Saraphines eyes once again fluttered open, to the now familiar softness of Lucian's mattress. How was she here, the last she remembered she was trying to get away from the door to avoid being sniffed out by those blood thirsty vampires that kept insisting Lucian was hiding a tasty human from them.
She tried to shake the dizzy feeling off her while trying to get out of the bed, only to be met with a calm voice, one that she has come to recognize so well.
"Easy….." Lucian's soft voice spoke as he walked toward her side of the bed, stretching his hands to aid her.
And with this moment of close proximity, saraphine couldn't help but notice how charming he looked the space between them became almost nonexistent. His face, so near to hers, so breathtakingly perfect his sharp jawline and chiseled features seemed sculpted with purpose, just like a work of art. His deep blue eyes charmig and inviting sending an unexpected flutter through her chest.
Seraphine's pulse quickened, her heart betraying her as her gaze lingered on the subtle curve of his lips. She shook her head slightly, forcing herself to break free from the spell his presence cast over her. Her hands brushing off his assistance as she hurriedly slipped out of bed, her bare feet landing softly on the cool floor.
Without another glance in his direction, she moved toward the meal table he had gestured to, hoping the distance would help steady her racing thoughts. But even as she sat down, the image of his charming face remained burned into her mind.
Lucian sat across from Saraphine, his piercing eyes studying her in that unnerving way he always did, but there was something different in his gaze today, something soft and intentional. Something that made her skin crawl even more than usual.
His hands rested on the table one drumming absentmindedly, the other cradling a glass of wine that remained untouched. And although he seemed calm, there was an air of impatience hanging between them.
"Eat up... the food is not going to eat itself"
He said, finally breaking the silence between them. His gaze still fixed on her, not wilinging to break anytime soon.
"I'm not hungry."
She said while trying to leave the table, but in that moment her stomach rumbled giving her away.
"Don't you like the food that's been served? What's your favorite meal, I'll ask the cook to make that for you." he finally said.
Saraphine blinked at him, disbelief rippling through her.
"My favorite meal?"
Of all the things this bloodthirsty monster could want to know, he was asking about food?
She studied his face, waiting for the cruel joke to reveal itself, but there was none. Just his sharp, cold eyes watching her with an intensity she couldn't understand, an intensity that she could in no doubt translate to genuine concern for her.
He was concerned about her???
Her mind raced. Why would a vampire one of the creatures who thrived on the blood of humans care about a me?
Was this some twisted game? Was he asking to know so he can use the information to torment her, or lure her into some false sense of comfort before he.....
Her eyes widened at the realization that dawned on her.
Of course.
He was fattening her up. Just like feeding a chicken before the slaughter.
The thought made her stomach turn, a wave of nausea tightening her chest.
He wasn't showing her kindness. No. This sudden shift in behavior, this mockery of empathy was all part of the plan. A way to make her stronger, so that when he finally decided to feed, she would be more… nutritious.
She shuddered, her hands curling into fists under the table. The thought of being nothing more than a well-fed meal for this monster filled her with resentment.
He leaned forward, his cold hand reaching across the table to touch her trembling hand.
Saraphine flinched before she could stop herself, shocking Lucian. He was only trying to calm her down because she seemed terrified, but seraphine was having an outburst.
"I'm not your pet," she yelled, pulling her hand away from his touch.
"You don't need to pretend to care."
Lucian's hand stilled in midair, his expression unreadable as he withdrew it slowly. He sat back, his gaze never leaving her, but the softness she thought she saw in his eyes vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Replaced by the cold, detached expression she was used to. And she hated how much relief it gave her. It was easier to despise him when he looked this evil and monstrous. Not when he acted as though he had some shred of humanity left.
"Is that what you think.....?" he asked quietly, his voice devoid of emotion.
"....that this is all part of a grand plan? That I'm preparing you for slaughter?"
Saraphine narrowed her eyes, her lips trembling with the effort to contain the rising storm inside her.
"Isn't it?" she spat.
"What else could it be? I've known enough of your kind to know you don't do anything without a selfish reason. You're all the same."
His eyes redened in rage, one he was trying so hard to contain, restraining himself from responding too harshly.
The tension between them grew thicker, and Seraphine was ready for whatever consequences she'd face for enraging him.
But instead, Lucian stood up and slowly walked towards the now open window staring out into the bright crystal moon in the sky. He didn't seem angry no, that would have been easier to deal with. Instead, his silence felt more unnerving than anything.
"Why am I here?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why won't you just let me go?"
Lucian was silent. He didn't know why either.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I don't know why I brought you here."
His words confused her even more. This wasn't the answer she'd expected.
"You think I'm a fool," she said, her voice hardening. "I won't fall for whatever this is."
Lucian's gaze snapped back to her, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flash of anger, perhaps, or frustration. But it passed as quickly as it appeared.
"You think I'm going to kill you," he said softly, stepping closer. "But you're wrong. If I wanted you dead, it would have happened long ago."
With a speed of light, he closed the distance between them, his tall frame looming over her. She hated how small she felt in his presence, how powerless, even though she refused to show it.
"Then what do you want?" she asked, her voice a little shaky.
Lucian paused, his expression unreadable once again. "I want you to get better," he said.
Better? Seraphine thought.
Why? Why did he care if she lived or died?
One thing was sure, she didn't trust him. She couldn't trust him. And yet, the thought of him having any control over her fate made her blood run cold.
"I won't play your game," she said fiercely, her voice trembling despite her resolve.
"I won't let you use me."
He didn't respond right away. Instead, he bent slightly, meeting her gaze.
"This isn't a game," he said, his voice low, his words heavy.
"But you're right about one thing. You don't know me, so stop trying to push me to the edge before I do something you'll regret."
The weight of his gaze pressed against her, leaving her unsure whether to feel more afraid of him or the unsettling truth in his words.