11: Corruption and Purification

The aroma of food gently pulled Alex from the depths of sleep. A pleasant hunger stirred within her. She wrapped the soft bedsheet around herself and wandered out of the room.

"Ah, you're awake. And are you trying to tempt me again with that alluring ensemble?" A shirtless Daman asked, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

"Well, my clothes seem to have vanished. This was the most readily available option. It's not as if I can greet you in my birthday suit." Alex retorted, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Hmm, a rather delightful prospect, actually." Daman murmured, his smile widening, earning him a light swat on the arm.

"You're incorrigible."

As Daman moved around the kitchen, a sudden thought struck Alexandra. She quickly retrieved her phone and sent a text to Laura:

[Alex]: Hey, I'll be staying over at a friend's tonight. Don't wait up!

Her cheeks still carrying a faint blush, she looked up to find Daman extending a pair of his clothes—an oversized black t-shirt and soft cotton shorts.

"Here," he offered with a tender smile. "You'll probably be more comfortable in these."

"Thanks." she replied sheepishly, clutching them to her chest as she retreated into the privacy of the bathroom.

Once the door clicked shut, Alex leaned against it, staring at her reflection in the fogged mirror. The ugly scars somehow made their appearance again. Alex quickly cast the camouflage spell and the scars disappeared. She then touched the back of her neck.

'He couldn't have seen it, right? Even if he did, he wouldn't know the meaning behind it...' she calmed herself.

Thinking about Daman reminded her of the intense intimacy of the past hour—his passionate kisses, the reverent way he had touched her scars, the comforting weight of his body against hers. She hugged his clothes tightly, a wave of giddiness and breathlessness washing over her, before finally succumbing to the soothing warmth of the shower.

When she emerged, a towel turbaned around her hair and clad in his oversized clothes, she felt a strange sense of displacement, yet it was undeniably pleasant. Like an invisible boundary had been crossed, something profound had shifted within her.

"Back already?" Daman called from the living room, his voice warm.

She padded out barefoot, still gently toweling her hair, and paused at the sight of him, now wearing a black high-neck top that stuck close to his skin. His hair was tied up into a bun.

"Come sit," he said gently, gesturing towards a chair. "Let me dry your hair properly before you catch a chill."

Alex settled into the chair obediently, her heart resuming its frantic rhythm. He carefully worked the dryer through her damp strands, his fingers occasionally brushing against her scalp in a way that sent shivers of delight down her spine.

'He's so incredibly tender', she mused, a warmth spreading through her chest. 'I truly am lucky.'

When her hair was finally dry, Daman leaned down, his gaze meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

"All done. Now, come sit at the table. Dinner is waiting."

As she walked towards the dining table, her gaze kept drifting back to him—the broad expanse of his shoulders, the subtle definition of his abs visible through the top, the casual way his sweatpants rested low on his hips.

"You've been staring," he said softly as he placed the plates on the table, catching her in the act.

Alex's cheeks flushed crimson. "W-What?! No, I wasn't!"

Daman's grin widened. "Maybe I should have strategically omitted my top to provide you with some appealing scenery."

Alex's blush deepened. "Was my boyfriend… always such a shameless flirt?"

Daman simply offered a knowing smile in response.

"Ah, speaking of which," he continued, his gaze thoughtful, "I couldn't help but notice your remarkable physique, Alex. You have an androgynous look and I kind of knew you were fit, but I never realized the extent of the toned muscles you were concealing beneath your clothes." A genuine surprise colored his tone.

"Well," she replied, a hint of pride in her voice, "I've trained in martial arts for years. It probably shouldn't be that much of a shock."

"Ah, that makes sense," Daman said, his smile returning.

Dinner was a comforting affair—simple, home-cooked food that filled her with a sense of warmth and contentment. After they cleaned up together, Alex opened the refrigerator to grab a drink. She paused.

Inside, neatly stacked near the bottom shelf, were sealed packets—thick, dark red.

She blinked. "...Are those… blood packets?"

Daman didn't look surprised. "Yeah, its animal blood." he said calmly, walking up behind her. "I don't need it often. But I do need it every now and then. It helps keep the thirst in check."

"You feel thirst just like other Vampires?" she asked, eyeing the packets again.

"If I come in contact with someone's blood, yes, sometimes." he said quietly, "I do have good control over it, but the instincts, its still there, even though I am only a Half-Vampire. These help dull that edge."

Alex turned to look at him, her expression thoughtful.

"Have you ever felt thirsty for my blood?"

He didn't answer immediately. A pause stretched between them.

Alex narrowed her eyes. "...Daman?"

Still no reply.

She huffed, stepped close, and suddenly wrapped her arms around him in a teasing hug. "Tell me~"

He groaned softly, caught between amusement and restraint. "Alex…"

She leaned her head against his chest, clearly not letting it go.

Finally, he sighed. "...Yes."

Her heart skipped.

She looked up at him, surprised. "Really?"

"Don't look so happy about it, Alex. It's not a good thing, okay? The thing is, you're not exactly easy to resist," he said, eyes shifting away as a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. "Your blood... it has a pull. Maybe its because of the nature of our relationship."

Her chest fluttered with a strange mixture of thrill and affection.

"Then…" she said softly, voice barely above a whisper, "if you ever need it… you can bite me."

Daman's eyes widened. "Alex—don't say something like that."

She tilted her head innocently. "Why not?"

"Because," he said, his voice low, strained, "you don't understand how hard it is to stop once it starts. Especially when it's you."

Alex gave him a small smile, "Then stop worrying. The offer's always open for you."

"Alex."

"I mean it." Her fingers lightly grazed his jaw. "I mean, I belong to you, don't I?"

That was all it took.

Daman's restraint shattered.

He pulled her into a searing kiss—hungry, consuming, and desperate. She gasped against his mouth, barely registering as he lifted her up and set her on the kitchen counter. His lips found hers again, fiercer this time, hands clutching her waist like he was terrified she'd vanish.

She kissed him back just as fervently, wrapping her arms around his neck, heart pounding like thunder in her chest.

This—this kind of madness—was only possible with him.

And she welcomed it.

As they slowly pulled away, Daman's wire a serious expression.

"Alex, I need to tell you something," he said quietly.

Alex looked at him. "What is it?"

He took a slow breath. "I got a message earlier. From Sybellia."

Her eyes narrowed. "Sybellia?"

He nodded. "Yup. I'm being called back."

Alex got down, confused. "Why?"

He looked her straight in the eyes. "Abyssal Rifts... A Rift break occurred."

Her breath caught. "What?"

"Yes..." he said grimly. "It was a Category IV. It's been about 4000 years since the appearance of a Category IV rift."

Alex's heart dropped. "But, how come I never heard of it."

"Maybe your father didn't want you to worry about it. After all, it was under control until now. It's just, no one expected a Category IV Rift to suddenly apppear. Don't worry, it has been taken care of. I have some very capable people working under me." Daman reassured her.

"Who?"

"Ah, I didn't tell you, right? I am the Captain of the Crimson Vow."

"Huh?! The Knight Order who specialise in clearing Rifts?"

"That's right! Your boyfriend's so capable, isn't he?" Daman nuzzled against her.

"Yeah, yeah." Alex chuckled. "So do you know why stronger Rifts are appearing so suddenly?"

"To tell the truth, I don't know." he admitted. "The thing is, the strength of Corruption seems to have increased. That is the only explanation for it."

"Corruption, huh? I have read about it. 'The Deity of Purification descended upon Terr, her mother's beloved creation, to ward off Corruption.' That's what was written. But she failed to find the source of the Corruption. So, even though she continued purifying everything, Corruption continued to come back."

"And, eventually she was killed by the people she trusted. Yeah, I too read that. But wasn't she immortal? How could they have killed her?" Daman pondered.

"Who knows? The thing is, even after 4000 years, no one could find where this 'source' was. They say that only Astoria can sense it. But, she is no longer around. Maybe she shouldn't have trusted those around her. I mean, she was a Deity! Why mingle with the mortals?"

"Hey, hey, who are you badmouthing in front of me? I am a big fan of her! Astoria is the child of Drakonis, isn't she? And Drakonis is the progenitor of all Dragonians. Technically she and you are siblings." Daman told her.

"What....? No.... How... I mean, many generations have passed. Drakonis' blood is practically non existent in our veins." Alex waved her hand.

"That doesn't deny the fact that you are Dragonian." Daman looked at her. Alex looked at him back and let out a small breath.

"Yes, I am... But I hate it." She looked away for a moment. Then she turned to him again. "So, what's your plan regarding the Rifts? Thorough planning must be done incase another Category IV Rift opens. It won't brood well if it isn't cleared in time. We can't afford to let another Rift Break occur."

"Ah, the preparations are being carried out. So, I need to go back to oversee things. The Crown Prince—Ricardo—he ordered me to return immediately."

Alex was silent, the weight of the revelation sinking in. The world that had been quiet for so long was beginning to stir again.

Daman touched her cheek gently. "Don't worry. I just want you to be safe. That's all that matters to me."

She nodded slowly, but the anxiety still lingered in her eyes.

"Oh—and one more thing," Daman added. "Daniel will stay with you. In case anything happens."

"Dan?" she blinked. "Wait... Our Dan?"

"Yeah," Daman smiled. "He's actually one of the knights working under me. I asked him to watch over you while I'm gone."

Alex gave him a long, suspicious stare. "Are there more secrets you're hiding from me?"

He gave a low chuckle. "Maybe. But you'll love me anyway, right?"

She rolled her eyes and leaned into him again. "Tch. We'll see."