The Heat of Midnight

Beyond Blood and Bone

As Chloe walk home, blood dripped down her arms from the deep scratch left by the vampire she encountered. Her anger and frustration kept boiling inside her. Losing the fight to a rogue of all vampires certainly stung, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was getting sloppy.

As Chloe washed the blood stains off her arm in the sink, she couldn't help but notice the smear of blood on her face. "Great," she thought, "So much for coming out unscathed." Annoyed, she rub the blood stain off her face.

"Maybe next time I should try shooting them in the face," she chuckled to herself before shrugging and deciding that it would wash off with some patience and effort.

As Chloe laid in her bed, exhaustion washing over her, she couldn't help but reflect on everything that had happened to her recently. She was tired, physically and emotionally, but she couldn't allow herself the luxury of rest. So she closed her eyes and tried to ignore the world around her.

But just then, she felt a cold breeze blow in from the veranda. With a pang of longing, she knew exactly who had caused it.

"I need to talk to you." Lucian's voice was soft and gentle, his gaze intense as their eyes locked in a moment of intense connection. She felt her heart race, her breath catching in her throat at the thought of him there with her. "It's important."

But, Chloe let out a sarcastic chuckle as she lay in her bed, her gaze still locked on him. She couldn't believe the audacity of this man to show up in her room after all the coldness and distance he had shown her. She could only shake her head and laugh at the irony of it all.

"Chloe" Lucian called as he slumped against the wall.

Chloe rolled her eyes, her arms crossed, her lips set in a firm line. She ignored his presence entirely, refusing to even glance in his direction.

Lucian sighed as he walked over and sat down next to her, leaning his body towards her slightly.

"Chloe," he said in a soft tone. She turned her head towards him, her eyes squinting in annoyance, but behind her tough attitude, she couldn't help but feel her heart fluttering.

"What do you want?" She said, her tone clipped. Lucian raised an eyebrow and tilted his head playfully in response. He seemed to be enjoying her attitude towards him.

"Oh come on, don't be like that," Lucian said, his voice softer and more soothing now. "Let me explain." There was a playful smile on his face as he spoke, and Chloe couldn't resist how his eyes sparkled in the night.

Chloe stared at Lucian, her face filled with annoyance. "You seriously expect me to listen to you now?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. But Lucian's eyes were drawn to her arms, noticing the fresh wound she had there.

"What happened to your arm?" Lucian asked, his tone firm now. He looked at her intently, his gaze serious.

Chloe rolled her eyes and waved him off. "It's just a scratch, nothing serious," she said, her tone dismissive.

He reached out and gently took her arm, turning it around to see the full extent of the wound.

"Let me have a look," he said, his tone becoming serious. Chloe didn't resist as she let him examine the wound.

Chloe noticed the sudden change in Lucian's expression, and she felt her heart pounding in her chest. His grip had become tight, and there was a serious look on his face. "When did this happen?" he asked, his voice lower, and eyes fixed on the wound.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure what to say. But deep down, she knew that Lucian wanted to know the truth, and she didn't want to lie to him. "Earlier, when I was fighting a rogue," she admitted, her tone slightly shaken. Chloe looked up at him, the annoyance and dismissiveness gone from her expression.