Crimson Love

The night stretched long and dark, a perfect canvas for their hunt. Kikidori moved through the streets with ease, his sharp eyes scanning the scattered crowds for his next victim. The neon glow of the city lights painted his face as he turned into a dimly lit park, where he spotted her.

She sat alone on a bench, her shoulders hunched, her face pale and drawn. A cigarette dangled between her fingers, the ash trailing to the ground. Her dark hair was unkempt, her clothes disheveled, and the emptiness in her eyes was palpable.

Kikidori approached slowly, his predatory instincts masked behind a charming smile. "Rough night?" he asked, his voice soft but carrying just the right amount of concern.

The woman glanced up at him, her gaze dull. "Rough life," she muttered, taking another drag from her cigarette.

He sat beside her, careful to keep his movements casual. "Sometimes it helps to talk about it," he said, leaning back as though they were old friends. "Or at least let someone distract you for a while."

She studied him for a moment, her lips curving into a bitter smile. "You one of those do-gooders who think they can fix people?"

"Not at all," Kikidori said, his grin widening. "I'm just a guy who enjoys good company."

Something about his tone—or perhaps the glint in his eyes—made her hesitate. Then she shrugged, the faintest flicker of curiosity breaking through her apathy. "Alright. Distract me, then."

Meanwhile, across the city, Ere'ana prowled the crowded streets, her movements graceful and deliberate. She didn't rush; she didn't need to. Her prey always found her.

And tonight, she found her.

The woman was standing outside a convenience store, her blonde hair catching the light like spun gold. She was holding a bag of groceries, her delicate features creased with frustration as she dug through her purse for her keys. Ere'ana's lips curled into a smile.

Blonde hair. Type A blood. Her favorite combination.

"Need some help?" Ere'ana's voice was smooth, almost hypnotic.

The woman looked up, startled, then relaxed when she saw Ere'ana's disarming smile. "Oh, no, I'm fine. Just can't find my keys."

Ere'ana tilted her head, her smile deepening. "That's frustrating. Here, let me hold those for you." She took the bag from the woman's hands before she could protest, their fingers brushing briefly.

"Thank you," the woman said, her cheeks flushing. "That's so kind of you."

"Not at all," Ere'ana replied. "Why don't I walk you home? It's not safe to be out alone at this hour."

The woman hesitated, then nodded. "That's probably a good idea."

Both hunts ended the same way. Kikidori's lonely woman and Ere'ana's blonde made their way back to the mansion, entranced by the seductive charms of their predators. The promises of warmth, companionship, and fleeting intimacy clouded their senses, making them oblivious to the danger that awaited them.

In the living room, Kikidori and Ere'ana shared a knowing glance before retreating to separate rooms with their respective prey.

Ere'ana's victim sat nervously on the edge of her bed, clutching her grocery bag as though it were a lifeline. Ere'ana stood before her, her dark eyes gleaming. "Relax," she said softly, sitting beside her and brushing a strand of blonde hair from her face. "You're safe here."

The woman smiled hesitantly. "Thank you. You're... really beautiful."

Ere'ana leaned closer, her lips brushing against the woman's ear. "So are you."

Before the woman could respond, Ere'ana's fangs pierced her neck, silencing her with a sharp gasp. The taste of Type A blood flooded Ere'ana's senses, rich and intoxicating, and she drank deeply, savoring every drop.

In the next room, Kikidori's hunt ended similarly. The lonely woman barely put up a fight, her resignation to death making her an easy target. Kikidori drained her quickly, his hunger overriding any need for finesse.

When it was over, the two vampires reconvened in the master bedroom, their bodies sated but their minds restless. They lay together on the grand four-poster bed, surrounded by silk sheets and the faint scent of blood lingering in the air.

"I think tonight was a success," Kikidori said, stretching lazily.

Ere'ana gave a noncommittal hum, her eyes half-closed. "It was adequate."

"You're impossible to impress," Kikidori teased, turning on his side to face her.

Before Ere'ana could reply, a small blur of fur leapt onto the bed, landing squarely on Kikidori's chest. He let out an exaggerated groan as a tiny black cat stared down at him with glowing red eyes.

"Whiskers," Ere'ana said, her voice softening for the first time that night.

The vampire cat purred loudly, kneading Kikidori's chest with his tiny paws. "This demon of yours is going to be the death of me," Kikidori muttered, trying to nudge the cat off.

Whiskers hissed in response, baring his tiny fangs before settling down stubbornly on Kikidori's chest.

Ere'ana chuckled, reaching over to scratch Whiskers behind the ears. "He likes you."

"Lucky me," Kikidori said dryly, though he didn't push the cat off again.

As the three of them settled into the bed, the mansion grew quiet once more, the chaos of the night giving way to an eerie calm.

The End of Chapter Four