"Faster. I'm thirsty—we don't have all night, fish," Damien ordered.
Bella dragged her heavy feet toward the large bed from which his voice came. She scrunched her face as the sharp scent of smoke filled her senses.
"I… I can't see," she said meekly, squinting into the darkness. The only thing visible was the glowing tip of his cigarette, burning like a small, watchful eye.
Damien sat lazily against the carved wooden headboard, one leg stretched out, his head tipped back as he exhaled smoke from his lips. His eyes never left Bella. After a final drag, he placed the half-burnt cigarette into the ashtray on the bedside table and rose to his feet.
Bella flinched when a rough hand suddenly grabbed her waist.
"You want the light on?" Damien asked, his voice hoarse with thirst as he pulled her into his arms.
"Y–yes," she stammered.
She swallowed and lifted her chin slightly. His breath brushed her skin, sending shivers racing down her spine. The scent of smoke clung to him—dark, intoxicating. Even without seeing him clearly, she could feel his gaze, sharp and piercing.
Damien snapped his fingers.
The lights flared on, bathing the room in sudden brightness. Bella's shoulders sagged in relief. If she weren't about to become his meal, she might have marveled at his control over light. Her heart, however, continued to race.
She quickly looked everywhere—at the walls, the bed, the floor—anywhere but him.
His grip on her waist loosened slightly. One idle hand slipped into her hair, gathering silky strands between his fingers. His touch softened, fingertips brushing her scalp in slow, deliberate motions.
Goosebumps bloomed across her skin.
She shivered—not from fear, but from the unexpected calm spreading through her body. Her eyelids fluttered.
Does he… massage his meals before drinking them? she wondered, frowning faintly. Strangely, she realized she had already accepted her fate far too easily. The thought should have terrified her—but it didn't.
She didn't even notice when her body relaxed completely.
Damien watched the small human in his arms, surprise flickering through his dark eyes. Her trembling had stopped. Instead, she looked as though she might fall asleep.
"When a human is frightened," Damien said, his voice breaking the silence, "their blood tastes different."
Bella jolted awake.
His hands stilled.
She looked up at him, confused. Was that why…? she wondered.
"Does it taste bitter?" she asked softly, genuine curiosity shining in her wide eyes.
Damien stared down at her for a moment, unsettled by the innocence of her question. Did she truly remember that she was about to be fed on? A darker urge stirred within him—the desire to taint that innocence.
His grip tightened slightly.
"No," he said at last. "Quite the opposite."
Her brows knitted together in confusion.
"Vampires are predators," he continued calmly. "Human blood tastes best when they are nervous—frightened… aroused." His gaze dipped briefly before returning to her eyes. "And you, fish, are a mermaid. Your blood already surpasses human blood."
He leaned closer. "Now imagine how it would taste if you were truly afraid."
"Very… delicious?" Bella whispered uncertainly.
"Hm." Damien hummed. "Now imagine what happens when a hungry vampire stumbles upon a very tempting drink."
Fear flashed through her eyes as realization dawned. He wasn't afraid of draining her—he was restraining himself.
Her heartbeat spiked.
Damien clicked his tongue softly, disappointed. "Seems you are determined to give me a fine drink tonight. A pity—it would end in one gulp."
"W–wait!" Bella blurted. "I—I'll calm down!"
She pressed a hand to her chest, forcing her breathing to slow.
It's just a bite, she told herself desperately. No different from a needle.
Damien watched her with unusual patience.
"Ready?" he asked once her heartbeat steadied.
She nodded, closing her eyes. Holding her breath, she felt his warm breath brush her neck.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
Damien's fangs sank into her tender skin.
Pain flared—sharp and brief—before melting into a strange, overwhelming euphoria. Bella gasped, a soft, unintentional moan slipping from her lips as her fingers clutched his cold, solid body.
The moment her blood touched his tongue, Damien stiffened.
A battle raged within him—control against instinct.
With a low growl, he tore his fangs away, throwing his head back. His eyes shut tightly as his chest rose and fell, humming with restrained power.
Bella slumped against him, dizzy and weak, her body going limp. Her eyes fluttered closed as sleep claimed her.
Damien steadied her against his chest, jaw clenched.