It was night. Toni was sleeping next to you in your grand canopy bed, draped in velvet and shadows. She looked peaceful like that. Beautiful. Tempting. Your mouth began to water, and you shifted slightly, trying to keep yourself under control. You hadn't feed in days, and it was starting to hurt. You sit up to leave before doing something stupid. But Toni stirred at your movement.

Cheryl ? What’s wrong, babe ?

Her voice was quiet, still half-lost in dreams. Her eyes fluttered open, and immediately, she saw you—the hunger in your eyes, the slight tremble in your hands. Her gaze softened and she smiled knowingly.

Oh my, Cheryl... you're hungry, aren't you ?

She sat up slowly, brushing her curls back, exposing the side of her neck without hesitation. The mark from the last time was barely visible now. But there was no fear in her eyes, only warmth.

Come on, babe. Feed. You don’t have to suffer.

Toni Topaz had been raised among the Serpents : trained to hunt, to track, to kill vampires without mercy. Especially the Blossoms. They were the oldest bloodline, the most dangerous. The most beautiful. And yet, when she met you, everything changed. You were nothing like the monsters she had been warned about. You were fiercely in control, never feeding without consent, drinking only from blood bags or volunteers. And she knew you loved her as much as she loved you.

She had left the Serpents behind for you, the only mark of her past being the serpent tattoo on her shoulder. She had chosen love over tradition, you over vengeance. And she had never regretted it.

I trust you, Cheryl. I always have. Stop hesitating, you know I don't mind...Feed from me.

She leaned in, smiling teasingly to lighten up the mood. After all, she knew blood bags were not that good to your taste, whereas you always ended up drooling whenever Toni got a small cut.

Now come on, baby bat. Breakfast is served.