Lyra leaned back in her seat, already pressing buttons on the side panel like she owned the car. "So, what's the plan after this? Please tell me it involves food. Like actual food. Not more of that processed cube crap."

Lyra had already kicked her heels off and pulled her knees up onto the seat, ignoring Viola's disgusted glance.

"You know, this is way too quiet for me," Lyra muttered, tapping the glass window as if that would change anything. "We should've brought snacks. Or music. Something."

"You were too busy whining about food to think about that," Viola shot back, crossing her legs neatly.

"I'm telling you, I'm starving," Lyra groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. "Xavier, you're the boss here. Can't you just tell the car to stop at some fast joint or something?"

Xavier glanced at her with a faint smirk. "We're in the air, not on the street. Unless you want me to drop you mid-flight so you can chase a burger."

"Don't tempt me," Lyra muttered, narrowing her eyes, though the corner of her mouth betrayed a grin.

Viola shook her head, sighing. "Honestly, how are you like this? We just came out of a gunfight, and the only thing on your mind is food?"

"Survival instinct," Lyra replied without hesitation. "You think I can shoot straight if I'm hungry? No. Feed me first, then I'll save your life later."

"You'd probably eat during the gunfight if you could," Xavier said, deadpan.

Lyra perked up instantly. "Exactly! Finally, someone who understands me." She nudged his shoulder, clearly proud of herself.

Viola muttered, "Both of you are insufferable," and turned toward the window, pretending the neon skyline was far more interesting than their nonsense.

The hovercar angled downward, merging off the main flow of traffic. The massive Nexus Tower loomed closer, a gleaming spire of glass and steel cutting through the night. It looked like it belonged to another world entirely compared to the chaotic neon slums below.

The car descended onto a private landing pad halfway up the tower, soft thrusters letting it settle with a smooth hiss. The gullwing doors opened, letting the cool night breeze sweep through before sealing behind them.

The elevator led directly into a corridor of sleek, black-glass walls that glowed faintly at the edges. Viola slipped her shoes back on with a small huff. "Finally. My own bed." She glanced at Xavier and Lyra. "Goodnight."

"Night," Lyra sang back, clearly not planning to sleep anytime soon. Viola rolled her eyes and disappeared into the apartment next door.

Xavier tapped the panel to his own unit, and the door slid open. The lights adjusted automatically, spilling warm tones into the wide living space. Lyra stepped in behind him, already eyeing the couch like she was about to claim it.

But Xavier froze. His eyes fell to the side of the entrance, where a pair of shoes sat neatly by the door. Shoes that weren't his. Weren't Lyra's. And definitely weren't Lilia's.

He glanced deeper into the apartment, expression unreadable for a moment. 'Did she bring someone here? Maybe she was feeling left out or bored?'

Lyra noticed his pause and raised a brow. "Something wrong?"

Xavier didn't answer right away, his mind running quick. "...No," he finally muttered, though his eyes stayed locked on those shoes.

Xavier stepped further into the apartment, silent as a shadow, Lyra following behind with her arms crossed and heels clicking lightly against the floor. The lights were dim, almost off, the place practically breathing in the quiet.

He peered into Lilia's room first. The lights were off, curtains drawn. A faint silhouette on the bed confirmed she was asleep.

Xavier's eyes drifted back to the entrance, back to those shoes. They were definitely female. He ran through possibilities quickly. 'Maybe Lilia bought them herself… or maybe she'd bought them before and just took them out now… makes sense why I don't know about them.'

Lyra nudged him. "Hey, I'm hungry."

He glanced at the clock. It was nearly morning. "Seraphina's would be closed by now," he said flatly. "You can either tough it out for a few hours and eat there, or order something now. Your choice."

Lyra made a face but said nothing, already plotting what she'd do.

Xavier walked down the hallway to his own room. He kept the lights off. He stripped out of the suit, the shirts, pants, everything. Naked. Then, he slid under the sheets, stretching out long and easy.

The room was quiet, almost too quiet. He reached to adjust the blanket and felt something soft, something that didn't belong.

He froze. A faint hand gesture and the lights flickered on. And that revealed someone was sleeping on his bed.

It was Reva.

Xavier blinked once, slowly, processing it. Not a word. Not a sound. Just the soft rise and fall of her chest and the faint glow of her hair in the dim light.

He let out a slow breath, shifting slightly on the bed, mind racing with a mix of amusement, curiosity, and that familiar edge of caution.

Xavier stayed still, silent. Watching. Reva slept there like she belonged. His mind ran fast, tracing every possibility—why she was here, what she wanted, and the quiet certainty settling in.

'Blood,' he thought. 'She came for the blood. No other reason.'

Slowly, deliberately, he shifted closer, letting his hand brush against hers on the bed. The warmth hit him, and he let out a low breath. Then, without breaking the tension, he leaned in and nudged her awake.

Her eyes fluttered open, and before he could say anything, she pressed her lips to his in a kiss—soft at first, insistent immediately after. Xavier held her close, letting the moment stretch just long enough to savor it.

He pulled back slightly. "I've got too much pent-up frustration… and I need to take it out on someone. You're lucky. Tonight… I'm fucking you until we both pass out."

His hands were already moving, peeling away her clothes as he spoke, exposing her skin in the dim light. Reva didn't resist. She only watched him, lips slightly parted, eyes glinting with that sharp awareness of her own power.

"Xavier…" she murmured, voice calm but teasing, "remember… I'm a vampire. You… as a human… can't really inflict pain on me."

Xavier smirked, leaning in close again. "I'm not here for pain. I'm here for release. For us both. But trust me… you'll feel it."

Her lips curved into a faint, wicked smile, and Xavier's heart rate picked up, anticipation and control dancing in equal measure.

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