Diabolik Soulmates

~Chapter 28~

Reika's POV:

A wonderful scent wafts its way into my nostrils and wakes up my entire body from the deep slumber. Fluttering open my lids, I lay my eyes on a broad chest, covered by a thin cotton button-up of course. Lifting my weary head, I notice Reiji's unconscious form beneath me and his gorgeous sleeping face. For someone who has been asleep, he still looks amazing. He looks even better up close and without his glasses, soundly breathing through his slightly parted lips and the bed hair slightly covering his face. For some strange reason, that's not entirely what interests me.

Either Reiji put something interesting in the tea I've been drinking, otherwise something strange is happening.

My eyes zero in on the exposed skin on his neck and collarbone, untainted porcelain almost begging for me to puncture and drain it of every juice and nutrient in his body. A tingling feeling arises in my gums, where my canines lie to be precise. Soon enough, my craving for something sweet escalates and the tingling sensation increases into a painful throbbing. I can practically taste my saliva building up in my mouth and drooling out the corners of my lips.

Audibly gulping down my desire and the growing hunger, my eyes widen in shock of my actions and I push myself away from him before I do anything rational. Stepping backwards off the bed, I slump down onto my knees, hitting the oak floorboards below with my eyes trained wide open.

Looking down at my hands, I stare at them endlessly in disgust. I was eyeing him like some sort of meal! But did that stop me? No! What was I thinking, I was like some kind of animal eyeing its prey!

Choking back a sob, I throw my hands over my mouth in shock. It seems for the last few hours, I've been some hopeless emotional wreck, and here I am slouched on the floor judging myself like I'm some sort of monster.

That's when I remember, that I truly am a monster.

Finally breaking out of the shock, I come back to my senses and lift myself from the floor hastily. Before I depart, I crouch down next to Reiji's bed and his still sleeping form. Taking his hand softly in my own, I bring my lips down to place a gentle peck on his knuckles. Scrunching my eyes closed, I will him to stay in his world of slumber.

"Stay safe" I whisper.

Standing up, I look one last time at his tranquil face before silently exiting through his door. I stroll at a fast pace down the hall, trying to act elegant while in a hurry. Hopefully my sisters will get the same idea to come and rendezvous in the greeting hall, excluding the fact they probably forgot about today, but I'm sure they'll remember very soon.

My biggest concern is though, if Cordeney were to strike in this time of weakness, he would have the upper hand and would no doubt defeat us in seconds. Being the decisive person he is, he has probably planned everything up to this point. He could even be in the shadows watching it all play out, before he decides to make his move and cause our downfall.

I refuse to let that happen.

Almost immediately, a flurry of different scents flies into my nose and overwhelms my senses, awakening one in particular. Hunger.

The painful throbbing returns in my gums, straining my teeth as my mouth waters profusely. I clamp a hand around my mouth as a way to suspend this wave of animalistic desire. One aroma invades my nostrils and peaks my taste buds, the smell being so strong I can practically taste it. The thing that scares me, is the fact that the fragrance trails back in the direction I just came from...Reiji's room to be particular.

The urge to turn back is absolutely gut wrenching, but I contain it as best I can, biting down on my gums for a better approach and basically drawing my own blood to satisfy my...bloodlust. Panting heavily, the intoxicating odour eventually fades the farther I get away, thank goodness. After what seems like an eternity, I reach the main foyer and lower the hand still covering my mouth incase I got anymore sudden waves of hunger.

Trying to pass it by as nothing but a measly craving for food is something I simply cannot do, for my desire for sustenance has never been this strong before...except on days like this.

Just as I thought the worst of the never ending agony was over, I hold back a blood curdling scream, in fear of waking the entire mansion, as an excruciating pain pulsates through my body at an alarming rate. Biting the inner part of my cheek, I can taste the metallic liquid pour from the wound I probably inflicted and double over on the ground in pain. Without even caring that my glasses fly off on impact, I clench both my hands around my viciously palpitating heart, beating painfully against the bones of my ribcage.

Drawing steady breaths, I can feel my entire body quaking in fear, until I feel a pair of slim arms wrap around my shoulders and hug me close to them. From the unfamiliar feeling, I can tell this is definitely not Reiji, but I'm in too much pain to care who is holding me at all. My entire body quivers in their arms, the pain of my thudding heart and the feeling of needing to chuck up my entire internal contents onto the floor, becoming unbearable. For a split second, and the person embracing me can hear it too because their entire body tenses along with mine...everything goes silent.

When I say everything, all I can hear are my hitched breaths and the person's next to me, not so much as a heartbeat can be heard. Almost as soon as it happened, I can feel the regular thumping at a normal pace beneath my balled fists.

Before I can have any time to question the previous events, my spectacles are returned to me by an unforgettable hand. My layabout of a sister. I mentally scoff and stifle a humourless chuckle. It's only ever in this situation that she actually gives a damn about any of us, rather than dozing off or keeping to herself and 'drowning her sorrows in the wonders of music', as she's once explained to me.

Snapping out of thought, I crane my head to look her dead in the eyes, her face looking just as solemn as mine, but with a hint of concern. I utter the three words that's on both of our minds.

"It has begun" I affirm sternly.

It takes a couple of seconds for her to register my declaration, but she soon snaps into focus. Carefully, she raises my frail body like a delicate piece of china. How I truly loathe being handled this way, and by my sister nonetheless. Have I stooped so low as to accept help from someone I'd promised never to look inadequate in front of?

Although, I accept her help with no shame. Keeping her hands hooked under my arms, I'm hoisted into the air and steadied on my feet. Before I can completely stand on my still wobbling feet, a red haired figure flashes in front of us within seconds.

"OH COME ON!"

Thanks for reading today everyone!

So long fellow fangirls/fanboys! Until next time!