NOVPUBAila could tell her master wasn’t pleased even with the dim lighting casting shadows across his pale features, but she held her own about it. There was no point in pretending that she was happy with the lycans; he could easily read her mind or feel her through their bond. If she wanted his trust, it was better to be as truthful as possible that would work in her favour.
"He might not want to leave now. He owes you for saving his life three times now. That is a debt he needs to pay back. Unless he really is a spineless rogue.. But I doubt that is the case." Cassius continued to walk, sliding his arm away from her shoulder and enveloping her fingers in his, leading her past the vibrating walls of the ridiculously loud music.
"Three times?" Aila frowned at him, only counting the one, and that was when Cassius nearly broke his neck.
"You rescued him from the hunters, removed him from the dungeon away from the other lycans and then when I attacked him," Cassius replied simply, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes with a small smirk on his lips.
So, this was how he would keep the lycans here through some fake loyalty. But Aila didn’t want to think too much about that for now. "Where are you taking me?" She asked, changing the subject from his schemes.
"Someone has been asking for you and.. I can tell my little wolf is quite hungry," Cassius smiled as they walked up the winding stairs that led to the feeders’ rooms. She hadn’t fed from them in their quarters before, believing it should remain their safe space. Even if they were voluntarily giving them their blood, the bedroom should be a place where they can really relax.
They.. 𝙣𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Aila sighed, looking down. There was only one feeder left, and that was Geralt. "Ugh, Davian is in there. Alright, I suppose I should host this damned party instead of feeling depressed from his presence." They stopped in front of a wooden door, and he raised her hand to his lips. "Remember to feed, Aila."
He dropped her hand and caressed her face, his eyes searching longingly into hers and glanced at her lips before licking his own and turning away. "He was barely drunk from earlier; he was only in pain. So get some blood in you. Davian is there anyway." Cassius spoke over his shoulder as he started to descend the stairs like he couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
Although he should have really used his vampire speed if that was the case.
Aila stayed there for a moment longer, thinking about the vampire’s actions before opening the door as quietly as possible; the feeder might be asleep by now. But surprisingly, he was chilling in bed, shirtless, comfortable in his defined body and watching tv across the room with Davian snoring on the sofa in front of it.
The room was large and circular, as expected from using one of the towers, and it was still finished nicely.
"Aila?" Geralt turned his head to the side where she came into the room. He smiled at her, genuinely looking glad to see her. She sighed and sat down in the chair next to his bed. Davian had probably kept an eye on him, sitting by him until he deemed it acceptable to sleep on the poor guy’s couch.
"I’m so sorry about tonight-"
"These things happen," Geralt interrupted her apology with a small smile. He’d placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed. "You saved me.. You shouldn’t be apologising. I actually.. I’m.." He sat up and turned to face her better.
"I’m grateful you did. I don’t know what would have happened.." He visibly shivered. "Being here.. it is my choice.. But with those vampires, I didn’t stand a chance."
"How is it any different?" Aila asked, trying to understand his choice in wanting to be a feeder. Was it really because of the high? Was he addicted to the vampire bite?
"Look where I’m staying.. I’m in a castle, I get fed three times a day, paid crazy amounts, and all I have to do is look pretty for.." He looked her up and down with a flirtatious smile. "Beautiful vampires, men and women. Plus.. under Cassius’ care, I get a sweet high from it. Not like earlier..
but Cassius has already given me a choice to use his private jet and go wherever I want as an apology. I get a free holiday out of it."
"For almost dying.." Aila muttered, but she didn’t want to make him feel bad. Her annoyance was aimed at Cassius currently, using his money as a way to heal his feeder’s terrorising memory. Although if he was really heartless, Cass would just use compulsion on him. Shaking her head, she asked, "You’d tell me if you’re not happy, right?"
Geralt waved to his room. "I’m pretty chill here, sweetie. But thanks," He winked. "I.. want to thank you.. properly." He moved closer to her and raised her hand to his neck, specifically to the large carotid artery that throbbed beneath her touch.
Aila inhaled sharply as she watched him tilt his head away.
Aila swallowed loudly, feeling her heart racing and her throat beginning to burn with need. "You already said your thanks.." Aila whispered weakly. She clenched her eyes shut, hating herself for sounding like it and unable to stop her fangs from elongating. "You almost died.."
Geralt shuffled closer to her and used her claw to draw blood on his skin. Aila snapped her eyes open, she didn’t even realise her claws had grown, and now with his blood drawn, her body tensed, and the overwhelming need to sink her fangs into his skin was becoming too much. Her lips parted, revealing her fangs and Geralt boldly put his finger on the tip of her fang.
Aila’s hand tightened on his neck, and her free one pulled his finger away from her, but she dived for his neck, instantly biting into him. Geralt moaned immediately and let his head fall back. Aila drank and drank but after witnessing all those bodies from the vampires and seeing the bite marks from the other vampire on Geralt, she pulled back before Davian made it to her side.
Geralt’s voice must have woken him.
Aila hovered above the feeder’s neck, her breathing ragged as she controlled her urges. Geralt’s hand was in her hair now; he kept wanting her to drink more from him, but with the images of the dead in her mind, her fangs retracted, and she sat back, looking at Davian, who smiled at her proudly.
She felt a wave of relief by the idea that she may be able to control this hunger now, it wasn’t easy, but it looked like she was going in the right direction.
"Let’s bandage you up."
