With a resounding thud, accompanied by a muffled groan, Mabel was pinned to the bed, his neck firmly grasped.
Amber exerted pressure with her fingers, observing as his features rapidly reddened due to lack of oxygen and listening intently to the rapid flow of blood coursing through his body. Abruptly, she released her hold.
"Cough, cough!"
Mabel coughed violently. Amber stepped back to the bedside. The cross - shaped mark on her neck still seemed to retain the searing warmth of the tender kiss bestowed moments ago.
Witnessing how effortlessly she could inflict harm upon him, Amber's pupils constricted slightly. In a fit of irritation, she kicked over the adjacent chair.
Should she accidentally cause his death, the Blood Pact would remain unbreakable for all eternity.
The shrill ring of the telephone pierced the air. Amber cast a glance at Mabel, whose face was flushed from coughing on the hospital bed, and with a hint of annoyance, pushed the door open and stepped out.
Humans are indeed fragile. Had she not restrained herself in time, would he have met the same fate as last time...!
The insistent ringing of the telephone jolted Amber from her reverie.
"Are you at the hospital? You haven't left, have you?"
Beta's cold, uninflected voice echoed from the other end of the line. Leaning against the wall, Amber exhaled a soft sigh."Of course I haven't left. I wouldn't abandon him in a place filled with our kin."
Amber lifted her eyes slightly. A male and a female of their kind were leaning in the shadows of the corner, seemingly poised to seize the opportune moment.
"You're not entirely witless," Beta's voice carried a faint trace of mockery."You've doubtless noticed, haven't you? How our kin eye unclaimed sustenance."
Amber responded with an affirmative murmur. The blood - red hue in her eyes churned. Had it not been for Beta's presence earlier, at her age of less than fifty, the prey would have been snatched away long ago.
"He's no ordinary sustenance. If our kin were to lay hands on him and inadvertently cause his demise, Amber, you're well - aware of the implications for you."
Amber's grip on the telephone tightened involuntarily. She took a deep breath, and Beta's words gradually quelled the irritation that had flared within her moments ago. Listening to the faint growls of blood - lust resonating around her, she whispered softly,"Understood. I'll attend to it immediately."
The call disconnected. Amber pushed the door open and entered.
Mabel, propped up on the hospital bed, still bore the blush on his cheeks. Sensing the change in her demeanor from moments before, he began,"Miss Amber, I..."
Amber simply regarded him, and finally, let out a heavy sigh.
She pierced her pearlescent white finger with the fangs in her mouth. Dark - red blood welled up from her finger and was presented before Mabel.
Mabel's face flushed instantaneously."What are you doing?"
"Consume my blood. Once you do, the essence of my blood will permeate your being, and when other members of our kin encounter you, they'll recognize your affiliation."
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Amber extended her finger closer, only to find that he remained motionless. She furrowed her brows slightly.
Not allowing Mabel the chance to demur, she leaned forward, one hand clasping his chin, compelling his mouth to part slightly.
The blush on the man's fair countenance deepened. He seemed to resist slightly, yet her slender, frigid fingers pressed in.
The pungent aroma of blood exploded in Mabel's mouth. With a cold expression on her delicate features, Amber's actions were forceful, as if to ensure that he had indeed swallowed. Her fingers pressed firmly against his tongue.
"If you value your life, drink it without hesitation."
The maiden's blood - red eyes bore into him. Mabel's long lashes quivered slightly, and his eyes once again welled with moisture, becoming misty.
Gulp.
Upon hearing the sound of his swallowing, Amber withdrew her fingers. Glancing at the translucent liquid on them, she wiped it directly onto Mabel's garment.
Sitting there with a flushed face, Mabel resembled a coy bride who had been forcefully claimed.
Amber sighed inwardly at his expression. Now was not the time for such coyness.
"Are you capable of walking?"
Amber listened to the commotion around her and regarded the sluggish man on the hospital bed. She clicked her tongue in annoyance. Her cold arms reached out.
One arm encircled his knees, and the other wrapped around his back.
With a sudden heave, Mabel's tall and slender form was lifted by the petite Amber.
"Miss Amber, what is this?!"
"Hold onto me tightly," Amber commanded coldly, watching as the blush spread to the man's neck. Her brow twitched violently.
Bang!
The door was forcefully kicked open by Amber. Despite carrying the over - six - foot - tall Mabel, her pace remained unhindered, as if she were merely holding a tiny kitten or puppy.
Swish! Swish!
Two dark shadows darted forth from the gloom. With human eyesight, it was impossible to make out what they were.
"Hold on tight and don't fall."
Amber murmured softly, nimbly dodging while cradling Mabel's lithe form. The man in her embrace had a flicker in his jet - black eyes and couldn't resist tightening his hold on her neck.
So tightly that his throbbing artery was right beside Amber's lips.
"Move your neck away!"
Amber roared, promptly raising her leg and delivering a fierce kick into the void!
Bang!
One of the shadows plummeted to the ground, instantly toppling a row of chairs.
"Was that... one of your kin?"
The man lifted his handsome countenance slightly, shifted his position, and gazed at Amber's frigid profile. Her eyes blazed with intensity, and the cold arm supporting him was firm and steady, as if... she were shielding him.
Amber, carrying Mabel in her arms, dashed straight towards the door at the end of the corridor, while the other shadow gave chase.
Click!
It was the sound of fangs being bared.
A hand shot out forcefully from behind, lunging straight for Mabel's head.
Fangs even longer than Amber's emerged from the darkness!
Bang!
A seemingly delicate fist struck that face!
The shadow landed in a disheveled heap, accompanied by a resounding crash.
Amber stooped to lift Mabel once more and, moving with remarkable speed, reached the door at the end.
The two shadows rose from the ground, their blood - red eyes fixed on Amber's departing figure as she passed through the door. They had no choice but to abandon their pursuit.
"It's all right now."
Amber watched the disappearing figure on the other side of the door and couldn't help but exhale deeply. Mabel in her arms gave a muffled grunt, his hand still tightly clutching her neck, showing no intention of getting down.
Sensing his tremors, Amber sighed inwardly and carried him downstairs.
"Was that just now... an attempt to seize food?"
Mabel's head nestled in the crook of her neck as he spoke in a low voice. Amber responded with a soft "mm" and, observing his struggle to hold on with one hand, gently said, "You could consider it a rule. A vampire lacking the ability to carry their own sustenance out of that floor doesn't deserve to feast alone."
"Is this the first time you've done this? Defending your food?"
Without answering, Amber had already carried him to the first floor. She lowered her eyes slightly to look at him. "Aren't you getting down yet? You should be able to walk on your own now, right?"
The man's fair complexion flushed again. His handsome face tilted upwards slightly, and his docile black eyes held a hint of shyness. "Miss Amber, my legs are weak. I'm truly sorry."
Amber was taken aback. After a moment, she let out a soft sigh and carried him straight out of the stairwell.
Although this was a private hospital affiliated with the vampire clan, it was also open to humans.
A beautiful woman with a cold visage, carrying a slender man in a princess - carry, was quite a spectacle.
In the hall, everyone's eyes were drawn to them involuntarily.
Amber stared straight ahead. What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a princess - carry before?