Twilight's Embrace

Chapter 8

The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the forest floor as Subaru carried Amara's unconscious form back to the mansion. Her body was limp and warm in his arms, her blood still lingering on his tongue.

His thoughts were a tumultuous storm of conflict and confusion. On one hand, he relished the power and satisfaction of feeding on her sweet blood. But on the other, he felt a strange sense of unease, a tug of guilt deep in his core that he couldn't quite explain.

Subaru shook his head, pushing away the unfamiliar emotions. He was a vampire, after all. This was his nature, his way of life. Yet, even as he repeated these words in his head, he couldn't help but glance down at Amara's peaceful face, her chest rising and falling with each breath.

"Tch," he muttered under his breath, his grip on her tightening slightly. "What is wrong with me?"

The mansion loomed ahead, its dark, imposing structure a stark contrast to the moonlit forest. Subaru quickened his pace, eager to deposit Amara in her room and be rid of this strange, unsettling feeling.

As he didn't feel like running in on his brothers, Subaru secured his hold on Amara, making sure she wouldn't fall out of his arms, before taking off into the sky. He flew them to the balcony of Amara's room, his expression stony as he floated through midair.

He landed gracefully on the solid stone, and managed to open the balcony door, while still holding Amara in his arms. Gently, he laid her down on the bed, careful not to wake her. He stared down at her for a moment, studying her features in the dim light of the room. There was something about her that drew him in, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Foolish," he murmured, his voice harsh even to his own ears. He turned away, intending to leave, but something compelled him to stay.

He found himself reaching out, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. His touch was gentle, almost tender, a stark contrast to his earlier aggression.

"What are you doing to me?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The silence of the room was deafening, punctuated only by the soft sound of Amara's breathing. Subaru's hand lingered near her face, his eyes locked on her peaceful expression. He wasn't accustomed to feeling this way—this strange mixture of confusion, guilt, and something else he couldn't quite identify.

Suddenly, Amara stirred, her brows furrowing in her sleep. Subaru quickly withdrew his hand, stepping back as if burned. He watched as she shifted, her eyes fluttering open.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Then, as if realizing where she was, Amara bolted upright, her hand flying to her neck.

"You..." she started, her voice hoarse.

Subaru's expression hardened. "Yes, me," he said. "I told you that I'd teach you what would happen if you were caught by a vampire, and I did, didn't I?" His words were harsh, but his gaze lingered on her, betraying his conflicted emotions.

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you do it?"

Subaru's eyes narrowed, a muscle in his jaw twitching. "Because that's what vampires do," he said. "We hunt, we feed, we destroy."

"But you didn't have to," Amara protested, her eyes locked on his. "You could've let me go."

Subaru let out a humorless laugh, his expression hardening. "And why would I do that?" he asked. "You were the one who wanted to learn about our world. You were the one who chose me. Did you think it'd be all moonshine and roses?"

Amara flinched as if struck, Subaru's words cutting deep. She didn't know what to say, how to express the turmoil of emotions that raged within her. Instead, she simply stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes.