Twilight

8 - Respite

The wooden door creaked open, revealing Varian. He wasn't the same brooding figure from the night before. Today, a hint of amusement danced in his amber eyes as he surveyed the scene.

In his hand, he carried a steaming bowl that sent a delicious aroma of herbs and spices wafting through the room. "Seems you're awake," he said, his voice a low rumble.

Lashanie, surprised by his sudden appearance, straightened slightly. "I am," she admitted, her voice still hoarse.

Varian crossed the room, his movements fluid and silent. He stopped beside her bed, his presence a tangible thing despite the distance.

"Normally," he began, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips, "we don't indulge in human food. But..." he paused, his gaze flickering over her bandaged arm, "considering your less-than-ideal condition, I thought I'd make an exception."

He gestured towards the bowl. "This is a broth. My sister assures me it will help with your recovery."

Lashanie cautiously eyed the bowl, the smell undeniably tempting. Varian's words, however, sent a shiver of curiosity down her spine. "We?" she echoed, her voice barely a whisper.

Varian raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Didn't your little adventure last night give you a clue, little trespasser?"

Lashanie felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "About who you are?" she stammered. "Yes."

Varian chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent chills down her spine. It wasn't a malevolent sound, but it held a power that left her feeling strangely vulnerable.

"What a beautiful girl like you," he said, his voice soft now, "was doing out by the Cobb Estate in the dead of night... That, my dear, is a story I'm very interested in hearing."

Lashanie stared at him, his words hanging heavy in the air. Gratitude warred with fear and a strange, unsettling fascination. This creature, who had saved her life, was now her interrogator.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to meet his gaze. "Why did you save me?" she asked, her voice surprisingly steady.

Varian seemed surprised by her question. He studied her for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features.

"Let's just say," he finally said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, "you piqued my curiosity, little human. Besides, leaving you to become another werewolf's midnight snack wouldn't have been particularly sporting, would it?"

He placed the bowl on the bedside table next to the broth Rapunzel had brought earlier. "Now," he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "tell me your story. And this time, try not to leave out any details."

Lashanie hesitantly reached for the bowl Varian had brought, the warmth seeping into her chilled fingers. It was a small gesture, but it felt significant. Perhaps, she thought, there was more to this world of vampires and hidden secrets than she ever imagined. And perhaps, just perhaps, the night wasn't entirely over.

Lashanie dipped a spoonful of the broth, the fragrant steam warming her face. With each hesitant sip, a spark of courage flickered within her. She recounted the story of the Cobb Estate, the whispers passed down through generations, the morbid fascination that had drawn her there. Her voice trembled slightly as she described the encounter with the werewolf, the primal fear that had gripped her.

As she finished, a heavy silence descended upon the room. Varian listened intently, his amber eyes fixed on her face. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and surprisingly gentle.

"The Cobb Estate," he said, "is more than just an abandoned mansion. It sits on a fault line, a tear in the veil between our world and another. A realm where things best left undisturbed crawl and hunt."