Molasses

Arabella gingerly traced the swollen, angry bite mark. Despite the initial sting, the pain was not as intense as she had anticipated, a testament to her high pain tolerance. She looked closely at the injury, and she noticed that the flow of blood had ceased, leaving behind only a dried residue. Arabella took a damp washcloth, the cool, damp fabric offering a soothing contrast against her heated, inflamed flesh as she gently dabbed and wiped away the dried blood. 

Yet even as she tried to soothe and comfort herself, her mind remained stubbornly fixated on Rowan. He would often lie nestled between her thighs, drifting off to a peaceful slumber as she tenderly ran her fingers through his hair. That cherished memory now felt tainted, and Arabella let out a heavy sigh as she realized that the tranquil intimacy she had once shared with Rowan was now forever lost, causing her heart to ache.

A knocking sound through the guest bedroom. "Are you decent?" Cain's deep voice vibrated against her chest.

Arabella jumped at the sound. "One moment" she hummed. She slipped into the emerald Kaftan, draping it over her body.

Though it was slightly more snug than intended, it was still easy enough to move.

"Come in," she called out.

Cain's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene before him, his gaze fixed on the sight of Arabella swamped in Annette's oversized kaftan. The curves of Arabella's fuller figure were tightly constrained by the flowing fabric. Cain shook his head, a faint crease of concern etching his brow as he realized Arabella needed her clothing if she were to be comfortable here. 

Without a moment's hesitation, he moved to Arabella's side, his movements fluid and graceful as he gently helped her settle onto the waiting bed. Reaching out, Cain placed a delicate crystal wine glass filled to the brim with a rich, crimson liquid beside the bed, the deep scarlet hue casting an almost hypnotic glow. 

"How is your bite looking?" he asked, covering her with a blanket.

"It's swollen, and a bit bruised," Arabella explained with her finger. "It might have bled earlier" She looked at him for answers.

"Drink this" Cain handed her the wineglass before sitting back, in thought, while Arabella took a big gulp of that sweet blood. "Your body is still working out the bacteria," he said in a stern voice. "You will have to stay here," he nodded to himself.

"Umm," Arabella quickly swallowed. "I don't think that a good idea" She placed her finger to her lips, subtly wiping the blood from her lip.

"Why?" Cain finally looked at her.

"We don't know each other," Arabella explained, but Cain still looked confused. "I mean, the whole situation itself is all weird and…" She couldn't find the words.

"You don't trust me" Cain sat forward. He was a bit hurt at the sentiment, but he hated the reason behind it.

"I mean you go to understand that," Arabella looked at him.

"but I am your brother's friend," Cain tried to reassure her. He couldn't let her go into the wild in her condition, for her brother's sake…and a little of his own. 

"But we are less than acquaintances and you already know my darkest secret," Arabella brought the thought to perspective.

Cain sat for a moment, railing through a response to her, but he couldn't find any, so he was direct. "You are my responsibility now, and in this state, you are a danger to everyone and yourself. So deal with it" his voice was firm, which only made Arabella want to challenge him but he interrupted her. "I will not let another massacre happen on my hand"

Those words shot Arabella in the chest. She looked down into the crimson thick liquid. "What do I tell Jessica? I can't just show up for work" She traced her finger along the lip of the wine glass rim.

"Business trip," Cain simply put.

"Okay," Arabella nodded. "What now?" 

"You heal and we find you're stable" Cain stood, walking to the door. "You should order some clothes for yourself, something more comfortable"

Arabella nodded, deep in thought. "How do I find my stable?"

Cain leaned against the door frame. "it's something you crave like you do blood. It satisfies the pleasure of it all, not hunger" he looked at Arabella. "What do you crave?"

Arabella sat for a moment, and she licked her fangs. "anything aniseed…no, licorice, you know the one's pebbles covered in hard sugar coating," she thought for a moment. "or molasses" 

"Just straight molasses," Cain smiled at the light in her eyes. 

"I want to dip my finger in it," Arabella demonstrated with her pinky.

"This is gonna be harder than I thought," Cain huffed, liking the lightness that fills in the guest bedroom.

….

Cain strode into the cozy cafe, his arms laden with an abundance of colorful bags brimming with all manner of decadent sweets and confections from the renowned confectionary just down the street. The sheer weight of the sugary haul caused him to where he gratefully sank into the plush comfort of an overstuffed sofa. 

 As Cain settled in, his dear friend Noah approached, a freshly brewed espresso in hand, he look taken aback. "oh, are you entertaining?" the confectionery.

"I have a friend staying over" Cain scratched the back of his head. He felt bad lying.

"Oh, fun" Noah sat down before Cain. He looked with a sweet smile. "I think I should thank you" 

"For?" Cain sipped his coffee.

"Arabella is finally traveling again" Noah stretched his arms. "I feel like I owe it to you. Looking for those pieces must have pushed her to go" 

Cain sat there for a moment, lost in thought.

"She doesn't travel?" he asked, not sure how to feel about the truth.

"Not after Rowan's passing," Noah explained, sadness filtering through his eyes. "They spent every day together, traveling, and life, and then it was all gone." 

"How did he go?" Cain felt like an intruder as he asked the question.

"Not my story to tell, but it was tragic" Noah nodded, blinking away tears. "But now she's out there again, and I am happy" Noah smiled standing. "More coffee?" he asked, walking away before Cain could answer.

…

Arabella sat on the balcony, her gaze fixed on the expansive coffee farm sprawling out before her. The oppressive heat bore down, the air thick with a suffocating humidity that made her skin feel clammy and her lungs ache with each breath. The stifling conditions left her feeling utterly unwell, as if the very atmosphere itself was permeating her body and weighing her down. 

Yet despite the discomfort, her mind refused to focus on anything else but the tantalizing aroma that had captured her senses. It was the unmistakable scent of molasses, rich and baked, drifting lazily through the air and tickling her nose. The sweet, almost caramelized fragrance caused her stomach to clench with a deep, primal hunger, a growl rumbling in her abdomen as if her very body was being drawn inexorably toward the source of that mouthwatering smell. 

Arabella moved gracefully across the sleek, mid-century modern kitchen, her bare feet padding against the cool tile floor as she missed it with a gentle, misty spray. The floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the walls allowed the warm summer sunlight to pour in, casting a soft glow over the space and deepening the scents that filled the air.

As Arabella paused to take it all in, the sight of Cain standing greeted her in the airy kitchen. A light dusting of flour that clung to his skin and clothing marred his usually pristine appearance, and he stood staring down at his phone with a perplexed expression. 

The oppressive heat of the day had gotten to him as well, even though he didn't sweat, he wore only a thin, sweat-stained tank top and a pair of loose, flowing basketball shorts, his muscles rippling beneath the fabric as he shifted his weight. 

"What is happening here?" Arabella looked at the empty packages and molasses lingering on everything.

"Baking, eat that," Cain pointed to the cookies that were dusted with powdered sugar.

"What is it?" Arabella stared at it for a moment, picking it between her fingers.

"It's called Pfeffernusse, spicy Christmas biscuits. This one has all the flavors you were craving yesterday," Cain said nonchalantly.

"Why does this feel like it's gonna be a long day?" she stated with a smile.

Arabella delicately brought the biscuit to her lips, her anticipation palpable. Meanwhile, Cain, having just finished wiping his hands, nonchalantly leaned against the counter, observing her with a knowing smile. As she took a bite, an unexpected and unpleasant flavor immediately assaulted her taste buds. The cookie, to her dismay, tasted like a peculiar combination of fiery spices and musty mold. Without hesitation, she promptly spat it out, her disappointment evident. 

"Fuck no," Arabella said, grabbing a glass of blood and sipping it.