Chapter 70: Lust

Eric closed his eyes slowly, his breath steady as his senses stretched out, seeking every shift in the air, every faint noise in the room. Alaric watched him closely, sensing the concentration. He remained still, knowing that the real challenge for Eric was not just sensing the environment, but fully controlling it.

There was an exit nearby, one that Eric could find if he pushed his senses to their limit.He needed to practice, to learn how to read the unseen, to become attuned to the world in a way that went beyond just awareness.

"You're close," Alaric murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

Eric's expression tightened, a flicker of frustration passing over his features, but he didn't open his eyes.

Alaric's eyes shifted to the shadows in the corner of the room, his senses picking up on a faint sound—a disturbance in the air that shouldn't have been there. Footsteps,and it looked like it was more than a hundred. His sharp ears could distinguish them even over the soft sound of Eric's breath as he focused.

Hunters.

Alaric's lips twisted into a knowing smile. He had been expecting them. The prisoners, likely aware of the approaching threat, had begun to scatter, each in their own direction, as if trying to disappear into the walls themselves. It was exactly the kind of chaos Alaric had been anticipating—enough to give them a break, a window of time.

He glanced at Eric,listening as the steps of the hunters grew nearer, but he wasn't concerned. They weren't a threat to him.

"Focus," Alaric murmured softly, his voice low enough that only Eric could hear. "Time is fleeting."

Some were already capturing creatures, their traps swift and efficient, while others fought back. The sounds of struggle echoed faintly through the corridors, but Alaric knew it wouldn't last long. Against so many trained individuals, resistance was futile. Chains would be the final answer for the majority.

His eyes narrowed, assessing the situation, when suddenly, he felt the change. Eric's eyes suddenly snapped open, glowing faintly in the dim light. Without a word, Eric's hand shot out, grabbing Alaric's arm with surprising strength, pulling him into motion.

"We're leaving," Eric said, voice firm.

Alaric barely had time to react before they were running, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the chaos unfolding behind them. The pulse of danger only seemed to spur Eric forward, and Alaric followed, intrigued by the newfound resolve in him.

"Where?" Alaric asked, already knowing that Eric had a plan.

"I found an exit," Eric replied quickly, his breath steady despite the urgency. "One that hasn't been used in a while looks like."

Alaric raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but didn't ask further questions. Instead, he concentrated on their surroundings as they sprinted through the labyrinthine corridors.

Eventually, they came to a dead end, a thick stone wall that seemed impenetrable at first glance. Eric didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, his eyes scanning the structure, and with a sharp motion, he raised his hands and punched.

The air crackled for a brief moment, and then the wall gave way. A sickening crack of stone echoed as the surface split open. Eric's strength was immense, and within seconds, the wall had crumbled enough to reveal a hidden entrance.

Eric looked over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "After you," he said, motioning for Alaric to step through first.

Alaric paused for a moment, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "How thoughtful."

Without a second thought, he stepped forward into the darkened passage, feeling the cool breeze that suggested an exit into the outside world.

The passage wound endlessly, twisting and turning as Eric and Alaric ran, their clothes and hands stained with the blood of their recent kills.

Eric gripped Alaric's hand tightly, his fingers digging into the other's skin, as if he could pull him faster, closer to the future that seemed just beyond their reach.

They ran through the winding passage, endless in its twists, but Eric had no doubt. He knew where they were headed. He wanted Alaric to see what he had in mind—what the world could be like if they just stepped out into it.

Then,they came across a small door. It was barely noticeable, hidden among the shadows that clung to the walls of the narrow tunnel. Eric paused in front of it.

He glanced at Alaric, who stood slightly ahead of him, his hands already resting on the door's rusted handle.

Alaric grinned, sensing the change in the air. "Ready?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the excitement in it unmistakable.

Eric nodded, his heart racing. With a single, decisive motion, Alaric pushed the door open with sheer force. The sound of old metal scraping against stone reverberated in the quiet of the passage, but once it swung wide, a flood of light poured through, spilling into the narrow corridor. The light wasn't from the sun—it was the moon, full and brilliant.

Eric squinted, his eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness, and he could hardly suppress the rush of relief that surged through him. They were finally out.

Alaric stepped through first, his excitement spilling over. He jumped into the open air, spinning in circles, his movements wild and unrestrained. The feel of the outside world—the wind, the open space—was everything he'd been missing, and he embraced it with all the abandon of a creature who had spent far too long in the shadows. His laughter echoed through the night, pure and unrestrained, as he circled Eric, his eyes gleaming with an energy that seemed almost too bright for the night around them.

Eric followed, stepping out into the open air, and a deep, genuine chuckle escaped him as he watched Alaric's exuberance. The fresh air, the cool breeze against his skin—it all felt so foreign, so welcome. For a moment, he just stood there, breathing it in, letting it wash over him.

"I missed this," Eric said quietly, his voice almost reverent. He glanced up, taking in the landscape that stretched before them.

Behind them, the prison they had just escaped loomed, its looming walls obscured by the rugged terrain around it. The area felt wild, untamed, and desolate— mountains and dirt, and it felt as though they had stepped into a completely different world.

"Let's get as far away from here as possible," Eric said, his voice steady but edged with quiet urgency. Wherever "here" was didn't matter. What mattered was leaving it behind.

Alaric suddenly gazed at him with excitement . "Oh, you want to run?" he drawled, his voice wild and electric, a grin stretching across his face that didn't quite meet his eyes. "Then let's run, Eric. But don't cry if I leave you in the dust." His tone was laced with chaotic glee as he turned to Eric, eyes glinting with a reckless hunger. "You better keep up, or I might just come back and drag you by your throat."

Eric's eyes lit up, a smile broke across his face, something genuine, something human. "You're on," he said, his voice laced with excitement.

Without another word, Alaric's feet were already moving, his body shifting into a blur of motion as he dashed forward. He moved with supernatural grace, his vampire speed pulling him ahead in an instant.

Eric laughed, a deep, free laugh, one that echoed with the joy of something as simple as a race. He pushed off the ground, his own speed kicking in as he closed the gap between them.

They cut through the forest, the ground uneven underfoot as they weaved between the trees and rock formations.

With a renewed burst of energy, Eric pushed harder, his speed pushing him past Alaric. He grinned, feeling the wind in his hair, the freedom in his chest. But Alaric was quick to retaliate, using his speed to gain ground and eventually surge ahead again.

As they raced onward, Eric could feel a warmth spread through him—something he realises only happened when he was with Alaric.

Alaric was slowing down slightly, just enough to let Eric keep up, and that warmth inside Eric deepened.

Laughter echoed through the trees, the sound of two beings tasting the sweetness of freedom for the first time. Then, without warning, Alaric lunged at Eric. A burst of energy sent them tumbling, rolling down a steep hill.

Eric clung to Alaric as they spun, the world spinning with them. Their limbs tangled together in the chaotic tumble, the ground beneath them nothing but a blur of grass, dirt, and laughter. They crashed to the bottom with a soft thud.

For a moment, they both lay there, the laughter slowly fading into a comfortable silence. Eric found himself staring up at the immortal.

Alaric's face hovered above him, his chest rising and falling with his own laughter. For a brief, dizzying moment, Eric found himself lost in Alaric's eyes, those beautiful grays.

His expression twisted into something unsettlingly joyful, a smirk curling at the edges of his lips. Leaning in close, so close that Eric could feel the warmth of his breath, Alaric's grin widened, almost childlike in its sinister excitement.

"We'll go as far as we want," he murmured, his voice dripping with a predatory hunger. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze piercing, unblinking. "And when we get there…" He licked his lips slowly, savoring the thought. "Maybe I'll find another one. Alive, screaming, kicking—God, the way they taste when they're still warm."

His laugh was soft but brimming with wild, unrestrained delight, as if the thought alone was intoxicating. "Doesn't that sound… delicious?"

Eric didn't answer right away. Instead, he let his fingers relax on Alaric's arm, just savoring his unrestrained personality.

Alaric pulled himself up from the ground as he extended a hand to Eric, helping him to his feet. His smile was playful, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He pointed to his ears, a silent question hanging in the air.

Eric paused, listening carefully. For a moment, he heard nothing but the soft whisper of the wind, the distant rustling of trees. Then, just as Alaric's expression brightened, Eric caught it—a soft, steady sound. The flow of water.

"It's a river," Eric said, his voice full of surprise.

Alaric grinned widely, then without another word, he began to sprint toward the sound. Eric followed closely behind.

When they finally emerged from the cover of the trees, the river stretched out before them, wide and deep.

Alaric didn't hesitate. He glanced at Eric for a split second, and with a wild grin, began to strip off his clothes. His body gleamed in the moonlight, the muscles of his chest and arms rippling with every movement.

Eric stood still for a moment, watching. The way Alaric moved was effortless, graceful even in the act of undressing.

Before he could look away, Alaric glanced over his shoulder with a smirk, as if aware of the way Eric was watching. The smile that tugged at the corner of Alaric's mouth made Eric feel a heat rise in his chest, a sharp pull.

With a deep breath, Eric followed suit, quickly shedding his own clothes .

Alaric's eyes were already on him, a dark glint of lust in them. Without a word, he stepped into the water, the coolness lapping at his feet. Eric followed, the water rising quickly as they both waded in deeper. It was cold, but the sensation felt refreshing.

As the water reached their waists, Alaric glanced at Eric, his smile now softer, more intimate. "It feels good, doesn't it?" he asked, his voice barely louder than the sound of the river.

"Let's go deeper," Alaric said, his voice low and inviting.

Eric didn't hesitate. They moved further into the river, the water now up to their chests.

Alaric watched Eric , his once sun-kissed complexion had now faded, leaving a smooth, porcelain-like sheen that glowed faintly in the dim light. Dark rings were evident beneath his eyes, and his black hair clung to his face, wet and unruly. His teeth, sharp and glimmering with a faintly dangerous light, peeked out as he spoke, the bite of his smile never far from his lips. Eric reminded him so much of Killian,maybe that's why he didn't kill Eric the first time he saw him. The thought made his chest tighten.

Eric paused for a moment as if thinking of what to say, his gaze steady on Alaric. "You should see the world now," he said, his voice carrying with a quiet excitement . "The cities, the lights, the way everything moves. It's unlike anything you could imagine."

Alaric's curiosity was piqued, his gaze unwavering as he listened intently, hanging on to every word Eric spoke. "The buildings, stretch higher than any mountain. It's like the earth itself is trying to touch the sky. There are streets filled with lights, and cars that move faster than the horses you'd remember. They don't need reins or wheels. They have engines and machines that carry people across cities in the blink of an eye."

Eric smiled, watching Alaric's expression as he continued. "And the technology... it's almost magic in itself. Phones that let people talk to each other from anywhere, computers that hold the knowledge of the world, instant access to anything you could imagine. People have learned to control the world in ways that would've seemed impossible."

Alaric's eyes widened, and the amazement in his gaze was evident. He was speechless for a moment, processing everything Eric had just shared. "You speak of a world of wonder," he said slowly, as if the very idea of such a world was too grand to fully grasp. "A world where the earth is shaped by man's hands, not by nature's will."

Eric nodded, his excitement building. "It's even more than that. The sceneries—mountains that reach into the clouds, deserts that stretch for miles, oceans with waters so vast, you'd never see the end. There are places untouched by time, wild and free. And then, there's everything in between. The forests, the rivers... It's beautiful, Alaric. More beautiful than any painting or story could capture."

The night around them seemed to grow quieter as Alaric swam closer to Eric, his eyes reflecting the wonder and curiosity of a man who had seen empires rise and fall, but never witnessed anything quite like this. His fingers brushed the water, barely making a ripple, as if lost in thought, as if trying to pull himself out of the ancient past and into this vibrant, new world Eric was describing.

"I never thought such a world was possible," Alaric admitted, his voice tinged with awe. "The world I knew, it was simple in comparison. It was a world where power was a matter of kings and warlords, where the earth was untouched by human hands in many places. But what you speak of—it's beyond anything I ever imagined. To live in such a time..."

Eric's eyes glinted with a mixture of pride and an understanding, perhaps, of how vast the world had become. "It's a different kind of magic, Alaric. A magic made by people who dared to dream of more, to push beyond what was possible. And it's all there—waiting for you. Waiting for us."

Eric swam closer to Alaric, their bodies almost touching in the cool, dark water. Eric moved his wet hair from Alaric's forehead, letting his fingers linger for just a moment longer than necessary. His gaze was intense as he looked down at Alaric, searching his eyes, reading every flicker of emotion there.

Alaric leaned in closer, his breath mingling with Eric's, as he sensed the growing pull between them.

Eric leaned down, capturing Alaric's lips in a kiss. Alaric's hands moved to Eric's sides, steady and possessive, pulling him in closer as they deepened the kiss, the water swirling around them.

Alaric felt the warmth of Eric's breath against his neck. Eric's fangs grazed his skin and the small chain still around his neck, a gentle reminder of the power he held, yet instead of terror, Alaric felt a thrill that ignited a fire in his loins. The vampire's kiss grew more insistent, his hands exploring the contours of Alaric's body, tracing the lines of his abs and the muscles of his arms. Alaric moaned, arching his back to give Eric better access, his own hands finding Eric's firm buttocks, pulling him closer.

Their kiss deepened, tongues dancing as their bodies melded together. Alaric could feel Eric's arousal growing hard against his thigh.

With a sudden urgency, Eric lifted Alaric into his arms, his supernatural strength surprising the immortal. He carried him to the riverbank, where the grass was soft and the darkness concealed their every move. Laying Alaric down on the dewy earth, Eric hovered over him, his eyes burning with a hunger that transcended the need for sustenance. He kissed him again, this time with a fierce intensity that spoke of pent-up lust and yearning.

Their hands were everywhere, a chaotic clash of dominance and desire. Alaric's legs locked around Eric's waist with unyielding strength, pulling him in as though he owned every inch of him. Alaric's lips curled into a feral grin, his teeth grazing Eric's bottom lip before seizing his mouth with unrelenting hunger. The kiss was brutal, commanding, leaving no room for hesitation.

Eric barely had time to react before Alaric's tongue slid past his lips, daring, taunting. But Eric wasn't one to back down—he bit down hard, teeth sinking into Alaric's tongue, tasting the flood of warm, rich blood that followed. He lapped at it greedily, but before he could revel in the moment, Alaric growled low in his throat, a dangerous, almost feral sound.

With a swift, almost punishing motion, Alaric gripped the back of Eric's neck, forcing his head back and deepening the bloody kiss. His fingers tangled in Eric's hair with just enough pressure to remind him who was in control. Alaric's other hand slid down, unapologetically seeking out Eric's arousal. Eric groaned, a guttural sound that only seemed to ignite Alaric further.

"Good Boy." Alaric hissed against Eric's lips, his voice low and dripping with dark amusement. His fingers tightened their hold, dragging a sharp lust filled gasp from Eric's throat .

Alaric tilted his head, licking the blood from his own lips before leaning in again, this time slower but no less aggressive, claiming Eric in a way that left no question about who was in charge.