Crimson Bonds

Chapter 27: Syl's Obsession

The tension between Babe and Billy had been growing ever since they learned more about the prophecy and the looming threat of the Blood Moon. Yet, for all their worries about rogue witches, human hunters, and the Council's manipulations, a more personal threat began to rear its head—Syl Coral, the obsessive Siren who refused to let Billy go.

Babe felt it first. The air around him was thick, damp, and unsettling, like a humid sea breeze that pressed too close to the skin. He narrowed his eyes and instinctively reached for Billy, who was nearby. But Billy had stiffened, his sharp vampire senses picking up the same presence that Babe had felt.

"She's here, isn't she?" Babe muttered, already knowing the answer.

Billy sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Syl."

Babe tensed, his heart thumping with a mix of unease and frustration. Syl had been a thorn in their side for far too long, her obsession with Billy clouding every decision she made. She was relentless, and tonight, Babe could feel that she was about to make her boldest move yet.

Before either of them could react, the sound of soft, echoing laughter drifted through the room. The temperature dropped, and a shimmering figure appeared near the door—Syl Coral. Dressed in a flowing, iridescent gown that shimmered like scales, her beauty was as ethereal as it was dangerous. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, but there was something darker behind them, an intensity that made even Billy uneasy.

"Billy, darling," Syl purred, her voice like the song of a siren luring sailors to their doom. "It's been far too long. Don't you think it's time we talk?"

Billy stepped in front of Babe protectively, his expression hard. "There's nothing to talk about, Syl. You need to leave."

Syl's smile faltered for just a moment before she sauntered closer, her voice dripping with sweet venom. "Oh, Billy, you always say that, but we both know you don't really mean it. You can't resist me—no one can."

Babe's jaw tightened. He knew what Syl was trying to do, using her charm and allure to manipulate Billy, to weaken his resolve. But what Syl didn't understand was that Billy had changed. He wasn't the vampire she had known hundreds of years ago. He had something more powerful now—his bond with Babe.

Syl moved even closer, ignoring Babe completely, her focus solely on Billy. She reached out to touch his arm, but Billy jerked away, his eyes flashing with anger. "Enough, Syl," he growled. "I'm not yours anymore."

Her eyes narrowed, her smile turning sharp. "But you were mine, Billy. You were mine long before this... witch came into the picture." She spat the word 'witch' as though it was a curse.

Babe took a step forward, his hands balling into fists. "Back off, Syl. Whatever you think you had with Billy, it's over. You're wasting your time."

Syl's gaze finally flicked over to Babe, her expression cold and disdainful. "Oh, you think you can just come along and take what's mine? You have no idea who you're dealing with, little witch."

Babe's blood magic pulsed within him, a sharp reminder of the power that lay just beneath his skin. He could feel it, coiling, waiting to be unleashed. But he held back, knowing that Syl's manipulations were more dangerous than any physical attack.

Billy's mind raced as he watched Syl and Babe square off. He could feel the tug of Syl's influence, the familiar pull of her powers trying to take hold. For centuries, her voice had been like a siren's call, intoxicating and impossible to resist. But this time was different. This time, there was Babe.

Billy closed his eyes for a brief second, grounding himself in the bond he shared with Babe. It wasn't perfect—they still had so many challenges ahead—but it was real. And for the first time in his long life, he had found someone worth fighting for.

"No," Billy said firmly, his voice steady as he turned back to Syl. "I'm not yours, Syl. I never was. Whatever we had, it's over. I'm with Babe now."

Syl's eyes flashed with fury, and before either of them could react, she unleashed her power. The room filled with the sound of her voice—a haunting, seductive melody that wrapped around Billy like a vice. He staggered, his mind clouding as Syl's song took hold. He could feel himself slipping, her voice pulling him back into the darkness of their past.

"Billy!" Babe shouted, rushing forward. But Syl's song was strong, and Billy's knees buckled as he struggled against her power.

Babe's heart pounded in his chest as he reached out, his blood magic surging. He couldn't let Syl win. He wouldn't.

With a deep breath, Babe tapped into his magic, feeling it course through his veins like fire. His connection to Billy—his love for Billy—was stronger than any spell Syl could cast. Focusing all his energy, Babe reached out and wrapped his hand around Billy's, their bond lighting up like a beacon in the storm.

The effect was immediate. Syl's song faltered, and Billy blinked, the fog lifting from his mind as Babe's magic surged through him, breaking the hold Syl had on him.

"No!" Syl screamed, her voice cracking as she realized her control was slipping. "You can't do this! You're mine!"

But Billy stood tall, his hand tightening around Babe's as he took a step forward, shielding Babe from Syl's wrath. "No, Syl. I'm his. And nothing you do will change that."

Syl's face twisted with rage, her beauty warping into something darker, more sinister. For a moment, it looked as though she might attack, but then her face smoothed over, her eyes going cold and calculating.

"You'll regret this, Billy," she hissed. "Both of you will."

And with that, she disappeared, leaving behind a heavy silence.

Babe let out a shaky breath, his heart still racing from the intensity of the confrontation. Billy turned to him, his expression softening as he pulled Babe into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry," Billy murmured against Babe's hair. "I should have dealt with her a long time ago."

Babe shook his head, his arms wrapping around Billy's waist. "It's not your fault. She's obsessed. But... I think we've made it clear now. She won't win."

Billy smiled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of Babe's head. "No, she won't."

But even as they stood there, holding each other close, both of them knew that Syl wasn't done. Her obsession was far from over, and there would be more battles to come. But for now, they had each other, and that was enough.