15. Severn
SEVERN
Aiden’s back was to me as he pulled two coffee mugs from the cabinet. “Ask away.” He shrugged, turning back toward me.
The soft smile on his lips was comforting, but my guard was still up. The truth was I had so many questions. Did Vea want me for something like Ceril did? Could I actually trust Aiden? I had no idea. I just knew that going with them had to be better than being with my father.
“You said that’s a blood brew?” It was a question rather than a statement.
The coffee that brewed in the pot smelled different from the dark liquid Ceril drank every morning.
Aiden nodded. “What kind of…blood?” I had never had blood before.
For vampires, blood was like a treat, a vice to become addicted to that didn’t cause harm.
For other beings, it was like a drug. The perfect concoction of different beings’ blood mixed together was like an acid trip.
A prismatic evolution of neon stars for your senses.
The comedown was brutal, but the trip was worth the pain.
In Noirhaven, everyone called those blood concoctions Pulse, and Vea’s family ruled the market.
“It’s not Pulse if that’s what you’re worried about.
And no demon blood at all. This is dried vampire blood in the coffee grounds.
” Pulling a black bag from another cabinet, Aiden pointed to a label, then tossed it over to me.
Based on the label, Aiden was telling the truth.
He grabbed the bag back when I slid it over to him before saying, “Based on what I’ve read about Senketsu.
You should be okay with just vampire blood, right? ”
I shrugged. “I’ve never had it, but I don’t really see why not.”
The coffee finished brewing, and Aiden filled both mugs, passing one over to me. “Only have some if you want it.” He pushed a carton of cream and some sugar my way. “If you taste it and it’s bitter, try adding some of these.”
Lifting the mug, I sniffed the coffee and immediately admired how the fragrance wrapped around me.
“Wow,” I said, not realizing my voice was as loud as it was.
Aiden let out a small chuckle as he poured cream into his mug and stirred.
I took a small sip, anticipating that it may be hot, and the bitter taste hit my tongue like a punch.
It was shocking at first, but once I was able to taste the beverage, I wanted more.
“Do you think you want to add either of these?” Aiden gestured to the cream and sugar.
Taking another, larger sip, I savored the flavor before shaking my head and swallowing.
“No. I like it like this.” I smiled and looked down at the blood brew.
It really was delicious, like nothing I had ever tasted before.
I didn’t know if it was just the coffee or the blood in the coffee, but I didn’t really care.
Aiden smiled and put the cream and sugar away before walking back toward the living room. “Did you have other questions?” He asked over his shoulder.
I swallowed the coffee in my mouth and searched my mind for something worthwhile to ask.
“You said Vea just wants me safe, right?” Aiden hummed in acknowledgement as he sipped his coffee and sat on the couch.
As I sat back down where I had been earlier, I placed my coffee mug on the table and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “I’m just trying to understand that.”
Aiden tossed an odd look my way. “Why is that hard to understand?” Leaning forward, he set his mug on the table as well. “Don’t you know how important you are?”
Before he finished his question, his phone started ringing. “Hello?” he answered. “No, it’s not a problem…he’s with me right here…okay, got it.” Aiden hung up the phone and looked at me. “That was Des. Mitz found a forum post for the Shirogane’s hiring packs to search for you.”
My heart dropped. I knew without a doubt that Ceril would be out looking for me. Especially after knowing what he had planned with Beck. He needed me now more than ever. But hiring multiple packs to search for me, Beck must be closer to his final form than I realized.
“Severn, how important are you?” Aiden looked at me, concern washed over his sweet features. Just this short bit of interaction with him, his care and willingness to make me feel comfortable. The trust was starting to peek over the horizon.