I opened the door slowly as we returned to the house, turning to face Luc as he waited to be invited in. My heart pounded with the expectation of what I had exactly promised the vampire, but I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Please, come in." I motioned, watching as he slowly stepped through the doorway. "I wanna check in with Lee, if you can wait in the guest room?"
"Sure." Luc agreed, gliding up the stairs as I turned to close the door. He had already disappeared by time I shut the portal and I took a deep breath as I ascended the steps, hearing the guest room door close as soon as I reached the top. Despite his admission earlier, it was obvious he was still nervous and shy, and I couldn't help my soft smile as I continued to Lee's room.
I opened the door to see the pixie still sitting in front of his computer, tapping the desk with one hand as his other hand flicked against the screen, scrolling through the files. I cleared my throat to get his attention, but Lee merely waved his hand.
"I haven't found much on this 'Sammy', it's almost like they plucked her from thin air." Lee admitted and I moved closer to his computer. "The other two however... let's say I have a hard time believing the Henderson's had good intentions for her."
"Do I wanna know?"
"Probably not, but Ima tell you anyway." Lee shrugged, tapping on another tab as an article filled the screen. I looked around his shoulder as he continued talking. "Both looked to have been killed in some sort of ritual, although the Hendersons claim not to know anything about either. Both rituals were linked to different cults, and so the charges were dropped, especially when they passed a lie test."
"So either they really are innocent-"
"Or more likely, they are a part of a third cult, using the other two as a front. We both know memory erasers can be used to pass lie tests." Lee sighed and I leaned in more, glancing through the article. "Likely Sammy caught wind of what they were doing, and caused her own death, hoping to finally get the Hendersons and the rest of their cult caught."
"So that journal really would hold all the answers." I agreed, leaning away as the pixie finally turned to look at me. "She did say she didn't commit suicide, but it's clear she was killed because she wanted to be."
"And?"
"We have a good idea of where it is, but the school it's hidden at is on the other side of town. Didn't want to have to hide Luc somewhere in a high school." I shrugged, looking down to see the laughter in Lee's face. "We can head to the school tonight."
"So you can take a demon to Heaven, but can't leave him in a high school?" Lee joked and I couldn't help my chuckle.
"Well, we don't need a repeat of what happened in Heaven. Besides," I turned to walk away, leaving the pixie to his work. "Luc likes 'em older."
"He sure does." Lee agreed, his voice coming through as I closed the door. My heart pounded with his words as I glanced down the hall, looking at the door that separated me from the vampire. In that moment, the hallway seemed way too short, not giving me enough space to ready myself to face Luc.
Slowly, I walked down the corridor, barely hearing my own footsteps over the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. Soon I was standing in front of the door, the sound of my own blood blocking out all sound. Could Luc hear it too? Did he know that it was a mix of desire, anticipation and fear? Did he feel the same way? My thoughts returned to how he had held me in the graveyard and my heart fluttered as my body remembered the promised pleasure.
"Luc?" The door seemed to finish opening on its own as I turned the handle, and I was only slightly unsurprised to see the vampire at first. His aura filled the room, so I knew he was inside and I jumped as the door slammed shut behind me.
"Lin." Luc's voice caressed my skin as it had in the graveyard and I turned to see him standing behind me, fully blending into the darkness of the room. His eyes were still soft, but the beast he had let me glimpse still lurked behind that gaze, and my heart rose into my throat. "You are scared."
"A bit." I admitted, fully turning to face him as he remained against the wall. I took a moment to notice that he was using his demonic power to try and suppress his desire for blood, but clearly it wasn't enough to change his voice. "I told you we could talk about… feeding."
"I… " Luc's voice faded as he looked away from me and I knew what he was thinking. As much as he wanted to, as much as he had likely fantasized about it, he could not bring himself to ask me for it now that he felt calmer. The scent of blood off the Feeder had caused a lapse in his control and Luc had allowed himself to be honest in that moment.
I began to remove my jacket from my arms, moaning with relief as my wings stretched, fluffing them before resting them against my back. I carefully started to undo the buttons on the back on my shirt, leaving my tank top as I removed the clothing. Luc's eyes followed my every move, and I noticed the glow in his eyes increase as he saw me reveal my skin. I ran my hand over my bare shoulders as I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I am nervous, but I'm not scared of you." I admitted, meeting his gaze evenly as he looked up from my skin. "I've… never had my blood drunk before, but if you don't mind drinking from fallen angel, I guess I'm here."
"I don't care what you are. You are Lin." Luc whispered, finally pulling himself from the darkness as he released his demonic power, the darkness flowing from his skin and clothing as he walked toward me. I was forced to look up as he towered over me, his hand raising to gently caressed my other shoulder. I shivered as I felt his hand caress my skin, the anticipation I had felt in the graveyard returning. My body seemed to instinctually recognize what was about to happen and I could only moan softly as Luc's hand gently glided toward my neck. "You will always be the one I want."
"Well, I'm here now," I whispered, doing my best to meet his gaze as his eyes continue to glow in the dark room. He was looking at me as if I was the best dish he had ever seen in his life and he wanted to take a moment to enjoy the sight before indulging his hunger. I felt my knees grow weak as the anticipation of pleasure continued to spread through my body and I felt as Luc's other hand wrapped around my waist. I knew he wouldn't let me fall as he pulled me close, bending low to nuzzle his face into my neck. His breath seemed to send pleasure through every nerve in my body and I couldn't help my embarrassment at the soft noise that escaped me.
"Lin…" Luc whispered my name again, starting to kiss my neck as he warmed me up, preparing me to be bitten. Somehow, I understood that's what he was doing, wanting to make sure it was as pleasurable as possible. "Do you want me to feed from you?"
"I-" My answer quickly melted into a loud moan as I felt his tongue drag across my exposed neck, the sensation overwhelming my mind. I was incapable of thought as he began to suck on my flesh and my hands finally moved to grip his shirt. I began to breathe rhythmically, small sounds escaping me every time I felt his tongue press into my skin. HIs own hands tighten their hold on me, as if he was afraid I would run away if he let go.
Run away? Why the hell would I run from this? Every fiber of my being wanted him to just bite me already, to send me over that edge, to give me the ultimate pleasure that his mouth was promising. To give me the feeling he had denied the Feeder in the graveyard. A pleasure he was only willing to share with me.
I should have been disgusted by how close our bodies were; it was so engrained into angels to be repulsed by demons that often the mere sight was enough to make me feel unreasonably angry. But for some reason, Luc never gave me that reaction, and instead his vampire side called to me, always enticing me to let him closer, to let him in. I didn't know if it was something Luc did consciously or not, but at the moment, I didn't care.
"Luc," I managed, barely recognizing my own voice as I croaked out the sound, and I moaned with displeasure as his mouth left my skin.
"Yes, Lin?"
"Bite me, please." Those three words were all Luc needed, and I felt his hands dig into me as his mouth flew back to my neck, his fangs finally piecing my skin. There was no pain, just an explosive, rapturous fire that exploded through my entire body. I shook in his embrace, and I knew that his arm around my waist was the only thing keeping me from falling to the floor. Each pull of my blood into his mouth seemed to cause another wave through me and even my wings shivered as I moaned into the silent room.
After what felt like eternity, Luc pulled his fangs from my skin and in that moment, I cried out in pure ecstasy, the feeling the most intense sensation I had ever felt in my life. Luc maintained his hold on me, gently licking my wound as I came down, my breathing ragged as if I had just ran ten miles. His hands gently kneaded my body and his tongue continued to soothe my neck with his cool breath.
After another moment, I gently tapped his back and Luc reluctantly loosened his hold, but he refused to completely release me as I attempted to recover my composure. He held me in his arms, even as he stood up to look down at me. I found I couldn't meet his gaze, almost afraid that I would kiss him if I did.
"That… " I paused, taking another deep breath as I tried to speak. "That was kinda better than sex."
Luc chuckled, leaning down again to allow his breath to caress my ear as he spoke.
"It's better with sex."
I couldn't help the jump in my body with his words and Luc finally fully released me as he stood up and I finally allowed myself to meet his gaze. The glow in his eyes had died a bit, but in its place was satisfaction and power. His gaze was so alluring, and I was starting to wonder why I had ever chosen Evan over Luc.
I frowned as the thought crossed my mind. Now that I thought about it, how did I even meet Evan? I couldn't seem to remember as my brow furrowed, confused by the lack in my memory. The anniversary of his death was just yesterday, but I could not recall how we actually met. Now that I was thinking about it, my earliest memories with Evan involved us already dating. That was... definitely strange.
"Do you," Luc's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I noticed uncertainty had worked its way back into his expression. "Regret it?"
"No, I… " my voice trailed off, a soft smile coming to my face as I forced myself to keep his gaze. "I was wondering why I didn't choose you sooner."
"Wanting me just to feed me would be a poor reason." I frowned with his words, realizing my honesty had the wrong effect. I shook my head as I reached out for his hand, gently lifting it between us.
"You are much more than the pleasure you just gave me." I corrected, maintaining my smile as I gently kissed the back of his hand. Luc's lips twitched into a slight smile and my heart fluttered as he returned the gesture. "I may take you up on your offer."
"Offer?"
"For both." I grinned, Luc squeezing my hand as he realized what I was offering him. He seemed ready to speak more, but he paused as he raised his gaze to the window behind me. I turned to see the first indication of sunrise approaching and I felt my heart sink.
"I should-"
"Stay." I insisted, releasing Luc as I went to the window, drawing the curtains to block out the encroaching light. I took another moment to move the bed out of the sun's possible rays, looking back to see Luc watching me. "You should stay."
"I… suppose I can. Requiem never said I had to return every day." Luc agreed, moving to the bed and sitting on the surface. I sat beside him for a moment, watching him lay down, settling onto the sheets as he waited for death to claim him. I kept my gaze on his face as he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he relaxed. "We can head to the school when I wake up."
"Hopefully Lee can find something." I agreed, my hand moving to push a strand of his dark hair out of his face. The slightest twitch of a smile graced his lips, and I couldn't help my own grin as it quickly faded. I turned back to the window to see the brightening sky and my heart pounded as I considered what I wanted to do. Just as the first bit of light started to grace the room, I leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on Luc's forehead.
I saw as Luc tried to open his eyes, but death had already started to claim him and I watched as his smile became permanent on his face. I chuckled to myself as I stood, leaving the vampire to his rest as I sought my own.