Drusilla paused for a moment, her ruby eyes gleaming with cold and deep amusement as she watched Selena on her knees, water still dripping from the curvaceous cook's body and forming small puddles on the marble. The silence of the hall was broken only by the incessant drumming of the rain outside and Selena's quickened breathing.
The vampire tilted her head slightly, her black hair cascading like an obsidian curtain over her pale shoulder.
— An unexpected event… — Drusilla repeated, her voice low and drawn out, as if she were savoring the word. — Yes, darling. There was a small unexpected event. I smelled your ascension even before the sun set. I couldn't wait until tomorrow. The pleasure you harvested in that confectionery… it was like a bell ringing in the dark. It called me straight here.
She took a step closer, the tip of her boot lightly brushing Selena's knee. The crimson dress whispered against the floor, revealing flashes of pale thigh through the high slit.
— And you know why Lady Odette called us, don't you? — Drusilla continued, her tone now lower, almost a conspiratorial whisper that seemed to coil around Selena's nape like smoke. — Or rather… you feel it, even if you don't yet understand the words.
Her golden canines gleamed as her smile widened just a little more.
— Lady Odette didn't call the conclave merely for political courtesy or an alliance between clans. She called us because she desires to become a vampire.
The words fell heavy in the air, like drops of blood in clear water.
Selena slowly raised her gaze, her golden eyes wide. Her heart raced even faster, the cold of the rain mixing with the heat rising through her belly.
— She… desires it? — Selena repeated, her voice hoarse, almost incredulous.
Drusilla nodded slowly, her gloved fingers tracing the line of Selena's wet chin, lifting it so their eyes met again.
— Yes. For years she has felt the weight of mortality, even though she is so strong, so elegant, so… complete beside Vivienne. Her human body ages slowly, but it ages. And now, with the elf ascending—with that locket having fused souls and awakened something ancient inside her—Odette realized time is running out. She wants eternity. She wants the blood. She wants the power that comes with the transformation… and she wants to share it with Vivienne. So that the two of them are never again separated by death.
Drusilla leaned closer, her lips nearly brushing Selena's ear. Her breath was sweet-metallic, like blood mixed with aged wine.
— She called us because she knows she cannot do this alone. The transformation requires a proper ritual, ancient blood, witnesses from the conclave… and a pure catalyst. — Her ruby eyes traveled down Selena's body, lingering on the breasts outlined by the translucent corset, on the red panties clinging to the full buttocks. — And you, my descendant… brought exactly what we need. The pleasure you harvested today is pure fuel. Fresh essence of desire, uncorrupted. Perfect to anoint the ritual.
She slid her hand down Selena's neck, descending to the valley between her breasts, her thumb brushing the hardened nipple through the wet fabric. Selena bit her lip to keep from moaning aloud.
— Odette wants to become one of us — Drusilla whispered, her voice laden with possession and promise. — And she wants Vivienne to join her in that eternity. But for the ritual to work… we need more. We need surrender. Pleasure. Blood mixed with ecstasy.
From the top of the staircase, the sound of light footsteps echoed again—not just one pair, but several, synchronized in an almost ceremonial rhythm that made the air in the hall feel heavier.
Odette descended first, elegant and silent as always, her ivory silk camisole whispering against the marble steps. Her green eyes gleamed in the dim light, fixed on the scene below: Selena on her knees, drenched and panting, and Drusilla Carmine standing before her, a living statue of crimson and ancient power.
Beside Odette, Vivienne descended right behind, still wearing the lavender camisole clinging to her skin sensitive from recent pleasure, her blond hair disheveled falling in waves over her shoulders, amber-golden eyes confused and curious, but already carrying an excitement she herself did not fully understand. Her elven body seemed to pulse with something new—the locket working silently, the soul fusion slowly accelerating.
But they were not alone.
Behind Odette and Vivienne, three other figures descended the steps with the same supernatural grace, like shadows taking solid form under the flickering light of the stained glass.