Lin Shu was pulled along by Seraphina, walking in a great hurry.
Since she was wearing high heels, her stride was already unstable, and she stumbled a few times as she jogged to keep up with Seraphina.
Lin Shu struggled to match her pace, her heart filled with confusion.
‘What’s wrong with her?’
This wasn’t the Seraphina she knew. Usually, Seraphina was casual and at ease, yet now she seemed completely flustered.
It wasn’t until they boarded the carriage and entered the relatively enclosed space that Seraphina seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Lin Shu looked at her with concern.
Seraphina sat on the bench, her fingers unconsciously clutching the edge of the seat.
She was uneasy.
Was it because of the conflict with Leah earlier? Was she worried because Lin Shu’s identity had been revealed in front of everyone?
“Little one, come sit over here,” Seraphina said, her voice laced with suppressed emotion.
Lin Shu followed her instructions obediently. Just as she turned to sit down, Seraphina pulled her from behind and settled Lin Shu directly into her lap.
The proximity was so close that Lin Shu could even hear her heartbeat.
The irregular, rapid rhythm further confirmed Seraphina’s current state of tension.
“Master, are you worried?” Lin Shu asked softly. “Is it because my identity was exposed?”
Seraphina didn’t answer. She simply leaned her head against Lin Shu’s shoulder as she often did, pressing against her neck.
In Lin Shu’s memory, Seraphina was always the protector. She had rarely seen her in such a vulnerable state.
“If it’s about that, it’s all right.”
Lin Shu raised her hand and covered Seraphina’s hand, which was wrapped around her waist, trying to pass the warmth of her palm to her.
“As a human, I became an outlier among the demons years ago. I’ve already experienced all of that. Even though I still face unfriendly stares now, but…”
Saying this, Lin Shu turned around to face Seraphina and continued, “But none of that matters anymore, because I have you by my side now, Master.”
“You help cover for me, and you care about my feelings.”
“That is enough. I won’t be afraid or worried anymore.”
Seraphina had prepared a mask and concealment items for her, which made Lin Shu feel truly cared for. If someone valued her this much, what did the opinions of others matter?
Lin Shu shared her thoughts, hoping to put her at ease.
Seraphina’s pupils trembled slightly, and her frantic heartbeat gradually slowed at the words.
The corners of her mouth curved up, forcing the same smile she always wore. But within that smile, there was a trace of complex emotion.
‘Little one, you don’t know what I’m truly afraid of.’
‘The thing I’m actually worried about is that the Holy Clan is looking for the Key and you.’
Seeing Seraphina’s mood soften, Lin Shu smiled as well.
At that sight, Seraphina hardened her resolve to keep the truth hidden.
If she told her the truth, Lin Shu might also fall into a state of panic and fear.
She couldn’t tell her.
‘I want to keep this smile by my side forever!’
Lin Shu looked away, trying to bring up a lighter topic. “Um, the cooperation with Eve was finalized too, so that’s a good thing. We’ve gained a lot tonight.”
“Yes, it went very smoothly.”
Seraphina answered as her mind calmed down, analyzing the current situation.
Although the informant had been caught by the Holy Clan, the contents of the note suggested they still didn’t know her identity or location.
The cloaked member of the Holy Clan had also been dealt with by her, so there was no chance for them to pass on any information.
She had confidence in the informant; they wouldn’t expose the Drago family.
She and the little one were still safe for now.
Once the tension eased, Seraphina realized she and Lin Shu were facing each other, so close that she could hear the other’s breathing.
Lin Shu’s fair neck was right before her eyes, twitching slightly with every breath.
Seraphina’s heart began to stir, and a primal desire quietly rose within her.
“Little one.”
“Yes, Master?”
“I want your blood. Can you… give it to me?”
Lin Shu saw that the tension in her blood-red eyes had vanished, replaced by an instinctive hunger.
Lin Shu’s heart skipped a beat.
She and Seraphina had plenty of intimate contact, but having it requested so formally made her feel suddenly shy.
‘Is she hungry?’ When she was with Leah, she had her blood drawn before, but it always ended quickly.
One time shouldn’t be an issue.
“…Yes.”
Lin Shu raised her hand to tuck back the strands of hair falling near her neck, revealing a large patch of skin.
She didn’t know if the air in the carriage was too stuffy, but she felt her face heating up.
Seraphina leaned in slowly. She didn’t bite down immediately, instead lightly grazing the skin with her lips before opening her mouth and sinking her fangs in.
“!”
Lin Shu felt a sharp sting, but it was quickly followed by a numbing sensation spreading from her neck.
As Seraphina fed, Lin Shu’s strength drained away rapidly, and her body began to turn soft.
Unable to support herself, she sank further into Seraphina’s lap.
Seraphina supported Lin Shu with her thighs. One of her legs happened to press against the soft inner part of Lin Shu’s thigh, causing another wave of weakness to wash over her.
‘…What’s happening?’
It didn’t hurt at all. Instead, it felt unexpectedly pleasant.
This feeling was too strange; it was completely different from the sensation when Leah drank her blood.
Was it because Seraphina’s method was gentle? Just like how she usually treated her.
Her arms were still wrapped tightly around Lin Shu’s waist, keeping them pressed together.
“Ha… ah… mm…”
Lin Shu couldn’t help but gasp twice. Feeling a sense of shame, she bit her lip.
Her brain was dazed by a rush of pleasure, as if she were floating on clouds in the sky. Her vision gradually began to blur.
With a dazed expression, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Seraphina’s neck, clutching the fabric on the back of her clothes tightly due to the strange sensations.
“…Master…”
“Call me by my name, little one.”
Seraphina let go and licked the two tiny puncture wounds on Lin Shu’s neck, causing them to heal instantly.
In her haze, Lin Shu heard the words and murmured, “…Seraphina.”
‘Ah… was I charmed by a vampire?’
The remnants of logic in Lin Shu’s mind raised the question.
She could no longer tell.
After calling her by her name, the distance between them was momentarily shattered. They were no longer master and servant, but two people embracing each other.
Seraphina savored the taste of Lin Shu’s blood, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
But her arms around Lin Shu didn’t loosen; instead, she pulled her even tighter.
“Let me be selfish for a little longer. Let’s stay like this for a while.”
Seraphina tilted her head, resting it in the crook of Lin Shu’s neck. She closed her eyes, feeling the other woman’s body heat.
Lin Shu’s consciousness was drifting; she didn’t even have the strength to respond.
She gave a muffled hum of agreement and leaned weakly against Seraphina, completely letting down her guard.
Seraphina thought to herself:
‘No matter who Lin Shu is, no matter what her connection to the gods of the Holy Clan might be…’
‘She can only be mine.’
As long as things were handled properly and all potential threats were eliminated, Lin Shu wouldn’t need to know about these complicated entanglements.
The carriage carrying the two of them melded into the silent night…