The Mansion Of Shadows

Ere'ana's heels echoed against the cobblestone path as she approached the looming mansion she and Kikidori called home. Its dark, gothic architecture stood like a relic from another century, the towering spires reaching toward the night sky. The large iron gates creaked open at her touch, and she stepped inside.

The scent of blood hit her as soon as she opened the grand wooden door. She smirked faintly. Kikidori was busy, as usual.

Inside, the mansion was dimly lit by candelabras mounted on the stone walls. Ere'ana stepped into the living room, her sharp eyes falling immediately on Kikidori lounging on the velvet couch. His dark hair fell over his face as he cradled his latest victim, a young woman who looked heartbreakingly innocent. She was dressed in a simple sundress, her blonde hair spilling over Kikidori's arm.

Ere'ana didn't say a word, watching as Kikidori sank his fangs into the girl's neck. Blood ran down her throat in thin streams, staining the pristine white of her dress. The girl let out a soft, strangled gasp, her hands twitching weakly before going limp.

Kikidori didn't stop until she was completely drained. When he finally let her body slump against the couch, he glanced up at Ere'ana with a lazy grin, blood still on his lips.

"Welcome home," he said, leaning back casually, as if he hadn't just killed someone.

Ere'ana shrugged and walked further into the room. "You could've at least cleaned up before I got back." Her voice was flat, uninterested. The sight of death no longer fazed her.

"She was fresh," Kikidori said, kicking the girl's lifeless body off the couch and onto the floor like discarded trash. "Too sweet to waste."

Ere'ana said nothing, her expression as unreadable as ever. She sat down beside him, her posture as elegant and detached as always. Kikidori watched her, waiting for her to say something, but she stayed silent.

After a long pause, she finally broke the quiet. "I'm bored," she said bluntly, her dark eyes fixed on the empty fireplace.

Kikidori raised an eyebrow. "Bored? You just got back from a hunt."

Ere'ana turned her head slowly to look at him. "That's not what I mean."

He frowned, clearly confused. "What do you mean, then?"

She hesitated, something rare for her, before leaning in closer to him. Her voice dropped, barely audible. "I want... something different tonight."

Kikidori blinked, genuinely surprised. Ere'ana never spoke like this. She was cold, calculated, and distant—never one to express desires beyond the bloodlust they both shared.

"You're serious?" he asked, studying her face for any sign of a joke.

Ere'ana nodded, her gaze steady. "Yes."

Kikidori smirked, leaning back against the couch. "You're full of surprises tonight."

"Are you going to keep talking, or are we doing this?" Ere'ana asked, her tone sharp now, a challenge in her eyes.

Kikidori's smirk widened. "Alright, fine. You win."

He reached out, pulling her closer with the same confidence he used to lure his prey. Ere'ana didn't resist, her usually guarded demeanor softening for once. Their faces were inches apart, and for the first time in decades, the hunger in their eyes wasn't just for blood.

The room seemed to darken around them as their lips met, the intimacy carrying a dangerous edge that mirrored their very existence. It was raw, wild, and uninhibited—just like the monsters they were.

The End of Chapter Two