A Sip of Fear
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. I stirred, warmth enveloping me.
Daniel Reed
*murmuring, his arms tightening around her* Morning.
Elise Carter
*smiling, eyes still closed* Morning.
I could hear the lazy contentment in his voice, feel it in the way he held me—like he didn’t want to let go just yet. And truthfully, neither did I.
Daniel Reed
*pressing a sleepy kiss to her shoulder* You’re still here.
Elise Carter
*soft chuckle* Where else would I be?
I half-expected the moment to shatter—to wake up and realize it had all been a fleeting dream. But when I turned in his arms, meeting his sleepy gaze, it was real.
Breakfast was slow. Daniel moved around the small kitchen with practiced ease, frying eggs while I sat on the counter, sipping coffee and watching him.
Elise Carter
*smirking* You know, I could get used to this.
Daniel Reed
Yeah? Me waiting on you every morning?
Elise Carter
*grinning* Obviously. I have high standards.
Daniel Reed
*chuckling* Good thing I’m exceptional.
The words were playful, but there was something beneath them, something warm and unspoken.
The morning melted into the afternoon.
It wasn’t until we left for work that reality started creeping back in, but even then, it didn’t feel as heavy as before.
Rosa Bellamy
*raising a brow* Well, well. You two look... cozy.
Elise Carter
*rolling her eyes* Don’t start.
Rosa Bellamy
*grinning* Oh, I’m just saying. You came in together yesterday, and now you’re even closer? Something you wanna share?
Daniel Reed
*smirking, draping an arm around Elise’s shoulder* Just looking out for her, that’s all.
Rosa Bellamy
*snorting* Right. And I’m the Queen of England.
I felt a faint heat rise to my cheeks but didn’t pull away.
Because the truth was, I liked this.
I liked the teasing, the easy way Daniel stood beside me, the way Rose noticed.
The evening carried on like any other—laughter, conversation, the comforting clatter of plates and silverware filling the restaurant.
But then, the air changed.
???
*freezes, eyes wide* No way...
Dorian Malcair. An old and powerful vampire.
A hush fell over Bloody Good Bites. The kind of silence that comes with instinctive fear. Patrons froze mid-sentence, hands stilled over their drinks. Even the ambient music seemed to fade, swallowed by the sheer weight of his presence.
？？？
*mutters* His daughter’s here too…
Evelyn Malcair moved beside him, her steps smooth, effortless. Where Dorian commanded attention with raw power, Evelyn was subtler—a whisper of danger rather than a thunderclap, her sharp eyes scanning the room with quiet calculation.
Daniel Reed
*stiffens* Stay out of sight.
Elise Carter
*heart pounding* (Too late.)
Dorian’s gaze locked onto me. A slow smirk tugged at his lips, predatory and amused.
Dorian Malcair
*silky smooth* You.
Dorian Malcair
You will serve us.
Daniel Reed
*inhales sharply* She doesn’t—
Evelyn raised a hand, silencing him with a flick of her fingers.
Elise Carter
*swallows hard, forcing herself to move*
Dorian leaned back, surveying the restaurant with a satisfied air.
Dorian Malcair
*musing* I’ve heard much about this place.
Evelyn Malcair
*smiles faintly* I heard it draws the right kind of people.
Evelyn Malcair
*glances at the menu, tracing a finger down the list* I’ll have the venison. Rare, of course.
Dorian Malcair
*not even looking* I’ll take the same. *pauses, smirking* And a glass of your finest reserve. Something with… depth.
Elise Carter
*nods, hands barely steady* Right away, sir.
Even as I turned to leave, I could still feel their eyes on me—watching, weighing.
The kitchen was a blur, but their conversation drifted through the air like smoke.
Dorian Malcair
*low, smooth* …introducing you properly. It’s long overdue.
Evelyn Malcair
And you think he’ll accept me?
Dorian Malcair
*chuckles* You are my daughter. That alone grants you favor. But the First is not impressed by names.
Dorian Malcair
You must intrigue him, Evelyn.
Evelyn Malcair
*rests chin on hand* And if I attend the next gathering?
Dorian Malcair
*thoughtful* Perhaps. If I can secure it.
I barely noticed when the food was ready, my hands working on autopilot as I brought their dishes to the table.
Evelyn Malcair
*takes her plate with a pleased nod*
Dorian caught my wrist before I could step away.
His grip was deceptively light, but the power behind it was unmistakable.
Dorian Malcair
You’re trembling.
Dorian Malcair
*intrigued* How fascinating.
Elise Carter
*lowers gaze quickly* Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?
Dorian Malcair
Actually… there is.
I barely had time to react before he moved.
Daniel was already moving, his chair scraping violently against the floor.
She moved like a whisper of wind, barely a blur before she intercepted him. A sharp crack rang out as her hand met his chest, stopping him with effortless precision.
Daniel Reed
*staggering, gasping in pain*
His whole body coiled with fury, teeth clenched as he struggled against the restraint Evelyn now placed on his shoulder.
Evelyn Malcair
*quietly* Don’t.
Evelyn Malcair
*fingers digging in, voice like steel* It would be foolish.
Daniel trembled with barely contained rage, but he couldn’t move.
Elise Carter
*shaking, unable to breathe*
Dorian tilted my chin up with an almost delicate touch, forcing me to meet his gaze.
Dorian Malcair
*indulgent* Such fear.
Dorian Malcair
*amused* You wear it beautifully.
Elise Carter
*heart hammering, hands trembling* (I can’t… I can’t move.)
Dorian Malcair
You wouldn’t offend me by denying a small taste, would you?
Dorian Malcair
*leans in, breath cool against her skin*
Elise Carter
*squeezes eyes shut* (Don’t—)
The faintest brush of lips against my throat.
The sharp, agonizing anticipation.
Elise Carter
*terror coiling in her chest, heartbeat deafening* (I—)
Comments