Chapter 3 #2
Ivy’s sister was just fifteen when she went missing.
Emer was utterly obsessed with magic, and it was her idea to venture through the Portal Building into Noctis for the first time.
Ivy was easily swayed by her rebellious and charismatic little sister, but she didn’t realise that their first jaunt into the Realm of Night would set a chain of events in motion that would alter their lives forever.
Ivy shuddered at the unwelcome rush of memories. Leseldh noticed the movement and placed his hand over Ivy’s. She looked over as she felt his touch and found him offering her a reassuring smile.
“We’re here.” Leseldh tucked an errant strand of Ivy’s hair behind her ear.
The car rolled to a stop outside a large, single-storey building with a stone facade and tall, arched windows.
Ivy peered out the window and saw people milling about.
Knowing what creatures lurked in the darkness of Noctis, she wondered how many of them were less than Human.
While she was inspecting the building and its patrons, Leseldh exited the car and came around to open her door. Leseldh took her hand in his and Voresta drove away as they moved towards the entrance. When Leseldh opened the door, Phaedra the Erath swept in ahead of them, taking Ivy by surprise.
“She followed us?” Ivy stepped into the building with Leseldh following closely behind her.
“Phaedra is never far away,” Leseldh chuckled, marking her surprise. He placed a hand on the small of Ivy’s back and guided her inside.
If the entranceway of the building was anything to judge by, then this establishment was more opulent than all of Naum’s bars combined.
A massive chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, and the parquet tiled floors spanned the length of the venue.
The clinking of glasses and chatter of many voices could be heard over the soft melody of music that gave the place an elegant atmosphere.
The interiors were decorated in shades of red and gold, and upon their entry, they were greeted by a hostess dressed in black formal attire.
Although she appeared to be Human, her coal-black eyes told Ivy she was something other.
The tall female addressed Leseldh, “Welcome to Sabor Sanguine. What do you seek tonight, sir?”
Blood, Ivy’s mind screamed. But Leseldh’s response was more polite.
“We’d like one of your private lounges, please, and Sylphina, if she’s available.”
“Certainly, sir. This way.” She led them through the main area, and Ivy appreciated the setting as they passed through.
The room was filled with low tables. A bar lined with bottles of all different colours and shapes spanned the length of the establishment.
Sabor Sanguine appeared to be a regular drinking venue, although more upscale than any Ivy had ever visited before.
She looked down at the deep purple, flowing knee-length dress and black heels that she’d thrown on in her haste to get ready and was thankful it was appropriate for a venue of this calibre.
Phaedra flew ahead of them, perching herself on the upper beams of the ceiling as she waited for the trio to catch up.
They approached a doorway at the back of the venue, which opened onto a short corridor with adjoining rooms. Most of the doors were closed, but those that were open revealed plush couches, low tables and mood lighting.
The hostess stopped at a door on the left and gestured them inside.
“Sylphina will be with you shortly.” She returned down the corridor and Leseldh led Ivy into the room.
The private lounge was decorated in shades of grey and black.
A booth-style couch hugged the corner of the room and a round, glass-topped table stood before it.
The walls were covered with paintings in ornate frames, and the same gentle music from the bar could be heard.
Leseldh sat beside her, his arm slipping around her shoulders.
Phaedra swept in and perched on the top of a lamp that was suspended above them.
Apprehension started to simmer inside of Ivy.
“Who’s Sylphina?” Despite herself, Ivy felt a pang of jealousy at the familiarity Leseldh showed towards this unknown individual. She hoped it didn’t show in her voice. If it did, Leseldh gave no indication that he registered it.
“Sylphina is a Human who will allow you to feed from her. She is paid handsomely to do so.” Leseldh’s eyes flicked to Ivy’s, pinning her with that intense stare that she’d already become so accustomed to. He ran the back of his hand down the side of her face.
“This won’t be like earlier, I promise you.” His voice was soft but sure. Paired with the light contact of his hand, it set her body tingling, and suddenly the room felt like it had no air in it.
As she stared up into his eyes of molten caramel, she felt her heart start to race. Leseldh’s hand moved down to his jacket pocket, and he pulled out a small brass case. Ivy noted that it contained several tiny white pills. He presented one to Ivy.
“Open your mouth, my love.” He returned his gaze to Ivy’s, and she could see his eyes were now shimmering with gold.
Ivy did as he bid and Leseldh dropped the pill onto her tongue. It dissolved instantaneously but had no discernible taste. Leseldh smiled and placed the case back in his pocket before his hand returned to her face, this time cupping her jaw. Ivy leaned into his touch.
“What was that you gave me?”
“Something to make the experience more enjoyable. For everyone.” The words rolled off his tongue so seductively that Ivy couldn’t help but be drawn in by this male with his enchanting voice and inviting eyes.
A knock on the door broke the spell, and a strawberry-blonde female that looked to be in her late thirties stood in the doorway. She wore a long-sleeved mini dress in a pale pink colour, with matching heels. Her hair fell to her collarbones in perfectly straight sheets.
“Leseldh, it’s been some time.” The female stepped through the doorway and pushed the door shut behind her before advancing towards the booth. Her eyes landed on Ivy. “Who’s your friend?”
“Sylphina, this is my Mate, Ivy. Ivy, this is Sylphina.”
“Pleasure to meet you, darling.” Sylphina gave no indication that she understood the significance of Leseldh’s statement. “Who am I here for tonight?”
Leseldh inclined his head towards Ivy, and it set things in motion. Leseldh withdrew, much to Ivy’s disappointment, and Sylphina wasted no time in sweeping in. She settled herself on the couch beside Ivy and began to roll up her left sleeve.
“Sylphina, this is Ivy’s first time.” Leseldh gave the female a pointed look. His words caused her to slow down, and made the moment feel less transactional for Ivy.
“Ivy, when you take from Sylphina, you must not take too much. If I tell you to stop, you are to do so immediately.” Leseldh’s instructions caused Ivy’s worry to increase again, which he seemed to notice. He offered her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, I’m here with you.”
The calmness of his voice was a stark contrast to her racing heartbeat.
She nodded and took a deep breath to steel herself.
She glanced to Sylphina, who was making her final preparations.
She withdrew a small blade that was no longer than a finger from the bodice of her dress.
It was as non-threatening as a blade could get.
Sylphina raised the tiny blade, and Ivy’s eyes widened as they settled upon it. “Would you like to take the bite, or would you prefer I break the skin?”
Ivy inhaled sharply and was thrown by her limited choices—watch this female cut herself open for Ivy’s benefit or take the matter into her own hands and violate her with her fangs. But as her mind conjured the image of Voresta’s blade cutting through flesh earlier this evening, she made her choice.
“I’ll do it,” Ivy replied softly and winced at how uncertain her voice sounded.
Sylphina held out her exposed wrist to Ivy. Ivy took it in her hand and stared at it. She could see the blood pulsing through the vein in Sylphina’s wrist, and her hunger reared its ugly head once more.
Ivy pulled Sylphina’s wrist to her mouth and pressed her fangs into the flesh. Sylphina let out the smallest of hisses, causing Ivy’s eyes to flick over to hers, but Sylphina nodded in encouragement.
The moment the blood started to flow from the wound, Ivy began to change.
The trickle that hit her tongue had the faint taste of strawberries, and the demon within immediately started raging.
Ivy tightened her grasp on Sylphina’s wrist, and she began to suck on the wound ravenously, drawing that sticky, red nourishment into her system.
With every pull, she felt a strength building inside of her, and each mouthful she gulped down started to bring that demon back under control.
Ivy’s eyes fluttered shut, and she immersed herself in the experience.
It wasn’t until she felt the tug on her shoulder that she dragged her mouth away from Sylphina’s wrist with a snarl.
Ivy licked her lips, catching the last drops of Sylphina’s lifeblood with her tongue.
Her gaze flicked to Leseldh’s. His eyes were now a gold so bright, they were almost luminous.
“Well done, my love. How do you feel?” Pride and desire mingled in his voice, and Ivy thrummed with delight at the approval she saw in his gaze. She took in a deep breath and smiled over at him.
“I feel incredible.”
She felt invigorated, and she wasn’t sure whether it was due to the blood, the little white pill, or a combination of the two. Leseldh’s smile grew, and he leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead.
“Did you enjoy that, Ivy?” Leseldh brought his face close to Ivy’s neck and breathed her in. His proximity sent chills running through her body. Her tongue struggled to formulate a response, so she simply nodded in reply.
“Do you want to get out of here?” His breath feathered along her neck, and she squirmed with pent-up tension.
Ivy nodded again and a fluttering sound snapped her attention away—Phaedra was taking flight to exit the room. She also realised that Sylphina had taken her leave wordlessly while they were occupied. Leseldh pulled away and rose from his seat, taking Ivy’s hand.
As Ivy made her way back out of Sabor Sanguine, her footsteps felt surer, and her body brimmed with strength and energy. The blood had bolstered her in a way she hadn’t expected, and as she exited the bar, she felt herself shedding another layer of the person she used to be.
Back in the car, Ivy replayed the evening’s events.
Her thoughts drifted back to the garden, and she picked at the memory and appraised it carefully.
She couldn’t shake the sight of the girl’s fear.
The idea of feeding from a Human in that animalistic way was repulsive to Ivy, but she’d come terrifyingly close.
The experience in Sabor Sanguine was different.
The scent of the girl’s blood knocked something loose inside of her, and when Sylphina offered her wrist to Ivy willingly, her reservations were completely obliterated.
She lost all semblance of control when Sylphina’s blood hit her tongue.
It was both exhilarating and frightening.
Ivy had never witnessed a Vampire feeding before, and it was something she hadn’t contemplated until it became her reality. Had she made another foolish decision in coming to Noctis with Leseldh? Was she truly a monster now?
Ivy was drawn back to reality when the car slowed to a stop at a tall, iron gate that was sandwiched between two stone pillars.
The one on the left bore a brass plaque with the name Veldmoor on it.
The gate parted in the middle, opening on its own.
They drove up a long, straight driveway lined with hedges, and Leseldh’s mansion quickly came into view.
Back inside the mansion, Leseldh pulled Ivy to him. His arms wrapped around her middle, and she was enveloped by his scent—sandalwood and malt. She was overcome by an inexplicable nervousness as their eyes met.
“I apologise for what happened in the garden.” Ivy warmed to the sincerity she heard in his voice.
She wanted to be angry about what he wanted her to do tonight, but with his arms enveloping her, that irritation faded away.
“Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the theatre tomorrow night?”
Ivy was immediately intrigued, and she couldn’t fight the smile that crept across her features. “Like a date?”
“Like a date.” Leseldh’s awkward tone hinted that dating was unfamiliar territory. His tight smile failed to conceal his discomfort, but Ivy decided not to draw attention to it. Her mind was busy swimming with the intimacy of the moment.
“I would love to,” she replied instead.
She was struck by a momentary feeling of disbelief: here she was, nestled in the arms of a dashing male, in his palatial home in Noctis, being asked on a date to the theatre. If she’d told her past self that her life was destined for such extreme change, she would have laughed until she passed out.
“Can I kiss you?” He leaned in, as though in anticipation of her answer.
“Yes.” Her response was a whisper, but it was all Leseldh needed to close the distance between them.
The kiss was gentle, tentative, and completely at odds with the desperate clash of lips they experienced in the car just the night before.
It deepened slowly, and Ivy’s arms shifted up Leseldh’s back as she clung to him.
Leseldh was the first to pull away, and when Ivy opened her eyes, she was struck by the brilliant gold of Leseldh’s eyes. He pushed her hair away from her face.
“You are captivating, Ivy.” Leseldh’s words were spoken softly, like he was scared to utter them. He cleared his throat before adding, “You’ve had a long night. You should get some rest.”
His words reminded her of all that had transpired since the previous night, and her exhaustion crept in. Blowing out a breath, she slowly released her hold on him. She made for the stairs, and Leseldh remained in place, watching her departure.