CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Desire?" Ellie echoed, her brow furrowing slightly.

The word hung in the air, thick with unspoken implications. I watched her carefully, cataloging the subtle shifts in her expression, the way her pupils dilated ever-so-slightly. Her scent intensified, almost intoxicating, mingled with a faint undercurrent of something... else. Fear? Excitement? It was difficult to decipher.

"Yes, Ellie," I said, my voice a low murmur meant only for her ears. "What is it you desire? A drink? A dance? A bit of... company?" I let the last word linger, a suggestive invitation.

She shifted uneasily on her stool, her gaze darting around the club before returning to my face. "I... I don't know what you mean," she stammered, but her eyes betrayed her. I saw a flicker of something akin to curiosity, a dangerous spark that hinted at a willingness to play the game.

"Don't be coy," I chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "A beautiful woman like you doesn't wander into a place like this without a reason. What were you hoping to find?"

She pursed her lips, a flash of defiance momentarily masking her apprehension. "Maybe I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about," she said, her voice gaining a touch of confidence. "Maybe I was bored."

"Bored?" I raised an eyebrow, feigning disbelief. "I find that hard to believe. A woman with a soul as bright as yours could never be bored."

The compliment seemed to catch her off guard. Her cheeks flushed again, a delicate rose color that was utterly captivating. She looked away, fiddling with the stem of her empty glass. "I... I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?" I leaned closer, invading her personal space. The scent of lilies blossomed, filling my senses. "I can smell it, Eleanor. Your purity. It's intoxicating."

Her eyes snapped back to mine, wide with a mixture of fear and fascination. "You're... you're being weird," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I should go."

And there it was. The perfect moment to pull her back in.

"Leaving so soon?" I asked, feigning disappointment. "But the night's just getting started. And I was just about to order you another drink."

I held her gaze, a silent battle of wills. I needed a connection to her and now. I sensed her hesitating, torn between flight and something else entirely. "Okay," she said softly, her voice barely audible. "Just one more."

I grinned, the predatory instincts rising to the surface. I didn't plan on just having one more.

Silas arrived with two fresh drinks. He slid them across the bar with a practiced ease, his face a mask of neutrality. He knew better than to interfere, better than to ask questions. Crimson was my domain, and Silas was merely a servant in my kingdom.

I raised my glass to Eleanor, the merlot swirling in the dim light. "To new acquaintances," I said, my eyes locked on hers.

She hesitated for a moment before mirroring my gesture. "To new acquaintances," she echoed, her voice soft.

We drank in silence for a few moments, the club's music a dull thrum in the background. I could feel her gaze on me, studying me, trying to figure me out. I allowed it, enjoying the scrutiny.

"So," she said, breaking the silence, "you really own this place?"

"I do," I replied, leaning back against the bar. "Bought it a few decades ago. A good investment, I must say."

"Decades?" she echoed, her brow furrowing. "How old are you?"

A dangerous question. I considered deflecting the question, but quickly decided on another approach. It's not a lie if you don't expose the truth about it.

"Old enough," I said with a smile. " to know what I want."

She laughed, a light, airy sound. "And what is it you want?"

"That, my dear," I said, lowering my voice again, "is something I'm still trying to figure out." I paused for a moment, letting the silence hang in the air. "You mentioned being bored. Are you new to town?"

"I am kind of new to town," she replied. "I moved here a few months ago for school. I am studying art at the university."

"Art," I repeated, intrigued. "What kind of art?"

"Oh, photography... I love taking photos of nature. It's very calming."

I nodded slowly, considering her words. "Interesting. What made you decide to study art?"

"It's just something I've always been drawn to. I love capturing the beauty of the world and sharing it with others."

I couldn't help but smile at her innocent passion. "As do I."

The 'beauty' I pursued wasn't found in landscapes or still life paintings. It was something far more ephemeral, far more potent. I saw it reflected in Eleanor's eyes, a nascent purity that drew me in like a moth to a flame.

"So, you're living the student life now?" I asked, casually swirling the remaining wine in my glass. "Late nights, endless studying, questionable ramen diets?"

She giggled, the sound a refreshing contrast to the smoky atmosphere of the club. "Something like that. It's definitely a change of pace from where I grew up. A small town, nothing special. Everyone knows everyone's business. I wanted to escape, make my own way."

"And are you?" I pressed, subtly probing. The more I knew, the better I could understand her, anticipate her desires.

Her smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "I'm trying," she admitted. "It's... a little lonely sometimes."

Bingo.

"Loneliness is a dangerous thing," I murmured, leaning closer still. The lilies intensified, a fragrant siren call. "Luckily, there are ways to combat it."

The 'ways' I had in mind involved fangs and blood, but for now, I would be content with simply basking in her presence, understanding her desires. I let my gaze drift over her face, lingering on her lips, her flushed cheeks.

Her breath hitched, I could feel it. The subtle tremor in her hand as she reached for her glass. The quickening pulse in her throat.

"I... I don't know what to say," she stammered, but her eyes held me captive. They were filled with a magnetic pull, a yearning that transcended her carefully constructed facade of innocence.

"Say you want this," I whispered, my thumb gently stroking the back of her hand. "Say you feel it too, this... pull. This undeniable attraction."

Her lips parted, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "I... maybe I do," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

A triumphant thrill coursed through me. The game was reaching its crescendo. I could feel my fangs twitching, a sharp reminder of the ancient hunger that raged within me. But for now, I would be content with the chase, the anticipation, the thrill of the hunt.

And when the moment was right, when Eleanor's desires aligned with my own, then, and only then, would I strike. But for now, I would savor the moment, the connection, the intoxicating allure of the chase.

As she closed her eyes, her body shuddered slightly. "I don't know if I can do this," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anticipation.

"You can," I reassured her, my voice low and seductive. "I'll be here to guide you. I'll show you what you truly desire."

I leaned in, my lips barely brushing against hers. I could feel her breath against my skin, warm and sweet. I could taste the essence of her, the purity that fueled my hunger.

"Kaelen," she whispered, her voice a plea.

"Yes?" I whispered back, my voice barely audible.

"I... I want this," she said, her voice filled with longing.

The moment hung heavy with anticipation. Her surrender was complete, her defenses shattered. She was mine, for the taking. The ancient instinct within me roared to life, demanding satisfaction.

But then, I pulled away.

Her eyes snapped open, wide with confusion and a hint of disappointment. "Kaelen?"

I stood up, my movements sharp and decisive. "Excuse me, Eleanor," I said, my voice suddenly formal, devoid of the intimacy we had just shared. "I have some pressing matters to attend to."

I didn't wait for a response. I turned and walked away, the predatory instincts within me battling with a flicker of something I hadn't felt in centuries: guilt. I needed to clear my head, to regain control. The hunger was overwhelming, threatening to consume me, to turn me into the monster I fought so hard to contain.

As I disappeared into the shadows of the club, I could feel her gaze on my back, a mixture of confusion, arousal, and a touch of betrayal. I knew I had left her wanting, desperate for what I had offered, then abruptly withdrawn.

I pushed past the throng of dancers, made my way up to the VIP lounge and down to the playroom. By the time I made my way through the iron door I could see Seraphine and Dimitri waiting. Seraphine had a pissed off impatient look on her face.

"What the fuck took you? I'm starving, Kaelen." Her gaze threw daggers at me.

Without a word I walked over to the man who she had tied up to a metal chair in middle of the room. Fear apparent on his face. I took my hands, placed them on either side of his head and ripped it right off his shoulders. Blood erupted from the gapping hole like a volcano.

"DAMN IT KAELEN!!" Seraphine screamed at me while jumping back to not get her dress ruined "This is Dior!"

Dimitri started to laugh hysterically. He walked past me slapping me on the back. "Good one, Mate."

I turned around and followed him out of the room leaving Seraphine to cuss me out in the background, my mind on Ellie.

It was a cruel game, but it was a game I had played for centuries. And tonight, I had almost lost.