CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

"Show yourself!" I commanded, sounding more confident than I was.

I could hear their harsh breathing pick up, but they remained hidden behind the palm tree. My brows furrowed. Why did they sound so... tantalizing? There was something oddly pure about the melody their blood made pushing through their veins, and I wanted it.

I took slow and careful steps back up the incline to the open patch of grass, watering the flowers beneath me as I went. This human—they were special. I moved to wring out my dripping hair as I tried a softer and kinder approach.

"Please, I just want to talk."

There was a shuffle, then a sigh. Finally, the human with delectable blood stepped out, their face immediately flushing crimson when they saw me. He was a younger man, perhaps even younger than Rory, with hair so light that it was nearly white. They had striking blue-gray eyes and fair skin, their lean body being covered in a pair of shorts and a green t-shirt with a large black dragon on it. They covered their eyes bashfully, drawing attention to the fact that I was completely butt naked.

"Oh my goddess, I'm so sorry!" I rushed, frantically donning my underwear and dress.

The man stayed put, patiently waiting for me to announce that I was decent before uncovering his face.

"You know, for someone who was peeping on a naked woman, you sure are acting shy," I huffed.

His eyes grew wide and panicked. "Oh no, miss! I really wasn't intending on violating your privacy!"

"Then what are you doing here? This is private property." I took a few more steps towards him, and his blood pushed faster. I just wanted one little taste.

"I'm not sure. I mean, I live next door and I had a weird dream last night. The woman in it told me to come here. She said I would find a beautiful woman who would give me some sort of seal."

Luna. Damn it, you're sending humans now?

"What is your name?"

He blinked nervously, licking his lip. "Jesse, Miss."

"Well, Jesse," I started, taking another graceful step towards him. "Do you believe in vampires? Or werewolves?"

He was frozen in place, his frightened eyes spurring me on for some reason. It was thrilling, really.

"Um, n-no. O-of course not-t," he stuttered.

I grinned, my eyes heating as my fangs extended. His heart was too rapid. He would pass out soon if I didn't pounce. He stumbled backward, tripping on a branch and hitting the soil with a thud.

"P-please, don't hurt me."

I licked my lips. "I won't."

And with that, I used my haste to straddle him, restraining his arms with my knees while holding his shoulder and head still with my hands, just like how Rory had done with me in the bath. I plunged into his neck, releasing a flow of blood down my greedy throat. He cried out immediately, pleasurable jumbles that sounded unfamiliar yet charming all at once, and I had to fight the current of blood from reaching his groin. Gods, he was delicious.

Jesse was refreshing, sweet yet sour like a cold glass of lemonade. It was by far better tasting than the blood I tried at Aria, and I had to force myself not to overindulge. The tension poured from his body. He was getting weak. If I didn't stop, he would die. I forced myself off, closing his wounds and leaning back to look at him. He was panting, his eyes hooded and dazed.

Then, a flash of light blinded me, leaving a fist-sized glow on the man's heart. I lifted my hips so I could roll up his shirt while he was still unconscious. A dove holding a fig leaf.

"High Priest."

I jumped off of him, scurrying back on my hands until bumping into a tree. "Shit! I drank from a priest after he saw me naked! That's got to be blasphemous. Luna's going to be pissed."

His eyes popped open and I let out a small gasp, waiting for him to scold me for my indecency. He groaned, rolling to sit whilst rubbing his neck where I had been latched.

"Queen."

"Yes?" I shriveled.

"I think I need a cold swim. Could you give me some privacy, please?"

Oh shit. I just pumped this guy full of aphrodisiacs. Now I could see what Rory was talking about when it came to drinking from humans directly.

"Of course. I'll just, um, be over here."

I crawled my way over to his previous hiding spot, leaning back against the trunk. A few moments later I picked up on the disturbance of the water.

"So, you're a vampire. And a werewolf," he mumbled.

"Yup," I responded, popping the p. "My name is Aria. I'm supposed to bring peace, but I'm sure Luna told you all that stuff."

He grunted in agreement, splashing water all about. I could still hear the blood pooling in his groin, regardless of the cool waves.

"I'm sorry about that. You just sounded really delicious and I wanted a taste. You're the only human I've ever tasted from the tap like that. And the third person I've ever pierced... I normally don't have to worry about the side effects."

"Are the other two immune or something?"

I blushed, drawing patterns in the soil. "No, they are my Kings. I can take care of them afterwards. Oh, I can run and grab someone who can help you out if you want?"

I heard him expel water, choking slightly. "Uh, that's okay. I'm feeling better now."

"Oh. Right, celibacy. You're a priest."

He sniggered. "I don't have to be celibate, Queen. I just have self-control. I don't need to screw random women I don't know."

I giggled in response. He had such a carefree laugh, one that made me feel at peace.

"Okay, well then get dressed. Let's go get some lunch."

I walked beside him at a painfully slow pace, but I didn't mind as much as I thought I would. He was a great person to talk to, and I already considered him a friend after the hour it took to get back. He had a charming sense of humor and seemed a little awkward, but in an adorable and intriguing sort of way. He said that his parents were overseas filming commercials and so he moved into their Vegas home so he could stay in the States. He just turned 18 and enjoyed video games and cheesy horror films.

"So, are we anything like the movies?"

He snorted, pulling his glass of water to his lips. I decided that we should eat lunch on the back patio. We were having pork roast and vegetables, and it was delightful. I popped a carrot in my mouth waiting for him to elaborate.

"The movies aren't nearly as cool. You guys have twin gods ruling over you! And secret wars that us humans know nothing about! And freaking Kingdoms complete with royal seals and a military! I couldn't dream of something as kickass!"

He was waving his arms about, making my face hurt with how wide I smiled. He suddenly got really serious, looking around us before gesturing for me to move closer. I complied, still chewing.

"Though, is it just me or are the gods a little... eccentric?"

I busted out laughing and he followed suit. Eccentric would be an understatement for those two nutcases. I rested my head on his forearm, trying to settle my giggles when I heard a sudden growl to my right. I lifted my head, rubbing my eyes as I finally got a healthy breath in. Hugo and Dior.

"That. That is a human," Rory stated, his arms crossed and head cocked in confusion.

Jesse jumped from his seat, bowing before the Kings.

"Yea, and the fucker's scent is all over her mouth and legs."

What? Oh no.