Priscilla watched her brother leave the table and head upstairs. She chuckled softly and stood as well. She had somewhere to be.
"If you'll excuse me," she smiled, making her way toward the entrance where her waiting carriage stood.
Her coachman handed her a letter before closing the carriage door behind her.
Priscilla opened it, and instantly, her expression darkened. The earlier smile and brightness vanished without a trace.
"They're increasing, hm?" she muttered, leaning back with a quiet sigh.
She tapped on the window where the coachman sat.
"Yes, my lady?"
"Head to the west forest," she ordered. He nodded without question.
Priscilla removed her gloves one finger at a time, then gazed out the window.
"How bothersome," she murmured.
The carriage came to a halt. Without hesitation, Priscilla stepped out and walked into the darkening forest.
Suddenly, a knife flew at her from the shadows. She tilted her head slightly, dodging it with inhuman grace. The blade embedded itself deep into a nearby tree.
Shrill cackling echoed through the trees. Priscilla's piercing red eyes scanned the surroundings.
"One… two… three… four… five..." She smiled as she rolled up her sleeves.
"There are five of you," she said aloud.
The witches dropped from the trees, surrounding her.
"Well, if it isn't the oldest Miss of the Quinns."
"Hello to you too," Priscilla smiled easily.
"We were looking forward to meeting your brother," another sneered.
"Unfortunately, my brother has no time for insects," she said sweetly, flashing her teeth in a grin.
Their smiles faltered, glaring at her with rage. One brave witch charged at her in a blur of motion.
Priscilla caught her by the throat in an instant, moving so fast she was almost a blur herself. With a brutal thrust, she plunged her hand through the witch's chest, pulling out a pulsing black heart. She exhaled lightly and dropped the limp body before crushing the heart into dust.
The other witches froze in horror. One of their own, gone in the blink of an eye.
Priscilla's smile remained serene, though her eyes gleamed with cold darkness.
It was in that moment they remembered why she was called the Demoness of the Council, while her brother was the Devil of the Council.
"Now," Priscilla tilted her head slightly, voice like a blade cloaked in velvet,
"let's get this over with, shall we?"
---
---
Theodore was already waiting beside her carriage when she emerged from the forest, her gown stained with blackened blood. His expression darkened at the sight.
Priscilla scowled when she saw him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked calmly, but with obvious displeasure.
Unfazed, Theodore stepped forward and draped his jacket over her shoulders. Her scowl deepened.
"I told you to call me whenever you had to handle things like this," he said.
Priscilla scoffed, brushing past him to climb into the carriage. Theodore followed her inside without permission.
"I told you to stop following me around like a lost puppy."
"I don't mind being your puppy, my lady," Theodore said with a smile that could melt stone.
For just a second, Priscilla's heart skipped a beat. She frowned and looked away.
"You're utterly annoying."
"And yet," Theodore leaned closer, voice dropping low,
"your heart fluttered at the smile of your brother's best friend."
Priscilla's eyes widened slightly.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Stop avoiding me, Priscilla," he whispered against her ear, making her body tense.
Her eyes twitched in annoyance.
"Watch how you speak to me. You're five centuries too young to talk to me informally."
"And yet, you haven't punched me yet," he teased, gently tilting her chin up to meet his gaze.
"You—" she started, but Theodore didn't let her finish.
He closed the distance and kissed her.
The kiss was deep and consuming, and for a few seconds, Priscilla instinctively kissed him back before snapping out of it and shoving him away.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, eyes darkened — but her ears were unmistakably flushed.
Theodore only smirked, amusement dancing in his dark red eyes.
"You're beautiful when you pretend to be mad at me," he said lightly, stepping out of the carriage and adjusting his jacket.
"We'll meet again, my lady," he winked before vanishing into the night.
Priscilla stared after him, trembling with anger and emotions she had sworn to bury long ago. She exhaled slowly and leaned back against her seat.
She tapped the window, and the coachman urged the horses forward.
As the forest slipped past, a quiet chuckle escaped her lips.
"Cheeky brat," she muttered under her breath.
---
---
"I'm hungry," Alexander suddenly announced.
Artemis, who was cleaning the bathroom, froze mid-scrub. She turned her head slowly to look at him.
"Wh-what?"
"You heard me. I want your blood," he said again, flashing a grin that made her heart stutter.
"W-well… I am—" she started, but Alexander grabbed her hand and dragged her into the bedroom.
She squealed softly as he pinned her to the bed.
"M-Master—"
"Are you trying to refuse me, little bunny?" he smirked, his eyes darkening.
"N-no…" she whispered, turning her head to the side as she nervously pulled down the collar of her gown to expose her neck.
Alexander's fangs throbbed at the sight. He licked his lips slowly.
He leaned down, brushing his lips over her neck, sending a shudder down her spine.
"Mhm," she whimpered.
Alexander smiled against her skin. He could feel her heartbeat racing under his tongue.
He licked the spot he wanted to bite, savoring the taste of her fear and trust, before sinking his fangs in.
Artemis gasped, clutching the sheets tightly. The sharp sting was quickly replaced by a dizzying heat that flooded her body.
Alexander drank deeply but carefully, stopping himself before he could take too much. He licked the puncture marks, sealing them instantly.
Pulling back, he met her dazed gaze.
"Are you... done?" she breathed out.
Alexander chuckled and captured her lips in a kiss.
Her body reacted instantly, her toes curling at the overwhelming sensation. Her mind went blank, and her hands instinctively clutched at him.
He kissed her deeply, exploring her mouth, savoring her soft whimpers. After a moment, he pulled back slightly, his tongue teasing her lower lip.
"Stop holding your breath," he whispered against her mouth.
Then, he kissed her jaw, trailing kisses down to her neck and collarbone.
Artemis managed a breathless, "Alright..." but her brain was in complete disarray, overwhelmed by heat and sensation.
Alexander chuckled lowly and finally pulled away completely, satisfied for now.
She peeked up at him through her lashes, her cheeks red as a tomato.
Alexander smirked inwardly. She was slowly getting used to him, little by little.
She was responding to him, even if she didn't realize it yet.
And he would be patient.
At least until they uncovered what — or who — she really was.