"Ave, Ave, Dominus,
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus"
Ave Maria - Franz Schubert

🩸

The unknown creature began to take off the white covering she wore, starting at her chest and bringing her hands down—an outline of eyes, a nose, and lips melting off with the fabric. It seemed to never end, as its nimble gloved hands kept pulling. She stumbled into Cian, who quickly righted her and kept the space between them. He moved to her side instead, watching silently at the spectacle before them. When the final stretch of material fell Serafina screamed, clasping her hand over her widened mouth.

The beautiful woman who now stood before them was not entertained by her screech of surprise. She moved out from behind the desk, a single hip cocked. Her height is somewhere between Serafina's and her companion's.

"I have never elicited that type of reaction just from my face before." The woman deadpanned, brushing down the long white material of her dress. It wrapped around her body of the old empire, fashioned into a stola. Her voice was smooth, unmarred, and still accented. Unfamiliar.

Serafina refused to look contrite, instead inspecting the human-appearing figure. She was very tall, with long and thin bones. The skin of her neck and face was a deep tawny color, and her eyes a glinting amber. The bridge of her nose was low, paired intricately with high and wide cheekbones. They inspected her back just as intensely, the brightness of them like burnished gold as they peered between the pair in the dimness of the foyer. Her full lips spread against blindingly white teeth, revealing small sapphires and diamonds that glittered against the ivory of her enamel. Dark hair spiraled high around her head, a crown of willow.

She was ethereal in her looks, otherworldly. And still, Serafina could not identify which species from the underworld she hailed.

"Who are you?" Serafina inquired, refusing to move towards her.

The stranger only gladdened, gesturing to the desk beside her. Where in the undisturbed light, hundreds of bloody fingerprints could now be seen. "Shouldn't you know? You are looking for me."

"La Strega D'oro," Cian answered, taking another step forward. He crossed his arms, looking less triumphant than he should have as he stared at the bloodied piece of wood. Neither of them could have guessed they would be hunted in return. Then, leaning closer so that he could voice his knowledge quietly, "She is rumored to be one of the most powerful of their kind. She is ancient, bred from pagan healers in the Sahara. She is one of three sisters, all with varying abilities and spread out over the continents. Her craft is omniscience."

Witches were not as much of a mystery as other creatures. They were simply humans who practiced magic, and some became so skilled that they were able to charm themselves into immortality.

She sent him an ugly look, letting him know that he should have divulged information that strayed from what she already knew. If this witch possessed all-seeing eyes, she did not wish to see her reflection as they stared at her.

"I much prefer to be called by my true name, Nabra. It is much less pretentious." The Golden Witch seemed unbothered that they spoke of her as if she were not there before them. She tapped her lithe fingers against the desk, amber eyes tracking them like a wolf. "Every person who enters here signs the contract. It is only a drop of blood. Then, you can attempt to seek the answers you crave for."

Serafina lifted her chin to Cian, who had already been staring at her. She lifted her brows, to which he shook his head. His eyes warned her that they simply were not prepared to meet the witch as they believed.

"Great! We will sign together." Serafina exclaimed, already lifting her pointer finger to a lengthening canine. She felt not a pinch as it pierced her skin.

Cian slammed his cane to the ground, grabbing at the angular bridge of his nose. Muttering something about an impetuous woman. The witch laughed heartily, her curls shaking with her shoulders. She clapped her long and gloved fingers together, igniting candles that had secretly lined the long dark halls. The burst of light was jolting, but not enough to make her hesitate. The young vampire went first, placing her finger towards the bottom of the welcome desk on an untouched region. She turned, sucking on her finger to close the wound, and waiting for the reluctant familiar who would bitch her out later for the decision. A few seconds in silence passed as they kept eye contact, the man seething. She wondered what was going on in that pretty head of his, as he made no move to sign his blood over to the with. They did not have a choice.

"Why the all the dither Cian? Do you not trust my judgment?"

"Yes, Cian." The witch mocked behind her.

He scoffed, placing his tongue in his cheek keeping his eyes on Serafina despite the witch being the last one to address him. His jaw clenched along with the grip at the top of his cane, and she spectated the habit with interest. It was one he acquired before he decided to bother the living shit out of her. She continued to lick at the wound on her finger, even as he crossed the little space that was left between them.

"May I borrow a fang?" He spoke the words slowly, his eyes hooded. The corner of his mouth threatened to lift. His intention was definitely to piss her off. Would he do so by asking impudent questions?

"Whatever for?" Serafina balked, crossing her arms over her laced chest.

The familiar lifted his hand, gracefully holding out a single finger. She wondered if he had lost his mind when he brought it close to her fastened lips.

"A show of manners and sophistication in front of our refined host."

Her mouth dropped open without him asking. She simply could not fathom what he asked of her, what it would entail. His fingers nearing her lips, his body close to her own. In their time together, they had nary interacted as one could describe physically intimate. Drawing blood that was not meant to be fed was regarded as a bedroom activity, and he knew that.

There was something he was not telling her, or else he wouldn't ask at all. Should she just get it over with?

He drew closer, his lips full and looked as red as stained black cherry. Blood rushed to her cheeks, to her extremities.

Lead us not into temptation.

She felt watched, judged, and she drew further into her body, "Cut your damn self."

"Ahh, but our friend here does not trust me." Cian bent closer to her height, his spiced scent filling her senses. He kept his hand near her shocked mouth as his eyes motioned to the entertained witch."She thinks I'll swap my blood for another's as if I have the power. So please, take it from me."

She swallowed the bitterness that pooled in the back of her throat. There was always a reason why he neared her, and it was never what she wanted. Not that she had any business desiring anything from him.

No, when you touch me I feel helpless.

"Fine." She breathed out through her nose, acting annoyed. Internally, she felt herself ready to combust. His closeness already weakened her.

No matter his intention, it did little to quell the dizzying and nonsensical effect he had on her. She prepared herself to trick the bond between them, which strongly tied together their emotions by a thin thread. It went taut at stronger emotions, which he conjured in her with nearness. Serafina had to either numb herself entirely, to mimic no reaction at all. Or she would have to smother what she felt with a more piercing emotion, like anger or annoyance. 

When he neared his hand and tapped her bottom lip delicately for her to open her mouth, she decided it would have to be the latter.

He kept his sea-green eyes on the center of her face, neither on her eyes nor lips. She tried her best to look past him as she opened her mouth, letting her fangs push forth from her gums. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, very unusual for a vampire such as herself. She through angry thoughts at him, ranging from simple frustration to how she felt when she murdered others. I hate you. Even though it is the farthest thing from the truth. I hate that you only touch me when it is unavoidable.

She could not help but glance up at him with her awaiting mouth. The man avoided her front teeth, grazing the heat of his flesh against her plump bottom lip. She sucked in a sharp breath, hating herself for it. Cian moved with her, his other hand reaching around her waist lightly so that she would not pull away. I hate you. I hate you. Her chest trembled, shame trickling from her head to her feet. He finally saw her, his eyes narrowing as he pricked his finger against the needle-like point of her canine. She watched as his lips fell open, his pupils dilating and their bond went taut-

Then nothing.

He shut me out.

"Thank you, that is all I needed." Cian smiled, pulling away from her as if struck by poison. He held one arm behind his back, the other lifting his red drop of blood like dew.

Serafina was still left staggering, trying to figure out what emotion he hid from her. He refused to meet her gaze, even as he placed his fingerprint on the witch's block and signed. He kept himself angled stiffly away from her, and she found herself more ashamed. The young woman tried not to panic, but her thoughts were left to spiral into self-consciousness.

What if he felt my attraction?

Was he disgusted and did not wish to embarrass me? How could I be so stupid? After eleven years I should be better at controlling myself. He does not know.

He cannot know.

The Golden Witch threaded her fingers together, revealing golden bracelets running up her arms and over sheer gauzy fabric. Ingesting the vampire and the familiar as if they were iced pastries. "This is just delightful!" She moved past the desk and gestured to the long hallway to the right.

Cian lined up first and she kept her distance behind him. Nabra led the way down the hallway, which was decorated with black wax candles and strange religious portraits. Demons fighting angels and winning. Naked women falling into the bed of the devil. Animals running through kingdoms and biting into flesh. She paused at one at the end, a dark-haired woman praying, as a winged man bit into her from behind.

A loud slam from above made her jump, making their witch guide cackle.

"What was that?" Serafina inquired, now sticking closer behind her companions as they crossed past another dark room. One that seemed to hold a long table, and a kitchen, for a fully functional inn. From the looks of it, they were the only beings in this safe house.

Her head did not turn. "You are not the only creatures in need of hiding."

Serafina wondered if they were being led into a trap, as the hallway seemed never-ending. Each room they passed grew darker, and more gothic. The drapery was laced, and the furniture was overstated. Candlelight grew dimmer until they were all faint outlines of shadow. She was bout to call out the witch for bullshitting them when they made it to a large black door at the end of the corridor. The same insignia of a wolf and crescent moon was etched onto its face.

Placing her gloved palm to the surface, the door opened for them with her enchanted touch.

Nabra stepped into her chamber, stretching out her arms to show off its brilliance. The room was warm with the light of golden candles, mimicking the midday sun. A midnight colored waterfall sounded in the corner, leading to a small pond which disappeared into rock under their feet. Small fish with pointed teeth swam absentmindedly, their eyes white with blindness. Barbed flowers with dark yellow stems and black petals dotted the smooth, bark like walls. Rounded glass jars filled with colorful liquid fixed with ties hung from the ceilings, and lined shelves which held themselves diagonally on the sides of the room. A large round table fixed itself in the center of the room, a large cauldron bubbling a green brew underneath it. Incense burned in the corner of the room, smelling of myrrh and masking whatever was boiling.

As Cian and Serafina took careful note of their surroundings, the witch quickly made her way to the large wooden chair that was wrought in dark purple ivy, settling her hands on a spell-casting table which was carved with various runes and symbols. They glowed a faint ochre as she swirled her palms over the lines, calling upon her magic.

Serafina felt her palms grow slick, as the witch's eyes started rolling into the back of her head. Cian finally looked at her, his brow lifted in question.

"Why are you standing with sticks up your asses?" Nabra called to them, grabbing their attention. Her eyes were back to normal, though a frown settled on her lips, "Sit. You are my friends as long as I find you interesting."

The old friend gave each other another quick stare, knowing their safety depending on the powerful beings entertainment. They took turns when gouging for information, depending on if their business partner enjoyed charm or stoicism. Which meant Serafina would be the lead in this pursuit, considering her propensity to shock both her enemies and herself.

Would Nabra become an enemy?

Serafina quickly pulled at a small metal chair, settling herself down at the table. She pulled her feet away from the brewing cauldron, it's heat even searing her impenetrable skin. Cian followed her, though much more intentional with his movement. He grabbed his chair, staring down the witch as she sneered up at him with mocking thrill. He sat down gracefully, propping up his cane beside him. Ignoring the witch who was slowly losing patience with them.

"Do not wait on my account." He said with a slight smirk, finally settled.

The witch's smile tightened, letting her gaze slide to Serafina, "One of you summoned me here, and I would like to know why." She let her hands arch, her gloved nails now claws on the table. "Cian of the shadows, and Serafina of the sun, tell me-"Her tongue met the roof of her mouth, her amber eyes burning brightly.  "What do you seek?"

The question drew lines down her back, dotting them. An easy task it was not, but she could not run away from herself any longer.

Serafina knew without a doubt she would not leave this haven the same.

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(A/N: AYYYEEE one more chapter to go before I submit! It's crazy because I had to finish Solace before I started this, so I had less than a month to get it all out. I hope everyone is enjoying the storyline, the chapters will be longer after this initial submission.

Thank you!

Also...did I peep some mutual tension? What is going on!!!

Nabra is awesome. Just wait and see hahahah!!!!