Kai and Camilla walked down a tunnel that led to the team changing rooms. Their navy battle combat suit resting against each other's, Kai leant on Camilla as he limped towards the door. Their suits were stitched with neon blue threads embedded with mana that shimmered in the dark tunnel.
'I told you I wasn't ready Kai, look at you.' She scolded him, but was feeling guilty for running out of mana during the match.
'No, you did well Cami, it was all worth the look on Jake's face when you hacked him.' Kai snickered in satisfaction as he whinged in pain trying to take a seat.
'That did feel good.' Camilla felt a smile sneak up on her as she recalled Jake's reaction. 'I'll keep practicing and next time even if they know what's coming they won't stand a chance!'
Kai gave her an encouraging look seeing her determination. 'But seriously, childhood sweethearts, since when?' She laughed raising her eyebrow in suspicion.
'Hey! I swear it wasn't me, that was all the host.' Kai threw his hands up in surrender.
Camilla was aware of Kai's feelings for her, but they've been brought up together since young and only ever saw him as a brother, she didn't confront his feelings and they both tended to joke around the subject.
Kai wasn't the only one that admired Camilla, with caramel coloured hair that tickled her back and honey hazel eyes, many lost their composure against her delicate features. Yet, Camilla didn't find herself swooning over any of her admirers.
Kai was losing himself in her eyes, but quickly came back to reality noticing Camilla's flushed complexion.
'Are you okay?' The concern visible on his face.
'I'm not sur-…' Camilla couldn't finish her sentence, interrupted with a coughing fit followed by blood.
Kai shot up forgetting his pain to hold her. 'Looks like mana exhaustion, lets get you to the medic.' He tried to remain calm but the worry in his voice was clear.
Mana exhaustion was a common occurrence during the exhibition as many students would push themselves past their limits to showcase the best of their abilities. Medics were many on site to provide quick aid, and students would recover quickly.
Meanwhile, Cassius enjoyed a leisurely walk letting his instincts take the lead to follow the scent. As starved as he was, he wanted to savour the moment. He pondered how he would approach this new kind of hunt, Cassius was confident in his skills to court his prey, but it had been a very long time since he had to rely on such methods.
Lost in thought he found himself in the changing room where the smell had taken over all his senses. His eyes were glued to the drops of blood that lay on the ground tempting him to come closer. Cassius knelt down contemplating whether he would actually go for the bait as he couldn't seem to look away, in the shadow the deep red droplets commanded his gaze. Using his fingers he skilfully slid what remains of the blood on his tips; Cassius brought his fingers to his face, the scent invading every cell in his body.
Giving in, he enjoyed the taste on his tongue and made sure to suck his fingers dry. His eyes turned crimson, making him look like a beast in the dimmed room. His pupils dilated as the blood protruded his system, the well-hidden fangs were on display outside of Cassius' control. He paused and stayed knelt till he could calm his inner beast, those few droplets tasted so enchanting he began anticipating his next meal.
The thought was quickly interrupted as something else came to Cassius' mind; if he could smell such strong blood, others were bound to as well. A vampire as strong as himself could barely control himself, worry came over him imagining if someone weak were to catch the human and break the treaty.
Cassius dialled on his phone, it barely rung. 'Sire?' Estefan picked up the phone in his usual timely manner.
'I need a human's scent diffused, a very strong one.' Cassius wasted no time.
'Sire, your voice... Yes of course, straight away.' Estefan could hear his master's irregular breath, signs he was barely holding on to himself.
'I'll be at the university main entrance, how long?' Cassius' urgency was evident.
'I'm on my way Sire.'
Not too long later Ashin found Cassius resting on the wall and approached. 'Hey, I thought you left? Instead, I find you holding a mysterious villain pose.' Ashin laughed out loud, while Cassius thought that was an adequate description of himself.
'You've got a good eye.' He smiled back, welcoming the jest. 'Tell me Ashin, what do you know about the girl hacker, Camilla?' Cassius figured with as many people as Ashin knew he was bound to have information on her.
'Ahh, I knew you'd ask.' He smiled mischievously. 'After you left, I asked around. Name's Camilla Fern, here on a full scholarship- explains her talent. But if you're after her, dare I say you might even trouble with her, she has no interest whatsoever in romance. Apparently, she's super sweet but with the amount of heart broken men in her trail she's definitely something else.'
Cassius was pleased in Ashin's explanation; he wouldn't want someone weak willed to be the target of his prey.
Driving up to the main entrance was an all-black car with tinted windows, Cassius walked up to the car leaving Ashin behind while the windows rolled down.
'I'm sorry Sire, this is all I could do on such short notice.' Estefan passed over a small cartoon mouse sticker through the window.
Cassius looked at Estefan confused, Estefan hesitated until he released his master had never seen a sticker before. Estefan leant in Cassius' ear and whispered the instructions.
'It will do temporarily.'
As Estefan drove away Cassius walked back to meet Ashin. 'Of course he's rich!' Ashin moaned in a friendly way. 'So, what now? You just gonna camp out waiting for her? I'm sensing stalker vibes.'
'No need.' Cassius replied with playful smirk as he made his way back inside the university.
Cassius could smell Camilla making her way out, skilfully, he turned the corner and bumped into Camilla as though he didn't notice his surroundings.
'Smooth.' Ashin whispered to himself in admiration.
'Apologies!' Cassius said as he let his glasses drop to the ground. He looked up at Camilla taking in her dewy eyes, he couldn't help but smile appreciating her innocent beauty, glad that his prey was also pleasing to the eyes.
Contrary to what Cassius expected, Camilla smiled purely and helped him with his glasses. She looked unfazed by his charm, and it took Cassius by surprise.
'Oh, you must be Camilla the hacker?' Cassius asked while brushing his hair back making sure to move on from his set back. Revealing more of his striking features capturing her gaze.
'Mhm Yea haha that's me.' Camilla replied embarrassed by the sudden centre of attention and found herself blush trying to meet his eyes.
'Be proud! You put on a great show, certainly made me a fan.' Cassius smiled, he gestured to shake her hand.
Although Cassius' charm didn't work on Camilla, she couldn't help but appreciate his handsome appearance regardless. There was something about his demeanour that pulled you in and snatched your focus.
She stretched out her hand to meet his. Cassius took her hand and rather than shake it, he bowed down slightly to meet it with his lips, but not quite enough to touch.
'Cassius, it is my pleasure.' He introduced himself as he silently placed the sticker on her while she was in shock at his sudden gesture. Actions that would normally be cringe seemed so natural when Cassius performed them.
'Hopefully, I will be seeing you again.' Cassius left her company without giving Camilla time to adjust herself and respond.
'No way that worked.' Ashin told himself as he watched form afar. However, it was indeed that simple as Camilla felt butterflies for the first time.