“If you ever decide you’d like to join a winning side, come looking.” Yata licked his lips, eyes gleaming with sick amusement as he turned away.
I’m going to kill him. The thought surged through her mind like fire, setting every nerve alight. Her vision blurred with fury, and the deep hunger, the ancient, monstrous darkness buried inside her, stirred.If it’s the last thing I do on this world, I’ll make him bleed.
Her fangs extended, sharp and deadly, as that savage part of her awoke, ravenous, and her nails elongated into claws, her fingers digging into Kiba’s shoulders. As they drew blood, the scent of it hit her senses, tangy and rich, mingling with the filthy remnants of the drug.
What?For a second, it distracted her, grounding her amidst the storm of her rage.
Blood. The thought echoed like a chant.It’s in the blood.
She blinked, her claws retracting, as the realization dawned.Blood is MY domain!
Aimee pressed her lips to Kiba’s neck and gently sank her fangs into his soft throat. He let out a quiet grunt, his body still weak but responding to her touch as blood, warm and thick, flowed into her mouth.
It was rich and intoxicating, yet marred by the bitter taint of Veilroot. And with every careful sip, she focused, fighting against the instinct to take it all, and drew the poison from his blood into her own.
She braced herself for the expected surge of blood born power, but the feeding didn’t strengthen her as it should. Instead, it drained her as the Veilroot infiltrated her body, weakening her with each swallow. But something else was happening, too. Kiba’s color began to return, and the cuts and bruises from their earlier fight sealed, vanishing as if they’d never existed.
What is this? she marveled.
Taking his blood shouldn’t have healed him. Yet, the exchange was generating healing energy where there should’ve been only weakness for him. It was beautiful.
While Kiba improved, though, her body faltered, thoughts growing sluggish as the poison ravaged her from within.
I probably won’t die, she mused faintly.
Unable to even muster the strength to swallow the next mouthful, she slid down his torso, as the world spun around her.
She was about to hit the ground when strong arms wrapped around her, holding her tight.
“Rest now, Aimee.” Kiba eased her down, gently laying her against the cool earth. “I’ll take it from here. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Oh good, she thought, slipping into unconsciousness as a calm peace washed over her.
“You know.” It was Momoka’s voice. “I think I’d like to pursue the healer track more fully when we get back.”
“That’s a good idea, Momoka,” Kiba answered. He sounded tired.
When Aimee’s eyes fluttered open, the warmth of the sun, already high in the sky, pressed against her face. She groaned, every muscle stiff and aching as she attempted to sit up. Her limbs felt like lead, her body heavy from the remnants of blood loss and poison.
“Aimee!” Taiga was at her side in an instant. “You’re awake.”
She tried to respond, but all that came out was a garbled mess.
Rubbing her jaw, she cleared her throat and tried again. “Yeah, I’m awake. Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah!” Taiga didn’t wait for more words; he wrapped his arms around her limp body, pulling her into a tight hug despite her weak protests. “By the time I woke up, the bird asshole was dead, and Kiba-Sensei and Iruka were dragging us to a new campsite.”
Aimee finally managed to sit up as feeling returned to her body. Her gaze immediately fell on Kiba, who was propped up against a tree, his head resting back as Momoka stitched up a deep gash in his side.
“You killed him?” she asked, her voice rough but clearer now.
Kiba nodded. “It was...more difficult than I anticipated,” he admitted. “But yes.”
She studied his face, searching for any flicker of recognition. Her heart pounded as she hesitated, the memory of sinking her fangs into his neck still fresh in her mind.
Does he remember? She swallowed hard, finally daring to ask. “Do you remember...” Her voice trailed off, her lips dry.When I dropped fang and drank your blood like the monster I am.
Kiba exhaled, grunting as Momoka tied off the knot in his bandages. “We'll talk about it later.”
