Isolde’s lips remained sealed around Adam’s neck, her throat working steadily as she swallowed mouthful after mouthful of his blood. The warm, electric taste flooded her senses, and with each pull, the hollow ache inside her eased further. She drank deeply, greedily, her small frame pressed against his chest, her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

Adam’s head was beginning to swim. The lightheadedness had grown from a gentle fog to a persistent haze, and he could feel his pulse straining to keep up with the demand.

"Hey," he said, his voice rougher than he intended. "Isolde. That’s enough. How long are you going to keep sucking?"

For a moment, she didn’t respond. Her mouth remained fixed to his neck, her fangs still buried in the same wounds.

Adam’s hand tightened in her hair softly.

"Isolde."

She pulled back slowly, her lips releasing his skin with a soft, wet sound. A thin trickle of blood ran down her chin, and her tongue darted out, lapping at the remaining crimson with a careful, almost reverent slowness.

Her eyes, when they lifted to meet his, were blazing red—crimson and bright, the pale blue completely consumed by hunger’s afterglow.

Adam’s breath caught. ’Her eyes are red again...’

Isolde’s voice came out soft, barely a whisper. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips still stained with his blood.

"I’m full..."

Adam exhaled, forcing his pulse to steady. He watched as the crimson in her eyes began to fade, the pale blue seeping back like dawn breaking over a blood-red sky. Within moments, her gaze had returned to its usual cool, wary hue.

"Oh." He touched his neck, feeling the punctures already beginning to close. "Good. Lucky I didn’t turn into a mummy."

Isolde’s expression flickered, something between irritation and the faintest trace of guilt.

"You agreed to it yourself. So don’t complain."

Adam’s lips twitched. "Still feels unfair."

"What’s unfair about it?" Isolde’s voice sharpened, her defensive walls snapping back into place. "Don’t speak carelessly—"

She stopped.

Her eyes dropped, taking in the position they were in. She was sitting on Adam’s lap, her legs draped over his thighs, her body still pressed against his chest. Her arms were wrapped around his neck. Her fingers were tangled in his hair.

And he was looking at her with those calm, crimson eyes.

Isolde’s pale face flooded with color. She scrambled off him in a rush, nearly tripping over her own feet, and put several paces of distance between them in the span of a heartbeat.

"Th-That’s enough for today!" Her voice came out too high, too fast. She yanked her hood up, shadowing her burning cheeks. "I’m going back to sleep!"

She spun on her heel and marched toward her spot at the edge of the clearing, where her cloak still lay crumpled against a tree root. She dropped onto it, pulled the fabric tight around her shoulders, and turned her back to the fire with pointed finality.

Adam watched her go, his eyebrows raised.

Then he let out a soft sigh, leaning back against the tree.

"Haaah... I think I just got scammed."

He touched his neck again. The wounds had already sealed, leaving only faint pink marks that would fade by morning. His blood still hummed in his veins, but the lightheadedness was already passing.

The next morning, pale sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled gold across the clearing. The fire had burned down to embers, but Adam had already coaxed it back to life, flames crackling cheerfully as strips of wyvern meat sizzled on makeshift skewers.

Lilith sat cross-legged on a flat stone, a wooden comb in her hand. Ignis sat between her knees, still half-asleep, her fiery hair a tangled mess that stuck out in every direction. Lilith worked the comb through the knots with patient, gentle strokes, her expression serene.

"Hold still, Ignis. You’ll wake up properly once we’re in the air."

Ignis mumbled something unintelligible, her head drooping forward before jerking back up. Her flames flickered weakly, like a candle struggling to stay lit.

Adam turned the meat over, the savory scent filling the clearing. "Hmm. You know, it’s true. Any meat, if you cook it right, will taste good."

Isolde sat apart from them, her back against a tree, her hood still pulled low. The crimson of her hair peeked out from beneath the fabric, catching the morning light. She had been quiet since waking and Adam had caught her stealing glances at him when she thought he wasn’t looking.

Her voice, when it came, was careful. Measured. Trying too hard to sound normal.

"But I still can’t believe that what I ate yesterday was wyvern meat."

Adam glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "That’s because I’m the one who cooked it. Of course it tastes different."

Isolde’s eyes narrowed beneath her hood. "A monster who can cook that well... it’s strange." She tilted her head, studying him like a puzzle she couldn’t solve. "Are you really a monster? Or are you a chef in disguise?"

Adam’s smile widened. He flipped the skewers with practiced ease. "I’m a real monster. And I’m not that good of a chef. I just follow the right steps."

His internal voice was warm, satisfied.

’She’s talking more. Becoming more active. That approach yesterday wasn’t a waste even if she nearly drained me dry.’

He pulled a skewer from the fire, examined the meat, and nodded to himself.

"Here. Try this one. I cooked it longer, so it should be less tough."

He held it out to Isolde.

Isolde stared at the offered skewer. Her pale cheeks flushed faintly behind the shadow of her hood. After a moment, she pushed off from the tree and walked over, taking the meat with careful fingers.

She took a bite. Chewed. Swallowed.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"It’s... better."

Adam’s grin widened. "Told you."

Ignis, finally roused by the smell of food, lifted her head. Her hair, now tangle-free thanks to Lilith’s patient work, fell in soft waves around her shoulders.

"Meat! Is it ready?!"

Lilith set down the comb and patted Ignis’s head. "Almost. Be patient."

Ignis scrambled to her feet and bounded over to the fire, peering at the sizzling skewers with hungry eyes.

"How many can I eat?"

Adam laughed. "As many as you want. We have plenty."

Lilith rose gracefully from the stone, her silver-threaded gown pooling around her ankles. She glided toward the fire, her crimson eyes sweeping over the sizzling meat with quiet approval.

"You’ve outdone yourself again, Adam."

Adam handed her a skewer, his fingers brushing hers. "Eat up. We have a long flight ahead."

Lilith took a delicate bite, her lashes lowering. "Mmm. Tender."

Ignis, already on her second skewer, spoke around a mouthful of meat. "Adam, can you cook like this every day?!"

Adam’s lips curved. "If we have ingredients, sure."

The group ate in comfortable silence, the fire crackling softly as the morning sun climbed higher.

When the last of the meat was gone, Adam leaned back, brushing his hands clean on his pants.

"So, Kaelthar. Is there any kind of gate or checkpoint? Guards asking questions?"

Isolde shook her head, pulling her hood lower. "No. Kaelthar has no real walls. Anyone can walk in. That’s why it’s so lawless." She paused, her voice dropping. "But that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Once you’re inside, you have to watch your back. Everyone knows everyone else’s business, and strangers are noticed." She glanced at Adam. "Especially strangers who look like they have money."

Adam nodded slowly. "So we keep a low profile."

Lilith’s lips curved into a serene smile. "Where’s the fun in that?"

Adam shot her a look. "The fun is getting what we need without having to kill half the city."

Ignis bounced on her heels, her flames flickering with excitement. "I can be low profile! Watch me!" She hunched her shoulders, pulled her hood forward, and walked in an exaggerated crouch. "See? No one will notice me!"

Lilith reached out and flicked her forehead. "You look more suspicious like that."

Ignis rubbed her head, pouting. "Rude."

Adam rose to his feet, stretching his arms above his head. "Alright. Time to move."

He walked to the edge of the clearing, away from the embers of the fire. Then he turned, his body already beginning to shift.

Scales rippled across his skin. Bones lengthened, muscles re-formed, and within moments, the massive serpentine form of the Ouroboros Progenitor loomed above them. His silver-threaded scales caught the morning light, and his crimson eyes, flecked with gold, surveyed his companions.

"Climb on," his mental voice rumbled. "I need to get used to this form."

Ignis’s eyes lit up, flames flickering with excitement. "Ehh? I want to fly with you too, Adam!"

Adam’s massive draconic head turned toward her, his crimson eyes warm. "Hmm. It’s been a long time since we flew together. Alright, Ignis. Let’s fly together."

Ignis’s face split into a wide, brilliant grin. "Okay! Let’s go!"

She stepped away from the group, and her transformation began. Flames rippled across her skin, scales replacing flesh, her form expanding until a magnificent dragon stood beside Adam. Her crimson scales gleamed in the morning light, her wings stretching wide, catching the breeze.

Isolde stared at the two massive dragons, her pale eyes wide beneath her hood. Her voice came out strained, caught somewhere between disbelief and resignation.

"Is it... really alright to fly with these two creatures...?"

Lilith’s lips curved into a serene, unbothered smile. She glided past Isolde, her silver-threaded gown brushing against the grass.

"Relax, vampire. If anyone causes trouble, we can just kill them." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Isolde’s eye twitched. A visible shiver ran down her spine.

"Don’t forget," she said through gritted teeth, "we’re supposed to be low profile..."

Lilith’s smile didn’t waver. She reached Ignis’s side and climbed onto the dragon’s back with fluid grace, settling between the ridges of her spine. Her voice drifted down, light and unconcerned.

"A low profile doesn’t mean you can’t do as you please, Isolde."

Isolde’s jaw tightened. She glanced at Adam and let out a slow, resigned breath.

"...Fine."

She climbed onto Adam’s back, her movements stiff, and settled behind the curve of his neck, pulling her hood low.

Adam’s mental voice rumbled through their minds, warm with amusement.

’Everyone ready?’

Ignis’s flames flickered eagerly. "Ready!"

Lilith’s serene nod. "Yes."

Isolde’s clipped response. "Just fly."

Adam’s massive wings spread wide, catching the morning light. Beside him, Ignis did the same, her crimson wings beating in sync with his.

They launched into the sky.