CHAPTER 5

Lucian didn’t hesitate. As soon as Elias bolted from the room, he followed. He could hear Elias’ ragged breaths even before he reached his chamber. The door was locked, but that was nothing to him. With one sharp movement, he broke it down, stepping inside with slow, deliberate steps.

Elias stood near the window, arms wrapped around himself, eyes wild and filled with shame. "Leave, Lucian," he muttered, his voice shaking. "Just go."

Lucian’s gaze softened. "Why? Because you did something natural?"

Elias turned sharply, his fists clenching. "That wasn’t me! I don’t do things like that—I’ve never—" He swallowed, unable to finish his sentence. His cheeks burned, his body still sensitive from what had just transpired. "I’m cheap."

Lucian’s jaw clenched as he took another step forward. "You are not cheap. Stop thinking that way. You’re a man. You have needs." His voice lowered, smooth like silk. "It’s normal."

Elias looked at him with hooded eyes, frustration and self-loathing warring inside him. "So it’s normal?" he echoed, voice barely above a whisper. "To touch myself while watching another man being—"

Lucian smirked, tilting his head. "You wanted it. You liked what you saw. There’s nothing shameful about that."

Elias bit his lower lip, staring at the floor. His body was betraying him again, heat creeping up his spine. He despised how Lucian seemed to strip him of all common sense. This was only the second day, for God’s sake, and he already felt as if he were drowning under this man’s influence.

Lucian stepped closer, lifting Elias' chin so their eyes met. "Stop fighting yourself."

Elias inhaled sharply, eyes darting to Lucian’s lips. Before he could stop himself, he surged forward, crushing his lips against Lucian’s. The sheer force of it sent them stumbling back, Lucian’s back hitting the broken doorframe. He groaned against Elias' mouth, hands gripping the smaller man's waist.

Lucian’s mind blurred. Common sense? What common sense? This little kitten stole every ounce of it from him.

Elias kissed him harder, pressing his body flush against Lucian’s. He was angry—angry at himself, angry at how much he wanted this man, angry that his body refused to obey logic. Lucian grabbed Elias’ hips, his fingers digging into soft flesh, forcing Elias against him completely. Their tongues clashed, the heat between them unbearable.

Lucian groaned into Elias’ mouth. "Do you even know what you do to me?"

Elias’ fingers tangled in Lucian’s hair, tugging, eliciting a sharp inhale from the taller man. "You’re the one who ruins me," Elias whispered against his lips. "You make me act like someone I don’t recognize."

Lucian chuckled darkly, his lips ghosting over Elias’ jaw, trailing down his neck. "Then we’re both guilty." His breath was hot against Elias’ skin, making him shiver. "Because you strip me of my control too, kitten."

Elias swallowed hard, his hands gripping Lucian’s shoulders for balance. His entire body was trembling—not from fear, but from anticipation. He wanted this, wanted Lucian. He wanted to stop thinking and just feel.

Lucian pulled back slightly, staring into Elias’ dazed, half-lidded eyes. "If we keep going, I won’t stop."

Elias met his gaze, and for once, he didn’t hesitate. "Then don’t stop."

Lucian growled, crashing their lips together once more, sealing them in a kiss that burned away any remaining doubt.

Lucian doubled over in pain, a sharp, guttural growl tearing from his throat. His hands clutched his abdomen, his entire body trembling. Elias jumped back, heart hammering as he watched Lucian stagger forward before slamming his palm against the doorframe. His breathing was ragged, strained, as though he were holding back something monstrous inside him.

"Lucian? What's happening?" Elias rushed forward but stopped short when Lucian let out a low snarl.

"Don’t—come—close," Lucian gritted out, his fingers digging into the wood so hard that splinters cracked under his grip. His jaw clenched tight, veins protruding in his neck.

Elias took another cautious step, worry eclipsing his common sense. "What do you need? Tell me!"

Lucian’s head snapped up, his eyes—no longer their usual piercing grey—now glowed a deep, hellish red. His breathing hitched, his expression twisted in raw hunger. Elias stumbled back instinctively, but not out of fear. No, something deep inside him whispered that he had no reason to be afraid.

"Blood," Lucian rasped, his voice thick with agony. "I need—"

Elias swallowed hard. Was this man a vampire? He didn't exactly act human. "Mine. Take mine."

Lucian’s fangs glinted under the dim candlelight, his entire body stiffening at Elias’ words. "No."

"Lucian—"

"No!" Lucian’s voice was a broken snarl, his restraint hanging by a fragile thread. "You don’t understand what you’re offering."

Elias took another step forward, his pulse hammering, but not from fear. "I understand that you're in pain. And I also understand that I don't want you to suffer." He reached up, tilting his head slightly, exposing the unmarred skin of his neck. "So drink."

Lucian growled low, dark hunger shadowing his expression. "Elias—"

"Drink." Elias’ voice was steady, his lips parting slightly as he studied Lucian’s reaction.

Lucian’s resolve snapped.

In a blink, he was on Elias, one strong arm wrapping around his waist, the other gripping his hair, pulling his head back. The moment his fangs pierced Elias’ skin, fire licked down Elias’ spine, but it wasn’t pain—it was pleasure. Blinding, intoxicating pleasure.

A strangled moan tore from Elias’ throat, his body going slack in Lucian’s hold. His eyes fluttered shut, his legs trembling. His chest heaved as an unfamiliar heat surged through him, pooling low in his stomach.

Lucian groaned against his throat, his hold tightening as he drank. Elias gasped sharply as a wave of overwhelming bliss crashed through him. His hips bucked involuntarily, his body seeking friction, chasing the high. A sudden, sharp pulse of euphoria hit him like lightning, and he felt his release tear through him, untouched.

"Ah—!" Elias' cry filled the room, his nails digging into Lucian's biceps. His body spasmed, trembling uncontrollably as Lucian continued to drink, dragging him through the pleasure again. And again.

He came a second time, his body on fire, drenched in ecstasy he couldn’t comprehend. His mind was hazy, floating between the world of the living and something far more sinful.

Lucian finally tore himself away, breathing heavily. His tongue darted out, licking the remnants of Elias' blood from his lips, eyes flashing dark with satisfaction. "You…" He trailed off, studying Elias with an unreadable expression.

Elias collapsed against him, weak and trembling, his skin flushed. He panted, trying to steady himself, but his body was wrecked, still tingling from the aftershocks. "What…what was that?" His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Lucian cupped his chin, tilting his face up. "That, darling, was a vampire’s bite."

Elias licked his swollen lips, his thoughts struggling to align. "Why did—why did I—?" He hesitated, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks.

Lucian smirked, thumb brushing against Elias’ jaw. "You came from my bite, kitten." His voice was silk laced with wicked amusement. "You're quite the sensitive one, aren't you?"

Elias swallowed hard, shame flooding his veins. "That—that wasn't normal, was it?" His breath hitched as Lucian leaned closer, their lips nearly brushing.

"Oh no," Lucian purred. "Not normal at all." He traced a teasing finger down Elias' chest, making him shiver. "It means your body belongs to me now."

Elias’ eyes widened. "What?"

Lucian chuckled darkly. "You’re mine, Elias.

" His fingers grazed the fresh bite mark on Elias' neck. "And now, there's no escaping me."