Vaela stands like a statue, lips parted and heart thumping in her chest as she's caught between two approaching titans. Kai stands to her right and Lucien to her left, each armoured in tailor-made suits and veiled composure, radiating tension like the heatwaves of a forge.
The men exchange faint smiles and curt nods..
"Lucien," Kai speaks, his voice sharp as a blade. "Still pretending to be a respectable businessman? Did you ever manage to get all that blood off your hands?"
Lucien tilts his head and scoffs. "Prince Kai, still polishing your manners, I see."
Vaela instinctually steps between the two men, trying to deliver a little laugh to break the tense atmosphere, but a strange cackle escapes her instead.
"Y-You know each other?"
"Unfortunately." Kai replies, lifting his nose at Lucien.
"The prince and I have crossed paths before. Business dealings and such." Lucien smirks. "Didn't quite work out—"
"His family tried to privatize our blood banks." Kai snorts.
Lucien turns and gives an exaggerated wince. "Yes, some… unfortunate decisions were made. All in the past now, right?"
Before Kai can respond, his sister calls his name from the nearby reception desk. Elsuana, tall and sleek in a fitted pantsuit and killer heels, struts toward the group wielding a glare that could melt diamonds.
"Here." she says, her tone as cold as ice. "Your room key. Vanessa."
She shoves a keycard into Vaela's hand without looking her in the eye then grabs Kai's arm and pulls him toward the lobby elevators. "We still have major prep work to do, Kai. We don't have time for… this."
Kai turns to Vaela, holding out his hand as he stares at her, his eyes filled with suspicion. "Are you coming?"
Vaela hesitates, turning to a beaming Lucien and back to Kai, offering him a wavering smile. "I'll be right up. Just need a moment to catch up."
Elsuana scoffs as she tugs Kai harder. "Don't let that moment turn into a mistake." she mutters with contempt.
As soon as the elevator doors close over Kai, Lucien exhales, the heat draining from his face as he turns to Vaela. "That was… something."
Vaela giggles as she brushes strands of hair behind her ear. "He really doesn't seem to like you."
"Can't blame him." Lucien smirks. "If I saw me… with… you…" his voice trails off as his eyes softly trace Vaela's features. "...I'd be worried too."
"Stop." Vaela giggles, her cheeks flashing red.
"Just being honest," he smiles. He nods, gesturing to a small cafe in the corner of the lobby. "Can I get you a coffee?"
He ushers Vaela into a window-booth of the dimly lit, cozy cafe. It bore a stark contrast to the grandeur and opulence of the lobby beside it. Marble and gold giving way to worn wooden beams etched with age, and potted moon-lilies, glowing in quiet corners.
Virgil orders a pair of cappuccinos with a splash of cinnamon, bringing it to the booth along with his signature fanged grin and glowing, golden eyes.
Vaela studies him as he approaches, his tone seemed softer, more gentle and he stares at her with golden eyes that glow with a sense of administration, almost bordering on reverence. But more than that, they held something deeper… honesty and humility.
"I haven't stopped thinking of you, Vanessa." he says, handing Vaela her coffee as he slowly brushes his fingers across hers.
"Oh really?" Vaela smirks. "And here I thought I was just another fling for you."
"Never." he blurts. "The way you… you were the first person that looked at me like… you saw me. For who I really am. For what I could be. Until I met you, I didn't even think I was capable of being more."
"And now you're a changed man?" she says as she leans back, edges of her mouth curled into a proud smirk.
"I'm trying to be." he responds with a sheepish smile. "I've restructured the company. We've cut off three exploitative branches completely. We've been rebuilding our outreach programs. Employing local groups, offering shares to community councils and rolling out free health services. Profits have dipped and investors aren't happy. But we're holding the line."
"W-Wait… seriously?" Vaela gasps. "You did all that?"
Lucien nods proudly. "Even had to fire my uncle. Most of my family pretty much hate my guts right now. Told me I lost my mind."
"Maybe you did!"
He shrugs. "If it means I can sleep better and not feel like I'm sucking the world dry? Totally worth it."
Vaela's smirk fades into something more meaningful as she finds herself again swooning over the vampire sitting across from her. "That's… incredible, Lucien. I had no idea. You didn't have to… I-I hope I didn't make you—"
"No, Vanessa. You didn't." his voice grows quieter. "You made me want to. And that's… that's the difference. That's why you mean so much to me."
Vaela takes a deep breath, trying in vain to calm her spiraling thoughts. It's happening again. A glance, a touch, a feeling… and then her heart. As much as she has changed the man sat before her, so too has he left an indelible mark on her.
"How did you know I was here?" she asks, mostly to change the subject.
"I didn't," he replies, sipping on his coffee. "I'm here on business, with… Kai's uncle, actually. Naestle, I believe."
"You're in the meeting?!" Vaela gasps.
He nods, lifting a brow at her surprised expression. "He approached our company, offered rights to blood banks and clinics in the sea-cities. I thought it was a great opportunity to show their people that private companies can also be responsible. We've created a very comprehensive proposal—"
"Lucien…" she interrupts, leaning in. "Please. Don't make this deal. Don't get involved with these people. Naestle's not interested in being responsible. He's planning something dangerous, something that will hurt a lot of good people. He's going to—"
Vaela pauses as Lucien leans forward and gently places his hand over hers.
"Done." he smirks.
Vaela stares at him stunned into silence.
"W-What do you mean?" she finally stutters.
"I'll pull out. Immediately." he says, leaning back with a grin as he sips his coffee.
Vaela's eyebrows shoot up. "You will?"
His eyes narrow as a crease of conviction edges across his brow. "Anything…" he says softly. "I'll do anything you ask of me. Even if it bankrupts me. You've changed my life. Vanessa. What's left of it is yours."
Vaela's mouth falls open. "Lucien, I don't—"
"No." he says, raising a hand. "I ask nothing in return. You've already given me more than I ever deserved. But… If there's ever the slightest change that we might…" he smiles, tilting his head slightly. "I'd love to spend more time with you, Vanessa, and I'll wait... till you're ready. As long as it takes."
He smiles at her, his cheeks glowing red and lips quivering slightly.
Lucien Von Horitzberg, the corporate lion now looks like a shy schoolboy as he stares coyly at Vaela.
"And, maybe next time we meet, you won't be standing next to a prince." he chuckles.
Vaela laughs, her heart genuinely touched by Lucien's words and honesty. They finish their coffee with light conversation, but the air between them sparks with something familiar, unspoken and sacred.
Lucien eventually glances at his watch. "I should probably go, lots to do… and undo, it seems."
He stands and sees her off with a charming smile. "Think of me?"
"I will."
Vaela remains seated, watching him through the window as he fades off into the crowded lobby.
As he vanishes, Vaela finds herself looking at her own reflection. Her eyes stare back at her, wide and glowing with content.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Lilith purrs as she appears beside Vaela in her human form, naked but for tendrils of smoke twirling around her body.
"He said yes." Vaela replies, her voice in a flat monotone.
"Of course he did. He's yours, remember?"
"He didn't even hesitate. He said he'd do anything for me. And… I believe him. I know he meant it. He—"
Vaela pauses, and for a time, she sits in silence as she finally begins to understand the scope of the power she holds over the men she seduces, and that by winning their hearts, she also won their wealth, power and influence.
"Do you get it now?" Lilith asks as she floats above her head.
"I felt it. A shift. As soon as I asked him, he… it's like he stopped being himself… it felt like he… became a part of me."
"And?"
"... it felt… good. Powerful. Like he's mine to control. Completely."
Vaela lifts her gaze to the crowds of executives and businessmen moving through the lobby like a school of sharply dressed sharks, elegantly swimming toward their next meal.
"All these people." Vaela mutters. "All this power. This wealth. So much influence. And I'm just… one girl."
"One very dangerous girl." Lilith whispers with a sly grin.
"No. I've been naive!" Vaela sneers, her voice growing louder. "I've cared more about their hearts than their hands, about healing them instead of using them."
"Exactly!" Lilith cackles with a snap of her fingers. "So what now, kitten?"
"Now…" Vaela stands, her voice gaining strength with each word. "I'm done winning hearts and minds. Kings, moguls, generals. I'm gonna make them all mine, one seduction at a time… and with their hands, I'll tear the rot from this world and build something better."
Her eyes blaze with a fiery resolve as she turns to Lilith and grins.
"They won't know what hit them!"