Forbidden Findings -- Vampire One on One

Lurk

<3	100.0%	[ 18 ]
Total Votes:			[ 18 ]

[Korrye]

__________Dahlia heard the woman’s whisper on the wind and her scent became fully apparent once Lucas had charged like a raging bull. She cringed and brought her fist to her mouth, to bite down it. Her tongue felt as though it was a barren desert. So dry and brittle she felt her body twitch in rich anticipation of blood. The lust was no longer a hum but a chant. Beating drums thundered in her ears and she held notice of pulses of anything near. Where was the human? No more than half a mile north. She could very well run after him, maul him from behind and simply take what she needed. What her body craved was satisfaction and watching the fight did nothing but draw on the torture of her thirst.

The woman clawed at Lucas and laughed aloud in the midst of being mauled by her opponent. Lucas was rolled over and the woman indiscreetly pulled herself across him in a dry hump. Venom welled in the recesses of her mouth at the sight of another vampire in such a vulgar position over Lucas. She danced and fluttered between them, highly amused by the sight of the pair of them. She flitted over to Dahlia and proclaimed her a pet. Dahlia snarled in response only to be dismissed with a sly laugh.

She preceded to Lucas, fingering him and cooing to him in a sultry voice, a heavy accent pulling on her syllables. Dahlia couldn’t place it. The woman, whom Lucas introduced as Demi appeared to be a well known acquaintance. Dahlia was shunted, standing there only to be played with. The female would take hold of her and analyze her face rudely. She proclaimed Dahlia hungry which only made the blisters of her thirst grow violent, more so than before. They climaxed and it took every bit of energy she possessed not to screech and tear off. Only, Demi would comment on her lack of posture and slam a well aimed blow to her lower back. Dahlia grunted and stiffened, stumbling forwards but standing straighter none the less.

Her final resting place would take Lucas into her arms in a tight hug, effectively smothering him with herself. She pecked at him like a European and greeted him formally, her mind on a quick track to reunion. Dahlia clenched her hands into fists and her lips twitched not only at the raw emotion the scene brought on but her gut was now twisting itself into a knot. The drums were like airplane jets, the noise hazing over any sort of sane thought.

“Demi, I'm joyful to see you once again. But I hope you understand my urgency when I say that Dahlia has never fed before,” Lucas stated. He moved away from the lusty barely dressed vampire who had made her entrance as grand as one could. He positioned himself beside her and Dahlia took his hand in a tight squeeze. “We do not kill when we feed,” he explained. Dahlia’s head rolled when he mentioned the word. Her skin was now itching, the fire spreading from her throat into her chest. She felt shaky, unbalanced and close to losing herself to the raging animal inside her.

Demi pouted and looked at Lucas and the silent newborn beside him. She took his hand in hers and squeezed tightly. Demi’s smile disappeared quicker than if she were bipolar. Dahlia, he called her. Dahlia, who was this nun standing beside her little brother, holding him as if he were her savior. Pathetic. Though she was pretty the creature lacked the ability to run and find her own food.

“Months, love? What on earth did you give her in that time? How cruel, Demi said with discipline in her tone. “How mainstream of you Casanova, let me find her someone then since it appears I've interrupted.”

The girl seemed to seize where she stood, nothing close to still she looked as if she were standing on a cliff. “Why on earth are you fighting your urge sweetheart?” she hissed with disapproval. Dahlia’s unfocused eyes locked onto her. “Feel the noise in your head and make music of it. Tell me, now. Where's the closest human?”

They glared at one another before she closed her eyes and focused her breathing. Demi watched the newborn inhale several times before her lips twitched with the find.

“One,” she announced. “South.”

“Now how far?” Demi pressed. This was so demeaning, she herself could have run and been back with the meal already. But such were the perks of being a talented tracker.

“I don’t know,” Dahlia mumbled. It was close to a cry, her voice growing desperate.

“Well then, another time young Doll, or whatever he calls you,” Demi rolled her eyes. “Now come, he’s a mile away.”

Demi turned to run, tearing off in the correct direction. The human was different that Lucas’ previous game. The prey, Demi smelt, was in his early twenties. He had rich blood, a strong body. She felt him pulsing with hormones, a city boy on a camping trip for school. He would have to do. Her speeds left Lucas and Dahlia behind him but the blood-lust in the newborn was beginning to win her over. How delightful, her first human feed may well have been her first slaughter.

Demi threw herself into a small clearing of trees and stumbled to walk. Drama, it was ingrained in her blood. The man turned to face her, his pants undone while he pissed behind a tree. He was fresh and the sight of his lower torso made her insides excited. The expression did not carry to her face. Instead she wobbled along on clumsy feet. “I’m so sorry,” she cried. “I think, I think I twisted my ankle on the trail.”

The man threw his pants over his hips and zipped up his fly before rushing over to her. Demi held herself against a tree when he approached her. “Are you okay?” he shuddered. Demi looked up to meet his eyes. She exhaled a cool breath onto his cheeks. “I think so, but someone else in our party needs help. Can you help?” she glamored him. Demi watched the man as he nodded furiously. She held his hand and his gaze while she walked him to where Lucas held Dahlia at bay.

“He’s lovely,” Demi murmured. “Aren’t you darling?”

The boy nodded. She sat him down on the ground and pulled away his collar. Dahlia made her way over slowly, unsure and hesitant.

“Come on,” Demi coaxed, pulling her down behind the man. The vampire rubbed at his neck with her left hand. At her cool touch he tilted his head and exposed the vein. Dahlia didn’t resist the revealed pulse. She took hold of the man from Demi, drawing a finger down his neck in a small slash. Demi moved to hold the man’s eyes, watching him flinch at the scratch. Dahlia drew her lips across the wound, collecting any blood that had flowed freely on her tongue before sucking. The boy moaned with pleasure his head racing. Demi didn’t intervene when the boy’s heart began to thunder dangerously. Lucas shouted at Dahlia. At his signal she pulled away, nipping her tongue and licking her wound with her blood.

“Well that’s no fun,” Demi pouted. Rolling her eye she stood. Dahlia pulled away and let the boy rest up against the base of a tree.

[[Bang Bang]]

Demi was not proud of the changes Lucas showed her. She wasn't happy to see how Lucas loyaly returned to Dahlia's side and willingly took her hand. He knew years ago, Demi had tried a few times to hold his hand as well, but he simply kept his hands limp and eventually pulled away. She was beginning to see that she wasn't the only one who was better off after pulling away from " the family ". She didn't appreciate much that Lucas no longer took pleasure in killing. There were a lot of changes she was going to start noticing. These were just a few.

“How mainstream of you Casanova, let me find her someone then since it appears I've interrupted.” Lucas did not give her a response. Instead he allowed her to take the lead, just like old times. And with perfect skill, she tracked down a new human for Dahlia to drink from. It took her less than a minute to know just how far and where exactly the prey was. It amazed him every time. She had tried to teach him her trait many times before but Lucas could never graduate beyond a decent performance. Most times Demi got frustrated and skipped to the rewarding, even when he didn't deserve it. The more he thought about her, the more he began to realize she spent more time with him than any other vampire before, except for his maker. Lucas played wingman perfectly. It was just like old times. Demi went in for the seduction - her favorite part. Then she brought the prey to them. He stepped out of hiding along side Dahlia and watched as she eagerly plunged her face into his neck. More memories flooded back. He used to be just like Dahlia. His hunger was spoiled and expectant. He fed it well but it was never satisfied. He killed eagerly with a grin on his face. Demi joined him every time. After soaking themselves in a human's blood, they'd take to other cravings and simply start the cycle back over again. Looking up, he caught Demi's eye contact and wondered if she was remembering the same thing. It felt so easy to fall back into the man he used to be. Probably the one she wanted him to be. They could both sink their fangs into the young boy and end his short lived life. It'd be a sacrifice. One short life for the rebirth of Luke's old one. But his control had improved since those days. He wasn't the least bit hungry at the moment. The acts they were so used to committing would stay in the past. When Lucas looked back down, he realized Dahlia was getting ahead of herself. Reaching out, he gripped her by her shoulder and commanded her to stop. Dahlia obeyed well enough, but he was a bit irritated she had to be alerted of the murder she was ready to commit. Demi was unaffected by the entire thing. “Well that’s no fun,” she said unhappily. Lucas stuck to his word.

“Thank you,” he said calmly. He stepped away from the boy and faced Demi. She had just finished putting the final touches on the boy. Her gorgeous eyes reconnected with his. Next came her classic smile. “But from what I've learned, you never commit to kindness without expecting something in return,” Lucas said with a smile. It was meant to be a joke, but with some truth behind it. “So I implore you to return home with us. Please, it'd be criminal to leave me now.” Now that they had a moment to actually talk, Lucas realized he wanted to catch up more than he thought. Demi had always been good to him, in her own way. It was his turn to do the same.

[Korrye]

__________While Lucas was reassuring he was quiet and guarded. Dahlia remained unsure as to the whether or not Demi would cause them issues. Though Lucas appeared to know her he didn’t return her greetings, her hugs or her words for the most part. Her cunning and sly phrases were darts and knives poised towards him. They weren’t meant to be compliments, simply snarky remarks. Dahlia felt it rude but she kept her lips sealed focusing her energy on her control.

Demi would rise to the occasion then, catching Dahlia’s attention with a sharp glare. Pressed for information she could barely focus on Dahlia let Demi take over, feeling the other vampires intolerance and her own impatience. With a roll of her eyes the vampire would tear off on an unworn path. Dahlia felt Lucas follow move to follow and she pursued him for almost a mile. Demi was undeniably lithe, navigating an unfamiliar location without feeling like she was in a foreign maze. Dahlia was astounded when the human's scent became apparent. All she could tell was that it was lively and strong by the sound of it's pulse.

When they stopped they were beyond where the scene played out. Lucas kept Dahlia back until Demi led the boy willingly to them. With her blood lust so strong it didn’t take much coaxing for her kneel behind him and cut at his exposed neck. Demi stood back while Dahlia cradled and caressed the young man, filling herself. Delight replaced the blisters and the pain, her stomach was at once relaxed. Dahlia exhaled the deep breath she’d been holding and pushed the boy to his limits quickly. Her tongue licked at the wound eagerly. The man’s blood poured into her mouth but a drop didn’t escape her lips. It stained her teeth and her lips the more she pulled from his veins. There was no stopping. She ploughed on, unsure of when she would feel fully satisfied. That was, until a sharp pain announced itself at her shoulder. Lucas, she knew, for his scent gripped her nose and his words broke through the dreamlike state she’d entered upon pressing her lips to the man’s neck. Immediately she released herself, the boy’s thundering heart becoming apparent. Biting her tongue she licked the wound with her own blood, watching as it healed before looking to the others. The man slumped back into her arms and she sighed in relief, her guilt suddenly rising. If it hadn’t been for Lucas the man surely would have been a corpse in her arms. At least, she thought, he didn’t have to pull her off of him. But the control wasn’t there, not of her own accord. How long would it be before she could do this on her own as he did, without a worry of getting carried away?

She felt her prey doze off in her arms, his head lolling against his chest. Dahlia pulled his shirt collar back over his neck and held a finger against his wrist to account for his pulse. Though it was rapid he would be okay. Shifting him so that he lay against the thick base of a tree she rose to stand, folding her arms around her chest uncomfortably. Demi was still there.

“Well that’s no fun,” Demi chirped, looking bored. She hadn’t cared, Dahlia realized, that the man could have died. In fact, she realized, Demi seemed to look as if she’d hoped for the slaughter.

“Thank you,” Lucas said calmly. She grinned at him, beamed at him confidently having used her talent in front of two others. She looked ready to boast, “but from what I've learned, you never commit to kindness without expecting something in return. So I implore you to return home with us. Please, it'd be criminal to leave me now.”

Dahlia remained silent, swallowed and licking at her teeth with her tongue to remove the thick red sediment she knew was there but hadn’t necessarily seen. Dahlia took no comfort to the fact that another vampire would be coming home with them. More so, however, it was that Demi was demoralizing, blunt and dismissive. Dahlia barely existed when Lucas spoke to her. This was worse than Fallon. She was no source of interest.

In response to his comment Demi chuckled, running a cool tongue right over her lips like a dog before receiving a treat. Dahlia gagged.

“You’re very welcome,” she said warmly. “Though I know you’ll come through for me Lucas, you always do.”

Demi felt as if she’d displayed herself in a positive manner. But boy, the more she looked at Lucas the more he seemed to act like a Saint, shielding his pet. Maybe she was a plaything. Demi could set that right and give him what he really wanted and needed. She was comfortable when she stood there; watching as Dahlia moved the boy to sit, re-adjusting his shirt from where Demi had opened it. She was so precise, leaving no hint that she’d even been there. Demi didn’t feel it was necessary. Let him panic, it would add to the excitement of his otherwise boring life.

Lucas turned to lead them home, his sense of direction otherwise superb. It didn’t take him much to find his way. Demi found herself immediately behind him, in behind the throes of his legs. She was hungry for him, feeling as if she were back in the banlieues en France, running after him in the wineries. They were always one for cat and mouse during those times. His maker had encouraged it. Demi felt her desire burning to simply maul him then and there. Lucky for Lucas, he pulled ahead and broken through the treeline into a large clearing. Demi was astounded at the sight of a real human house.

“Luca!” she shouted. “My gosh when you said home I didn’t expect a human dwelling. Reminds me of London all over.”

They had spent, she recalled, an afternoon in London on their own. She’d pulled up to a house and instantly fallen in love with the villa. They had glamored the young couple outside and played with them, had a feast before making love in the vacated dwelling. It was a wonderful memory, and it made her anxious to touch him.The house was quaint, and secluded.

Dahlia wasted no time making her way past. The newborn opened the door and entered without a word or look over her shoulder. Demi ignored her.

“So love, what have you been up to?” she asked, tugging at the ripped sleeve of his sweater. With his fledgling out of the way she rose to stand in front of him, sliding a bare hand up the inside of his thigh. “Having enough fun?”

Dahlia was so frustrated, if that was even the right word. It floated through her mind as she blew past Lucas and straight into the house. She went into the kitchen and pulled off her sweater revealing a simple tank-top. She brushed dirt and mud from her pants, turning to the door and eying the front entrance. Neither of them had followed her. Dahlia puckered her lips and pulled away from the counter, walking briskly to the front door where she tossed it open. Leaning against the door-frame she caught sight of them, of Demi in front of him moving against him. Dahlia snarled out of jealousy.

Her legs moved of their own accord, pulling her across the gravel of the driveway. Dahlia grabbed Demi by her hair and wrenched her away from Lucas. “Whore,” Dahlia screamed, watching as Demi held her own. The female vampire took no time in collecting herself. Within a second of being pulled away she pounced on Dahlia, knocking her flat on her back. Dahlia felt the small rocks rip through her arms and draw blood. Her head whipped back against the ground. The pain made her flinch which gave Demi more than enough freedom to bring a powerful hand to her throat. Dahlia didn’t feel asphyxiated but Demi’s strength strained her spine. She felt washed over with sharp pain.

“Pardon your language,” Demi shouted, anger dripping from her words. Her face became a twisted mess of anger and revulsion. “You will respect your elders.”

[[Bang Bang]]

Lucas felt an odd sensation burning in his stomach. It was very delicate and weak, but it seemed to grow stronger the more time that lapsed. It felt like he was supressing an emotion deep within himself. Something he wanted to scream out at the top of his lungs. And yet it felt foreign. He knew personally, he did not feel this way at all. Demi had found her way to him and also just helped Dahlia get her first taste of warm blood. To him, the day was already a success. He had learned to brush off his sister's remarks and behavior - it was who she was. What mattered to him were the actions she made. Demi knew it too. It wasn't until she did something that set him off that he'd make it known. So far, she had ceased her attack on him, when she clearly had an advantage over her. She had also helped Dahlia in her time of dire need (without even needing to be asked). Yes, Lucas appreciated her appearance more than he allowed his reserved expression to show. Turning to look at Dahlia, he noticed the emotion in his stomach grow stronger. His eyes narrowed in thought. What he was feeling wasn't actually his to be feeling. Dahlia was controlling his emotion. Or maybe, he was simply intercepting hers. Fascinating.

“You’re very welcome,” Demi answered. Lucas blinked out of his concentration and turned back towards the woman who was slowly shaking the feeling of a stranger. “Though I know you’ll come through for me Lucas, you always do.” Lucas cocked an eyebrow up, slowly. He thought she would have cooled her approach after seeing him hold hands with Dahlia. He chose to ignore it, and turn his attention to Dahlia. Just a quick drink of her appearance was all he needed to feel completely content again. And then the responsibility of leading them back home fell on him. Lucas took a small survey of the atmosphere and immediately recaptured which way north was. Everything became a map after that. Without wasting much more time, he started to his feet and began to head back home. Demi was quick on his tail. She wanted him to run faster, he could tell. But he waited until Dahlia was a comfortable distance behind him to reach better speeds. Demi had behaived herself for most of the run. It wasn't until they were getting closer to the house that she really started to close in. It wasn't until the last few miles that he was able to pick up his speeds and avoid feeling her hands begin to grip him viciously. They slowed in front of the cabin Lucas had made a habit of calling his home. Demi marveled at the dwelling. “Luca!” she cried. Lucas wanted to cringe at the name. She continued to drag him into his past, when she dominated his life. In the thirty minutes she had been around him, she was already starting to do it again. Except, he didn't notice it at first. Demi made a remark about London but Lucas was more distracted with the girl who was walking into the house without so much as a second glance. He could feel anger in his stomach. The further she got, the more distant it grew. He sighed dejectedly until she faded behind the door. It brought his spirits down to know she wasn't happy. “So love, what have you been up to?” Demi asked. Lucas turned towards Demi and tried to keep his thoughts from splitting in two. He knew Demi noticed Dahlia. She noticed everything.

“Well, I made my way back to the states, as you can see. I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you here. You never were one for - what is it you called it - England's backwash of a nation.” Though Lucas never agreed with Demi, he wore a smile on his face. She had enjoyed making fun of the country he was born in. He had died fighting for his nation and yet Demi had no problem plucking his most sensitive strings to get a rise. Now, he could care less what she thought of it. Dahlia had been born in the states too, which was more than a good enough reason to love it. Demi smiled back at him, but he realized it was for a different reason. There was brush against his pants and Lucas instinctively turned to his reflexes. His hand tightly gripped over Demi's wrist and restrained her from making any further advances on him. She never stopped gleaming up at him. He was about to speak but his eyes turned towards the quick moving Dahlia who was suddenly behind them. Demi was pulled back viciously, making him release her in horror.

“Whore!” Lucas could feel that emotion well up in the pit of his stomach return. Except this time, it was much stronger. Demi didn't even blink. All in an instant, she was straddling Dahlia with a razor sharp nails aimed at her throat. Dahlia was utterly still in that moment. The anger in his stomach was burning uncontrollably again. Except this time, it was his own. The very idea of Dahlia's life being threatened was one he would not tolerate. Whether it was his sister or his maker, he refused to stand by and allow her to be harmed. Demi shouted at Dahlia as Lucas stepped towards her. With one easy motion, he gripped Demi by her neck and threw her backwards. Her body flew like a ragdoll. There was a thunderous crack behind him, but he paid it no attention. Instead, he lowered himself onto his knees and brought one hand onto Dahlia's cheek. She looked a little bit shaken up, but otherwise fine. Luke began to help Dahlia back onto her feet. When he turned back to where he had left Demi, he watched her pull herself out of the large dent he had put her in. The tree she had crashed into was tilted over and uprooted a fraction. He had not used enough strength to collapse the tree completely, but it was now raining with needles from the blunt force. The damage was a warning for Demi that he hoped she would oblige to. He didn't want to turn to violence but Dahlia's safety was not debatable. He didn't need to say any words to her - his actions did all his talking. Instead, he waited for Demi's response. Whether it be an attack or a surrender, he was prepared to accept both, all the while hoping for the ladder.

[Korrye]

__________Dahlia was stunned. The female vampire’s lips rolled and vibrated in anger. When Dahlia simply glared back into Demi’s face. Her head was slammed back against the concrete. Staring into the eyes of the monster she felt threatened. The muscles in her neck straining while they were compressed by Demi’s fingers. That was all it took for Lucas to come to action, prying Demi’s hands off her faster than Dahlia could see. He moved and tossed her with such force that Dahlia didn’t see where she landed, only a sound like lightning splitting a tree. Lucas knelt down beside her and rubbed her cheek. She gazed up at him, her face upset. Fearful, yes, she was simply disgusted that the other vampire had the audacity to touch him like she had been. When she rose to stand she ran a hand through her hair, shaking the gravel and dirt from her dark waves before turning to the mass of arms and legs that emerged from a large crater at the base of an oak. She rose to stand and roared the moment she could, kneeling to crouch before running at the both of them like a cheetah stalking a pack of gazelles. Dahlia gasped when her face became visible. More than angry Demi’s own fuse had been cut. Her pupils were dilated completely, swallowing up the iris portion of her eyes. She looked feral, her fangs fully extended and bloody. She’d bitten down hard on her lower lips in the impact.

“Lucas,” Dahlia warned. “Lucas she’s far gone.”

Demi felt her tolerance grow thin. Lucas’ pet simply stared back, her face and eyes stating that she stood behind her actions. Demi growled when her threats went unacknowledged. Her position of authority was short lived. Unexpected to her Lucas bowed down and grabbed a hold of her neck within his own grasp. Demi shrieked angrily. He threw her, hurled her away into the ground. Demi flew in silence, her face watching as he knelt and helped his dear Doll to stand up. She collided with the base of a tree. Dragged through the dirt by Lucas’ force she didn’t split the base, only shaking it violently. His actions infuriated her. He had denied her, deciding his dear fledgling was his choice. If Lucas would not oblige she would make him. Demi felt her knee snap when she hit the ground. It was the first of her limbs to collide with the earth. When she righted herself she flicked the joint into place, unhappy with the pinch as the bones mended. Rising to stand she became the animal, her body throwing itself on all fours and charging. Make him pay, the voice shouted. Make him know what love is. Demi obliged, hurling herself across the ground towards him and his dear Dahlia.

[[Bang Bang]]

Lucas showed no fear. The moment Demi moved into a crouch, he let his instincts take over. It was a quick change for him - one fluid motion. There was no switch from on to off. Instead, it was like a transition from a hesitant vampire to a methodical fighter. He held back his growl, giving up entirely on threats at this point. Demi wasn't going to back down and neither would he.

“Lucas she’s far gone,” Dahlia warned him. Lucas replied with a dark menacing voice.

“Step back,” he demanded. Even though she was standing behind him, she was in his way. He didn't want her anywhere close by. Demi charged at him with all of her strength on display. Lucas dug his heels into the ground and held out his arms in wait for her to make contact. She slammed her body forward, forcing Lucas to slide in the dirt and create indents as his feet slid deeper and deeper into the earth. Eventually, he found his footing and stopped her charge. They both held still in a short game of strength. Demi was trying to push Lucas back and get a better gain over him. Lucas was attempting the same. They growled at each other while their eyes burned into one another mercilessly. Lucas was usually so passive. He let Demi get her way more often than not. This was the one action he would not stand for. And now, they were butting head over it. Kicking off from the floor, he pushed Demi backwards and eagerly moved to shove her onto her back. However, she leaped back just in time for him to miss. Lucas lunged for her again while constantly searching for a weak point. She was bound to give him one eventually, and he'd use that to strike. Demi swang her knife like nails at Luke and nipped him across the cheek a couple of times. He immediately backed away, but she didn't let him get far. Demi pressed forward while swinging her arms out wildly. He couldn't get close to her if she had her nails out on the attack - at least, this is what she figured. Daringly, Lucas reached out with both arms and caught one of her hands by the wrist. The other, he did not time perfectly, so he found her fingers lunged into his skin. Hissing, he pressed his body weight over hers and forced her backwards. Lucas tumbled on top of Demi while she urgently tried to find a defense against him.

Lucas leaned inwards and plunged his face into her throat. His fangs extended and he stopped just before biting down on her marble skin. At that moment, he could hear the woman inhale, fear and shock striking her features. She thought she had taken her last breath. Luke held his position to get the point across. Just one wrong move and he could rip her esophagus out with ease. Lucas jerked his arm back and removed three of Demi's nails which were dug in deep. He carefully replaced his teeth with his fingers and pulled away. In the back of his mind, he was surprised he was capable of defeating her. Demi had always been stronger than him. Last time they faced, she took him down with ease. Of course, back then, it was all in fun and games. He figured it was Dahlia's safety which fueled him this time. Lucas slowly made his way to his feet, all the while keeping Demi's neck in his grasp. She followed his movements without fuss. Lucas' burning eyes were too serious to be tampered with.

“I'm going to spare your life. Consider it a payment towards my debt from earlier.” He was calmer now but very serious, just the same. Demi no longer had his permission to tread on his good side. “Now, I'm afraid this visit of yours has come to an end. Goodbye, Demetria.” Lucas very carefully released his grasp over Demi's neck. She didn't take long to disappear. With a short huff, she faded out into the forest. Lucas waited until he could no longer sense her in any form before turning to Dahlia and hold out his arms. All he wanted now, was to feel her in his arms again. Whatever bond he held with his sister was lost. Though he wished there could have been another way, it felt impossible to repair at this point.

[Korrye]

__________With his hands outstretched Lucas met Demi’s lunge. She met him in force, anxiously pushing them back. They battled. Demi felt the excitement of the battle. The animal hissed and drew protective growls of his kind. She batted her eyes and returned his music. Swiping at him with every chance she had Demi lost control of her technicalities. Slashing his face with her nails wasn’t enough. Wildly she threw her hands at him but he caught them. There was no prevention of way she kicked out her legs that stopped him from impaling her into the ground. He threw his head back and she gasped in shock. His teeth were half an centimetre from her skin, sharp and poised to rip her muscles a part. Demi’s eyes flashed about while Lucas held his weight on her. Pinned she expected death. She remained as still as the corpse she was. The animal evaporated and Demi was left to look into the eyes of her vengeful little brother. He hung there, frozen. She wanted to dare him to do it but she didn’t. The movement of her jaw would flex the muscles into his teeth. Demi didn’t breath. When he pulled back he removed her nails from his back, a hand she’d managed to nearly imbed in him during the fall, and held her firmly in his other hand. With her throat in his hands Demi grew flustered, her body twitching unhappily under his grasp. Righted on her feet when he stood as far as he could from her, his arm fully extended until it met her neck, right under her jaw preventing her from speaking.

“I'm going to spare your life. Consider it a payment towards my debt from earlier,” Lucas stated. “Now, I'm afraid this visit of yours has come to an end. Goodbye, Demetria.”

As his release she stared at him with blood gathering at the end of her eyes, vampire tears. She felt her face shake in dismay at the sight of him so disgusted with her. He was so different, standing there regal and moral. The monster was caged within him. Demi didn’t envy him. At her freedom she left, turning to bolt to the forest’s edge. He would get over himself, eventually.

Dahlia watched with a grim horror on her face while Lucas unleashed his full strength on the woman who claimed herself his older sister. He met her and had her pinned within minutes, poised to kill. She had managed to step aside to the edge of the house for protection. Where she could still see them move like gladiators, retaliating and reacting to one another in milliseconds. When Lucas exposed his fangs fully Dahlia inhaled deeply at the sight. His teeth, once fully extended, fascinated her. He hung there are Demi’s neck willing her to bring on her own death. She didn’t and he spared her, allowing her to flee. Dahlia stood, her fists clenched at her sight. She watched him turn towards her and hold out his arms. The gesture was one she met in a single stride. Meeting him she threw her arms around him, closing her eyes and squeezing him tightly. She brought her right hand up his back to the back of his head. When she pulled away from his personal grip she brought her face in front of his, watching him and bringing her hands to either side of his face. She ran them from under his ears to the base of his collarbone where he was exposed, his sweater ripped. Running her thumbs over the spots of dried blood on his left cheek she sighed and smiled with her lips.

“I didn’t anticipate that,” Dahlia murmured with sarcasm. She felt him touch her and run his hands along her as if reassuring she was alright. Aside from the dirt in her hair and that covered her clothes she knew she was healthy and fine. Nothing reassured him more than his own touch. Dahlia took delight in his movement, feeling as his explored her small frame. “Let’s go inside,” she offered. Dahlia felt territorial, exposed while she held the man that she loved with every fiber of her being. She was living the impulses and desire to please, to reward, the one who had rid them of Demi. The emotions welled in and her animal instincts led her mind away from what had happened to what she wanted to do.

Dahlia slid her grip to one of his hands. Turning to the door she pulled him eagerly to the open front entrance of their house. The door was swinging in the wind, otherwise undamaged even with her throwing it open like she had. She pulled Lucas into the entrance and kicked off her shoes with little effort. She still held onto his hand and continued to lead him beyond the door after he closed in. She smiled, moving through the house to the staircase. She directed him up the stairs and down the hallway to what would be considered the master bathroom. Instead was spacious, dominated by a large glass shower and separate bathtub. When Lucas stood with her hand in his she moved to meet him, approaching him from behind. She pulled at the lip of his ripped sweater, and began to roll it up to his underarms. Dahlia rested her cool cheek against the bare skin of his back as she forced the sweater over his arms. With his upper body exposed to her she rotated him to face her. She held either hand on his pecks, her fingers massaging the muscles while she leaned in to kiss him.

“Thank-you,” she murmured when she pulled away, drawing her hands to the belt fastening his pants. Her fingers picked at the metal buckle, releasing the clip before ripping it through the loops in one tug. “Let me thank-you.” She tossed it on the floor with his sweater and rubbed herself against him, the slim fabric of her tank top slipping low. Lucas pushed the straps down her shoulders and shoved the top down to her waist. Dahlia pulled at the button of his pants while he reached around for the snap of her bra. She kissed him, meeting his tongue. She playfully bit the nape of his neck in the fury of their embrace. They gravitated to the shower shedding whatever remnants of clothes they still wore. Dahlia threw her hand out and turned the tap onto full and hot. The steam rose and with it they disappeared into one another’s arms.

[[Bang Bang]]

Lucas was paranoid about his decision to let Demi go free. His conscious wanted her to live on. It would be hard to live each day knowing he killed one of the most important parts of his past. She was no good for him, he knew that now. Whatever it was that they shared in Europe was bred from all of the wrong feelings and morals. Dahlia on the other hand; she was different. She was pure. Luke could feel a radiance from her that made him want to discover all the good he could do. She made him want to be a better person. And even though the trek to virtue was a rocky one - and Lucas slipped up a lot - he was still determined to stick to the path. To him, the view would be worth the journey. He wouldn't be able to get that with Demi. Not even close. Which left him with the decision of what to do with her. She was going to get off easy this time. A part of him told himself that she wouldn't have done the same for him if he were in her position. But this wasn't a matter of returning the favor; it was about right and wrong. Releasing his hand from her neck made him extremely cautious. If Demi didn't back down like he expected her to, he didn't know if he'd be able to stop her a second time. She had always been stronger than him. Stronger and faster. He was younger than she was and so, it was expectant. But to his surprise - and hers - he could compete at her level as an equal. “Luck,” he told himself. That's all it was. The right moment at the right time. He wasn't going to let it go to his head. The now freed Demi stood in front of Lucas with a look of betrayal. He could feel the guilt she was trying to inflict onto him. If he wasn't so occupied scanning the battlefield for another attack, he would have taken more notice to the blood that started to well in her eyes. It made him upset to have to bring them to this point, but he knew it could have been so much worse. What he was doing was a good thing - he had to tell himself this a few times before actually believing it. Demi was gone in the next second. Lucas rose up from the crouch he had positioned into and returned to his straight posture once more. His initial instinct was to find Dahlia. He wanted nothing more than to be close to her again and relish every part of her. It was how he felt every time he finished a battle. Lately, she was the very definition of why he fought. So long as he could hold her after each fight, it was worth it.

Dahlia understood his request and granted it. She was against his chest in an instant. Lucas wrapped both arms around her and pressed his nose to her hair. He could smell dirt and gravel in her scent. Pushing past that, he could smell the lure every vampire was equipped with, and it intoxicated him. If he were human, he would have been captured by her long long ago. Willingly, he would have given her every drop of his blood if that's what it took to get her to be close to him. She could have it all, he wouldn't want it. Dahlia held his head close to her with her hand. Lucas dug his hands into her skin with careful delicacy to avoid hurting her. Even though she was right beside him, he wanted her closer. Dahlia pulled herself away, making Luke desperate to retrieve her. His eyes soaked up the sight of her while she pressed two hands to either side of his cheeks. The wounds on his face had cleared up by now. Her fingertips transferred a current between them. There was an overwhelming emotion welling up in his stomach again. It was nothing like the time before. This time, it made him so ecstatic he could die and be content with it. It felt as if everything in the world was perfectly aligned to their exact position in Ely, Minnesota with Dahlia in his hands and him in hers. As if all of their life's experiences had meant for them to be where they were right at that second. Was this how Dahlia felt? Was it her emotions he was feeding off of? They were absolutely wonderful - he couldn't believe the happiness she emitted. He smiled as she carefully ran her fingers down to his collarbone. They both looked like a mess but it seemed as if the both of them looked straight past that, into the person behind all the dirt. With her thumb, she flaked away the dried blood that had collected around his cheek. Her touch was soft and made him tilt his head into her hand.

“I didn’t anticipate that,” she told him with a smile. Lucas was already past it. He didn't want to think about anyone else. Dahlia's time, unlimited as it was, was precious to him. She was giving him her complete attention. He wasn't about to let Demi take that from him, as well. He remained silent and started to run his hands over Dahlia's waist, around to her back. His hands peeled behind her clothing to make contact with her skin. He thought he'd be able to stop there but after feeling the smoothness of her skin and the way it ran electrical shocks up through his fingers, he realized he needed to have more. He brought his hands around and allowed his thumbs to run along the indents of her ribs. Her shirt began to rise upwards, the higher he went, making him pull back and start over. He didn't want to strip her down in front of their house; he was willing to take his time. They had drawn enough attention to themselves already - he was surprised no one caught any of their actions while Demi was around. Lucas' fingers found the dimples on her lower back and immediately stopped. He traced circles around them slowly, while finding his voice again.

“You really do have terrible posture,” he said jokingly with a smile. Luke leaned in and kissed Dahlia on the forehead. He never had a problem with the way she held herself. It was true, it was easy to tell she was a new vampire, but he wouldn't change anything about her. He loved her too wholly to see any flaws. Dahlia suggested they go inside, to which Lucas nodded in response. He wondered if what she had said was simply to be polite or to truly invite him in. She had to know by now, he'd follow her anywhere. The invitation was unnecessary by now. Dahlia took one of his hands into her own. Hers were so small compared to hers. He could cover her entire fist with just one of his hands. With an eager smile, she guided him inside. Lucas closed the door behind him while Dahlia removed her shoes. She had a carefree smile on her face which carried over to him. There was no concern for Demi anymore. The very idea of her had not made it past the doorway. It allowed them to focus on only one thing - themselves. Dahlia lead him to the staircase to which he glided up behind her. It felt like a surprise, even though they both knew every corner of the house. Yet, Lucas felt alive and excited to know where she was taking him. He found himself staring at a bathroom equipped with a tub and separate shower. His eyes naturally took in all the details of the room down to the color of the mat on the wood floor. If she wanted him to bathe, he hoped she understood he would not do it alone. There was absolutely no way he was going to leave her, now. Just standing there without her touch was making him an anxious wreck. Dahlia had made her way behind him in that time and took no shame in pulling at his worn out sweater. He may have survived Demi's attacks but his clothes did not. It was typical for a vampire. Nothing was as durable as they were and so, clothing had a very short life span. As the sweater came higher and higher up his body, he began to deliberately help her by raising his hands up to slide out of the sleeves. Dahlia leaned into him for a moment and in that time, Lucas felt crazy. He could not touch her - could not reach her or see her - and yet, she had full access to him because he was in front of her. He was bare from the torso up in the next moment, which felt like nothing out of the ordinary. His skin was unaffected by the air. Around his ribs, he still had scabs of dried blood. He was turned around afterward to face Dahlia once more. Excitement took over him. Dahlia pressed her hands onto the muscles of his chest which made him moan in the middle of their kiss. He couldn't hide the emotions she was stirring up within him any longer. Her touch was careful and yet firm. He didn't want her to stop. Lucas' hands reached down to the back of Dahlia's thighs. There was nothing but muscle. Her vampire body would not allow her to have any excess that would simply slow her down. He dug his nails into her skin mildly so that he wasn't doing her any harm. He slowly dragged both hands higher until he met with softer, malleable flesh just below her lower back. He started to tenderly knead the skin while she did the same to him. Her flesh beneath his fingers felt marvelous. Normally, their skin was like stone to a human, but neither of them possessed that quality any longer. Their strength had multiplied tenfold. Lucas could mold her skin freely without causing her harm. He could not feel stone on any section of her body.

“Thank-you,” Dahlia said to him while her fingers worked on his belt. He wasn't sure what kind of a response to give her. She would never have to thank him for doing what came natural. Dahlia was and would always be the center of his world. If anyone tried to get in the way of that, he knew no other solution but to stop them. He was devotedly hers in every way. “Let me thank-you,” she requested. It was at this point, he surveyed the situation. Dahlia had taken control, which felt strangely odd to him. Lucas had lived a good portion of his life on his own. With a few exceptions, he lived by his rules and answered back to no one. Dahlia never commanded him or used him. He was free in more ways than most. And yet now, he was hers to operate. Dahlia had directed him inside, stripped him, and was now going to lead him into the shower. He was following through her lead and it felt very different. He knew it wasn't a bad thing - not in the least. It was exciting, trying to take back the lead while Dahlia found other ways to top him. He nodded slowly in response to her words and listened as the sound of his belt hit the floor. She pressed her body against him and with no shame, Lucas began to be more carnal. He wanted her as bare as he was. He wanted to relearn every inch of her body. Staring down at the cleavage she had presented him with, he slid both straps of her shirt past her shoulders. Then he rapidly pulled her shirt down to reveal all the skin he wanted to run his fingers against. His hands met with her chest and molded the dough like flesh while his mind started to lose focus. There were so many things to pay attention to and so many thoughts running through his mind at the same time - each one revolving around Dahlia and her perfect form. Lucas unclasped her bra and tossed it aside then set for her shorts. Dahlia moved so her chest was pressed into his. He finally felt at ease. There was nothing standing in between them anymore. No jackets or shirts or sweaters or tank tops. Just her flesh on his. Lucas felt Dahlia n** at his neck while he unclasped her shorts and started to tug them downwards along with her top. The instant her teeth met his skin, he lost control. His mind fluttered into a dream like state, allowing the captive feelings to run loose. His fangs jutted out now that Lucas could not hold them back anymore. He moaned a second time while his hands explored her body again. Both Dahlia and Lucas made their way into the large shower, never leaving each other's reach. Lucas would have to be careful now that they were surrounded by glass. The idea of not being able to press Dahlia tightly against the wall sounded hard. A spray of hot water spilled onto both of their bodies. The heat brought to life a new sensation he had forgotten - warmth. With it came a whole new wave of details on Dahlia's skin. Lucas kissed Dahlia sensually and uttered the words “I love you,” before the steam forced him to rely on all of his senses except for his eyes.


ooo


Lucas could not blink. He didn't want to risk missing a second of Dahlia's smile. She stared back at him happily. She never minded when he watched her. She simply kept smiling until he couldn't help but do the same. Running a hand through her hair, his nose flooded with the scent of their shampoo. They almost smelled alike, aside from their lures which were different for every vampire. Luke and Dahlia were rested on the bed in their underwear, legs entwined and hands finding new places to touch every now and then. It had been this way for almost an hour now, and he felt no inclination to stop. He could remember perfectly every detail of what they'd done since they laid on the bed, and yet, it seemed to go by unbelievably fast. If he wasn't positive they had unlimited time, he'd begin to worry.

“I want to try something,” he whispered to her. She nodded in response, willing him to do what he wished. Reluctantly, he untangled himself from her and scooted back so that they had no physical connection whatsoever. Dahlia looked unsure of herself all of a sudden. He didn't like the distance either, but it was necessary in order for him to conduct his experiment properly. Staring into her eyes from what felt like miles away, he waited. For what, he wasn't sure, but he continued to wait as if the answer would come to him soon. “Listen to your body. Tell me if you feel something,” Very carefully, he began to sneak his way back to Dahlia. She was eager to have him return. They tangled their legs together once again and Lucas started to brush Dahlia's hair with his fingers. All of Luke's best emotions started to return once he was reunited. He felt excitement swell in the pit of his stomach. It wasn't his excitement though - it was Dahlia's. She was feeding him emotions again. The sense of wholeness started to spread all around him. It was remarkable, what she was doing to him. He wondered if she could feel herself giving him all of her energy. He wanted to know if it was just him who could sense it or if she knew something as well.

[Korrye]

__________Lucas fell prey to her touch. His eyes soaked her in and Dahlia felt him take hold of her. Hungry to have her he slid away from talking to simply kissing, pressing his lips to hers in bouts that would have left any human suffocated. Dahlia felt his come off the leash when she bit in him her own emotions. She felt so complete when he held her. She was no hollow shell as she had been before him. Now she could live and she had a purpose. In his arms she felt a warm feeling rise in her chest. It spread to her mouth making her grin behind his kisses and it made her eager to continue to please. He enveloped her in his own arms, half carrying her in his own way into the shower stall.

“I love you,” he murmured to which she replied, “I love you more.”

Dahlia was whole. Though dressed in her undergarments after their exposé in the shower Lucas still brought himself to her. Laying with their legs knotted, her ankles crossed over his, Dahlia beamed. She was overjoyed to be beside him, feeling him take in the clean scent of lavender in her hair. The shampoo clung mildly to either of their bodies but beyond that she could distinctly make out Lucas’ lure. He never overwhelmed her, he simply flooded her with his milky scent. There was no way to describe it on paper. Lucas smelt like all of her favorite things. Dahlia couldn’t distinguish if it had always been that way or his scent had simply grown to be her favorite. Either way she felt him holding her and new that he was her safety net. Dahlia massaged the muscles in his neck while facing him, her hands sliding across the clean surface of his skin behind his head. It was almost as if he was covered in oil, the way her fingers glided across him so gentle and refined. She touched simply to experience. Without the connection her hands were bored, looking for other places to explore. Lucas drew his hands through the tangled mass of her hair. When he was so near she felt connected not only by their physical need but mentally. Lucas was happy but Dahlia felt it more than she saw it in his body language. Though he smiled back at her eagerly and continued to shower her with short kisses she felt what she could only describe as his aura.

“I want to try something,” he whispered to her. Dahlia didn’t feel like talking, simply acknowledging his velvet voice with a single nod. He did as he pleased, pulling himself away from her. Unlocking their legs Dahlia felt him release her grasp from him completed until he was on the other end of the bed. It felt like a crater was between them. Dahlia felt like the valley existed within her, a growing gap. “Listen to your body. Tell me if you feel something,” he asked.

Slowly he reproached her, sliding across the bed sheets with great curiosity. He pulled their legs back together and reached beyond her head to wind his fingers through her hair. Dahlia found his energy existed beyond his mind completely accessible to her. She could swim through his emotions and be infected by them. Like a live broadcast in a way only Dahlia wasn’t sure if anyone else could feel it. It wasn’t something she could see or hear. The news was met by her and acknowledged by her body, her brain, and computed into words.

“Are you doing that on your own?” Dahlia wondered aloud keeping her voice low. She smiled with a giggle and watched as his energy changed on a whim, bursting with a certain delight. “It’s like you’re broadcasting your feelings when you’re near, when you pull away that signal weakens drastically. And when I lose it I feel...like I’m hollow, incomplete.”

Dahlia could only put it as a computer with no internet access, useless to connection with the outside world but still able to function and complete everyday tasks. No other human or even Demi had been this way to her, she thought. Only Lucas seemed to have this affect on her. He could be contagious, specifically now. Dahlia leaned forward and kissed him, felt the astral cloud surrounding him flourish. Intuitively she brought her arms around him and traced trails along his torso feeling the tissue ripple as she brushed along it.

[[Bang Bang]]

Dahlia was so gentle with him. Every touch and feel she made was lavished with care, even when he didn't need it. As he allowed the image of her smile to burn to the back of his head, he couldn't help but lean inwards and kiss her. It had to be the umpth trillion kiss of the day and yet he felt like it was still their first. She made every moment so new and different, no two actions were alike. Whether it was a kiss, a hug, or just holding hands, it was unique in it's own way which made Lucas cherish her more. Dahlia carefully brought her hand to the back of his neck. Her fingers delicately tenderized his skin. Stress he didn't even possess seemed to fly away at her touch, making his mood that much better - if it was possible. Lucas closed his eyes and let his other senses experience the feel. He peacefully inhaled a slow steady breath then reopened his eyes. Dahlia's face was there to greet him. He grinned openly. The joy building up inside of him made him want to laugh. He was sure if he did, Dahlia would laugh with him - it was a beautiful feeling. His hands took their own initiative and knitted themselves into his lover's wonderful locks of hair. They shined, even when wet. He leaned himself up onto one arm and dipped his head next to Dahlia's cheek. His nose came in close contact with both her skin and her hair. Breathing slowly, he drank up every last bit about her smell. It was like a fog that went straight to his brain. It made him feel amorous and lovestruck. Luke brushed his cheek against Dahlia's and examined her face. With one hand, he placed his index finger on her nose.

“Balance,” he whispered. With his thumb, he touched her chin and removed his index. “Temper.” With his index finger and middle finger, he outstretched them into the number two and laid both of them just under her eyes, on the cheek bone. “Morals and Self Preservation.” Lucas was naming parts of her face, with specific names. He looked as if he knew exactly what he was talking about. His words sounded like something out of a text book. Tracing a finger around the outline of her face, he continued. “Intelligence.” When he finished, his face got serious - like always - and his eyes returned to Dahlia. “Every trait you'll ever possess and their amounts can be found simply by reading the face,” he told her. Dahlia stared at him, fascinated. She looked like a child, being read a bed time story. Her eyes were wide and bright, and her ears were open for more knowledge.

"Really?" she asked him, astonished. Lucas smiled at her and suppressed back laughter.

“No,” he chuckled with a smile. He had made his story up, for reasons he wasn't sure. Maybe because he wanted a reason to laugh with her. Or he just felt more playful than usual. They both laughed together for a short while. Lucas rested his head back down on their plush pillows and returned to gazing at Dahlia. It was then that he got his idea. To his amazement, it actually worked. Dahlia noticed something was happening. The question was: what was she feeling? Her eyes widened a bit and a smile grew over her lips. His chest warmed up in response - her emotions were bubbling and he could feel the glowing orb heat him up from the inside.

“Are you doing that on your own?” she questioned. Lucas smiled and shook his head. He was just as helpless to it as she was. She began to laugh to herself and Lucas joined in. Whatever it was, he liked it. He felt closer to her - more than he could have ever imagined. “It’s like you’re broadcasting your feelings when you’re near, when you pull away that signal weakens drastically. And when I lose it I feel...like I’m hollow, incomplete.” Dahlia leaned into him and kissed him. He could feel himself become greedy again. He could not bring himself to desire anything other than Dahlia. He didn't want her to go an inch away from him without him being able to follow.

“I can feel you too,” he told her. “And I'm not sure why. It's as if we've tapped into each others brain waves.” Laughing to himself he said, “Which might have been plausible if we had any.” Luke brought his head to Dahlia's neck and began to press soft kisses onto her collarbone. “Marvelous, isn't it?” he whispered as she fed him another wave of her emotions.

[Korrye]

__________Once she initiated the kiss Lucas connected and locked onto her lips. Bringing himself to her and holding himself in her grasp he returned her embrace with his own. Dahlia parted her mouth and felt her tongue travel lick his lower lip. Dahlia felt him pull back, ever so slightly minutes later. Their conversation didn’t feel as if it were interrupted.

“I can feel you too,” he told her. “And I'm not sure why. It's as if we've tapped into each others brain waves.” His laugh was contagious and at this her smile spread. He was visibly miffed, as stumped as she felt. “Which might have been plausible if we had any.”

He didn’t waste time, stealing back the space he’d given to press his lips against her collarbone. She brought her nose to the top of his head and ran a cool hand through his hair while he moved. Dahlia smiled, humming in satisfaction.

“Marvelous, isn't it?” he whispered and she shivered, her skin rippling with the revelation that they were connected by so much more than just what they said and did for one another. He was cheerful, his smile never dimming. Dahlia felt him infect her with his thoughts. There wasn’t a concern for this mystery only delight. They meant something. This bond, as she was beginning to think of it, made them into something more than just a couple. They were special and she felt her passion and adoration for him blossom with this realization.

“It’s so much more than that,” she murmured. “It just proves that we’re spellbound.” Dahlia leaned her head against his and felt her hair slide across his shoulder. It was almost dry, the last remnants of their shower. Bubbling with curiosity she drew her hands up either side of his chest, rubbing up and down feeling her fingers bob when she ran over the spaces between his ribs and packed flesh. Nothing about him was forbidden.

Beyond him Dahlia’s senses could still make out the steady whir of the fridge’s cooling mechanisms in the kitchen. The scent of the Christmas tree bathed the entire house. It was still bare, this she knew. Night would fall eventually and then they could trim it and spend Christmas Eve as they were now, talking and tracing circles on one anothers skin. She couldn’t ask for more. Beyond the glass windows she could still trace immediate wildlife, rabbits and birds mostly. Though satiated her thirst was a constant burden. In the two months of her vampire life there was no avoiding it, only fighting to control it. With Lucas in front of her there was time to learn and to expand on skills. He had promised and she knew he meant it. He had never broken his word.

When he moved about her Dahlia followed him, feeling him move below her collarbone to her exposed stomach. He ran his lips down her breastbone before reaching her ribs. Dahlia giggled, feeling the tickle of him as he crept close to her sides. She slid to lay flat, shimming away from him with a giggle. Lucas followed the game. Dahlia couldn’t avoid his touch. He brought his hands to her rips and ran them gently into the ribs. Dahlia laughed and rolled over onto her back, clenching her hands into the pillows.

“Luke!” she giggled, bunching up into something of a ball when he continued to tickle her. “My gosh that’s not fair!”

When he didn’t stop she sat right up, her back to him facing the window and staring outside. Her legs were crossed under her, her bare toes exposed from under the blankets. Raw and innocent she sat there. Dahlia laughed and tucked her arms under her chest to protect her sides. “There!” she said in triumph. He was so amused, as was she.

[[Bang Bang]]

Dahlia didn't seem to care about the science of their connection, like he did. She was more reliant on the idea of fate. That Lucas and Dahlia were meant to be together.

“It’s so much more than that,” she explained. “It just proves that we’re spellbound.” He had never thought of that before. His main concern was always understanding why. Instead of breaking apart the cause of the reaction, Dahlia suggested it was purely meant to be. The simplicity in the idea was liberating. Lucas responded to her notion with physical contact. He pressed his lips delicately on the skin of her stomach. Dahlia laid still while he set to work on touching every inch of her with his lips. As her stomach rose and fell, he too moved to her rhythm. When he reached her ribcage, he found a reaction. Dahlia flinched very slightly and began to laugh. His eyes moved upwards to connect with hers. She was staring down at him, suppressing laughter. A sly smile formed over his lips. Lucas brought both hands to Dahlia's rib cage and began to stroke her skin with light care. She couldn't restrain herself after that. His lover burst into laughter and twisted around to keep him away. A surge of enjoyment erupted inside of Lucas- Dahlia's feelings were speaking to him again. He took the emotions he could feel from her and used them for himself. “Luke!” Dahlia pleaded. “My gosh that’s not fair!” He did not give up easily though. Instead, he started to dig his hands under her body in search for her gentle spots. Dahlia caught on quickly and created a solution. In one fluid motion, she was sitting up with both arms wrapped protectively around her body. He had to admit, she had a very good defense. Lucas sat himself beside her with her back still against him. But just because he couldn't tickle her didn't mean he would keep his hands off of her. Or more so, his lips.

Starting at the base of her spine, Lucas leaned downwards and planted a slow soft kiss on her back. The smell of her sweet skin stuck to his lips. Lucas crept upwards leisurely and pressed another kiss on her spine only inches higher. He began to create a thin trail of kisses up her body, one by one. His hands held her waist in place, scared she might run from him again. When he reached her bra strap, he strayed from the straight line and began to head for her shoulder. Dahlia turned her head to meet him, but he did not approach her immediately. Instead, he gripped the skin of her shoulder in between his teeth and gently nipped it. His teasing affection progressed to the lobe of her ear. After a soft kiss to her cheek, he rested his head against her shoulder and sighed.

“There's something that's been bothering me,” he admitted in a whisper. “I've let you believe a lie for too long.” His arms started to slide around her body, but this time, he wasn't intending to tickle her. It was his desire to hold her which willed him. “I love you exceptionally more,” he finished with a smile. Lucas was referring to Dahlia's statement which challenged her ability to love him more than he loved her. He had let it pass at the time, but now seemed like a reasonable time to correct her.

[Korrye]

__________Escaping him wasn't possible. Lucas wrapped himself around her from behind, firmly holding her hips at either side. Dahlia felt him move in close to her and press his lips close to the end of her tailbone. She stretched her back then as he kissed the end of her skin. When he moved an inch higher and kissed her again she inhaled deeply. Whimpering, she felt him create a path along her back following the structure of her bone until he made his way to her bra strap. Dahlia felt him shift, bringing his kisses to her left shoulder. She turned, her hair falling away to reveal her back completely. Dahlia looked over her arm to face him, seeing his eyes glow with his charm from behind her. Lucas took his time in his approach pulling himself closer under his legs surrounded her on either side and hung over the side of the bed. Pulling her back towards him he bit down on her shoulder in a playful manner. Dahlia twitched and rolled into him. When her head drew closer to him he pulled at her ear with his lips. She giggled and found herself leaning against him, feeling as if he was a strong as a steel wall. Greeting a kiss on her cheek she breathed slowly while he in turn sighed with great happiness.

“There's something that's been bothering me,” he admitted in a whisper. “Hmm?” Dahlia murmured.

“I've let you believe a lie for too long,” he continued. Dahlia watched as he wrapped himself around her, his strong arms collecting her in his and meeting at her bellybutton to clasp together. She felt onto his arms with hers gently in return. “I love you exceptionally more,” he finished. “O really,” she laughed. So he had been listening and not consumed in his body’s ultimate carnal pleasure. “Prove it then,” she dared him. Sliding one hand out from his she brought it to his cheek, dragging her fingers along the sharp detail of his jaw. Rotating in his arms Dahlia moved to face him, wrapping her legs around his waist. Draping her arms around his neck she stared into his eyes, her lips parting slightly in a pout.

Dahlia leaned in to him, drawing her lips across his briskly. Throwing her shoulders back she shook her hair back behind her ears knowing how quickly his mouth twitched when she pulled herself so far away. She chuckled lightly and brought her head to rest under his chin. Her hands traveled, rubbing his arms until eventually reaching his sides and masculine outer thighs. Dahlia pushed him back and watched as he fell back onto the bed with her touch. Climbing over him she laid on top of him, hugging him.

“How good would you be at hide and seek in this house without,” she brushed a fingertip down his nose, “your sense of smell? Would you be able to let me go?”

[[Bang Bang]]

Lucas stared out at the window with Dahlia neatly tucked into his chest. They both seemed to stare out at the world beyond the room they had refused to leave. There was nothing out there for him. Nothing he wanted so long as Dahlia was in his arms, beside him. It seemed pointless to ever leave the cabin again - he was so content just laying in bed forever. Of course, in a week or two, his story would change. Dahlia had just fed, where as Luke hadn't touched blood in a while. He would be the next to feed, but his control allowed him flexibility. He openly admitted to possessing more love for Dahlia than she could produce for him. To this, Dahlia laughed with a bit of sarcasm to her voice. It made Lucas smile in response.

“O really.” Disbelief soaked every syllable of her words. Luke felt a small competition beginning to rise out of them. “Prove it then,” she challenged. She began to shift herself around to face him once more. There were plenty of ways to prove his point. Luke had been proving himself since day 1 when they first met. He saved her from countless enemies, he went against his oath and allowed her to survive after knowing a forbidden secret, he risked his life without so much as single doubt in what he was trying to accomplish. In the process, he received countless cuts and scratches as well as an entire hand plunged into his chest. Lucas stuck with Dahlia through out their entire adventure. He never risked her life or put anything before her safety. He bought her a cabin in Minnesota and even gave her eternal life. And although he could have used any one of those examples to prove his point, he simply smiled and nodded.

“I could make you agree,” he threatened. Dahlia reached up and wrapped her body around him. Lucas could feel the smile in her cheeks when she moved her head under his chin and against his chest. Before he knew it, he was laying back down and Dahlia was crawling over him.

“How good would you be at hide and seek in this house without your sense of smell?” Lucas raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Was she really trying to challenge his senses? He'd be able to find her all too easily. The tiniest noise would give her away.

“Very,” he answered honestly. Extending his neck, he planted a kiss on the tip of her nose then rested his head back down.

“Would you be able to let me go?” Lucas hummed a chuckle. She was very curious so suddenly.

“Never,” Luke whispered. With that, he gripped Dahlia's waist and rolled over. In one fluid movement Dahlia was now the one laying down with Lucas looming over her. He acted quickly by grabbing both of her wrists and holding them to the bed. Then he did the same with their feet. Pushing his ankles against hers, he felt confident he'd have enough power to restrain her. Luke stared down at Dahlia who still seemed to be playing catch up with his antics. He grinned slyly down in her direction. “I hope you've been working on your self control,” he cooed. “You're going to need it.” Lucas dipped his head to Dahlia's neck. She tilted her head ever so slightly, as if expecting him to kiss her. Instead, Lucas allowed his soft breath to brush up against the cool flesh. With his nose, he trailed very lightly to her collarbone. He did not allow his lips to make contact. Dahlia twitched slightly in response to his absense. He once again blew warm air onto her body. It seemed as though Dahlia was beginning to realize his game - the absence of touch. He would not touch Dahlia anywhere and would not allow her to touch him. He didn't plan to stop, even if it drove her insane. “You know what you have to say,” he told her as he made his way to Dahlia's ribs.

[Korrye]

__________What would have normally left Dahlia nauseated and motion sick instead left her breathless. Lucas suddenly shifted under her, rolling rapidly towards the end of the mattress. Dahlia spun in his arms until she was underneath him. He claimed he would never be able to let her go which made her laugh, her smile growing until it spanned from ear to ear. She felt him move, taking one of her wrists in each of his large hands. Pinning her to the bed she furrowed her brow in curiosity, watching as he held her ankles down with each of his feet. Lucas’ cocky smile emerged then and her lips closed over her pearly white teeth.

“I hope you've been working on your self control,” he cooed. “You're going to need it.”

“Why?” Dahlia whispered but he moved away, breaking his eye contact to bring himself close to her neck. She shifted and stretched the muscle only to feel him exhale across her flesh. She shivered and flinched, anticipating the cool seal of his mouth across her vein. Instead he hung there, drawing his nose ever so slowly to her collarbone. He breathed, blowing air across her skin. Dahlia squeezed her eyes shut and her mouth twitched. It felt so awkward for him to be so close but beyond her, beyond her reach. Instinct lead her to pull at her wrists and try to shift. Dahlia wanted to close the gap on her own only Lucas held her firmly, his fingers wrapped around her joints and his weight preventing her from arching her back. The absence of his touch made her uncomfortable.

“You know what you have to say,” he murmured. Dahlia felt him moving along her, shifting his arms until they were full extended but still holding her down. Flinching under him she curled her toes and flexed her fingers. “No way,” she laughed. Tortured by his antics she began to try and swish, at least move, away from his breath. Warm against her skin it cooled immediately after. The spots where he exhaled began to feel like voids. The skin tingled. She wanted to feel his kiss firm against her body, pressed up tight to her lips, parting them and meeting hers. Dahlia shook under him. As he persisted she felt it grow more rampant. Her fingers constantly twitched and her feet remained tense. Dahlia shivered, her body rippling under his grip. There was no stopping him. Lucas wanted to hear her say it, that he loved her more. She groaned out loud as he continued, a call of despair. There was no inner focus, no memory she could drawn on to bring her out the oncoming frenzy.

Dahlia had fallen prey to Lucas as a human. She felt herself diving through hazy images and memories tainted with small moments where she could truly see him for what he was; when Lucas had given her blood. She recalled meeting him and trying to shoot him out of self-defense and fear. She remembered the car accident and how the enemy had tried to dismember him. How he’d hung over her, his prey impaling him from behind with his fist. The blood she’d given to him then and again and again so that he could fight. He had saved her life time and again, and now she was beneath him with his venom in her mouth. She was under him and reborn at his hand. He had given and given. It was only because of Dahlia’s stubborn nature that she refused to lose his game. He went on and on and on as she thought, driving her to the edge.

“Lucas,” she breathed the words lightly in a flowery voice. Hadn’t that other vampire sounded like this hours before? Stalking her prey. Her was voice light and airy, a sing-song melody calling him to her attention. Dahlia turned still, spinning her focus inward. “Lucas,” she called a second time. He lingered over her left hip. “Stop, please. This is torture.”

A curious thing happened. Lucas lifted his head to meet her gaze after twenty minutes of hovering over her.