a hand to Mephisto, ensuring the raven had a clear view of what I intended. The bird tilted his head at me, watching with scrutiny.I kept my eyes on him, and slowly lowered my hand, gently brushing the back of two fingers against his dark head. Mephisto blinked but remained still. It seemed my touch was deemed tolerable for the moment.A smile spread across my face, and when I looked up at Sylus, he, too, was smiling. Later that evening, he led me to the estate’s cellar, and upon making our way down the stairs, the air already felt thicker, weighted with history I could only imagine. The cellar was larger than I had expected, and there were corridors stretching into the heavy darkness, with only the lamps occasionally providing light if there was movement.He led me to an area that had been cleared of barrels and crates, where a circle of rope was stretched across metal posts. The stone floor was worn smooth by the weight of countless feet, and two wooden benches occupied one side of the ring.On the other side of the room, I saw clockwork machines, one with gears and pulleys, and another with a flat stretch of canvas over its metal ramp. In the corner stood a dummy outfitted with worn metal limbs and gears, although parts of it seemed brand-new.A tall, broad-shouldered vampire, clad in a leather tunic, high-waisted trousers, boots, and gloves, stood beside the ring of rope, with his arms crossed over his wide chest.“I have a fondness for pugilism and have hired Benjamin to spar with me several times a week, while also providing protection for our household, should the need arise.”“Do vampires require protection?” I asked.Sylus glanced down at me. “I do not, but circumstances have changed with a guest at my estate,” he said. After a pause, he continued in a lowered voice. “It would give me… more peace of mind, if you were willing to learn some basics. Anything that would keep you safer, and give you more of a fighting chance, so occurrences like the masquerade ball will not happen again.”“If vampires succumb to their bloodlust, there is little I will be able to accomplish, even if I am trained,” I pointed out.“I know. Yet, it serves better than nothing at all.”“I suppose you’re right.”Sylus seemed satisfied with my answer. * * * I had been having dreams as of late. Ones where I rode on the back of a great, black creature over a field of red flowers. In the distance, rising out of the smothering clouds, was a dark citadel in a barren wasteland, with a spire that could’ve split the sky above it so that fire rained down and scorched the ground with its ashen fingers.Each time I woke, I found myself baffled. The heat of the smoky air against my skin would be replaced by the warm, silken sheets of the bed beneath me. It had felt so real, as though it were a world I had once known.When I confided in Sylus of this, he admitted to having similar dreams, though his had started shortly after he tasted my first donation, four months prior.“And they seem as real to you as mine do?” I asked in a whisper. “As though…”He gave a solemn nod. “In my dreams, I can feel the wind against my face.”A heavy silence settled between us as we gazed at each other. At last, he spoke, his tone low and resolute. “I believe it is time I tell you who I truly am.” I was puzzled. Is he more than a mere vampire lord?“Listen, and I shall tell you the story.” He paused, his eyes looking past me, as if he could see the echoes of what came before in the flames.“There was once a little boy with red eyes. He was a cheerful boy who had everything to be happy for— loving parents, a warm opulent home, servants at his beck and call, and a full belly every night.“One evening, his parents were slain by demons, led by a demon king consumed by jealousy, for the demoness he was infatuated with had chosen a vampire in his stead. Among those who had been close to the boy’s father was a wealthy lord, a vampire in his own right. This lord, moved by a sense of duty, took the boy into his care, treating him as a second son. He sent him to a boarding school alongside his own child, who would be the only friend he would have there, for the other children were afraid of him.“But it was not his appearance that set him apart from the other boys and girls, as they all possessed the same eyes. It was his power, inherited from his mother.”Sylus raised a hand, and sharp ribbons of black-and-red mist swirled up his arm and around his fingers like a flock of darting birds.“The lord must’ve been aware that the demons were plotting something, for, the lord’s son was sent away during the school year.“Without his friend at his side, the boy felt as if the whole world was against him, for the other children, still frightened, turned from him and played amongst themselves. “During those long, isolating days, the boy often wished he were anywhere else but that school filled with blank eyes that saw past him, and with echoing laughter that did not comfort him.“Shortly after the friend’s departure, the school was besieged by demons. Teachers and staff fell, valiantly trying to protect the children, yet they were overpowered. When the bloodshed had finally ceased, the only one who could save the remaining students was the boy— for only angels, demons, or those who bore either of their bloodlines, possessed the power to slay other demons.”He fell silent, and I, too, was at a loss for words.
This explains why the other vampires had not dared challenge him for me that night. He has power the others do not.
I swallowed. “What became of the boy’s only friend?”Sylus lowered his gaze, his voice soft. “The last I heard, he was on the run. He… had refused to follow his father’s footsteps, turned away from the practice of feeding on blood tainted with fear. For that, his father cast him out. I have heard nothing of him for months.”My hand ached to reach out for his. My heartbeat quickened, and Sylus gave me a knowing look. “Has… has the boy been able to find some happiness since then?”He exhaled slowly and moved closer. “He has.”For reasons I did not know, something compelled me to move first. I kissed him softly, slow and tender. He responded in kind, his velvet lips warm against mine, and when I placed my hands against his chest, the reins that held him back seemed to snap, and Sylus drew me in, deepening the kiss, his tongue meeting mine with an urgent hunger. A sigh escaped me as I melted in his arms.It was over far too soon.I blinked, dazed, mouth tingling and my breath shallow, when I realized that, though he kept his arms around me, it had been he who pulled away first. But as I focused again on his face, a surge of satisfaction washed over me at the sight of him—cheeks flushed, lips swollen— looking the least stoic I had seen of him yet, and even somewhat surprised, as though my kiss had been too good to be true.Sylus took several deep breaths, and once more, he looked past me, as though needing a moment to compose himself.“Is your mother the reason you only require half a pint of my blood?” I asked him, lowering my hand to interlace our fingers together. Finally, he glanced down at me and squeezed gently, sending a warmth that tingled along my arms and up to my cheeks.He tilted his head. “Correct.”“And the sustenance you need is different?”“Demons feed on emotions. I suppose my hybrid ancestry also explains why I prefer blood that is untainted with any weaker emotion.”“But when you are unable to feed, whether it be blood or emotions, you’re able to acquire energy from food,” I ventured, thinking back on the large portions of food I’d seen him consume.Sylus smiled. “You are most perceptive,” he said, his voice warm with admiration. “Not many would have arrived at that conclusion so swiftly.” He lifted our clasped hands and kissed my fingers; something within me purred, and I was unsure if it was his praise, his touch, or both.I studied his face for a moment. “You saved those children, rather than let them fall. That speaks more of your character than theirs.”Sylus released a breath, glancing down at his other hand, as the wispy energy materialized around his fingers once again. “They were children, as was I. The circumstances would’ve been different had we had all been adults. But after all that had occurred, they treated me with deference, instead of as one of their own. It has had its uses.” He laughed softly. “When I began my business ventures, they practically fought to invest and become my first loyal customers. Only a few have been different. Bridget, Benjamin, Luke, and Kieran.” He raised his eyes to mine. “You.”“It seems your kindness applies to children, animals, your staff… and to me, as well.”He drew me closer, so that strands of his soft hair brushed my brows, and our lips were a whisper apart. His expression was calm, yet the intensity that simmered beneath was unmistakable. “Possessing greater strength does not place you above the weak.”My heart swelled at his words. He was powerful— a hybrid of vampire and demon blood— and his size and status gave him an advantage over many people, including human men, in a way I believed would be difficult for most to comprehend. Yet, he showed such gentleness toward those lacking his strength. And that included me.I kissed him again, soft and chaste, and his warm thumb stroked the back of my hand. I pulled away first, pressing my forehead to his. “Thank you for sharing all of this with me,” I murmured.Sylus’ gaze softened, and he reached up to brush my cheek with his thumb. “Thank you for listening.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The estate grounds were still that night, and even the wind held its breath, as if it, too, was afraid for what was to come.I took a deep breath and made my way up the guesthouse’s steps, pausing just outside the front door. The key and slim handcuffs were heavy in my bed gown but warmed by my body heat.I recalled the conversation Sylus and I had engaged in, two days prior, as we discussed the terms of what we had prepared…“You have both vampire and demon blood. Surely, you could catch me in less than a second.”“I could,” he replied smoothly, “but that would spoil the fun. I give you my word… I will not use my power. I will resist my true speed and strength. Until I find you, I shall only walk.” He hesitated, and his voice softened. “Imagine me as a mortal man.”But that would’ve ruined the fun, too, I thought, but swallowed the words before I could say them. Being chased by a man who wasn’t mortal had sent a thrill, some kind of excitement throughout me, that made my heart skip within my chest.Sylus had heard it, too, because he’d smirked and given me a knowing look.“You will still be able to smell and hear me, though,” I pointed out.“Yes. But this game is about control, not instinct. I promise I will not break the rules.”“And you know the guesthouse’s layout better than I do.”“Perhaps, but the fun is in chasing you… kitten. The layout. Well, that’s just another game to keep me entertained while I hunt for you.”Hunt. My mouth had gone dry, for though I could not fathom how it had happened, I was struck by the fleeting image of him staring at me as he licked his lips, his eyes wild with madness. It was terrifying, and arousing.Just before I departed the main house in my chemise and nightgown, he laid his hands upon my shoulders, his long fingers gliding gently up and down my arms. His warm, tender touch was comforting and sent a pleasant shudder down my spine. “You are sure of this?” Sylus had asked, as he handed me the copper key, and I nodded, resolute.“Repeat the word for me again.”My heart had spiked as I looked him in the eyes. “Feather.”“Good.” When he had pressed the key into my hand, he pulled me close and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Whenever you want to stop…”“I know.”Sylus had pulled away, and he tilted his head back a little, the red gleam of his gaze as bright as a ruby in the dim lamplight. “I’ll see you soon.”When I returned to the present, I quelled the nervous excitement that rose within me, removing the key from my pocket and opening the door. I shut the door behind me with a soft click, and my eyes took in the smooth stone floors, black staircase with brass rails, and dimly lit lamps casting warm light that bathed everything in a muted red. I could see that everything was elaborately made, but not as luxurious as the main estate.There was silence for a couple minutes as I took in deep breaths and attempted to steady my pounding heartbeat, pacing back and forth in the foyer.Then, I heard the unmistakable creak of wood behind me and turned.
Click.
Sylus opened the door and shut it behind him. He waved a hand in the air, and his conjured mist brushed the lamps on the walls; some of them fizzled out, and the light receded even further, as if a dozen sheer veils fell in front of us. He stood there, barefoot, dressed in a loose tunic that exposed the top of his chest, and trousers. His eyes glowed in the semi-darkness, and the corner of his lip was lifted in a smirk.“Remove your bed gown.”His red eyes glittered when I did as he asked, dropping it on the floor beside me. The air was cooler against my bare arms and legs, and I shivered as goosebumps rose all over my skin.He, too, slipped out of the loose tunic, and despite the fact it was not the first time I’d seen his bare torso, or lain with him, saliva gathered in my mouth at the sight of his broad shoulders, solid chest, narrow, tapered waist, and the sculpted muscles on his abdomen. Though I could not see it now, save for his shoulders and arms, I particularly delighted in the sight of his well-defined back.“When I catch you, your chemise will be next.” I nodded, unable to speak.“Run, kitten.” His voice seemed to curl about me with dark tendrils, not unlike the energy he controlled.He did not need to bid me twice; I turned and fled as fast as I dared. My hand grasped the cuffs within the pocket of my chemise, lest they rattle and betray my whereabouts.Sylus laughed softly, and the sound sent an unfamiliar thrill through me that tightened my chest. I chanced one last glance behind me, to see him closing his eyes and covering his ears.I had but two minutes to hide from him.As I reached the base of the stairs, I paused for a moment before creeping upwards on tiptoe, instead, looking back at Sylus. He stood there, eyes and ears still firmly covered, quietly counting down. His head tilted a little, though his eyes and ears were still covered as he counted silently. I pressed on, cautious, hastening my pace up the rest of the steps to the second floor.A row of identical open doors stretched before me, and I stilled, uncertain. After deliberating longer than I cared to admit, I settled on one in the middle, rather than the one furthest away from the stairs.Entering the room as quietly as I could, I turned, my hand hovering on the doorknob. A fleeting thought of closing it passed through me, when I remembered the doors were all open— and closing it would have easily given away my position.With a shake of my head, I withdrew my hand.
I need to make less noise.
Hurrying inside, I cast a swift glance about the room before making my way to a tall wardrobe pushed against the left wall. Fortunately, it was empty. The room appeared to be some sort of bedchamber, but I had been too intent on finding a hiding place to take note of its finer details.I took great care in closing the wardrobe door as quietly as possible, then stood stock-still, waiting.Steady yourself, I admonished myself, pressing a hand to my chest, over my heart. If I did not, I would surely fail to hear his approach.Silent, I pressed my ear to the wooden door and listened, hard. But there was only stillness.Then, once I grew accustomed to the nearly oppressive quiet, I heard the faint creak of the floorboards, and my heart began to race.The sound of the wooden floor whined softly as he drew nearer.Then…“Come ouuut, kitten.” His voice was a teasing drawl, and Sylus’ words sent a shudder of heated awareness down my spine. “I know you’re there,” he growled softly.I barely caught the quiet huff of his laugh.“I just want a taste. I promise I shall not bite… yet.” He paused. “Or perhaps you might permit me a little nibble.”Another creak.“Hm. Not here?”The floor’s groans seemed further away now, and I slowly opened the wardrobe’s door with bated breath.My heart pounded in my chest as I stepped out of the room. The words he’d spoken earlier seemed to linger in the air, a sensual promise that made me shiver. I crept into the corridor, my mind racing as I considering my next course of action.Just as I had barely cracked open the door to another room, I heard an amused chuckle behind me. I spun about, to see two red eyes, almost glowing in the semi-darkness, and a ghost of a triumphant, almost predatory grin.“There you are.” His voice felt as smooth as silk against my heated skin.I backed into the room as he advanced on me with slow, deliberate steps.“You’re quite adept at running away.” His long legs effortlessly closed the distance between us, and within moments, he stood towering above me.My heart skipped, but I whirled around and fled. “No—!”Suddenly, I felt his strong arm encircle my waist, and a rush of air against my face. I gasped and struggled briefly. But when I blinked, I found myself draped across his broad, bare back. My gaze slowly drifted to the firm curve of his bottom.Before I knew it, Sylus had dropped me onto a bed and straddled me, his hands on either side of my head.I narrowed my eyes at him. “Did you use your vampire speed?”He laughed quietly. “I did not.” He leaned closer, so that the tips of our noses were nearly touching. “You ought to have tried harder, but… I have you now,” he smirked. “You lost.”“Did I?” I pressed against him, and he exhaled, shaky.I wrapped my legs around his waist and rolled us over, so that I was on top, pressing my hand to his chest. Pulling the slim cuffs from my pocket, I cuffed his left wrist to the bedpost as quickly as I could, locking it.In all honesty, the cuffs had been Luke and Kieran’s idea, and when they presented them to me, their faces alighted with wide grins, it had been difficult to prevent the blush that rose to my cheeks.“It seems you have lost. Are you prepared to face your punishment?”Sylus didn’t seem at all bothered that one of his wrists was cuffed to the bed’s frame. He looked as calm as ever, and I just barely saw the edge of his lips curl, though I could not tell if it was amusement or pride.“I stand at your mercy now, kitten. What do you plan to do, then, now that I have become your prey?”“I suppose… leaving you there is a fitting punishment.” I lifted my chemise off and tossed it to the side, and his gaze widened, then darkened at the sight of my bare hips. My nipples pebbled in the cool air.But all too soon, the dark red energy coiled around the cuffs and unlocked them. They fell to the carpeted floor. My heart jumped, but in a flash, Sylus was above, pinning me to the bed with his weight, instead.“You cheated!” I said, and made a half-hearted attempt to escape, bucking my hips.He hissed softly, and I felt the hot, hard press of his length between my legs. “Unlike you, I require no material restraints to keep you bound.” I glanced down to see mist swirling up my legs, slowly spreading them, and binding my ankles to the sheets beneath me.He tilted my chin up to look at him again, and my pulse quickened. “I truly enjoy watching my little prey struggle.” Sylus entwined our hands together, his warm, long fingers enveloping mine. “Especially when she thinks she can escape from me.”He leaned down to lick and suck at a nipple, and I moaned, feeling my muscles clench. He brought our hands down to my sides as he moved lower, his lips grazing my ribs, and then trailed a line of soft kisses further down.Sylus dipped a tongue into my navel, and I fought the whimper that crept up my throat. Still, he moved lower, until his breath was caressing the slick folds between my legs.“You surprised me, kitten.” He traced a finger down my inner thigh, and I sighed, shivering under his touch. “Going without your undergarments.”Sylus pressed a soft kiss, exceedingly close to my sex, before raising his eyes to mine. His gaze was so intense, I could almost feel the electricity of it in the air between us. My heart raced.“Do you want me?”My voice came out in a trembling whisper. “Yes.”“Say it again. Kitten, do you want me?”I squeezed my eyes shut, so desperately aroused it took great effort to respond. “I want you.”He smirked, satisfied. “Good.”I felt the flat of his tongue against my sex, and I gasped, twisting the blankets in my clenched fingers.Then he began to suckle at my clit, groaning, and I clenched my eyes shut as the waves began building, fast. Soon, he began using his inhuman speed to lick, as he pressed a finger into me, and I thrashed, vaguely aware that my cries were becoming higher pitched.I arched and cried out, stars exploding behind my clenched lids as pleasure coursed through me. Distantly, I felt a faint sting at my inner thigh, something warm trickling, and the feel of his hot tongue and lips as he continued stroking, occasionally sending spasms throughout me. When I finally came to, opening wet, bleary eyes, trembling and clenching around his fingers, chest heaving… I realized Sylus was watching me with his cheek upon his palm, his lip curled in a self-satisfied smirk.I moved to sit up, to be closer to him, and touch him. But then he waved his hand, and the dark red mist wound around my wrists and pressed me back onto the mattress, so I was staring up at the bed’s canopy.“Sylus,” I whispered, raising my head to look at him. “Please. I want to touch you.”“You enjoyed seeing me cuffed to the bed earlier. I think it’s only fair I do the same to you,” he purred.Rolling my eyes with a huff, though a smile crept up my mouth, I said, “You have had me bound here far longer than I had you cuffed to the bed.”Sylus chuckled and finally moved up along the bed, so he was right above me. “I never said I would play fair, kitten.” I met his kiss, which was ravenous, now, all lips and tongue and a slight scrape of his fangs that left my mouth tingling. I could taste myself, and my blood, but I did not care.He was the first to pull away, flicking a finger in the air so the lights dimmed, and I could just barely see the outline of him in the semi-darkness, save for the red glow of his eyes. The raspy sound of his zipper lowering made my heart pound in anticipation.When he stepped out of his trousers, I felt my mouth water at the sight of him.Sylus leaned forward to kiss me, his large hands slipping around my hips; on instinct, I wrapped my legs around his waist and met his gaze as he entered slowly.This was far from the first time we had coupled, but my breath hitched, nonetheless.I whimpered as he filled me; at first, his thrusts were slow and deep, and I could not help the gasps and moans that left my lips. A flush began to color his cheeks, and he panted and groaned with me, his lids heavy. Though we had only been lovers for a short while, I had come to see how expressive his eyes truly were, sometimes even more so than his expressions.Sylus trailed a hand down my abdomen, and when he began to rub my clit, I arched, clenching around him as he hissed, pleasure beginning to overtake my body.He was thrusting faster, now, and the heat was coiling in my core; I rocked my hips to meet his movements, when the bubble finally burst. I thrashed, my toes curling, and I could only watch his own flushed face, as we dissolved into bliss together. Time felt as if it stood still as we basked in each other. As with our past couplings, I lost track of the hours. We bathed and ate and rested between, but his vampire-demon stamina was enough, that had he not used his powers, I was unsure how long I would have lasted without them.“I believe I must look into whether a stamina potion can be made,” Sylus said, rising from the bed and making his way to the bathing room.“A what?”He smirked at me. “I am not the first vampire or demon to take a human lover.” He paused at the door’s threshold, tilting his head. “Will you not join me in the bath?”“I shall, in a moment.”His red eyes considered me for a moment before he entered the bathing room, and I heard rushing water.I slipped out of the sheets and retrieved the chest Luke and Kieran had promised would be concealed beneath the bed. It was lighter than I had anticipated.It was beautiful— crafted from smooth, black lacquered wood. The chest’s lid bore a serpentine dragon and a phoenix with outstretched wings, both entwined around one another in shimmering gold.I opened it, and in an instant, a blinding red light engulfed the room before fading.“What is it you’ve hidden?” I had asked the twins suspiciously, when they first told me of the chest.“You need not worry,” Luke had grinned, his expression mischievous.“It shall make things far more… interesting,” Kieran had laughed. They had refused to elaborate further, and now I found myself staring at an empty chest. They had deceived me— there was nothing within, save for the light from earlier.“Ada? Will you be joining me?” Sylus asked again.“Er…”He stepped out of the bathing room and paused when he took in my face. His eyes fell on the open chest; he crossed the room in a blur. “What is this?”“Luke and Kieran gave it to me,” I answered with a guarded tone.He cast me a sidelong look, and I flushed.“They said it would make our time here more… interesting.”The corner of his lips curled ever so slightly. “Hmm.” He closed the chest and examined the lid for a moment before turning away. As he did, I felt a strange tugging sensation at my wrist and, unbalanced, stumbled toward him.“Sylus! What are you—”He turned to me, lifting his wrist. I glanced at my own, watching with wide eyes as a red light wound around both of our wrists, meeting in the middle to bind us.The both of us stared at the red light for a moment. Then, Sylus sighed. “Those two…”“What’s happening?”Without another word, he seized my hand and guided me back to the chest. It was only then that I noticed the red ribbon wrapped around the dragon and phoenix’s feet.He huffed out a laugh. “You are remarkably gullible, kitten.”“What is it?” I asked, wary.“This…” Sylus lifted his wrist, and as he did, the red light pulled mine upward alongside his. “…is the red thread of fate.”Realization dawned on me, and then I felt my face heat in embarrassment at the implications. Couples due to be wed traditionally had red threads knotted around their wrists. “But… this is folklore. It is only seen in stories.”He raised a brow at me, remaining silent. He needn’t utter a word, for I could very nearly hear his voice in my head, as if he were speaking directly to me— Is it, now, kitten?Clearly, the stories were true. I stared at the red light entwined around our wrists. “So, if it is real… how and where did they acquire it?”“A question I shall be certain to ask the twins once this thread dissipates and I am able to dress myself.” Sylus replied smoothly, his tone laced with a touch of amusement. “But seeing as we appear to be unable to escape one another’s company, you might as well join me in the bath.”Before I could protest, he promptly swept me into his arms. I squeaked in surprise, and he chuckled in response as he carried me into the bathing room.The red light that had intertwined our wrists faded later that evening. * * *My stay at Sylus’ estate seemed timeless. I barely had any notion of the passing days, when he provided the love and kindness I had not known I would be fortunate enough to experience.We dreamt of stars cradled in golden clouds as we lay in the soft shadows that drifted about us.Soon, the grounds’ bare trees, whose outstretched hands were once dotted with frozen glass, began to melt; delicate petals budded instead, and the days were filled with dancing flowers.Several days after our stay at the guesthouse, Sylus led me to a concealed chamber within his study, which was accessed by pressing a hidden button beneath a drawer in his desk.The room was dimly lit with steam-powered iron lanterns. The furnishings were crafted from rich, dark wood, their surfaces inlaid with delicate mother-of-pearl. One of the settees had embroidered gold silk cushions scattered on top of it. A carved wooden screen, intricately detailed with flying cranes, stood against one wall, flanked by porcelain vases. Jewelry fashioned from jade, gems and other fine metals I had never seen filled glass display cases and intricate wooden chests.But a singular portrait at the far end of the room caught my attention.The painting, set within a deep red lacquered frame with gold leaf accents, depicted a beautiful couple with striking features. Even before we crossed the room, I knew who they were.His parents had been a very good-looking couple. His father had thick, tousled black hair, red eyes… his face looked nearly identical to Sylus’. His mother’s long hair cascaded past her shoulders in near-ethereal waves, resembling a swath of silver silk, and her violet gaze held me captive. What secrets, what histories of Sylus’ demonic lineage might her blood have carried?There was silence for a moment; he stood there, gazing at the portrait. Unsure of what to say, I moved forward to hold his hand.Sylus glanced down and smiled a small, soft smile.“I had not wanted to say this,” he murmured. “Or, rather… I had not known how to, but I trust you are aware of what the red thread binding our wrists signifies?”As if in answer to his words, the red light reappeared around our wrists once more, glowing softly.I nodded, feeling my cheeks flush, and my heart quickened as we stared at each other.
It means we are fated to one another.
Sylus reached for my other hand as well, enveloping both in his warmth. Leaning closer, I saw the vulnerability in his gaze as he asked, “If you would have me, would you stay and be bound to me?” His voice was soft, yet laced with a slight tremor, as if he feared my answer would not be what he had hoped.My breath caught, and my heart tightened at the emotion that was so evident in his eyes. “Do you recall that story you told me, of the boy with the red eyes?”He nodded.I swallowed, my voice barely a whisper. “If you would have me, you need never face another day alone.”His red eyes widened, and then, slowly, a tender smile graced his lips.Sylus reached into the pocket of his waistcoat and withdrew a brooch of exquisite craftsmanship. Dark silver formed its elegant frame, with a gleaming ruby at its center, upon which an intricately carved raven was perched on top of the gem. He fastened the brooch to my tunic.“Now, you shall always carry a part of me with you,” he murmured.Sylus kissed me, slow and sweet, before pulling me into his arms and pressing our foreheads together.I closed my eyes, willing myself to memorize his scent, his touch, into my very soul.A part of me wondered what the future held for us. Would he turn me into a vampire? Could a hybrid like him even do so? Perhaps that would be answered in time.But, in that moment, I had no reason for concern.For I knew everything would be all right, so long as we stood by each other’s side.