Selena left Sinclair Confectionery with her body still warm and relaxed, her skin sticky with dried chocolate and the sweet, salty taste of Arabella lingering on her tongue.
Night had already settled over the city.
Gas lamps illuminated the streets with trembling golden halos, reflecting across the dark cobblestones. Small clouds of steam escaped from the pipes of passing vehicles, spreading the scent of hot coal and damp metal through the air.
Selena took a deep breath, stretching her arms above her head in a lazy motion, feeling her thighs brush together beneath her still-damp panties and slightly misaligned stockings.
What a perfect night… Arabella ruined me, and I ruined her.
A satisfied smile spread across her lips.
I'll need a hot bath when I get home… but right now I just want to walk slowly and savor that taste in my mouth a little longer.
The street was quiet at that hour. The city slowed as the night deepened, and most of the movement remained on the main avenues.
Selena walked leisurely through the side streets, swaying her hips slightly, her full backside trembling subtly with each step. The red satin fabric still clung to the sensitive skin between her legs.
She deliberately chose the longer path back to the mansion.
The night was simply too pleasant to go straight home.
She passed through a small square lit by three old gas lamps. In the center, a low fountain murmured softly. Selena paused for a moment, pulled a coin from her pocket, and tossed it into the water.
— For more nights like this… — she murmured, laughing quietly at her own silliness.
Then she kept walking.
It was only after about fifteen minutes of calm strolling that the air suddenly changed.
First came an unexpected cold breeze that raised goosebumps along her bare arms and made the still-damp corset cling tighter to her skin.
Then the dark sky seemed to close in.
Clouds gathered quickly, heavy and dense, swallowing even the moonlight.
The first thunder came from far away.
A deep rumble rolling between the old buildings.
Selena looked up.
— Ah… not now — she muttered.
But the rain did not wait.
It fell all at once.
Thick, heavy, and icy.
Large drops struck the stones like coins falling in violent bursts. Within seconds, the gutters began to run and puddles formed between the uneven cobblestones.
Selena let out a small amused curse and ran toward the first shelter she saw—the awning of an old bookstore that had already closed for the night.
Water ran down her face, her neck, and her cleavage.
The white corset clung completely to her body, becoming almost translucent. Her generous breasts outlined clearly beneath the soaked fabric, her nipples hardening from the cold shock of the rain.
The red panties darkened further, clinging to her full curves. Her black stockings grew heavy, marking her thick thighs as water streamed down them in cold trails.
Selena tossed her wet red hair back, droplets scattering.
— Just when I was almost dry… — she murmured with a laugh.
Looks like the city decided to give me an extra bath.
She did not stay there long.
Montflourentes Mansion was less than ten minutes away.
Selena stepped back into the rain.
The water washed away the dried chocolate from her skin, the sweat from earlier, and the scent of Arabella that still lingered on her body.
Each step made her hips sway with more weight beneath the soaked fabric. The clinging corset emphasized the full shape of her breasts rising and falling with every deep breath.
A flash of lightning illuminated the entire street.
For a moment, her silhouette appeared reflected in the dark shop windows: tall, curvy, completely drenched, walking through the storm as if it were merely another pleasant detail of the night.
When she finally saw the iron gates of Montflourentes Mansion, the rain was still falling hard.
Selena quickened her pace, climbing the stone staircase with her shoes splashing loudly.
The guards opened the gates without a word.
Only a respectful nod.
Though one of them couldn't quite hide a quick glance at her uniform clinging almost transparently to her body.
Selena stepped into the main hall, dripping water onto the polished marble floor.
The contrast between the cold rain outside and the warm air of the mansion made her skin prickle slightly.
She ran a hand through her wet hair, tossing it back.
— I'm back… — she murmured to herself with a smile. — And nicely soaked, just the way I like it.
The hall was silent.
Only the soft light from the stained-glass windows illuminated the space with deep colors—blue, gold, and red dancing across the marble.
But there was another scent in the air.
Something metallic.
Subtle.
Like fresh copper mixed with withered roses.
Then she heard it.
A faint sound.
The soft click of high heels against marble, coming from the side corridor that led to the library.
Selena turned her head.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
Tall.
Perhaps 1.75 meters.
Slender, yet with precise, dangerous curves.
The dress was dark crimson velvet, so deep it appeared almost black beneath the dim light. It fit perfectly around the bust and waist before falling into a long skirt with a high slit along the left leg.
The revealed skin was pale as fresh milk.
The elegant neckline exposed a delicate collarbone and the soft valley between medium, firm breasts.
Her hair was absolute black, straight and long, falling to the middle of her back like a cascade of obsidian.
Her skin looked unnaturally white.
No blush.
No imperfection.
Her lips were full, painted the color of fresh blood.
And when she smiled…
Her fangs appeared.
Golden.
Not yellow.
Not artificial.
Pure gold.
Shining like ancient jewels beneath the colored light.
Her eyes were deep ruby red.
With thin vertical pupils like those of a feline.
Ancient.
Hungry.
Controlled.
She stopped a few meters away from Selena and tilted her head slightly.
— Selena Carmine — she said, her voice low and velvety, carrying an old French accent that seemed to come from another century. — You've returned… smelling of chocolate, rain, and recent pleasure.
For a brief moment, information seemed to surface in Selena's mind—almost like an instinct evaluating the presence before her.
Name:Drusilla Carmine
Race: Vampire
Apparent Age: 29
Real Age: Unknown
Height: 1.75 m
Weight: 56 kg
Selena let out a small "ah," as if finally connecting the pieces.
She ran a hand through her wet hair again.
— So it was you… — she said, studying the woman in front of her with open curiosity. — The vampires from the conclave.
Her smile gained a playful edge.
— Lady Odette mentioned earlier that some important guests would be arriving tomorrow.
Her eyes traveled briefly over the crimson dress, the pale skin, and the golden fangs that gleamed subtly.
— But I must admit… I didn't expect it would be you.
She rested a hand on her hip, still dripping water onto the marble floor.
— And I was also told the arrival would be tomorrow…
Her gaze met the vampire's ruby eyes.
— I assume there was some kind of problem with the travel schedule.