"So, this is the side effect? Him enduring this pain, reliving the blood rage all over again?" Lauren's voice trembled as she probed for understanding amidst the swirling uncertainty that enveloped them.
"Oh, it's adorable that you think he's in pain. Damien hasn't experienced pain, like, ever," Serafina chuckled wryly, her words punctuated by a cryptic knowingness.
"How long will he remain like this?" Lauren's inquiry rippled through the air, carrying with it a sense of deep-seated concern.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. This is uncharted territory for all of us. It's my first encounter with the aftermath of the drug's effects," Derek responded, his uncertainty echoing the enigma that surrounded Damien's plight.
Lauren turned and cast a lingering glance toward the cell a few meters away, her sigh carrying the weight of unspoken worry.
"If he doesn't return to himself tonight, then I'll have to enter that cell, draw some blood, and conduct tests to assess the molecular impact of the drug," Derek declared.
Lauren was on the verge of responding when her phone rang, jolting her from the weighty atmosphere that encircled them. Retrieving it from her pocket, she discovered that the caller was her aunt.
"Hello, Aunt. Good evening," she answered, her tone a fragile melody against the backdrop of mounting tension.
"Good evening, my darling. I just checked, and you weren't back yet. Are you working overtime?" her aunt inquired tenderly, concern woven delicately into her words.
Lauren's heart sank as she prepared to spin a fabricated tale. "I went to my old house. I might not come back tonight," she relayed, a flutter of anxiety seizing her as she awaited her aunt's response.
There was a deafening silence from the other end, plunging her into a momentary panic as she wondered if Madame Veronica had detected the veneer of falsehood in her words.
"Dear, did you leave because of what I said about the vampire boy? Is that why you won't be coming back tonight?" her aunt's voice held a simple, unassuming inquiry.
"Oh no, that's not it, Aunt. I promise you I'm not upset with you. I'll be back tomorrow, I promise," Lauren reassured, the urgency of her words cutting through the distance between them, an attempt to dispel any lingering doubt.
"Alright, take care and be sure to call me if you need anything," Madame Veronica cooed, her tender concern wrapping around Lauren like a comforting embrace. Lauren smiled, her heart warmed by the genuine affection her aunt held for her. "Aunt, don't worry. You don't need to fret," Lauren assured, a sentiment laced with affection and reassurance before she ended the call.
"Are you really going to stay here tonight?" Serafina inquired, her voice mingling with the clinking of glassware as she helped herself to a bourbon from the nearby bar.
"You must be famished. Should I order anything for you?" Damon extended the offer, his concern mirroring the subtle flicker of hunger that betrayed Lauren's true state.
"No, it's alright," Lauren initially declined, but the telltale rumbling of her stomach betrayed her resolve.
"Then it's settled. I'm ordering you a sumptuous meal," Damon declared, a soft chuckle dancing through his words.
"I cannot believe Damien hid this place from us" Derek murmured to no one in particular as he meticulously surveyed the entire floor. The space exuded a minimalist charm, adorned with only essential furnishings scattered about. Aside from the elegant swimming pool and the lavishly stocked bar, there stood a pristine pantry, a well-stocked fridge, and a modern kitchen.
After a few minutes, Derek returned, balancing packages in both hands. They diligently served Lauren, their guest, with a graciousness that dispelled any trace of embarrassment or unease. "You don't need to feel shy. You're our guest," Damon reassured, pouring a refreshing fruit juice for her. Lauren expressed her gratitude and began to enjoy the meal set before her.
Satisfied after indulging in the sumptuous spread, Lauren luxuriated in a warm bath. As midnight approached, she drifted into peaceful slumber on one of the plush sofas in the room
---
"Damien," they intoned in unison as he made his way toward the living area of the underground basement.
With a calm, deliberate stride, Damien approached them, finding his way to the sofa where Lauren lay soundly asleep. He gazed down at her delicate form, a myriad of thoughts flickering across his countenance. In a swift, fluid motion, he tenderly gathered her in a bridal carry, as if she were a fragile treasure to be safeguarded.
The group observed with a potent mix of hope and uncertainty, unable to determine whether Damien had regained his true self or if this was simply another twist of the blood rage. They yearned to intervene, to rescue Lauren from his grasp, yet they remained frozen, grappling with the indecipherable torrent of emotions surging within them.
"Clean up that cell, Damon," Damien commanded as he departed with Lauren cradled gently in his embrace. Their stunned gaze followed his departure, Damien offered no acknowledgment, his focus solely on the slumbering beauty nestled in his arms.
Returning to his room, he tenderly laid her upon the bed, carefully draping a duvet over her sleeping form. With a reverent touch, he brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face, his gaze lingering for an ineffable span of time before he turned and made his way to the adjacent bathroom.
A few minutes later, the group found themselves settled in the elegant sitting room of his mansion, a hushed anticipation settling among them as they awaited his arrival.
"How are you feeling, Damien?" Derek ventured, his words teeming with a blend of curiosity and concern.
"I feel like myself," Damien responded simply.
"I'd like to take a blood sample tomorrow for further analysis. We need to understand the extent of the side effects. Also, how long were you in the throes of the blood rage?" Derek pressed further, his voice pitched with a tone of professional inquiry.
"This isn't a formal medical consultation, Derek. I'll come to your hospital tomorrow. If that's everything, I'd like to retire to my room. I need to rest," Damien stated with a calm resolve.
"Do you still wish to be with her after everything you've uncovered? She's here, perhaps believing that you couldn't control yourself during the blood rage. Will you still regard her in the same light?" Serafina's query hung in the air.
Damien paused, his stance halting on the precipice of departure, as contemplation danced through the depths of his gaze.
"I can't be with her. I understand that now. But I will stand by her whenever she needs me. That's the least I can do," Damien declared before leaving for his room.