Justin's instincts were screaming at him—Take her blood now.
His eyes darted to Mira, curled up peacefully in sleep, her chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm. But inside, he was at war.
Could he really do it? Should he?
As he gazed at her, a flicker of movement caught his eye. Her head shook ever so slightly.
Was she dreaming? No… a nightmare?
Before he could act, Mira jolted awake, clutching onto him tightly, her body trembling against his.
He froze.
The unexpected intimacy threw him off balance. He could hear her rapid, uneven breaths; whatever haunted her dream had followed her here.
"Mira," he whispered, his voice as soft as the night.
But she didn't stir. Her breathing was still ragged, her eyes sealed shut.
"Mira, it's just a dream," he tried again, his voice soothing.
Yet her trembling didn't stop, and the way she clung to him made his already fragile restraint teeter on the edge.
Every beat of her heart pulsed in his ears, tempting him, teasing him.
The scent of her blood was intoxicating, maddening even. He closed his eyes, willing himself to focus.
No. Not now. Jude will be here any moment.
Minutes passed like hours before Mira finally stirred. Her lashes fluttered open, and she blinked, disoriented.
As her senses adjusted, her eyes widened in recognition.
"J-Justin?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
He said nothing, his gaze locked on her neck, where her pulse danced beneath her skin.
"You're awake," he rasped, his voice thick with tension.
Then, like a predator drawn to its prey, Justin leaned in.
His warm breath caressed her neck, and Mira shivered under his touch. Goosebumps rose across her skin as his lips brushed her neck, featherlight.
"Mira," he murmured her name, like a prayer laced with reverence and longing.
The sound of it sent a wave of electricity coursing through her. Her fingers curled into the bedsheet, trying to ground herself against the surge of emotions.
His fangs slid into view, sharp and ready, hovering millimeters from her delicate skin.
Mira's mind was a whirlwind, but her body betrayed her. She tilted her neck slightly, a silent invitation, her voice breathy and filled with something she didn't fully understand.
"Yes…" she moaned softly, the word escaping her lips before she could stop it.
The moment it was out, panic flared in her chest.
What have I done?
"Justin…" she began, her voice trembling.
But it was too late. The tension between them was palpable, and she was as much a prisoner to it as he was.
Justin's breath hitched at her permission. Her willingness both startled and tempted him.
But just as his fangs grazed her skin, the sound of the door creaking open shattered the moment.
---
Jude stepped into the house, instantly engulfed by the chaos of a wild party.
Music pulsed through the walls, laughter echoed from every corner, and the air was thick with energy.
He scanned the room, his sharp eyes searching for Justin, but there was no sign of him.
Reaching for his phone, he dialed Justin's number.
It rang a few times before going to voicemail. Frustrated, Jude was about to try again when a text notification popped up:
"You'll find me in Maddie's room. Go upstairs. Her room is the one before the wall."
Jude's brows furrowed as he followed the instructions.
Ascending the staircase, he noticed Maddie pacing in front of a closed door, her gaze fixed on it like she could will it open with sheer determination.
He slowed his steps, taking in her tense posture. She looked ready to storm through the door any second.
"J-Jude?" Maddie's voice broke the silence as she noticed him approaching. Her expression shifted from surprise to something more guarded. "Why are you here?"
"Oh, Master called for me," Jude replied with a calm smile, keeping his tone light.
"What? Why? Why would he call you?" Maddie's eyes narrowed, suspicion clouding her face.
"Hm," Jude said with a shrug, playing it off casually. "I think it's about the situation."
"What situation?" she demanded, her voice tinged with irritation.
Jude didn't answer directly, his sharp instincts sensing there was more to her agitation than she let on.
Maddie crossed her arms, her forced smile not fooling anyone. "Jude, why don't you just open the door? I only want to see what's going on in there."
"Ahhh, no ma'am," Jude replied, his hesitation apparent.
Her expression hardened, and her imagination ran wild with possibilities.
What was Justin doing in there? And why couldn't she see it?
Frustrated, she stepped closer, gripping Jude's arm. "Jude, open the door," she insisted, her voice firm.
"No, ma'am. I can't do that," he said, carefully freeing his arm from her grasp.
Maddie's frustration boiled over. "Why won't you let me in? Don't you trust me?"
Jude sighed, his tone soft but unwavering. "Ma'am, why are you so eager to see what's happening? Master knows what he's doing. Don't you trust him?"
"It's not that I don't trust him," Maddie replied, her voice quieter now, a hint of defeat in her tone. "I just…" She sighed, glancing back at the door.
Finally, she relented. "Fine. You can go in. I'll wait for the doctor."
Jude smiled at her concession and carefully opened the door, stepping inside.
His breath hitched at the sight before him.
Justin was bent over Mira, his lips hovering dangerously close to her neck. His fangs were fully extended, his intense focus making it clear he was moments away from sinking them into her skin.
Hearing the door creak open, Mira gasped. "Who's there?" she asked, her voice shaky.
But before she could see, Justin reacted swiftly. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace that shielded her view of Jude.
"Mira, you should rest," Justin said softly, his voice calm and soothing as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. "You need to stay in bed. Once you feel a bit better, the doctor can come and check on you."
Mira blinked up at him, startled by the sudden tenderness.
Why is he acting like this? she wondered.
Her heart raced, but she managed to stammer, "O-okay."
Unbeknownst to them, Jude stood hidden in the shadows, watching the scene unfold.
He observed every detail—the way Justin adjusted Mira's pillow with care, how he tucked the bedcover around her, and even how he gently removed her glasses before whispering, "Sleep tight."
Mira gave a faint smile, her eyelids fluttering shut. The unexpected warmth in Justin's actions left her both comforted and confused.
The moment her breathing evened out, Justin turned and gestured for Jude to follow him. Without a word, they slipped into the bathroom, leaving Mira undisturbed.
Once inside, Jude's expression betrayed his disbelief. He had never seen his young master behave so tenderly toward anyone.
Justin was known for his icy demeanor—a man whose cruelty and coldness kept others at bay.
Even with his girlfriend, affection was rare and heavily guarded.
"Young Master…" Jude began, his voice tinged with awe.
Justin cut him off sharply, his tone returning to its usual curt edge. "Where's the blood?"
Snapping back to the moment, Jude quickly produced two gallons of blood he had prepared earlier.
Without hesitation, Justin snatched one and began drinking. The deep crimson liquid disappeared quickly as his thirst consumed him.
Only after finishing the second gallon did he seem to relax, his breathing steadying as his eyes lost their hunger.
Justin adjusted his collar, regaining his composed exterior. "What is it?" he asked, his voice low and controlled.
Jude hesitated for a beat before stepping forward. "We need to move. Time isn't on our side. If we stay here any longer…"