บท 9: 9 - Warm Embrace
The discussion had ended, Ronald had left and only Karl and Aurelia occupied the room. Of course that was true when considered from the perspective of father and daughter duo only, Karl could see another figure present. Silent throughout the entire conversation to avoid any disturbances. Cinis had kept to hovering over Aurelia's hair and only making vague motions with her head.
When Karl leaned to kiss Aurelia on the forehead, Cinis had leaned forward and said, "You know there's a function to grimoire which can check someone's strength as long it's not far from your own? Do you want me to use it on her?"
He frowned and looked at her with a questioning glance. She must have deduced what was going through his mind, as she leaned back and answered. "Don't worry, it doesn't need you to manifest the grimoire. I can remotely interface with it and provide you with the data."
He gave her words some serious thought, and leaned back, not letting anything show on his face. He lightly nodded and said, "You seem to have grown even stronger. At this rate, you could defeat me in no time."
That was a hint for Cinis, but his words were said genuinely enough. Even without fighting her, he could feel a sort of presence to her mana. Heavier than his own.
Cinis titled her head, just like when she was in deep thought and then relayed him the information.
«
Power - E
Speed - E
Defence - E (D)
Mana - D
»
"She seemed to be on the verge of breaking through." She stated.
Her defence and mana were greater than his, and even when looking at her overall attributes, she was better than him. The Karl before his power-down would have defeated her, quietly easily at that. But Karl right now would struggle to keep up.
"Her blood is stronger too." She added. "If you take her blood you can probably advance your attributes. "She paused, considered for a few seconds, then continued. "Actually feed her your blood first, I will help with the process, and while not a true bonding, this should help attuning her to your bloodline level. The Bloodline level of a vampire with the prospects of becoming a primogenitor."
"Hey, are you here?" Aurelia snapped her fingers at him, and he looked at her with a frown marring his face. "You seem out of it. What are you thinking about?"
How was he to tell her that he had been conversing with a spirit? Well, not as much conversing as giving reaction to her suggestions. That last one especially filled him with suspicion since Cinis hadn't mentioned that before. The question was, should he trust her?
It was one thing betting your life and future on some promise from his dead parents. It was another to bet someone else's life for his own personal gains, especially when that life belonged to the most precious person in his life. His hesitation was reasonable.
"It's nothing." He sighed. "Actually, can I ask you for a favour?"
"Sure." She answered.
Having made his choice, he nodded his assent to Cinis and undid his cuff. "Can you drink my blood?"
Aurelia looked at him with a shocked expression etched on her face. Understandable, really. When you considered the true effects of a vampire bite, it was reasonable to be concerned about.
Drug.
That was what most people considered it. A vampire bite was a drug to get high-on. The act itself wasn't just pleasurable to the vampire, but the effect it had on the person bitten was similar to having taken a strong stimulant. Many Vampires might not enjoy the act of feasting on their fellow vampires blood, the same couldn't be said about being fed upon. Everyone sought that high, and that was what concerned Aurelia.
"Don't misunderstand." He promptly mentioned. "I just want you provide me with some feedback."
She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously, but still followed. Instead of taking his arm though, she leaned forward pressing her chest against his, her face so close that he could feel her breath. For a tense few seconds she just stared him in the eye, then dipped down kissing his neck.
Even without her biting him, Karl felt a sensation of blood rushing through his body. He felt heat grow beneath him, her soft lips pressed against his nape stimulating him in ways he had never expected.
Then he felt her warm tongue slide out, licking at his neck and before he could stop her, he felt something sharp poke at his neck followed by the pressure and then relief. It was like his thoughts ceased to exist, his worries evaporated into thin air, his body relaxing and filled with sensations that made him seem like jelly. There was a sensation of something leaving his body, but that was a distant worry that faded before it even took shape.
He might've never stopped her had he not felt a searing heat being generated from his chest, his heart to be precise. Cinis was pulling something from his essence, channelling it through his blood and allowing it to flow somewhere. That somewhere was soon identified when he felt soft arms snake around to wrap him in a hug.
The heat had brought clarity to his mind, enough for him to appreciate the sensation of her warm body pressed against his. She rubbed her chest at him, her hold growing tighter and her fangs sinking deeper. She was getting lost in the act, something that many vampires had experienced and regretted right after.
"Do something, Cin!" He yelled to the spirit running erratically overhead.
"Just a moment." She responded. "She's close to the climax."
Karl didn't have time to ask what she meant by that when the sensations ceased and Aurelia disengaged from his body. She pulled back looking at him with confusion, before she groaned.
"Fuck!" She doubled down. "I feel hot all over."
"Don't worry, this is to be expected." Cinis claimed. "She's just advancing too fast."
Her aura was shifting certainly, the field of mana growing thicker. Her eyes seemed just a shade darker. Releasing a pent-up breath of air, she relaxed her body and leaned back on couch.
"What the heck was that?" She looked at Karl. "I don't want the version you gave to father, I need the truth."
"Are you feeling alright now?" He asked. She nodded but gave the impression she wasn't going to let him talk her out of this. He sighed.
"Listen, Rea," he said, "something happened while you were away. I wish I could tell you more, but for now just know that it's not a bad thing."
"How is it not be a bad thing if you aren't allowed to talk about it?" She argued.
"I get what you're trying to say, but look on the bright side." He urged. "You grew stronger from drinking my blood. We have a slightest chance of turning our fate around. Everything could go back to the way it was. All because of it."
She narrowed her eyes, not entirely convinced. She snorted. "If nothing else, you tasted absolutely delicious."
"Hey, now!" He exclaimed. "Am I just a meal to you?"
The two stared at each before bursting into laughter. It had been a long time since they shared such a light-hearted moment. Even before her expedition, the two had been busy with their own problems that they barely had enough time for each other.
"I want another taste of you." Aurelia looked at him with a playful mirth in her eyes.
"Nah-uh." Karl shook his head. "Now it's my turn."
His attention was taken away by Cinis waving atop from the girl's hair. He raised a brow to indicate his attention.
"Just wanted to ask whether you wished to know about her current attributes?" She probed. "Your blood proved more effective than I expected. Her advancement was quite thorough."
Karl gave a slight nod to show his agreement. Cinis stated her new status.
«
Power - D
Speed - D
Defence - E (D)
Mana - C
»
Aside from her defence, everything had seen improvement. She must've been really close to advancement, that it took only a little effort on their part. He was glad to know that she was now stronger than before, which meant more chances of surviving in case of a fallout.
"You there?" Karl was snapped from his thoughts by a fair palm shadowing his face. He cursed inwardly but gave his companion a smile.
"Sorry, just thinking about some things." He spoke. "I just wish for everything to end well. So that I can talk to uncle Ronald about us. And then take things from there."
Her cheeks flushed slightly at that, which he thought was cute. She looked down and murmured, "I hope so too."
This was it. The thing that valued more than anything else in his life. This family that he needed to protect at any cost. Karl didn't need to vow again, something he had vowed long ago.
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