Daylight\\A.I. & C.H.

<:8:>

Ashton and Calum

Ashton parks outside a large towering mansion in the deep hills on the other side of the city, smaller than the party house they keep calling The Haven, but still thrice the size of their own current home. The ladies lead them inside and weave through the large lower level. Matching Victorian couches and lounge chairs set up in small gathering areas fill the room with mini bar stations all along the outskirts. People gathering around those bars, chatting with red solo cups or in the lounge areas, watching as Veronica and Claire stir Calum and Ashton through this main living quarter.

In the corners are more modern looking leather couches and games. A man and woman stop playing ping-pong and lift their hands to wave at Ashton and Calum, a knowing smile on their mouths. Calum and Ashton share a glance, feeling strange and grateful when they exit out of the large space and into a foyer that contains a massive staircase.

They ascend to the second level and travel down a long hallway before Veronica stops and opens a door. They enter into a small living room, furnished with a velvet loveseat and chaise in front of a six foot fireplace. A bar is set up in the corner near one of the three doors that leads elsewhere.

Veronica and Claire remove their jackets as Ashton and Calum gawk at the high ceiling wood paneled room. The wallpaper flashes with gold detailing from the large looming chandelier above their heads. Claire snickers at Ashton's wide hazel eyes before noticing Calum's are just as huge.

"This is our House," Veronica tells them. "Get comfortable."

Calum obliges and removes his hoodie as Claire approaches Ashton, their eyes locking as she reaches her small cold hands up to his leather jacket to help push it off his shoulders. His eyes flutter with a smile as her hands run down his chest and a knowing smile spreads on her plump lips, making his mouth water. She takes his coat to the coat rack with hers and Veronica's while Ashton joins Calum on the loveseat, watching Claire intently.

"Can you please tell us what's going on?" Calum asks, locking his eyes on Veronica's, noticing a golden glow in the light of the fire and flaming chandelier.

"How much of last night do you remember?" Veronica starts and Claire slowly moves next to her, watching both of their reactions with care.

Ashton and Calum look at each other nervously before looking back at the women and Claum clears his throat, "I remember most of it."

Calum's eyes peer into Veronica's, confirming the most unnatural part of their time together as Ashton looks at his clasped hands in his lap, staring at the place he knows he can feel the scar. He touches it with his thumb before looking up at Claire, finding her staring at him with a range of emotions. Confusion, excitement, and sorrow all seem to play across her face before she looks away to Veronica.

"Then you know why this is dangerous for you," Veronica stands firm, lifting her head matter of fact.

"You aren't going to kill us," Calum challenges as Ashton's gaze bounces between all of them.

"But we could. Even by accident," Claire states quietly, before looking at Ashton as he recalls her pulling him, who is more than twice her size, to his feet the night prior.

"We aren't Fledglings but The Hunger can overpower any of us," Veronica says seriously to the men on the couch in front of her, willing them to understand.

"I trust you," Ashton says straight to Claire, meaning it with all his being.

"Of course you do," Veronica shakes her head, "Our pheromones make you feel safe and at ease."

"Easy prey," Claire whispers.

"Is that all you think we are?" Calum furrows his brows, upset and surprising Veronica, "If so then why are we still alive?"

"Because we don't think that," Claire steps to him and he relaxes before they both look at Ashton, his face like stone. "We enjoy your company, too," she adds as she looks into Ashton's hazel eyes and his heart thumps in his chest.

He smiles at her in reassurance, but he doesn't care. Even if she just wanted to use him, he'd let her just for the chance to touch her again. Just for the chance to see her again. Just for the chance to be in her presence.

"We really do," Veronica smiles at Calum, making him smirk as his eyes roam her body, admitting to himself that he doesn't care if she consumes him, as long she returns the favor. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Is that supposed to be a joke?" Ashton chuckles, making Claire snicker.

"No, we have whiskey or wine," Claire heads to the bar.

"The same wine as last night?" Calum asks, making Claire and Veronica share a glance.

"I can make that if you wish," Veronica shrugs, meeting Claire at the bar.

Calum gives a suggestive frown to Ashton and shrugs before looking back at Veronica, "Sure."

"Ashton, Honey?" Claire coos, getting his attention, "What would you like?"

"Some whiskey, thanks," he smiles sweetly at her, mesmerized as he watches her graceful movements.

Veronica comes around the couch with a glass of wine, standing in front of Calum and brings her wrist to mouth, biting it before letting her thick dark blood drip into the cup.

"Whoa!" Calum and Ashton say in unison, squirming as Calum puts his hands up.

"You said this is what you wanted," Veronica tells him confused.

"We didn't drink blood last night," Ashton grimaces.

"Yes, you did," Veronica nods, "You had Shadow Wine last night."

"What, no," Calum shakes his head.

"I know the taste of blood, that did not taste like blood," Ashton shakes his head as Claire joins them, handing Ashton his whiskey.

"You know the taste of human blood," she corrects him.

"Shadow Wine has Vampyre blood," Veronica tells them, kneeling in front of Calum and holding out the glass to him.

He looks at Ashton before looking at the glass, remembering the sweet thick liquid that melted and then coated his mouth, making his mouth water and his whole body warm. He swallows as he longs to feel that euphoria again, craving the high that took over him. He takes it from Veronica before looking her in the eye and she rests her hands on his knees while he realizes he wants to drink solely on the fact of it being her own offering. His eyes stay on hers as he tilts the glass and takes a large gulp, the drink sweeter and more alluring than it was last night, making his eyes close in pleasure while his body tingles.

Ashton watches in awe as his best friend completely morphs in front of his eyes. Calum's shoulders become lax and his face falls emotionless at complete bliss and his torso begins to sway. His eyes open and lock to Veronica's again, making her smile widely before he takes another gulp. She scoots between his legs as he grabs her hand and finishes the glass, licking his lips as he stares at her adoringly, Ashton completely non-existent to him now.

Ashton's astonished gaze is torn away when Claire's small cold hand pulls his face to look at her, her emerald eyes glowing with intrigue and desire. His heart pounds in his chest and she pushes her index finger into her canine, pulling it away as a thick drop beads on her fingertip. Ashton swallows as she brings it to his mouth and he slowly lowers his jaw. She presses her finger to his warm wet tongue and smears the drop down, his tongue pushing out over his full bottom lip as his eyes close and flicks off her finger as she withdrawals it.

The liquid softens over his taste buds and he closes his jaw to press his tongue to the roof of his mouth, moaning as he savors her essence; better than whomever he consumed last night. He swallows down her flavor, feeling the drug leak into his system quickly and warm his body. The small drop so lethal it hugs his brain as a smile spread on his face, already high on her. His eyes slowly open and she smirks, beaconing him with her already healed finger and leads him into her room.