Valerian sighed, leaning against the dark alley wall. It had been an hour, and her contact said her target would have been leaving the tavern then.
The money she'd get from this kill—-no, assasination—-would be enough for her to go into hiding for a while. She smirked to herself. She was going to enjoy every second of this kill.
The back door to the tavern opened, and her target slipped out, furtively glancing around before walking the opposite way.
Valerian cautiously looked around herself. While she had no qualms about killing, she still would rather not get caught. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, but she brushed it off to the brisk wind blowing through the abandoned alley. She drew her fur coat tighter around her and followed the man, quietly gaining on him, her red eyes seeming to glow in the dark alleyway, her fangs long and razor sharp.
When she gotten right behind him, she quickly slammed him facefirst against the wall.
"Shhhh," she said, "You won't feel a thing."
Which was an absolute lie. But she didn't care. It made it more fun for her.
Adrian, a man of the night, operated in darkness, mirroring the elusive figures he dealt with. Exhaling a cloud of smoke, a blend of chilled breath and the calming herbs he indulged in, he navigated the cobblestone alleys with a calculated awareness of his surroundings. Having amassed sufficient bounties for the week, his current venture was more of a courtesy to the village than a necessity.
Rounding a corner, his sharp senses detected a distant struggle between a man and a woman. As a muffled gasp echoed, he observed silently, concealed within the shadows. Pulling a knife from its sheath, he willingly and precisely sliced his palm, muttering an incantation to veil his presence and mask his scent.
In the darkened embrace of concealment, he patiently watched the unfolding scene. For now, he remained an enigmatic observer, poised to intervene should the situation reveal a more sinister nature than what could be a mere lover's quarrel.
The man was a fighter. She had to give him credit for that. He managed to land a few punches, but they only served to anger Valerian.
"Just stay still for Ansgar's sake!"
She growled, sweeping his legs out from under him so he landed hard on his back. He had barely hit the ground and she couldn't restrain herself, her bloodlust taking over.
She dug her fangs into his neck, an agonizing scream coming out of the man before it faded away. Gods she couldn't get enough, hungrily and desperately chasing every single drop of blood.
Shit.
He waited too long, watching as the unfortunate soul met his demise, berating himself silently for the missed chance to intervene. That poor bastard. Internally chastising, Adrian swiftly calculated his next steps.
Emerging from the shadowy concealment, he began a slow, deliberate applause to draw the woman's attention.
"That was quite the show," he remarked with a cool confidence. His gaze briefly lingered on her, the blood splattered around her lips causing a subtle discomfort to crawl under his skin.
The sound of slow clapping brought her out of her blood lust haze, causing her head to snap up and her crimson eyes to settle on the man that had stepped out of the shadows.
She cautiously stood up, standing over the man she killed like she was guarding it. A low growl came out of her throat. She was ready to fight whomever this intruder was. Ready to fight and win. She licked her lips, enjoying the metallic taste of the man's blood.
She could use some more blood, honestly.
"Who are you?" she asked,
Valerian was already looking for possible escape routes.
A sly and cunning grin tugged at the corners of his lips, yet the smile failed to reach his eyes—dark, stormy, seemingly void of all emotion.
"You're pretty cute for a vampire," he said in an almost teasing tone, sidestepping her question. "Too bad I have to kill your now."
From within his coat, he unveiled a blood-stained wooden stake, wielding it with the confidence of someone all too accustomed to such a tool.
Valerian's face, if it could get anymore paler, would have gotten paler. As soon as she saw the blood stained wooden stake she knew this man went business.
Her eyes flashed silver.
"Drop the stake, mortal."
She backed up a few paces even though her voice was steady.
"Absolutely," he replied swiftly. Tucking the stake into his pocket, he fixed a confident grin on his face, his gaze unwaveringly focused on her. "I don't need it to bring you down, after all."
Drawing his knife once again, he made a small incision in his palm, allowing a trickle of blood to emerge. "Come eat," he enticed, uttering a spell under his breath.
She watched him put the stake away. The second he drew his knife she growled, tensing up and looking ready to rip his throat out on the spot.
He doesn't need the stake to bring me down—-But then he sliced his own hand and that slightly confused her, and then as soon as she smelt the coppery liquid, all rational thought left her. Valerian walked up to him, resisting the urge to kill him right there. Her blood lust was mostly quenched...but him practically ordering her to "come eat" was extremely tempting.
Valerian grabbed the man's hand, wondering if he was in his right mind. No mortal offered blood to a vampire.
Adrian extended his open palm towards her lips, a smile that almost seemed warm and inviting playing on his face. "There you go," he reassured her. "Allow me to feed you."
Behind the façade of generosity, his eyes observed her with a cold and calculated gaze, his body poised for a sudden attack. If she were to succumb to his deceptive offer and consume the poison from his hand, this plan would unfold more seamlessly than he had anticipated.
Valerian paused, suspiciously eyeing the man. This mortal was even dumber than most...freely offering his blood...
She grabbed his wrist with an iron grip and began drinking. But then she caught a whiff of something...unnatural...
And just like that, the wound on his hand closed up after the woman took the poison out of his body. It was a gamble to attempt such tricks, but one that would often pay off nicely. His smile slowly transformed into something more sinister and dominant.
"You looked tired now," he said, his voice calm and his face blank. "Perhaps you should sit down."
It didn't take very long for the effects of the poison to kick in, as she suddenly found herself feeling really heavy, her movements seemingly growing more sluggish.
Her eyes darkened, and she angrily lunged for him, before realizing the poison was taking effect.
"Sit down...maybe I should..."
The bloodlust she thought she had was disappearing.
She slowly sat down on an overturned wooden crate, warily eyeing the mysterious stranger..
Before Adrian could make his next move, the vampire lunged with inhuman speed, a deadly grace in her movement. In an instant, the world seemed to blur as the vampire's lethal strike found its mark, sinking deep into Adrian's flesh.
Despite the woman now succumbing to his own poisoning, he felt a profound weakness from her retaliating blow, his vision dimming and his legs buckling from under him.
"Shit," he hissed softly before dropping to his knees.
She fought against the poison's effects. Turns out it ended up being more of a sedative. She groaned, forcing herself to stand up and ignore the hunter. He was dangerous and she didn't want to put more of a mark on her back than she already had.
She grit her teeth and with great restraint left the alley.
"May we never meet again," she hissed, and was gone.
——————————————————————————————————————
one night later
Valerian was sitting in a corner booth, angrily drinking a bottle of whiskey.
She couldn't stop thinking about that damned hunter.
"Damn mortals and their stupid, idiotic charm."
She couldn't get attached to a mortal. For she could live forever and they would die in what would seem like a minute's time.
Well at least she would never see him again. Out of sight out of mind.
Adrian seldom encountered vampires who lingered in his thoughts quite like the enigmatic woman. Whether it was the bewitching allure of her eyes or the unsettling fact that he had been outsmarted, she remained a haunting presence in his thoughts. Losing to prey was an unfamiliar experience, especially when he typically held the upper hand.
In desperate need of solace, Adrian sought refuge in a drink, a balm for both his physical and wounded pride. A vacation wasn't on the horizon, so a warming whiskey would have to suffice.
The subsequent night, after tending to his wounds and regaining some composure, he discreetly slipped into the local pub. With a subtle nod to the bartender, he ordered his drink, taking a sip that felt akin to relief coursing down his throat.
Movement at the bar caught her eye.
No...
Surely not...
It was that damned hunter.
Well...
She sighed, grabbing her bottle of whiskey and walking up to the bar.
"You could have at least given me your name before you poisoned me, you know."
Gods damn it. And here he thought he could actually enjoy his drink in peace.
Still, her lack of immediate hostility was.. surprising, to say the least. He decided he'd humor her.
Casting a brief glance in her direction, he raised his glass, signaling a tentative truce. A subtle yet flirtatious smile played on his lips as he spoke in a low tone, "I'm old school. I prefer a little foreplay before committing to anything serious."
"Awfully flirtatious for a hunter," she teasingly replied, taking a seat next to him at the bar.
She took a sip of her whiskey and glanced over him.
"No crossbow? Just a wooden stake and your...charm?"
Valerian tried to remember if there were wanted posters around this town. She had chosen a smaller tavern with the hopes of keeping out of the spotlight.
"So...how long have you been hunting?"
A strained smile adorned his face. Crossbows were tools for amateurs, he mused to himself.
Following a contemplative pause, he continued, "Long time," accompanied by another sip of whiskey. The warmth of the liquid gradually eased his tension, causing his guard to lower. He felt more at ease addressing her as a woman rather than a mere target.
"How long have you been dead?" he inquired, his tone carrying a curious blend of nonchalance and genuine interest.
"Somewhere around 300 years..." she replied, eyeing her now empty bottle with distaste. She raised her hand to signal to the bartender for another bottle.
She adjusted her fur coat. A breeze was blowing through the tavern, and it was getting rather cold.
"Are you from here?" her crimson eyes were unabashedly studying him at this point, the alcohol breaking down any restraint.
His eyes widened imperceptibly at her revelation, and he pondered in hushed tones. "300 years, huh?" he inquired softly, concluding his own whiskey with a subtle nod. "You've certainly aged gracefully. You're quite the looker."
Anticipating the bartender's move to serve the woman, he gestured for two drinks, ensuring both their glasses were swiftly refilled. "This round's on me," he informed the bartender, picking up the second bottle for the woman.
"Adrian Styx," he introduced himself at last, extending a small smile, as if the weight of centuries had etched tales in his gaze.
"Adrian Styx...where have I heard that last name before," she muttered to herself.
"My names Valerian. A true pleasure to meet you."
"Thanks for the drink, by the way," she offered a sly smile.
"What brings a respectable hunter like yourself to Zantaric?"
His smile, a subtle play of cunning charm, graced his lips as he lifted the glass of whisky to his mouth. Overhearing her quiet musings, he relished in the recognition, though the acknowledgment of his reputation fueled a cockiness that, in truth, he knew wasn't necessarily a point of pride.
"Well, you see," he began with a calculated pretense, "I've always wanted to share a drink with a beautiful woman. It seems I've finally found her."
While it wasn't untrue that he found her attractive, the words carried a veil concealing intentions far beyond the surface. The effects of alcohol may have loosened his inhibitions, but they hadn't dulled his caution. There were scores to settle, other vampires to pursue, and the awareness that the situation could sour at any moment hung in the air. Thus, he steered the conversation away from his true objectives, keeping his real goals shrouded in ambiguity for the time being.
Despite herself, she felt a blush beginning to creep upon her cheeks.
No, this can't be happening...she was falling for him already.
"But you haven't answered my question, Adrian," she purred, inching closer to him.
"Why are you in Zantaric?"
Downing another shot of whiskey, he set the glass onto the bar with a resounding thud. Swiveling to meet the woman, a hint of desire flickering in his gaze, he locked eyes with her.
"Valerian," he murmured, his voice carrying a subtle tone, as his hand found its place on her leg. "I came here for business, a bit of pleasure, and it seems work is done for the night."
All Adrian did was place his hand on her leg but his touch was electric and it...it did something to her.
If she hadn't fed already that night she would have attacked him right then. But she had, but desire was beginning to course through her veins...but not a blood desire...a desire for Adrian.
"Well then what are we waiting for?" She whispered.
He couldn't fathom he was on the verge of such a decision, yet the whiskey's influence had taken hold, and in that moment, desire overwhelmed him. The craving for the touch of a woman eclipsed any lingering thoughts of combat or vengeance.
Yet, even in this intimate pursuit, he saw an opportunity. If she continued to let her guard down around him, perhaps he could glean valuable information about those responsible for the massacre of his family.
Shooting her a sly grin, he settled the tab at the bar, rose to his feet, and extended a hand towards her. "Come with me," he whispered, a hunger evident in his gaze.
She did not miss the sky grin he shot her. Well two could play at that game. She smirked, rising to her feet as well and taking his hand.
"Lead the way, Adrian."
He clasped her hand in his, leading her out of the bustling tavern and through the winding streets until they found themselves in a vacant, dimly lit alleyway. The setting eerily mirrored the place of their initial encounter, though his intentions with her tonight diverged significantly from the previous night.
Pressing her against the cold, unyielding wall, his eyes assessed her with an evident hunger before he leaned in, savoring the taste of her lips with his own.
Valerian felt his lips on hers and she lost any restraint, kissing him back hungrily and putting one hand on the back of his neck.
A primal growl emitted from her.
A vampire hunter and a vampire, succumbing to an irresistible desire, found themselves in the depths of a dark alleyway. The thought of what his ancestors would think lingered, but in the throes of passion, he cast caution to the wind.
Her pale skin gleamed under the moonlight, her soft curves and luscious lips a potent temptation. Careening into the depths of desire, he broke free from her lips. His own trailed along her neck, one hand boldly exploring beneath her pants, while the other skillfully undid his belt.
A moan escaped her lips. God, he was so good at what he was doing, a lustful haze enveloping the both of them.
An ache was beginning to form in her core, and spread outward.
She grabbed at him as if she would lose him in a moment.
Her touch ignited primal instincts within him, prompting him to lift her legs from underneath her, holding her against the cold brick wall with his strong arms.
With his belt and zipper no longer in the equation, he surrendered himself entirely to her, sliding into her with a soft moan, fucking her mercilessly.
She clenched around him, every thrust sending her closer to climax.
"Fuck, don't stop," she breathed, practically becoming clay in his hands.
She was igniting a fervor within him. Grasping her hips, he thrust with an insatiable passion, the rhythmic sound of their skin meeting resonating against the brick and cobblestone of the alley. Emitting a low growl, he decided to escalate the risk.
"Drink me," he urged, his voice bordering on command, as he offered his neck to the seductress, intertwining the realms of pleasure and danger.
Valerian could feel her fangs lengthening. Why did she care about this mortal so much? Normally she'd already be ripping their neck out...but something was different with this hunter.
"You don't understand," she gasped, "I...oh fuck...I can't control it!"
But then lust gave way to a darker desire as she grabbed his head with one hand and turned it to the side, latching onto his neck and drinking, two different kinds of pleasure rolling over her.
Her fangs digging into his neck made him somewhat lightheaded, but also made him starving for her. So, be gripped her thighs tighter, and completely ravaged her in the throes of passion - ensuring a night she wouldn't forget for another 300 years.
His breathing intensified as he continued, the pressure building up as he felt he was about to reach the peak.
She hungrily drank, a small voice in her head yelling at her to stop. She very reluctantly removed her fangs from his neck.
"Fuck, I'm going to cum!" She cried out. She lapped at his neck for a few more seconds before she explosively climaxed, her eyes rolling back and her tongue greedily licking at his neck.
She moaned in ecstasy, her release echoing the pleasure he felt from her. In the midst of her climax, he, too, reached his peak, releasing with extreme intensity.
"Gods," he whispered under his heavy breath, a playful smile subtle on his lips.
Gently, he lowered her back to the ground, allowing himself a moment to regain composure
Valerian was breathing heavily, trying to regain control of herself. Gods, she still wanted his blood...she could hear it pulsing, hear it throbbing in his veins.
She slumped down, clenching and unclenching her fists.
"Wow..." she whispered,
"You are truly amazing..."
Despite the chilly air, Adrian's forehead glistened with sweat from the intense passion they had just shared. He grinned slyly in response to her compliment and extended a hand to help her back up.
"The feeling is mutual," he said confidently. "We should do it again sometime. But next time, easy on the neck, please."
He rubbed the fang marks on his neck, sensing a tinge of guilt for engaging intimately with someone he'd typically consider the enemy. However, the overwhelming feeling of blissful satisfaction outweighed any reservations.
Valerian took his hand, slowly standing up, while looking at the marks she had left on his neck.
"Why do I care this much? It doesn't make sense!" She growls in frustration.
"But yes...we should do it again sometime," she admitted, licking her lips clean of the blood.
"I know your name...but, who are you, to have achieved such a hold on me in such little time?" It was a question devoid of hostility.
A small, sly smile graced his lips at her remark. He had a hold on her? And here he thought it was the other way around, her seductive allure rendering him powerless to her charms, ready to throw away his career to give her his body.
It felt good to hear that.
"As I said," he began, fishing through his pockets in search of something. "I'm Adrian Styx, nothing more."
From his pocket, he pulled out a notepad, scribbling something down on one of the pages before tearing it out and handing it to the woman. It was his address.
"This is me," he informed her. "Stop by sometime. I could use your help, and obviously, I'll provide favor for a favor."
Valerian raised an eyebrow.
"You could use my help? I'm flattered, but you do realize I'm a vampire, yes? Hunters and vampires are like oil and water...we don't mix."
Well, except for these two, apparently.
She did fold the paper carefully and put it in her pocket.
"I might take you up on that offer."
She sent a sly smile and a wink his way.
"Oh, I don't know," he began slowly, letting his fingers trace her cheek as he gave her a suggestive look. "I think we mix quite well."
He slung his bag over his shoulder, the one he dropped before having her in the alleyway, and turned heel to walk away.
Pausing for a moment, he peered over his shoulder to give her one last look. "My door will always be open for you," he said in a low tone. "I'll make it worth your while."
She watched him leave and exhaled.
"See you soon, Adrian," she whispered, an unreadable smile playing at her lips.
——————————————————————————————
two days later
Valerian found herself on Adrian's doorstep, clutching the piece of paper with his address on it, knocking on his door.
"Hello? Adrian? It's me...Valerian. You said you could use my help?"
After a fleeting moment, the door groaned open, unveiling Adrian in a state of semi-undress. Standing upright, he displayed a stature defined by the absence of a shirt, his body adorned with scars earned in the course of his labor. Nevertheless, he sported pants and boots, all securely fastened. A faint smile graced his features as he stepped away from the doorway, allowing it to remain ajar.
"I'm glad you came," he remarked, his voice reaching her as he sought out a shirt. "Come in."
Valerian's breath caught in her throat when he opened the door, and she quickly tried to compose herself.
"Thank you," she said as she walked into his house.
"Nice place," she complimented, finding a seat and sitting down.
Adrian's place was modest, an open concept with essentials that made it a home. A bed, a kitchen area, a collection of whiskey, a coffee station - his main vice besides drinking, smoking, and hunting supernatural creatures - and a fireplace with two armchairs nearby, one currently occupied by Valerian.
He handed her a cup of freshly brewed coffee before taking a seat across from her, his own mug in hand.
"Thanks," he replied softly. "Nice face."
He let that flirtatious comment linger, considering how best to broach the real reason for their meeting.
Valerian felt herself blushing again, just from that one compliment. Gods, this man...
She took a sip of the hot coffee.
"I'm normally not a coffee drinker but this...this is really good."
She leaned back in her seat, studying him with a calculated gaze.
"So, Adrian, what do you need my help with?"
He nodded in approval at her remark, taking a sip of the black coffee. He eased back into his seat, crossing one leg over the other in a surprisingly relaxed manner, given the potential threat of his current company.
Just as he began to speak, he halted.
It had been a considerable stretch of time since he had sought the assistance of a vampire to locate others of her kind, a task not particularly in his comfort zone or one he took pride in.
Eventually, he sighed and broke the silence. "Are you familiar with the coven called the Crimson Veil?"
Valerian visibly stiffened upon hearing that name.
The Crimson Veil...only the rival coven that practically the rest of the vampire underworld hated.
"Don't tell me you've affiliated yourself with that putrid sorry excuse for a coven," she growled, leaning forward in her seat, her hand clenching her coffee cup so tightly it seemed it would crack.
"We've been trying to eliminate them for decades...but we can't find where they're based out of..."
Her reaction proved remarkably unexpected. Typically, when he approached vampires about their kin, the responses were emotionless - unwilling to engage unless there was a tangible benefit for them.
However, with Valerian, he discerned a shift in demeanor. She appeared rigid, almost seething with anger.
Her reaction left him both relieved and disappointed. It seemed unlikely she would hinder his pursuit of the coven, but it also suggested she lacked any leads on their whereabouts.
"They've taken something very important from me," he confessed, adopting a relaxed posture that sharply contrasted with her tension. "I've got a score to settle, but I don't know where they are."
That was enough. She did not need to know more than that for the time being.
"I do know that they are notorious for their attacks on mortals without any real justification..."
She tapped the side of her coffee cup, thinking.
"There is a small outpost right outside of Zantaric...it's not the main one, no one knows where that is...but perhaps we could find some clues there. It would be risky; but it's doable. They might have some records there."
His gaze held a gentle yet firm intensity as she briefed him on the outpost. The prospect seemed fraught with risk, but such concerns held little sway over him. However...
What was her angle? His relentless pursuit to uncover the truth behind his family's murder had often driven him to uncomfortable lengths, but forging an unexpected alliance with the very creatures he hunted was uncharted territory for him.
Despite her apparent cooperation, Adrian couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that lay beneath the surface. The perplexing question echoed in his mind - why would a vampire, especially one like Valerian, extend a helping hand in a mission that seemed contrary to her kind's usual self-interest? Doubt lingered in Adrian's thoughts, a shadow of uncertainty hinting at ulterior motives concealed within her seemingly altruistic gestures.
Granted, he barely had room to speak, having an arsenal of ulterior motives himself.
"Valerian," he addressed her quietly. "When we met, I tried to kill you. The next time we met, I fucked you. This relationship is not necessarily... conventional. Why help me?"
"Simple," she explained,
"I grow tired of doing the same things everyday. And...as much as I hate to admit this, you intrigue me."
She sipped her coffee.
"And the Crimson Veil is a coven I absolutely despise. With every fiber of my being. So," she relaxed in her chair, "anything I can do to even annoy them, I will go out of my way to do."
Her voice grew softer.
"Besides...you intrigue me at the very least...it's risky, me being involved with someone I should be trying to kill...but who doesn't love a little bit of risk?"
You intrigue me.
She said it twice. He wasn't a stranger to these type of comments before, but still.. why did cause him to get hot in the cheeks when she said it?
She was a vampire. He was a vampire hunter. Lust was one thing, but feelings should have been out of the question. Was he getting soft?
He bottled those thoughts down and gave her a subtle grin. "Fair enough," he replied. "Then let's take a risk together. How far is it to this outpost?"
"About a two days journey, once we get close we will have to leave the road...it's not an easy trek."
"They will definitely recognize me...I've had run-ins with some of them before..."
She set down the coffee mug.
They are dangerous, but you're a vampire hunter, yes? I have a few ideas on how we can get inside safely."
Her crimson eyes glittered with something...excitement...bloodlust?
"I might just have to feed while we're there..."
His brow furrowed as he leaned in, chin cradled in his hands with elbows on his knees. "If you need to feed, use me," he said flatly. "I would prefer if you didn't prey on any more humans in front of me."
He delved into her crimson eyes before continuing.
"Sometimes danger is what makes things fun, but what are your ideas?"
She studied him for a moment, abruptly leaning forward staring into his eyes, one hand on her chin.
"Fine...but I'd rather not feed on you...you're honestly lucky I was able to control myself the first time."
"They would probably kill on sight the minute they saw me unless...you pretend to have captured me. If we're convincing enough, they might just believe us. Then once inside we can search for the records."
She finished her coffee, a sly grin creeping across her face.
"The coffee is excellent, by the way."
He observed her deliberate, enticing moves with a devious smile. "Consider yourself fortunate if I don't capture you for real," he remarked, his eyes and the curve of his lips carrying a suggestive tone. "Although maybe not for my day job."
Gods. Why did he find himself in this constant state of arousal whenever she was around? Was Valerian's allure so potent that he couldn't maintain composure for more than a few minutes?
Finishing the last sip of his coffee, he placed the mug on the nearby table with a resonant thud. "Well, it's worth a shot," he confessed.
She found a blush was settling on her cheeks again...
"You'd have to catch me first, Adrian," she teased, the words velvety and smooth.
"Very well...I'll need to grab my provisions from the inn I was staying at...I would bring a weeks worth, just in case. Should we meet at the tavern? I'll need to feed before we leave as well." She couldn't help looking him up and down again...she was a vampire it was natural.
She stood up, taking the coffee mug.
"Where would you like me to put this?"
Her eyes traced him up and down, her voice stoking the fire of his desire. Yet, he had to set those thoughts aside for the moment. He might have had a lead for once.
"Keep it if you were planning on getting rid of me after our trip," he smirked. "Leave it here if you plan to visit again."
Without waiting for her response or lingering for final thoughts, he rose and headed towards the part of the house that served as his room, gathering necessities.
"I'll meet you at the tavern," he called over his shoulder.
Valerian smirked, studying both him and the coffe cup before hanging the coffee cup on his front door handle.
"Bye, Adrian," she purred, gently closing the door and heading to the tavern.
For some reason, she didn't have an appetite for humans tonight. She sighed. Raw meat would have to do for tonight.
She got the inn and grabbed her knapsack and a hooded cloak as well, also grabbing an old black book, putting it in her knapsack. The last thing she grabbed before she left the inn was a walking stick she had carved herself.
Then she set out to the tavern, leaning against the front wall outside and watching for Adrian.
Adrian embodied stealth, to the point that even a vampire like Valerian might have been taken aback when he emerged from the shadows to stand beside her. Placing his heel on the wall, he leaned against the tavern brick.
"Hello, Valerian," he whispered. "I hope you didn't wait long."
Maybe he employed a touch of alchemy to mask his scent, but that was all part of the thrill.
Wait.
Was he trying to impress her now?
His voice cut through the air and scared her, and she just about whacked him with her walking stick before she figured out who he was.
"Goddamn, Adrian you scared me! I didn't even see you! Or hear you approach for that matter."
She adjusted her knapsack, mustering up a smile.
"Shall we head out? There is a good place to camp about halfway there."
He reciprocated with a determined, subtle smile. "Yeah, let's."
——
The journey proved more strenuous than anticipated, reaching only the halfway point according to Valerian's warning. As their steps faltered, they sought seclusion in a wooded area, setting up camp in a modest clearing.
Amaya gathered sticks, initiating a small fire for warmth and cooking. "I can whip up something for you," he offered, fixated on the flickering flames. "Or, you know, you can use me for the time being, just be careful."
He hoped to use this moment of peace and rest to learn more about the woman.
Valerian was struggling.
"It's not that easy. I can't always control it."
As Adrian got the fire going, she excused herself, practically running a good distance away before she leaned against a tree trunk, breathing hard. She couldn't forget how good his blood tasted...and the desire was only going to get worse. And he practically offered himself up to her. She took a deep breath, and went back to the clearing, sitting down next to the fire and apoligizing.
"Sorry...had to get a hold of myself."
Upon Valerian's return to the campsite, Adrian had already begun cooking a rabbit he had hunted during his travels, roasting it over an open flame using a stick as a makeshift holder.
"I'm proud of you," he playfully teased, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames and the cooking rabbit. "Just know the offer still stands, or you can have some of this if you'd like."
Her initial response, if any, went unheard as his thoughts raced—revenge fueling his pursuit, and conflicting notions of his unlikely alliance with the captivating Valerian. The unexpected offer lingered in the air, a reflection of his unpredictable demeanor.
After navigating the maze of his thoughts, he eventually shifted his gaze toward her. The expression on her face spoke volumes about the internal struggle she was enduring.
"So," he started, attempting to initiate conversation, "what's it like?"
"Oh...being a vampire? Well..."
She shifted to get closer to the fire.
"For one thing, being a vampire makes your abilities stronger. I could run from here to that tree line," she gestured off to the north, "in about 10 minutes. But it's really tiring to do so. And I don't need sleep the way you mortals do. I sleep mainly to rest and regain my abilities. And...forget," she said almost regretfully.
"Forget about some of the mortal lives I've taken. Some of them didn't deserve it."
Valerian laughed bitterly, the flames casting dancing shadows across her face.
"But money talks doesn't it."
Her words elicited a softening of his expression. Sitting there with her brought a strange conflict—he recognized the familiar regret in her tone, a shared sentiment that tempted him to wrap an arm around her, seeking solace together. Yet, the deep-rooted animosity toward vampires, a result of the cold-blooded murder of his family, created a persistent barrier.
However, a seed of doubt began to sprout.
"I'm no summer picnic," he shared, searching for common ground. "I'm sure I've taken away many vampires that didn't deserve it. Especially if there are some out there like you."
Valerian smiled...a slight, rueful smile. She idly picked up a twig and threw it into the fire.
"I've never met another vampire like me...we are reclusive creatures...but I've also never met another hunter like you...it's kindof nice, actually. To not be killing."
It was interesting.
She was a black sheep among her kind for many reasons, yet here she was, sharing a fire with a sworn enemy.
Funny, isn't it, what the days bring?
Her stomach growled. Whatever Adrian was cooking actually smelt good.
A sly smile played at the corner of his lips upon hearing her stomach growl. With the rabbit now perfectly cooked, he skillfully prepared it for the two of them. "It is nice," he agreed, handing her a portion.
"And if you're going to be a vampire and live forever," he continued, "at least you look that good."
"Well...if I can survive all the inevitable hunters..." she grinned and tried the rabbit almost cautiously, but it was good.
"I can't get actual sustenance from this...I have to have blood of some kind. But strangely enough, this does help with the blood lust? Fascinating."
She took another bite of it.
"So, what caused you to become a hunter?"
His response lingered in the air, a pause pregnant with the weight of unspoken considerations. The need to choose his words carefully for Valerian warred with the internal debate of whether he should unveil this part of himself to her. Eventually, after moments that seemed to stretch into eternity, he concluded that he owed her the truth, or at least a glimpse of it.
Adrian gazed into the dancing flames as he began to unravel the tapestry of his past to Valerian. "I grew up in the unforgiving grip of poverty, a life where my family, desperate for power, dabbled in dark arts," he confessed. His voice carried the weight of haunted memories. "One night, a malevolent coven, that I now know as the crimson veil, fueled by a thirst for power, slaughtered my family before my eyes. The desire for revenge consumed me, leading me on this path of hunting creatures like them."
He turned his gaze to Valerian, his eyes revealing a mixture of pain and determination. "It's not just about vengeance; this path helps me survive, make a living out of bounties on supernatural beings. I may not have chosen this life, but it's the one I've forged to stay a step ahead of my own demons."
Valerian listened as Adrian told her some of his past.
The intrigue on her face turned to sadness. He had a hard past.
Wait, why was she sympathizing with him? What was wrong with her? She was supposed to be a cold blooded killer...she killed who she was paid to kill. She was supposed to leave her emotions out of it. She succeeded in doing so. Well...succeeded until now. She was discovering she was beginning to fall head over heels for this man.
"I must have seemed just as bad of a creature," Valerian admitted sadly.
Which, she realized, at the time, she was.
"I have done some regrettable things in the past. My backstory is not tragic. I yearned for power...for blood. I sought out a vampire lord...I practically gave him my soul...and my brothers...for power.
But the target I had killed...when you caught me..."—-her crimson eyes seemed to turn black in anger—-"he had done some vile things...I would have killed him for no money. It was unfortunate we met that way. But...I am truly sorry about what happened to your family. But it does not surprise me it was the Crimson Veil coven that did it."
Valerian's words carried an unexpected warmth that quietly thawed Adrian's guarded heart. In that moment, her sincerity prompted a subtle shift within him, softening the standoffish exterior he had worn. As her words resonated, a gentle opening occurred, allowing a touch of vulnerability to surface in the space between them. Valerian's authenticity acted as a quiet catalyst, and Adrian found himself, however subtly, beginning to let down his defenses.
"Well, the only thing I hate worse than vile vampires," he said with a slight smirk, "is vile humans. It sounds like he had it coming."
He held her in his gaze for a moment longer, captivated by the ethereal sight she presented under the moonlit sky. Her pale complexion, accentuated by the soft glow, and the allure of fur-adorned attire rendered her downright enchanting. In his eyes, a distinct longing for her presence lingered, a silent acknowledgment of the enchantment she cast upon him.
Valerian leaned back against a fallen log, beginning to relax for the night.
"You know," she mused, "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad I met you."
"We better get some sleep, the day after tomorrow we'll be at the vampire coven."
She paused, as if searching for the right words.
"I hope you can find what you're looking for, and attain justice."
A grin spread across his face.
"Vampires sleep?" he pondered, his tone a playful blend of teasing and flirtation.
Though the allure of sleep beckoned, a necessity for what lay ahead, he hesitated to let this moment slip away. For so long, he had been closed off to her kind, but he couldn't deny the unexpected pleasure of her company.
Having finished his meal and freshened up, he headed toward the tent. Yet, as he passed by her, he abruptly turned, lowering himself to her eye level.
"Thank you," his response was quiet and sincere before he closed the distance, letting his lips meet hers in a tender connection.
Valerian froze for all of two seconds, before reaching up and pulling Adrian down onto the ground and deepening the kiss.
Her assertive demeanor took him by surprise, although he shouldn't have been, considering vampires, particularly women like her, often exuded confidence. Yet, he did not mind it. In truth, he fucking loved it.
Responding to her hunger, he surrendered willingly, lowering himself to the ground with his back on the grass. He drew her on top of him, one hand tenderly cradling her cheek as their lips met. Simultaneously, his other hand eagerly gripped her thigh, aching for the intimate connection that only fueled their shared desire.
She found herself on top of Adrian, pressing her lips against his, one hand gently threading through his hair, and her other hand tracing teasingly down his side.
She could feel herself growing more aroused by the second.
She had fallen so hard for this man, at this point, even through their passion, she hoped they would both survive the next couple of days.
Breaking away from the kiss for a fleeting moment, he flashed her a mischievous smile before their lips rejoined. Skillfully, his hand slipped into her coat, deftly unbuttoning her top with one hand, revealing her to the moonlit sky. Meanwhile, his other hand skillfully worked on his belt.
"Care to lend a hand?" he whispered playfully between breaths, inviting her to assist in shedding the layers.
Something happened to Valerian in the space of a minute.
The something being that she had her fangs again. Her hearing increased. Adrian's blood was so tempting, pulsing and throbbing, begging her to just rip him open so she could feed...not again...she'd kill him this time.
She assisted Adrian with the shedding of both their clothes.
"Adrian...if I lose control this time, you'll have to stop me, I don't want to kill you."
The air chilled but his body radiated warmth, and with each layer of clothing shed, the temperature in him only seemed to escalate. Under the moonlit sky, they were soon completely exposed, and everything he saw in her - everything - he cherished.
As his lips traced her neck and her words reached him, his skilled hand explored between her legs. Whispering into her ear, he uttered, "I trust you," before intimately sliding himself into her.
Something about Adrien just made Valerian so aroused...so when he touched her between her legs she lost it, desperately grabbing at him, trying to reach his neck. She needed to feed. She needed his blood. She kept control enough to expose his neck and then she was gone, hungrily sucking.
"Don't move," she growled.
Even if he wanted to get away he wouldn't be able to, she had him in a vice like grip.
He melded with her, their connection both forbidden and irresistible. Her fangs sank into him, a dance of ecstasy and taboo that defied every instinct. His blood pulsed in response, a dark motivation that fueled their impassioned union. Yet, amidst the intoxicating embrace, he recognized the perilous edge they teetered upon. To yield further would render him lifeless.
Summoning an unexpected surge of strength, he seized control, wresting her away from his neck and repositioning her on her stomach. Their bodies collided in a frenzy, the night bearing witness to their tumultuous encounter. The rhythmic echo of their desires intertwined with the night air, her backside bouncing against his waist as he mercilessly thrust into her.
"You indulged too much," he murmured, his hunger matching the intensity of their connection. "Now, it's my turn."
Valerian had turned into a monster in every sense of the word, desperately trying to suck his blood out. It wasn't personal. She was a vampire and there was a full moon, making her more feral than normal. She was so close...then she felt herself being forced away from his neck. Normally she was the one in control, and now, she was the one being controlled, Adrian was calling the shots now.
Valerian found that extremely hot. She'd never had a man dominate her in this way before. She loved it.
She found herself clay in his capable hands, moaning in pleasure.
"Don't stop," she breathed, blood still dripping from her mouth.
The ecstasy painted across her face, mingled with his own blood dripping down her chines , ignited an untamed fervor within him. He seized her hips with a potent grip, finding equilibrium as he engaged in an intense, primal rhythm from behind.
As their connection deepened, he transitioned his hold, securing her arms behind her back. Lifting her until her back rested against his chest, he explored her form with a possessive touch. One hand tenderly caressed her breasts while the other cradled her face, a single finger delicately slipping into her parted lips.
"You're so fucking sexy," he nearly grunted as he felt himself getting closer and closer to his peak.
Valerian was lost in Adrian, feeling so full of him, thinking of nothing but him.
Every action he did, she felt with the senses of one hundred humans, her senses heightened from the feeding.
She was so close to that delicious edge...
"Adrian!" She half moaned, half screamed in pleasure, every touch of his sending electric waves of sensual bliss shooting throughout her.
"I'm getting close," she was barely able to say, she was so close to the edge.
Her words ignited an intense fire within him, propelling him to thrust harder and faster until he teetered on the edge of climax.
"Let go for me, baby," he whispered in her ear, his movements maintaining a feral rhythm. "With me," he corrected, a shared climax on the horizon.
A hand gently cradled her cheek, guiding her head back for a passionate kiss. In the fervor of their connection, he felt the exquisite sensation of her teeth and fangs sinking into his bottom lip, the culmination of their shared ecstasy as he erupted completely.
As soon as he whispered those long awaited words in her ear, she was gone, propelled over the edge by Adrian.
Her mouth met his, and as they climaxed together she half sucked half bit into his bottom lip, moaning into his mouth. She went completely limp in the afterglow of their intense fervor, legs shaking, eyes rolled back in bliss.
"Fuck...Adrian...gods above," she breathed, her mind still trying to catch up. She took a deep breath.
"You're truly the sexiest man I've ever met," she whispered into his ear.
Adrian's smile held a touch of triumph in response to her compliment. "You're not bad yourself" he smoothly replied, shifting off her and reclining beside her.
Running a finger through her hair, he traced her cheek with gentle caresses. Adjusting his position, he pulled her into a tender spooning embrace from behind, the lingering warmth of their shared passion still radiating from his body.
"I think I'll keep you," he whispered, the words carrying a subtle promise in the quiet intimacy of the moment.
Valerian actually smiled: a warm, sincere, trusting smile.
When had she ever let a man hold her like this without literally tearing him apart afterwards? Adrian was her first in a lot of ways...he had survived her feeding on him twice.
She trustingly nuzzled into his muscled chest.
"I think I'll let you," she whispered back, for the first time in her 300+ years of life, comfortable and completely trusting of the man holding her.
Adrian cradled Valerian in his arms under the canvas of the night sky, a cocoon of warmth and protection enveloping them. The intimacy between them was palpable, their shared connection and affection forming an unspoken bond that transcended the need for words. As the night unfolded, the lure of the tent seemed to fade away, replaced by the serenity of the moonlit surroundings.
Under the celestial canopy, the two found solace in each other's embrace, the gentle rustle of the night breeze the only accompaniment to their shared tranquility. The hours slipped away unnoticed, and before they knew it, the soft hues of dawn began to herald the approaching sunrise.
Adrian stirred from his slumber, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he beheld Valerian still nestled in his arms. The first light of the morning painted the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Content and unwilling to disturb the peaceful tableau, they lingered beneath the sky, savoring the stolen moments before the world fully awakened.
Valerian woke up slowly, remembering the events of last night. She smiled, wishing this moment between them would never end. She softly turned in his grasp so she was facing him.
"Adrian," she whispered, "we've got to get going."
He responded with a smile, the rising sun temporarily blinding him as his focus remained solely on her. He kissed her, the embrace delicate yet brimming with passion, before pulling away and nodding in agreement.
"You made it sore," he quipped with a playful smirk while rising to his feet. He scanned the area for the clothes they had shed the night before.
Valerian laughed at Adrian's quip, retrieving their clothes and handing Adrian's to him.
"Once we have breakfast we should probably go, the coven is close-ish...how should we go about getting in?"
Adrian swiftly dons his attire as the first rays of the sun pierce the horizon. With the urgency of plotting their next move, they huddle closer to discuss infiltrating the coven. Adrian, aware of the risks, reveals a plan.
"I can employ my dark arts to conceal our scent, shielding us from detection until we breach their territory. However, once inside, we'll be vulnerable, and the danger intensifies - as you well know," he explains. "However, I've never used these arts to aid a vampire before - only against one - so the effects might be painful, at least temporarily."
He swung his bag over his shoulder, casting her a worried look. "Alternatively," he asserted, "you guide me, then leave. I don't want anything to happen to you. If anything happened, it would be... inconvenient."
Adrian sighed in disbelief, grappling with the irony that he had shared an intimate night with her but found it challenging to express his emotions the following morning.
Valerian got dressed, swiftly grabbing her supplies.
She listened to his plans, and brought up one of her own.
"Here's an idea too. This coven is very well fortified, and they have detectors that alarm against the use of magick.
If you "capture" me, and bring me there under the assumption of a bounty, they won't harm you. While we're waiting to be seen by the officials of the coven, I can cause a distraction or we can just quietly sneak around and find what you need. Then use magic to get out."
She sighed, pressing her lips to his neck in a quick kiss.
"I'm with you, for the better outcome or for the worst outcome."
"You're pretty adorable, you know that?" Adrian smirked, teasingly. Despite his reluctance, he conceded that her plan made the most sense.
It didn't sit well with him. The Hunter was accustomed to taking life-threatening risks, but endangering her was a different challenge altogether. With a sigh, he took her by the arm. "Come on then, my pretty bounty."
Valerian smirked.
"How long do you think it will take them to realize our ruse? Also take a left at the next fork in the road."
"There should be a small creek along the road, when the creek leaves the road, follow it. Once it widens into a river, we can stop and make final preparations. We're going to have to act like we hate each other. And, I'm a vampire, any injury you do to me will heal itself quickly. So don't worry about that."