Alya woke up to the warm sunlight streaming through the window, feeling refreshed and full of sugar from last night. She stretched, yawned, and bounced out of bed, shaking Carmilla's shoulder.
"Rise and shine, bloodsucker!" Alya exclaimed, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Carmilla groggily opened her eyes, scowling at the sun. "Torture," she muttered, covering her face.
Alya chuckled. "Poor vampire, can't handle a little sunshine."
Carmilla sat up, rubbing her eyes. "You know I'm allergic to happiness and sunlight."
Alya giggled. "That's just your excuse for being a grumpy morning person."
Carmilla glared. "You're enjoying this, aren't you? Taunting the vampire with sunlight?"
Alya grinned mischievously. "Maybe a little."
Carmilla wrapped the covers around her, laughing. "This is what I get for feeding you? Wolves and bad manners."
Alya rolled her eyes. "Hey, I'm house trained... mostly."
Carmilla chuckled, "Barely."
Alya laughed, eyeing Carmilla's fangs. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were planning on biting me."
"Don't push your luck Alya, "Carmilla hastily retracted her fangs, her smile faltering. "Leave me alone,your morning breath is toxic."
Alya leaned in, her curly hair tangled from sleep. "You can't escape the dragon's breath"
Carmilla giggled, shielding herself with a pillow. "Have mercy please. Your breath is worse than wet socks worn for the 59th time."
Alya plopped onto the bed beside Carmilla. "Now, coffee?"
Carmilla nodded, still laughing. "Yes, please. And a gas mask."
Alya grinned. "Extra strong coffee coming right up."
Carmilla smiled mockingly, stretching. "I wonder how I'd manage without you." "I bring you pastries and I get coffee in return."
Alya headed to the kitchen, calling out, "How do you take your coffee? Black as your soul?"
"Actually, I hate black coffee. It reminds me of how I feel when you wake me up in the morning," Carmilla said, as she got up and made her way to the bathroom.
Alya rolled her eyes, stirring her cup of coffee. "Well, excuse me for disturbing your eternal slumber, Princess of Darkness."
Carmilla's voice echoed from the bathroom. "You're forgiven this time. But only because I need my coffee to put up with your morning cheeriness."
Alya laughed. "That's the most romantic thing you've ever said to me."
Carmilla came out from the bathroom after brushing her teeth. "Don't get too excited, wolfy. It's just caffeine fueled tolerance."
She grabbed her cup of coffee and took a sip cursing under her breath as she tried her best to not spit it out. "It's bland Alya, completely bland."
Alya laughed. " Would you like me to add some cream?"
"You'd better. And don't think a little cream will make up for disturbing my beauty sleep."
Alya responded, "I don't think Vampires and beauty should be in the same sentence. "
Carmilla scowled. "We have standards you know...undead doesn't mean unattractive. "
Alya laughed. "True, you look lovely this morning...for a corpse"
Carmilla smirked. "At least my beauty doesn't depend on full moons and flea collars." "Don't you have clothes to sell? Leave the vampire romances to the experts."
Alya rummaged through her clothes, scattered across the small wooden box. Carmilla lounged on the bed, sipping her coffee.
"Deciding on a royal attire?" Carmilla teased.
Alya chuckled. "Just something presentable."
Carmilla raised an eyebrow. "Presentable? You're going to the market, not a ball."
"I would hate to get mistaken for a beggar. "Alya said as she held up a lilac shirt. "What do you think?"
Carmilla snorted. "You're selling yourself short, you'd rock a potato sack. "And yea it's lovely. Brings out the color in your eyes."
Alya slipped into the shirt. "Thanks." She stared at her hair in the mirror, running her hand through the thick curls.
Carmilla set her cup aside. "Now, let me help. You're hopeless with that wild mane you call hair."
Alya sat beside Carmilla, who began braiding her curly locks.
"You're secretly a hairdresser, aren't you?" Alya asked.
Carmilla laughed. "Just an exceptionally talented person...I don't expect you to get it."
Alya smiled. "Well, you're a natural."
Carmilla secured the braid with a small clip. Alya gathered the bag of clothes she intended on selling.
"Don't miss me too much," Alya called out.
Carmilla smiled. "Oh, too bad you have to leave. I'll have to sulk around this house unattended to."
Alya laughed as she shut the door. "Poor you, I'm sure you'll survive. Maybe I'll bring back some garlic bread."
Carmilla rolled her eyes. "You're cruel."
LUCIAN
"Yield, "Lucian said as he was merely seconds away from ripping out his brother's elbow.
Miguel smirked. "We'll see about that."
They circled, their movements fluid and deadly. Sweat dripped from Lucian's brow, his skin glistening in the sunlight, his hair clung to his neck.
Lucian landed a solid punch to Miguel's jaw, his knuckles stinging from impact. "You're getting slow, brother."
Miguel grinned, his lean frame flexing. "You're just getting older."
Lucian laughed and said, "Don't forget your place little brother...beneath me."
They charged, feet pounding the mat. Lucian unleashed a flurry of punches, but Miguel countered with swift kicks.
"You know Miguel, your skills are getting rusty."
Miguel landed a solid blow to Lucian's chest, sending him stumbling back. "And, you're getting predictable old man."
Lucian regained his footing, sweat dripped from his brows.
He hauled Miguel up, slamming him hard on the mat.
Miguel sprang up, his ember eyes blazing. "Again"
They circled, fists flying. Lucian blocked Miguel's jab.
Miguel countered with a spinning kick. Lucian ducked just in time to step into the fist Miguel had waiting for him.
Lucian's head snapped back, his nose crunching from the impact. Blood dripped down from his face. "Nice try, but you punch like a girl."
The brothers exchanged more blows, neither yielding.
Lucian's fist connected with the side of Miguel's head, he stumbled back and fell.
Lucian seized the opening, pinning Miguel to the mat.
"Yield?" Lucian demanded. "I'd hate to bruise your beautiful face princess."
"Okay okay, get your dick off me man." Miguel said accepting defeat.
The brothers broke apart, chests heaving.
"Draw?" Miguel suggested.
Lucian laughed. "Nice try, maybe next time."
Miguel gazed at Lucian's battered face, chuckling. "You know, I think the healer's getting tired of readjusting our broken bones."
Lucian picked up his shirt from the ground and wiped his nose. "I don't need a healer. All I need is food."
Miguel grinned. "Time to raid Claudia's kitchen, then?"
Lucian nodded. "Let's go see what's cooking."
The brothers headed towards the kitchen, Miguel nodding politely at servants while Lucian had his 'do not speak to me' face on.
"Think Claudia's made those steaks?" Miguel asked.
Lucian's eyes lit up. "If she hasn't, I'll make sure to 'accidentally' burn the kitchen down."
Miguel chuckled. "Accidents do happen."
As they entered the kitchen, Claudia turned, a wooden spoon in hand. "Ahh, princes. What have I told you about sneaking into my kitchen. "
Lucian smirked. "We're starving, Claudia. Save us."
Claudia rolled her eyes. "You're always starving. What's new?"
Miguel snickered. "Lucian's nose is bleeding. Again."
Claudia sighed. "Of course it is. I said tell me something new. Sit down, I'll get you something."
Claudia handed them steaming plates of roasted meat and vegetables. "Eat, and don't make a mess."
Lucian dug in. "Claudia, you're a goddess."
Miguel nodded, mouth full. "Agreed."
Claudia smiled. "Flattery won't fill your bellies faster."
Just then, a servant rushed in. "Prince Lucian, there's a message for you."
Lucian looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Step outside, I'll be with you shortly. I'm busy eating... and surviving Miguel's company."
The servant bowed and retreated.
Miguel chuckled. "You're so polite."
Lucian grinned, mouth full. "Only when I'm fully fed."
Claudia rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
After finishing, Lucian pushed back his chair. "Time to see what that guy wants."
Miguel stood, following Lucian out.
The servant waited outside, bowing. "Prince Lucian, Prince Miguel. The message is from the patrols."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "What does it say?"
"The message is about a vampire attack, Your Highness," the servant said, his voice trembling. "It happened in the slums last night."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, his expression disinterested. "How charming. Tell me more."
The servant swallowed. "The victim was a baker, Your Highness. The villagers are frightened."
Lucian's gaze drifted to his fingernails, his tone detached. "How many times have I told you, servant? Don't waste my time with trivialities."
Miguel intervened, his voice calm. "Lucian, Vampire attacks are serious."
Lucian's gaze snapped back, his eyes cold. "Do go on, servant."
The servant hesitated. "The villagers request your assistance, Your Highness. They fear more attacks."
Lucian's smirk was dismissive. "They request my assistance? Tell them to lock their doors tighter and put garlic at their doorsteps. Problem solved."
Miguel shot Lucian a warning glance.
Lucian said, "C'mon, you know I'm kidding." His gaze travelled back to the servant. "How do you know it was a vampire?"
The servant continued, "The victim had bite marks, Your Highness, and... and the body was drained of blood."
Lucian sighed, his attention returning back to his finger nails. "Bite marks and blood loss don't necessarily mean vampire. Could be a wild animal or a lunatic ex. His voice remained neutral. "I'll look into it."
The servant bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"That's enough. You're dismissed." Miguel said as he rubbed his forehead.
The servant bowed and hurried out.
As soon as the door closed, Lucian turned to Miguel. "These dumb vamps never want to learn. Leaving bite marks and bodies in the open? Amateurish."
Miguel snorted. "You're not exactly concerned about the victim, are you?"
Lucian shrugged. "The slums are a breeding ground for problems. One less baker won't change much."
Miguel raised an eyebrow. "You're heartless, brother."
Lucian smirked. "Just practical."