It had been many a year since Renaissance had brought another soul, alive, to the Loft. She’d brought soon-to-be victims, granted. But the last time she’d invited someone living and breathing into her home? It would’ve been when she first acquired the apartment 60 or so years ago. The concept of being [i]seen[/i] in this way made the vampire a little apprehensive. There were no tell-tale signs that this revelation was bothering her, other than when she pressed her lips together in a fine line as they approached the nearby apartment entrance.

From the outside, the block looked unassuming. Dark grey in colour, it loomed above the two of them, staring them down with lightless arched windows. Ren sniffed the air cautiously as she keyed in her entrance code. There was no nearby scent that caused her concern; Just the hypnotic perfumed scent of Lyselle’s blood pumping just behind her. As the Vampire shouldered the heavy door open and let the warmth of the apartment lobby wrap its arms around her, she shot a look over her shoulder at the Huntress. 

[i]“I’ll have to undo a few enchantments before you’re able to cross over the threshold,”[/i] Ren explained, making her way to the elevator that readily opened its doors to them both. The apartment had air purifiers and diffusers built in to the ceiling panels, constantly pumping the sweet smell of geranium and fig into the air. This smell had become so familiar to Ren that she barely smelt it anymore unless she really tried. And because she was seeing her home through the eyes of a stranger for the first time, the floral scent circled her nostrils and gave her that comforting embrace that familiar smells did. 

The elevator pinged, signalling it was ready to make its way upward. Ren cleared her throat and punched the “Penthouse” button on the control panel. Again, the elevator pinged, and the doors slid shut with a smooth hiss. The silence between the two of them felt laden with so many thoughts. Doubt and anticipation had filled the air between them and they were both right to be nervous; A huntress and ancient vampire? United in an elevator on the ascent to said ancient vampires lair? If someone had told Ren even yesterday that this is where she’d be in 24 hours, she’d have scoffed and slain them for being so ridiculous. She did not fraternise with humans, least of all Hunters. And she certainly did not invite them back to her precious, safe Loft for sacrilege.

The elevator rung out again and Ren had already begun reciting an unravelling spell, loosening the iron grip of the protection charms on her Loft. Like in a sweltering desert, the air in front of her apartment door became hazy and rippled. Ren completed the disarming of her enchantments and the locks clicked obligingly. Then, the door swung open to reveal her most precious possession. Her home.

_______________________________

Renaissance dismissively closed the door behind them both and quickly redressed the Loft in a couple of shielding spells that would grant the two of them complete anonymity. Who knew when the Hunter would awake from his hellish slumber and no doubt be determined to begin his pursuit of them when he finally remembered the chain of events.
The smell of Oud, leather and a hint of lavender wafted through the Loft. Candles were still burning, but barely, and the fireplace by the chaise lounge was mere embers glowering. The overhead vintage lamp pooled warm light over the leather sofas circled around the fireplace and Ren strode confidently to the kitchen.

[i]“I’m going to boil the kettle,”[/i] she narrated, filling the old fashioned black cast iron kettle with water from the faucet. [i]“And we’re going to a have a fresh mint tea from the garden.”[/i]
As promised, the Ancient Vampire fetched a fistful of mint sprigs from her beloved herb garden on the balcony and dropped them daintily into china cups. Ren eyeballed Lyselle cautiously, wondering what she was thinking. The bond had gone fairly quiet in the last couple moments and she could only sense the humans understandable apprehension of being in a Vampire Lair. As tasteful and elegant as the space was, it was still home to an ancient killing-machine. Trying to come off inviting, Ren gestured for Lyselle to take a seat on one of the leather sofas. She then narrowed her eyes in concentration at the fireplace and quickly restocked it with some dry logs and kindling. Grateful for food, the flames swallowed the wood hungrily and doubled in size as a consequence. 

The kettle began to squeal shrilly and the vampire glided across the room with the grace of a swan, taking the kettle and adding boiling water to the china cups. The liquid bubbled as it collided with the fresh mint leaves and turned a pale shade of green, releasing the smell of mint into the room. 

[i]“Lyselle,”[/i] Ren prompted, outstretching her hand cradling the cup. [i]“Take this, it’ll calm your nerves.”[/i]