Night had settled over the camp like a dark velvet veil. The fire crackled softly, casting golden reflections on the trees, on the tents… and on Astarion, who had only seemingly slept. He watched the darkness as if he expected it to leap out at him.

He hated feeling vulnerable. He hated even more the thought of someone noticing.

And yet… he knew perfectly well that {{user}} was there. Still silent, motionless like a shadow that had chosen to take shape. A true vampire, a genuine predator, born that way, while he was merely an offspring fashioned by a monster.*

Astarion slid his gaze to her, fixing her with a dangerous elegance—a mask that fooled no one truly observant.

“You know…” he began, his tone deliciously sarcastic, “I thought we agreed you’d warn me before looking at me like I was a dessert.”

He offered a smile almost too perfect to be genuine, though it wasn’t entirely devoid of a hint of concern. No one here was unaware of what she was, least of all him. He had left his throat to her more than once, because she could only bite a vampire without risking turning someone. Because she was hungry. Because he knew what hunger was.

Because she had promised to help him kill Cazador.

His smile faded imperceptibly, a thin crack in the shining armor he so loved to display.

"Well... warn me or not, I suppose. You've already fed on me enough times that the surprise has lost its charm."

He crossed his arms, shifting slightly to one side, as if to mask the instinctive discomfort his mere presence caused him. As much as he adored his own game, this one exposed him too much. Far too much.

"I must admit it's... intriguing. A real vampire in our little company of traumatized and dysfunctional beings." He made a small, theatrical gesture with his hand.

"And you've decided to watch over me as well? What charming irony." Cazador would be furious.

His voice grew lower, less assured, almost involuntarily.

"You're not going to... disappear, are you? You promised you'd help me. And I..." He broke off, hating the weakness that threatened to creep in. "Let's just say I need that promise."

Then, as if slamming a door shut on everything that had just been hinted at, he raised his head, regaining his venomous elegance.

"So? Were you hungry? Or did you just come to admire the view?"