After my meal

Back in his bedroom, Storm sat on a single armchair facing the floor-to-ceiling clear glass window overlooking the city of Alada.

His posture was relaxed, with the back of his head resting against the headrest attached to the chair. He looked peaceful, almost as if he was sleeping. But although his eyes were closed, his ears and other senses were fully alert.

Usually, this was the time when he would concentrate his mind on his surroundings to read the state of his servants, and catch the slightest gossip from their quarters that would determine if blood would flow the next day.

It would only take one slip-up, one small gossip, or even the tiniest hint of corruption coming from one person's heart to seal his or her fate.

It's not because he didn't want to, or was afraid of being betrayed. No. Whoever betrayed him would only be shooting himself in the foot.

His reason for doing that was purely for pleasure's sake. He enjoyed the fear instantly instilled in the hearts of the others by witnessing the gruesome death of one of their own. Apart from the fear, he enjoyed the sight of the blood either trailing, spurting, or pumping out of the unfortunate one's body, depending on the method of killing he used.

But tonight, he couldn't get his mind to concentrate on his surroundings because the image of one certain person is just refusing to leave. It was as if her face had been glued to his mind using a very strong adhesive that made it difficult for him to peel it off.

She was beautiful, but that was not the reason he couldn't get his mind off her. He had seen, been with, and killed people that were more beautiful than she was. It was her eyes that did the magic. That pair of sea-blue orbs brought back painful memories. Memories that took him long, tormented years to forget.

When he was shown the CCTV footage, her eyes had been red. He knew that was not her real eye color, but he never suspected they could be blue.

If he had seen her real eye color before now, he would never have wanted her anywhere close to him. He would have either ignored her, leaving her for the city police to handle or ordered her to be killed. His decision would most likely be the first one, similar to every other blue-eyed human he had come across, unless, of course, she was related to any of his targets. Then, he would settle for the last option.

But he didn't only make the mistake of inviting a blue-eyed woman to his abode. She also had a similar attitude and spirit as the one whose memories haunted him for a long time.

She even had the audacity to request something of him. He could feel her fear. He had the same effect on her as he does on everyone else. But it wasn't satisfying because there was something else she was scared of, and that fear was greater than her fear of him. That irked him.

As if that was not enough, she went ahead to ask him what he cared about.

A sardonic laugh escaped Storm's lips.

"Master Storm, everything is set. It's time for the last item to be added." A male voice echoed from outside his door.

Storm had heard the approaching footsteps, and already knew who it was and why he was there.

"Come get it," Storm responded. A second later, the door was pushed open and the man walked in with a large syringe in his hand.

Storm stretched his right arm out so his elbow was resting on the armrest, while the length of his arm from the elbow to the fingers was hanging away from the armrest at a ninety-degree angle.

Taking that as his cue to proceed, the man moved toward the hand, uncovered the needle, and skillfully inserted it into Storm's flesh, drawing blood.

Once he was done, he pulled out the needle, and replaced the cover, while Storm's skin healed instantly. He gave a bow and turned around to leave the room when Storm's voice made him halt.

"Asaph," Storm called out his name, and he turned around.

"Master," He responded, keeping his gaze on Storm's back.

"Are you assuring me that this one will be perfect?" Storm questioned, returning his arm to its previous position.

"Yes, Master. You will see how effective it is when we demonstrate with the girl. Soon, we will be able to distribute it to the city." Asaph answered with great confidence. His voice sounded firm, without even the slightest hint of doubt, portraying he was more than sure of what he was saying.

Silence reigned in the room as Storm's ears caught on to the sound he had been waiting for. It had taken quite a while and he was beginning to wonder what was keeping the guy.

Seth was a very efficient vampire. Where others fail to achieve something, he always succeeds. So when he didn't return a few minutes after he left to get the kid, Storm couldn't help but worry slightly.

Asaph also didn't make any further moves to leave. He knew Storm still had something to say, so he waited for it. Leaving without being dismissed would cost him his head. He still wanted to live.

As Seth's footsteps drew closer and became louder, so did the strange sounds of the cry of a child. The boy was crying, but not as loudly as other children do.

"How long before it's ready?" Storm finally spoke again.

"Five minutes," Asaph answered.

"I'll join you in ten minutes, after my meal. I hope not to be disappointed. You may leave."

A not-so-noticeable furrow appeared between Asaph's brows, but he quickly did away with it and gave another bow. He walked away from the room afterward.

As soon as he left, Storm pushed himself up to his feet, a smirk forming on his lips as he anticipated meeting with the source of Ellie's strongest fear.