CHAPTER 2: Scarlet Temptation

　　The antique pendulum clock in the living room struck at midnight. Its melancholic roar echoed in the whole mansion. It may be strange but this sound made the lady of the house curl her body even more on her bed, hoping on an extended trip to dreamland, but that was not the case.

　　Lavinia opened her eyes when she felt the cooling breeze brushing her skin. She wandered her hands on the surface, only to find no one. Fear crept inside her understanding she’s alone, again, inside the dull room where she had a multicolored world of her own.

　　“Sebastian?” Lavinia called, anticipating the man to answer, but, to her fright, no one responded.

　　Lavinia draped the blanket on her body before getting up. She glanced at the midnight sky from the window. The stars were shimmering, making the midnight atmosphere bearable for one who feared the dark. It’s unlikely for her to look at the sky since Sebastian warned her to remain inside the mansion, claiming it’s dangerous outside, and she complied. She couldn’t afford to drop his favor, for it means that she’d lose all the magnificent colors he could offer.

　　She huffed, “What a gloomy world out there.” There was a hint of sadness in her tone. She had been living with Sebastian for several months after he found her sprawling on the ground amid the forest.?

　　The man who appeared to live alone in his vast mansion welcomed her in. He never sought her for the reason why she turned up there with cuts and bruises. She didn’t recall either. All she knew was her name, Lavinia.

　　“Loving the view?”

　　She almost jumped when a pair of firm arms wrapped around her slim waist, followed by a deep and cold tone of voice. She recognized the culprit. She pouted a bit when she realized that she didn’t notice his presence earlier. Lavinia shook her head as a reply. She was not even enjoying the midnight sky. It made her feel like mourning for something she was not sure of.

　　Lavinia flinched when Sebastian began planting kisses on her neck from behind. She swayed her head to the side, allowing him further access. She smiled when the man worshiped her skin. Lavinia guided her hands to his head, pulling his hair, addressing the sensation he was giving her. She let out a moan when Sebastian’s arm enclosed her, dragging her body closer to his.

　　“Sweetheart, I’m hungry,” Sebastian said.

　　“We haven’t had a proper dinner,” Lavinia responded. They haven’t had any food yet.?

　　They each fell asleep and later, they both felt starved.

　　“Ah!” Lavinia shrieked when Sebastian held her waist to turn her around and pressed her down on the window. Half of her body was sticking outside while her legs wobbled. She gasped when the man leaned over her.

　　“Isn’t this dangerous? We might fall,” Lavinia said. Her fists were gripping tight on the window frame on both sides. The man smirked and removed her grasp.

　　“Oh!” Lavinia tried to have a grip once again, but she failed when Sebastian took her wrists above the head, his other hand held the back of her neck.

　　“Isn’t the moon beautiful?” Sebastian asked while peering at the sky. “A meal under the moonlight, how does it sound?”

　　“Err, if you wish to dine like that, we could set a table outside on the patio.” Lavinia shifted her from the moon to the man’s face before her. “Besides, your shining orbs are more fascinating than the moon.” Her compliment reached his ears, causing him to smile, a gentle one.

　　“Sweet,” Sebastian muttered. He leaned his face on her neck, closer. He blew, licked, and sank his fangs.

　　“Hah!” Lavinia didn’t expect the latter action. Her eyes locked on the sky with her mouth cracked. Chill ran down her spine, turning her soul numb from pain. Deeper, Sebastian pierced his fangs harder into her skin.

　　The slurping noise sounded like music to her ears. Lavinia didn’t realize that she had been ravaged until she saw the moon turned crimson. “S-stop…” a small cry escaped her mouth, pleading. She gathered her strength on her hands to push the man away from her but was ineffective. The man was strong, instead of letting her go, he held her hands more tightly.

　　“P-please, s-stop.”

　　Lavinia sobbed, everything around her gradually changed into red. The sky, the moon, and even the air she breathed seemed to be a visible red gas.?

　　She shut her eyes, hoping that the color would fade. This is not the color she wanted. She loathed the red so much, yet, Sebastian, who has shown her beautiful hues, still covered her world crimson.?

　　Despicable.

　　“STOP!” Lavinia opened her eyes. A shiny scarlet pair replaced her brown iris.

　　This time, Sebastian listened to her. He licked the tracks of blood left behind from the holes he pierced on her skin. Laughing, he let go of her hands. He smiled when there was no trace of the wound left on her neck.

　　“Excellent,” he uttered and shifted his gaze on Lavinia’s burning eyes. “Sweetheart, your eyes just changed into balls of glowing flames.”

　　Lavinia remained silent but shoved the man off her. She glared at him coldly.

　　“Come on, sweetheart, it’s now your turn.” Sebastian sat on the bed and tilted his head to the side, revealing his neck.

　　Lavinia pinned the man down and just like a ravenous monster, she impaled holes in his skin with her fangs. It wasn’t gentle, it was rougher than how Sebastian did. She sucked on his blood and the man stayed calm, enduring the harsh treatment from his beloved.

　　“Yeah sure, you can have as much as you crave.” Sebastian reminded her as she continued to drill several more holes. “Too bad, you’ll have to forget about this later.”

　　Lavinia went on slurping Sebastian’s blood. She wished to get rid of the red fluid inside her lover’s body. If she had to consume it all to purify him, she'd do it without reluctance. After all, red is sickening and his blood is red.

　　“Sweetheart,” Sebastian called. If he won’t stop her now, he’ll end up dry. The man heaved a sigh when Lavinia wouldn't stop. He had no choice but to forcefully push her. He swiftly pinned her down, swapping their position, and sealed her lips with his.?

　　Gently, he moved his lips against hers.

　　“You’re mine,” he whispered before casting a spell on her. It didn’t take more than a couple of seconds until it worked. Lavinia slowly closed her eyes. By the time she opens them again, she won’t remember any bloody incident that happened.

　　“You can’t run away from me this time,” Sebastian whispered and planted a kiss on her forehead.

　　“Now, let me count how much prey she caught today.”