"Then you'll finally get the answers you've been looking for," Manni replied softly, his tone encouraging.
A beat passed, heavy with unspoken fears and hopes. Then Alaric exhaled sharply, his decision made. "Alright then, Fiery," he said, using his pet name for Salviana.
Salviana smiled faintly, her resolve unshaken. She stepped forward and extended her arm toward Alaric.
Without hesitation, he took her wrist and, with the sharp edge of his clawed index finger, made a precise cut.
The sudden pain drew a soft gasp from her lips, but she didn't pull away. Alaric quickly positioned her wrist over Lucius's pale, unmoving lips.
Jean knelt beside Lucius, her hands trembling as she gently pried his mouth open to allow the blood to flow freely.
Thick, crimson drops slid from Salviana's wrist, dripping into Lucius's mouth with an almost hypnotic rhythm.