It almost felt like the bond between them was about to explode with feelings Lyselle could only imagine in her wildest dreams—until the connection suddenly muted. Her gaze flicked upward to look at the vampire now standing over her. It was a strange myriad of sensations: their thread dulled, yet something incredibly enticing about seeing Ren tower above her remained—a confusing urge to almost sink to her knees, as if this ancient vampire were some dark goddess. That thought alone brought another flush to her rosy cheeks, and she swallowed gently, afraid Ren might notice.

[i]“First of all, enough with the ‘Miss Ren’—it makes me feel old.”[/i]
The comment pushed a light laugh from the huntress as she glanced down, right before she felt the soft touch on her chin guiding her gaze back up. Lyselle wondered quietly to herself what this feeling was—infatuation, the start of genuine emotion, or some sort of star-crossed love the universe itself demanded?

[i]“Secondly, it’s simply impossible for me to endure these feelings I have toward you on an empty stomach… Do you know what feelings I’m referring to? Every fiber of my being is telling me I need to be close to you. And even then, I doubt that would be close enough. My body is screaming at me, begging me to cave in…”[/i]

Almost instinctively, Lys reached her hand out—then stopped herself just shy of touching Ren’s. A breath caught in her throat, making it difficult to speak at first before she swallowed and nodded lightly.

[color=#9BA7C3][b]“I do…”[/b][/color]

Renaissance had so easily found the words she herself struggled with—words she couldn’t deny. Lyselle didn’t understand it, didn’t know what to make of it, but there was a gravity to the vampiress she felt powerless to fight.

[i]“But I need to feed. Pretty imminently.”[/i]

The more familiar sight returned: the shift in her eyes, the lengthening fangs, the single sharpened talon.
[i]“You’ll be safe here whilst I deal with my urges, Lyselle.”[/i]
That serpentine hiss in Ren’s voice should have chilled her to the bone.

[i]“And then I’ll be back to deal with my other urges.”[/i]

Of everything this night had brought, Lyselle’s reaction to that shift was the most surprising. Her eyes widened slightly as she nodded.

Before she could process it fully, she hurried out:

[color=#9BA7C3][b]“Try not to… kill. I know it’s asking a lot and—if you do, it’s… fine… just—try… please…”[/b][/color]

Anyone else would think her mad for saying such a thing—and Lyselle didn’t even know why she did. Only that she had never harbored the hatred of other hunters, and she never liked seeing people die when it could be helped. Maybe that kindness was reason enough.

When Ren answered, Lys offered a small smile to see her off—watching the ancient being almost float out of the apartment with a grace befitting her kind.

Left alone, she inhaled the mingled scents of flowers, oil, and ash, letting it steady the confusion that had swept through her. Closing her eyes, she recalled Renaissance’s transformation—and couldn’t help but think how hauntingly beautiful she was, even with darkened eyes and bared fangs. Had she had crushes among the Vigil before? Of course. She’d even dated a few. But she had never been so open with them as she had already been with Ren, and thus nothing had lasted longer than half a dozen months. And there had been pretty women, certainly… but none, fictional or real, compared to the vampire she now felt bound to.

A small click of her tongue betrayed how ridiculous it was—finding a hungry vampire gorgeous.

Letting out a sigh, she slowly leaned back into the couch, finally recognizing how tired she felt. Excitement had carried her far into bliss, some of which lingered still, but her body tugged at her to rest. She let herself sink into the cushions, head on a pillow, staring at the old tomes and lush plants as she drifted. Her mind ran through the day—Rhyland’s death, Ren’s arrival, their bond, their choices—over and over…
…until everything faded to black.