Callista's practice sword whispered a frustrated aria against the dummy, each thud punctuated by a muttered curse. Sweat beaded on her brow as she channelled her annoyance into a dazzling display of swordsmanship. This wasn't training; it was population control, pest removal with a side of cardio. The Academy training space had transformed into a breeding ground for lovesick mosquitoes, their incessant buzzing requiring a far more potent repellent than bug spray.
Indigo's meddling knew no bounds. He'd enrolled Callista in the "Swordplay for Fun and Fitness" club, all in the guise of gathering intel on Princess Athena. The Watcher agenda, ever-present, gnawed at Callista despite her vehement protests. Back on the hallowed training grounds, she swung her practice sword with a practised ferocity, not that she'd admit to a strange yearning for a certain infuriating vampire with a penchant for cryptic pronouncements. Dodging admirers, as it turned out, was a surprisingly effective cardio workout, leaving her pleasantly sore and her suitors safely swatted away like bothersome flies.
Just then, a voice, saccharine sweet and dripping with misplaced confidence, slithered into the room. "My dear Astra, such exquisite ferocity! Perhaps you'd care to channel that... energy... into a more... constructive endeavour?"
Callista didn't even turn. "Not interested," she replied with nonchalance, swatting the nymph away like a bothersome gnat.
Another gruff voice joined the chorus, she didn't need to turn to know it was a werewolf. "Hey there gorgeous... interested in..."
"Nope," she replied, not missing a beat, "Already booked solid for the next six fortnights, and a full moon cycle for good measure."
A chorus of unwanted attention followed, all vying for her attention. Callista dispatched them with the efficiency of a seasoned warrior, a fleeting amusement flickering in her eyes.
"Seriously, guys?" she sighed, her voice laced with mock exasperation. "Can't a girl slay her metaphorical demons in peace?"
Their hulking forms momentarily obscured her from the object of her mission today: Athena. As the suitors moved away, revealing the princess in a conversation with another vampire.
Gone were the flowing silks – Athena stood transformed. A form-fitting ivory blouse clung to her curves, the soft fabric a stark contrast to the sleek black leather pants that hugged her toned legs. Practical combat boots grounded the outfit, a far cry from the delicate heels Callista remembered. A high ponytail swept her hair back, drawing attention to the sharp line of her jaw and the graceful slope of her shoulders. The once seemingly-fragile royal now exuded an aura of quiet power and controlled elegance.
A jolt of surprise shot through Callista. There was something else too, a flicker of emotion she couldn't quite decipher. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, a flicker of something unexpected crossed Athena's usually flirtatious demeanour. Then, just as quickly, the amusement vanished, replaced by a guarded indifference. Callista felt a surprising pang of irritation. Gripping her practice swords tighter, she unleashed a series of furious strikes at the training dummy, the rhythmic clatter momentarily drowning out the unwanted noise of the "Swordplay" club.
Just then, a whirlwind of laughter and boundless energy materialised beside her. Natalia, her roommate, practically vibrated with excitement. Her ever-present shadow, the perpetually grumpy Melissa, trailed behind a few steps. "Not too shabby, roomie!" Natalia practically shouted.
Melissa snorted. "Noisy much? Bringing the ruckus to this otherwise peaceful sanctuary."
Callista smirked, ignoring Melissa's jab. "Didn't realise you were one of us, Nat."
A mischievous grin spread across Natalia's face. "Who can resist? Watching these sculpted specimens display their skills beats Netflix and questionable life choices any day!"
Callista couldn't help but smirk as Melissa's scowl deepened into a comical picture of disapproval. "And which sculpted specimen seems to be capturing your esteemed attention the most?"
Natalia's cheeks flushed a rosy hue as she stammered, "N-none, of course! They're all… equally… sweaty."
The playful banter was abruptly shattered by a voice that scraped against Callista's nerves, a sensation far removed from attraction. "Haven't seen you around lately, love," Amelia purred from behind, her voice like silk wrapped around a knife.
Callista swallowed the dryness in her throat, schooling her features into a mask of casual flirtation. "Perhaps someone misses me, Amelia," she replied, a hint of challenge in her tone. Apparently, the "Swordplay" club doubled as an offline "Tinder" for vampires and other supernatural beings.
Amelia's smile, though practised, failed to reach her eyes. Leaning in close, she whispered, her voice a possessive caress, "Indeed. You've been ignoring my texts, darling. I was beginning to think I'd offended you somehow."
Callista met Amelia's gaze, a spark of defiance flickering in her own. "Exams," she lied smoothly, her heart pounding in her chest. Amelia's unwavering stare held a predatory glint.
"Exams, huh?" Amelia raised an eyebrow, scepticism colouring her tone. "Perhaps," she pressed, a challenge replacing the flirtatiousness, "an encore is in order. In the city, this time. What do you say, Astra?"
Callista felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. Accepting a second date meant more opportunities to uncover Amelia's secrets. But the woman practically reeked of fresh blood, a primal warning that resonated deep within Callista. Backing down wasn't in her nature – if Amelia was Eydis, then she'd face her head-on. But the potential consequences clawed at her, a chilling weight settling in her stomach.
A crimson glint, a traitorous flicker, betrayed Callista's internal conflict. Her gaze darted towards Princess Athena, hoping for an intervention, but the princess only offered a fleeting glance before leaving the training room entirely. Callista suppressed a pang of unexpected disappointment before returning her gaze to Amelia's expectant one.
"Pick the place," she said curtly, the defiance still simmering in her voice.
Amelia smirked, her gaze flitting momentarily to the retreating princess before returning to Callista. "I'll pick you up at six," she replied, the hint of a predator's gleam in her golden eyes.
*****
The rhythmic pulse of jazz vibrated through the air, punctuated by the delicate clinking of silverware against china. A curt message buzzed on Callista's phone: "Three O'Clock." She glanced down briefly, knowing Damien was nearby, ready with a new disguise if Amelia turned hostile.
The vampire, all charm and elegance, pulled out Callista's chair. They sat in a swanky restaurant perched atop a skyscraper, the city lights twinkling like a scattered galaxy below.
"Enjoying the panorama, darling?" Amelia murmured, her voice a silken caress as she leaned closer. The plunging neckline of her burgundy dress hinted at a silent invitation, a challenge veiled in elegance.
Callista, her own little black dress hugging her curves, offered a wry smile. "It's been a while since I've seen the city from this height."
An arched eyebrow gave Amelia's perfectly sculpted face a hint of amusement. "Curious," she purred. "I wouldn't have thought someone as captivating as yourself wouldn't be constantly basking in such admiring views."
Callista shrugged, a flicker of amusement dancing in her scarlet eyes. "Preoccupied." Dusting off their kind, she mentally added.
Amelia's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I hope you'll be preoccupied with me, tonight."
Callista offered a smile in return, but it lacked warmth. "It's... beautiful, this city," she murmured, subtly steering the conversation. "Have you ever met anyone who knew Metamorphosis before the transformation?"
Amelia chuckled, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "I recently arrived here myself. Before that, I was... well, well-travelled."
Intrigued, Callista leaned in slightly, carefully playing the long game. A subtle shift in Amelia's gaze, a flicker of gold momentarily catching the light before darting away, didn't escape Callista's notice. "Where, specifically?" she pressed, her voice a touch too eager.
The brunette grinned, her confidence evident. "Europe, Australia, you name it. Then, here."
A jolt of realisation coursed through Callista. These were exactly the locations she and Indigo had tracked Amelia, or rather, Eydis, two years ago. The pieces clicked into place.
"Interesting," Callista mused, swirling the wine in her glass as the clinking of forks intensified. "What drew you to this particular city then? Business or something… less tangible?"
Amelia's golden eyes flashed momentarily before she responded, "Duty, well, and…" she murmured, her hand reaching across the table, "...intriguing company, like yourself Astra. Tell me, what is it about you that vampires couldn't stay away?"
Callista's gaze flickered for a brief moment, a fleeting image of Athena crossing her mind. The memory sent a familiar pang through her, a mix of longing and unease. "What else besides what they crave?" she countered, her voice barely a whisper.
"A captivating mystery, perhaps? Or maybe something more," Amelia offered.
Before Callista could respond, a horrifying crack shattered the elegant atmosphere. Three mutated ghouls, their forms grotesque and unsettling. One flung a corpse onto the floor with a guttural snarl, its claws scraping against the polished marble.
Chaos erupted. Shrills of terror ripped through the air, shattering the once-elegant atmosphere. Patrons, their faces contorted in a mix of fear and revulsion, abandoned their half-eaten meals in a desperate scramble for the exits. Silverware clattered to the polished marble floor, joining the symphony of screams as the three mutated ghouls descended upon the unsuspecting diners.
Callista, fists clenched, fought the primal urge to join the fight. But she knew her priority. She needed to remain with Amelia for now.
Amelia, however, moved with a predator's grace. Her slender frame flowed like quicksilver as she dodged a lunging ghoul, her movements deceptively fluid for their inhuman speed. A well-placed kick sent the creature sprawling, its guttural roar echoing in the cavernous space.
Another ghoul swiped at her, its claws leaving deep gouges in the polished wood of a nearby table. Amelia ducked, the air whistling past her ear as she sent a powerful roundhouse kick into the creature's chest. The impact sent it flying across the room, crashing into a wall with a sickening thud.
The last ghoul, its eyes burning with a feral hunger, lunged for Callista. In a flash, Amelia's arm wrapped around her waist, the world becoming a kaleidoscope of lights and shadows as they were propelled through the shattered window. The cityscape rushed into view beneath them, the wind whipping at their hair as they landed gracefully on a lower rooftop.
"W-What about the monsters?" Callista stammered, injecting a tremor into her voice,
Amelia's face broke into a grin. "Irrelevant, wouldn't you say?"
Callista's gaze narrowed, the annoyance simmering beneath the surface. She held her ground, acknowledging silently that Damien and the others were likely already handling the situation. The unexpected swiftness of the 'Queen's' escape, however, left a lingering unease in its wake.
Amelia gently lowered Callista to the rooftop, tilting her chin up with a playful touch. "Fine dining and carnage, not quite the romantic evening you envisioned, love?"
"Not quite," Callista managed, her voice dripping with feigned fear.
"Perhaps more memorable," Amelia murmured, leaning in for a kiss.
Callista froze momentarily before mirroring Amelia's action. The kiss began subtly, strangely devoid of the repulsive tang of blood. Her body responded despite her clenched jaw.
So this was how kissing a woman felt. Callista endured the kiss, her body a passive participant despite the flutter of her pulse. The sensation was... unremarkable. Soft lips, a hint of floral perfume, a touch that lacked the spark of true desire. Yet, she maintained the charade, her movements measured, her expression carefully blank.
A glint of gold flickered in the corner of her vision. Her mind jolted, the practised neutrality crumbling as the image of Athena flooded her senses. Athena's warmth, her intoxicating scent, the way her lips would feel... a traitorous gasp escaped Callista, a sound that ignited a spark in Amelia's eyes.
Callista pulled away abruptly, her cheeks burning with a mixture of shame and confusion. Amelia, flushed and expectant, tilted her head in amusement. "Care to continue this at my place?"
"Rain check. I need time to..." Callista choked out, the words a foreign taste on her tongue. She needed time. Time to untangle the storm brewing within her. The kiss had ignited a dormant yearning, a tangled mess of emotions impossible to decipher.
It wasn't Amelia. Not in the slightest. The memory of the contact, the taste, the feel, served only to sharpen an unwanted image: Athena. A wave of conflicting emotions crashed over her.
This… this couldn't be happening. Denial, a flimsy shield she'd wielded for so long, finally crumbled.
Callista could not deny the truth any longer. No matter how much she might wish to.