Deep in the Void

Chapter 13: Toying

Arabella

Arabella teleported them both into Ceris's with a pop of air displacement. For most Enderkin, transporting another humanoid would have been a challenge, but she had a couple of tricks.
Ceris stirred in her arms, her breath warming Arabella's chest.
'Shh.' Arabella hushed her as she tried to speak.
Depositing Ceris in her bed, she raised her hands, a blue-white nimbus glowing in each. With careful precise movements, she began to draw a shape, her hands leaving lines she knew to be exactly 5cm by 5cm. In less than a minute, a comfortable crimson wood chair with orange pillows dropped to the floor.
Pulling it round and seating herself, she watched Ceris fully rouse herself from her nap.
It was an interesting process. Arabella noticed that unlike most people, Ceris's eyes opened first, and from there, minute, almost unnoticeable twitches traveled down her torso and limbs, waking her muscles. It took only half a minute before Ceris sat up, looking completely flexible, though not entirely at ease.
She eyed Arabella's chair.
'Interesting trick.'
Arabella smiled.
'Thank you. Now then, I daresay it's time you got some proper sleep.'
Ceris's stared at her, but was didn't glare, which Arabella took as a positive sign.
'There are some nightclothes in the wardrobe, and a shower through there.'
She pointed at the left wall. Ceris looked distinctly confused, and Arabella realised why after a moment.
'Oh yes. That wall is an illusion. It lets in heat from the shower, without leaving an unattractive hole in the wall. See?'
She got up, walked over to the wall and put her hand through it, the seemingly solid surface turning to mist around her arm.
Ceris looked somewhat sceptical, but nodded.
'Ok. Well...I suppose I'll take a shower and get some rest.'
Arabella raised an eyebrow.
'You don't sound so sure.'
Ceris sighed.
'I admit that I don't feel particularly fatigued, even if I did pass out.'
Arabella tilted her head, regarding her guest. A rather dark idea was forming in her mind.
'Well, I could keep you company until you feel tired. If you'd like?'

Ceris

She hesitated. Arabella was looking at her with amusement, and something else she couldn't identify. It was only later she realised that was hunger.
'Very well. Perhaps I'll enjoy the company.'

Walking over to the closet, she took out a set of dark blue nightclothes, and a towel she'd swear hadn't been there last time.
She moved to the wall Arabella had indicated, paused for a moment, then walked into it. Or rather, through it. Just as it had for Arabella, it turned to mist around her, allowing her to through as though it wasn't there. Which it wasn't really, she supposed.
The 'wall' was not particularly thick, and she only had to take another step before she found herself in a bathroom made of quartz tiled with pleasant blue patterns. There was a sink identical to the one in the main room, but made of quartz instead of baked terracotta, as well as a large bath that Ceris could almost swim in had she been able to.
There was, as Arabella said, a shower. It was slender, but large enough to accommodate her comfortably, with a clear glass front and chestnut brown wood for the sides and back, and several holes in the wall and ceiling that presumably squirted water. The whole setup was rather attractive, and it was only now Ceris realised how tense she'd been feeling.

She wasted no time in stripping down and getting in, where she found two polished blue glass dials.
One for temperature and one for strength. She recalled. She was familiar with the general idea, though had never treated herself to a shower like this in Dragonspire.
Turning the right knob caused jets of warm water to squirt out of the holes on either side, as well as a gentler shower from above. The water was slightly purple due to a chemical that prevented water from irritating Enderkin skin.
She adjusted the heat , then washed herself, using a pleasant smelling bar of soap lying on a small platform at shoulder height.

Having washed herself, she got out, refusing to indulge herself, despite her muscles begging for more.
She quickly dressed in the nightclothes, bundling up her hoody and shorts, and carrying them out along with her knee high boots.
Placing the clothing in her wardrobe, she turned, and noticed that Arabella was watching her intently.
She swallowed, unable to force back the trepidation that came from any interaction with the captain.
'Yes?' Arabella's stare was beginning to make her uncomfortable. There was a longing in it that made her uncomfortable.
Arabella didn't answer for a moment, then the glint faded from her eyes, and she giggled.
'I'm sorry, I was miles away. Sit down.'
She indicated the bed. Ceris did as she was asked, kneeling down on the soft mattress, turning to face the woman now sitting on her left.
'So...' she trailed off after that single word, unsure of what to say. Fortunately, Arabella filled the awkward silence quickly.
'Have you ever met a vampire before?'
Ceris answered quickly. The question surprised her, but Arabella was staring at her again, and she'd rather talk than think about that look.
'I met King Marcel many times during meetings of the Ender Lords, but otherwise no, I did not interact with your kind.'
Arabella didn't so much as blink. Her eyes had locked with Ceris's, and she found it impossible to look away. In fact, it felt like her entire body was freezing up.
Arabella kept her gaze as she spoke.
'Interesting. So I presume you are unaware of our habits?'
Ceris managed to frown, though her brow resisted.
'I'm aware that you are physically stronger than average Enderkin, and you need to consume blood from living creatures to stay alive.'
Arabella inclined her head, but her gaze still didn't move.
'Correct. You mentioned the Ender Lords? You told me you didn't trust anyone else with power over the End. What about them? Surely they would have been fit to help you?'
A little movement returned to Ceris's limbs as she stared at Arabella, slightly angry, but mostly confused.
'Please. Do not toy with my feelings.'
Arabella tilted her head, rising from her chair, only to kneel in front of Ceris, her weight sinking them both down slightly. She was still smiling, but her pupils had shrunk. They looked almost...slitted.
'You really think I seek to toy with your emotions? What gives you that impression?'
Ceris struggled to move her neck to face Arabella's new position.
'Why else would you ask me these questions? Your amusement certainly suggests you enjoy it.'
Arabella's smile widened, but it was slightly cold. Ceris didn't know if this was in confirmation or denial.
'Very well. Back to our original subject. Did you know that it was traditional for vampires to take payment in blood? And that should they take a partner of a different species, they would often feed on them, repaying them with company and protection?'
Ceris's eyes widened. She knew what was coming, but was powerless to stop it.
'No, I did not know that. Why?'
Arabella moved forwards until there was barely a centimetre between them. Her eyes had become cat-like slits.
'You may not be my partner. But you are my guest. Surely I deserve payment for hosting you.'
Ceris opened her mouth to protest, but Arabella moved forwards like liquid, pinning her down as she lay on top of her, mouth opening against the side of her neck as fangs sank in, rich, dark blood pouring out.