They say when pivotal moments play out in your life that time warps into something more comparable to a concept. In fear, time quickens. Things unravel, quickly, beyond your control. In sadness, every second elongates, stretches, taking your pain from momentary to endless. But in love? Time seems to expand. And that expansion feels like a broadening of the mind, the heart, the senses. Renaissance felt everything around her expand as her lips melted into Lyselle’s. She no longer cared whether the kiss lasted seconds or days, as long as it happened. Her hands, like a talented sculptor, worked over Lyselle’s body. As if her sight had failed, she wanted to commend every inch of this human to her memory. Her hands skirted over her arms, her clavicles, her beating chest. They danced their way down her waist, around her hips, to the small of her back. Nimble fingers flickered like fairy lights over the top of Lyselle’s thighs, then they retreated back up to her midriff, tracing the outline right where her rib cage became her accentuated hips. 

With every breath Ren reemerged for, she resubmitted to the kiss like a diver. She wanted to drown in it, let her body surrender to that relentless current pulling her back in for more. Lyselle’s warm, soft lips fit perfectly within hers, slipping between them then pressing themselves on top. They shared the lead of the kiss, first Ren would pout hungrily, then her human would lean back in for more. It was the kiss of two beings who realised how long they’d been hungry for this. An appetite not yet fed, unknown, dormant within them. Now they had a taste, it would be impossible to pry Ren away.

A cool morning breeze whipped round them, lifting their hair up and flicking it around both of their faces. Ren’s cloak danced with the wind and the feeling of the fully risen sun bathed them both in a glorious light. With a small gasp, the Ancient broke the spell. She pulled away slightly from the kiss and peered somewhat apprehensively at the sun above her. Though it were myth that vampires perished in sunlight, it wasn’t entirely comfortable nor preferable for them to be stood in it. It depleted their power, diminished their abilities. Yet Ren still felt her power bubbling inside her, unaffected by the light that usually robbed her.

[i]“Lyselle…”[/i] the Vampire whispered, her breath brushing the humans lips. Her mind flicked through the strange occurrences: Lyselle’s speed, Ren’s single tear, her new resistance to sunlight…
[i]“I think the bond is gifting us…”[/i]

She hated to pull away from the embrace. Unreasonably, she would’ve remained right there until her final days if she could. But this revelation begged to be shared. And if Ren could sense a difference, Lyselle probably could too.

[i]“My love, I haven’t cried since the 1500s… And right now? The sunlight is doing absolutely nothing to quell my power… And your speed in the forest? Almost as quick as I can move?… The bond - It’s connecting us both in more ways than we realise.” [/i]

Just as she waited for Lyselle’s response, something twisted a knot in her stomach. Like a wildcat sensing a predator, like a woman walking home alone at night notices footsteps behind her; Renaissance realised they soon would no longer be alone. Her eyes widened, pupils dilating. Her hand flew to Lyselle’s and she held it tight, instinctively pulling her closer. They were just outside of the forest still, in a residential area somewhere a little outside of Belle View. People were yet to awaken, the inhabitants of nearby houses still not disturbing the streets peace with their presence. No, this company was not human. Not like civilians anyway. 

The Ancient Vampire extracted her talon, keeping it by her side for now. Her skin prickled with the sense of danger. It was impending. 

[i]“Lyselle - What’s coming?”[/i] Renaissance Le Sang hissed urgently. She awaited her Huntresses sixth sense to inform her.