Cassius froze at her words, blinking once, twice, like he was sure he'd misheard her.
"W-What now?" He said with an uneasy chuckle. "My blood? You can't be serious."
But Carmela didn't blink. Her eyes were dilated, glowing faintly, her breathing heavy.
"I want your blood." She said in a low, trembling voice. "And I need it now."
Cassius tried to defuse the tension, raising both hands placatingly.
"Ahaha...no, no, that's not a good idea right now." He said with a forced laugh. "I've been having some really unhealthy meals these past few days. Fried pork, buttered rolls, sugared wine—the whole lot. My blood's probably more grease than liquid right now."
"You'll get diabetes just by tasting it!"
He grinned, hoping she'd at least crack a smile.
But her expression didn't change. Her eyes flared brighter, fangs glinting under the candlelight.
"I don't care." She said sharply, voice trembling between hunger and desperation. "I want your blood. Not later. Not after. Now."
