68. And Enemies

"Enough." His voice sliced through the haze, firm but patient. She barely registered his words, her body still clinging to the pleasure of feeding. Then, a breath, warm against her ear, a whisper coiled in dark promise: "That thirst you have… save it for our enemies." Like a spark in the darkness, the name Jayden blazed in her mind. The moment his face surfaced, the craving shattered. Her eyes flew open, her fangs retreating as she stumbled back, gasping for air as if drowning. She reached for the man again, instinctively—but Rayanne caught her, his hands steady on her shoulders. "Shh… it’s alright." His voice was gentle, his fingers tracing soothing circles over her trembling frame. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to breathe. The burning in her throat faded. Slowly, her irises returned to their natural color, her fangs retracting until they were nothing more than a memory. When she opened her eyes, she watched as Rayanne moved to the man, slicing his own wrist and pressing