It was dark still when she woke to the press of something wet on her shoulder. The clock on the television stand blinked one a.m., and she shivered as something moist dampened her shoulder and ran nearly up to her neck. Alec had gone home a while ago, and she and Neil had fallen asleep on the couch again. She was still there, and she could feel his weight in the dark, lying half over her as he held her.

Had he never gone to the battlegrounds? How long had she been asleep?

Whatever was on her shoulder made it sting as it ran a third course up it, but it took her a moment to be cognizant enough to figure out what was going on in the dark. Hunched over her, Neil's face was on her shoulder, and a shudder ran down her spine as his tongue reflected light in the dark and trailed the curve of her shoulder.

Was he licking her?

Trying to sit up, she failed and fell back on the couch with a groan. Neil turned to her in the darkness, his eyes glowing red, and he retracted his tongue into his mouth, the smallest drop of dark red on it. Silvia touched her shoulder, and her fingers came back with blood on them.

Oh crap. Had he been drinking her blood? She looked to him for an answer, but she didn't get one. Instead, he flinched back, and his breath choked as he moved to get off of her. Grabbing his collar, she stopped him, and he panted in her grips.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't stop myself. The pulsing of your heart against my skin was too loud and heavy, and I... I wanted to feed on you so badly, but I knew it was wrong. I eased the feeling by just barely tasting your blood from your shoulder. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have. Please don't hate me."

Tears escapes Neil's eyes, and she sighed. Any fear she'd had quickly faded as he broke down over her. She couldn't completely blame him for losing control of himself with his face so close to her neck every night.

"Where you bit me won't show when I go to work, so it's fine." Silvia touched his face to try and calm him but had to yank her hand back when he nipped at her fingers.

Tensing all of his muscles, he turned from her, struggling to keep himself from accosting her further. It was intimidating to see his muscles tightened and straining under his shirt as his hands clutched his arms, crossed over his chest. It was more painful to see him in agony, trying so hard to not upset her, but also controlled by his urges as a vampire.

"Will it calm you to continue?" Silvia gave up and offered.

Neil clenched his teeth, meeting her eyes. The way he searched them was as if he was expecting something to be fake. He let out a breath and unhinged his jaw long enough to speak.

"You're not angry?" His voice was so quiet.

"A little creeped out, if we're being honest. I would have preferred you asked." Silvia smiled awkwardly, and it calmed him enough that he eased back to snuggling her side.

It was almost immediate, the touch of his tongue on her shoulder, and he sucked on it with a groan. It drew heat to her face, the sound of his lips on her skin and the way he pressed himself tighter against her as he did it.

"Silvia, you taste so good," Neil whispered into her skin, running his tongue over the small punctures again.

Delving his hands into her hair, he moved down, sliding his fangs along her upper arm, and she flinched as they sliced into her flesh. He pulled a heavy draw of her blood into his mouth with a growl, but he yanked his face back not a second later. Shoving it into the couch, he shook his head, and then his fangs were in the couch.

"Are you going to be okay?" Silvia asked, moving her shoulder. It ached as she leaned down to him.

"No," Neil lifted his face to say but thrust his fangs back into the couch cushion with a low growl just as quickly. "I don't know how to stop when I drink from someone. I'm not experienced enough. I just wanted to taste you. I'm sorry." It was entertaining to make out his words as he clenched his teeth on the leather that was already marred from the last time they'd sat together. This poor guy was going to need a whole new couch.

"You didn't go back home?" Silvia changed the subject, figuring it might help.

"I was going to," Neil lifted his fangs with a frown. "You just smelled so good." Neil ran his hands over his face, clutching it so hard that his claws dug into his flesh. Noticing her horrified look, he pulled them back and the small cuts healed almost instantly. "I already drank so much blood, but every time I'm alone with you, I want yours."

"Is this a bad time to ask if I taste good?" Silvia was extremely interested, but also walking on eggshells with Neil's apparent lack of control. "I mean in comparison to others. Is my blood... different?"

There was heat in Neil's eyes as he glanced at her throat, but he'd calmed down enough to talk with her, so he didn't lunge for it. "Yes." The word was a hiss, and she reddened. "The taste of blood changes with the chemicals in it. Some things make it sweater, the adrenaline of fear, the dopamine and endorphins as a human feels pleasure, and you can't deny the taste of magic." Neil's voice was husky as he crawled over her and leaned his face down to hers.

"You can taste magic?" Silvia asked.

"Yes." Neil kissed her forehead in the dark, and she blushed. "It's actually quite unpleasant." Neil chuckled against her with a smile, and she frowned.

"You said I taste good." Silvia growled.

He moved his lips down to her chin, and her heart skittered as he lifted it and placed his mouth on her throat. She gasped half from fear, and the other from the way he sucked on her skin.

"Neil," she whined, rubbing her legs together, and he chuckled darkly against her neck.

"You do taste good, Silvia," Neil sighed on her skin. "Normally mage blood is very potent. It empowers vampires and gives significantly faster healing, but it tastes strange, heavy, and thick. It flows down our throat like molasses and sticks uncomfortably even though it's better to drink.

"Yours though, is smooth, light, and sweet, like honey, and the power it flushed into my veins was potent and invigorating. Quite strange considering how weak your magic is. I can't imagine what it would taste like if you were... aroused." Neil and she sputtered her breath as he trailed his hand down the outside of her thigh. "You smell so wonderful when I get you excited." Neil leaned into her ear and bit the edge of it. She squeaked and pulled it away from him, but he growled and prowled back over her.

"I can't have too many holes in me when I go back to work, Neil. I already have two sets in my arm I need to keep covered up."

"What you're saying is, if I bite you where no one can see reasonably, it's okay?"

Neil brought his fingers around her hip and to the inside of her legs. A chill from his cool skin and the tingle of his dark magic sank into her thighs as he slid his fingers in between them, and her face was so hot that she couldn't focus on anything. When he gripped the inside of her thigh, she shoved him, and he toppled off the couch.

The bastard went down onto the carpet laughing so hard that she wanted to bludgeon him. "Come on, Silvi. I was playing with you." Neil, placed his arms on the couch and leaned his head on them with a smile. It was dark, so what she saw best was the glint of his fangs and the dim glow of his red eyes.

"I am done being your juice box. Go do vampire things and let me sleep." Silvia crossed her arms and glowered from up on the couch, hugging the cushions for emotional support. Her face was so hot it was unbearable, and she tucked her face into the couch as she imagined Neil trying to arouse her again. There was a cool spot between her legs where his hand had slid between the press of her thighs, and she couldn't calm her heart.

"Very well. Sweet dreams, Silvia," Neil whispered it into her ear, and the brush of his lips teased her ear. By the time she looked to where he'd been, he was gone, and she pulled the blankets tighter. She was hot and uncomfortable, but she wanted them wrapped around her still, to tie her up in comfort and to smother her uncertainty.

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"Before you head to the battlefield, I've organized for a visit to the eastern mage complex," Leon said to her and Alec in his better office. It was full of the same number of books, but had some nice pictures on the wall and the chairs weren't ungodly uncomfortable. They were still poor taste, as short, black armchairs that broke her ass when she sat on them, but her arms weren't splitting.

Her escapades with Neil had her tired, and she was mad that Leon hadn't even told her that she was going to the battlegrounds. She found out through Alec, and Leon still hadn't thought to mention it to her, like if she hadn't figured it out by now, it was her fault.

"It's not bad, Silvia," Alec said, with a reassuring pat, his kind blue eyes sparkling from where he sat next to her. "I'm going over to the east mage complex for some additional training. I mentioned to Leon that maybe they could help you while I'm there, so he said it was okay for you to come with me. You can still come back here during the evening after. Magic commuting is instant no matter where you go."

"It's nice to know I'm consulted on things." Silvia was still bitter, though traveling with Alec during the day sounded fun. They'd be in the battleground in just a few days, so it didn't hurt to meet a few new mages and work more on her useless magic.

"I sincerely hope that they will be able to help you there," Leon said it like she had a disease. "They've been told to expect you. Don't make them wait." Leon shooed them out of the room per normal, and they went without needing even that.

Silvia couldn't stand Leon.

"I can do the transportation spell. I know you're not... great with them." Alec rubbed the back of his neck, forming his staff in left hand. It was simple weapon that looked more like an unadorned broom stick than anything, but it channeled his calling to wood expertly. "Are you ready to go now, or do you need to grab anything?"

"Like what, Jeeves? My coat? The eastern complex is in a bunker, I'll be good. Chauffer me, Cousin." Silvia crawled up and hopped on his shoulders to piggy back him.

Alec fell, and she laughed as they collapsed into the spell. Still laughing, they arrived in the entry room of the eastern complex in an instant, and Alec picked himself up before helping her.

"Now I know you're inexperienced, Silvia, but standing in the circle works just fine. You don't need to ride me." Alec tsked, and she shrugged.

"It's the only ride I'm getting. Can't pick up a man for shit."

Alec full on blushed and tugged at his collar. "I think we should avoid that, if at all possible. Unless you want kids with eleven toes."

Alec shook his hands nervously and headed off down the hallway. He was too timid, and too easy to fluster. What a soft mage like him was doing with power, she didn't know. When they sent him to the battlegrounds, he wouldn't last long without a lot of help. It worried her, but Neil has also said he'd do what he could, and that meant something from a house head.

At the ending of the boring white hallway, they arrived in the mage training area in no time at all. It had more furniture than most of the facility, with a u-desk on the wall to sign in, water dispensers along the left wall, and a few chairs if anyone needed to sit. The walls were still white anti-magic panels though, and they were stone cold to the touch, but they served their purpose.

She could tell there were several people in the training room by the magic that pulsed out the open door, but she had to check in at the desk first. Walking up, she reached for the clipboard but froze when she felt the familiar crackle of dark magic.

It was heavier than what she was used to from Neil, and definitely not pleasant. Before she'd arrived at the counter, a man had been leaning back in a desk chair like he'd been taking a nap, but as she stepped up, his eyes connected with hers, and he snapped to attention out of his chair.

"You." Damien's black eyes darkened, if that were possible.

Shit. What was Neil's second-in-command doing here? "Damien," she tried to be cordial, but a snarl erupted from his throat.

"You must be, Darc Aurion," Alec said timidly, walking up to the desk but keeping behind her. If he meant to use her as a shield, she'd only be a meat shield. "Leon told me to keep a look out for the vampires that they allowed in this complex.

"Damien Arc," the vampire corrected, and Alec paled and tucked his head into her shoulder. "You're a skittish one, aren't you? I was told that they were sending in two mages to train here before being sent to the battlegrounds. You two don't look like battlefield material."

"I come and go from the battleground," Silvia said, flaring all of her nonexistent magic at the man. While she was weak, she loved Alec and didn't like him frightened.

"I can see that," Damien hissed an obvious threat. "If you infiltrate the Arc territory again for information, I will kill you."

"Silvia couldn't infiltrate a preschool class with candy," a voice Silvia knew too well said.

Alec turned to ash as a pair of arms came around his neck. It took her cousin longer to register the dark magic as Neil's than it took her to recognize his normal condescending tone. Closing his eyes, Neil slumped on Alec to stay standing, as if half asleep.

What was he doing conscious in the daytime?

"Neil, get off of him!" Damien yelled, and she jumped closer to Neil as Damien took an aggressive step toward her.

"Sit, Damien!" Neil snapped back with a growl, and surprisingly, he planted himself back in his chair but let out a growl of his own. Well, he was obedient.

"We are here as diplomatic representatives, Neil. Under the peace treaty, you are not to touch the mages without their consent."

"It's not like I'm doing it on purpose." Neil yawned and nuzzled Alec's face, eliciting a nervous whine from him. "I can't stand on my own in the day."

"Then sit... back... down." Damien's tone was tight, and he was crossing his muscular arms over his chest. The man looked like he wanted to rip Neil off of Alec but for some reason was unable to because Neil had told him not to move.

Was there a spell to glue people to their seats? Silvia had to ask Neil to teach her that one.

"Hi," Neil said to Alec with a tiny wave before he planted his hand back on his shoulders.

"H-hello." Alec responded in a squeak.

"I'm Neil Arc. Do you want to be friends?" Neil smiled, and Alec's pallor improved as he calmed. They had only met once, and Alec didn't know how to behave around a vampire in the mage complex.

Neither did she.

"Friends?" Alec asked, adjusting himself so that he could stand up straight with Neil on his shoulders.

"You do know what a friend is, don't know?" Neil asked, raising an eyebrow, and Alec blushed. Neil laughed, and it made Silvia smile. "What's your name?" Neil prodded as if they'd just met, nudging Alec's face with a finger, and her cousin shivered, likely from Neil's freezing skin.

"I'm Alpine Copse," Alec said cordially, keeping up their charade.

"You're a nice kid, aren't you?" Neil cackled, and Alec paled a bit from how he bared his fangs with his wide smile. Neil yawned and stretched, removing his arms from Alec's shoulders. With a glance in her direction, he flicked her a smirk and crawled toward her.

In an instant, there was a wall of dangerous dark magic between them, and Silvia jumped back. It frightened her so badly that she jumped straight into the wall. Like into it. It was the one thing she was good at.

"Ho-ly shit, she just went into the wall." Neil laughed so hard that he slid to the ground and leaned against the other wall. "Damien, you are too defensive. What did you think I was going to do to her?"

Damien put his hands on his hips where he was now standing next to Alec. "Neil, you can't touch her. Return to the training room. We're going there anyway."

"I would, but I'm not sure I can get up." Neil whined, reaching his arms up to Damien, but the vampire turned away.

"You put yourself there, you get yourself up. We'll leave you here then." Damien ushered for Alec to walk, but her cousin froze and looked back to Neil.

"Damien!" Neil whined and sank in on himself. "Come on, help me up." Poor Neil sounded so upset by Damien leaving, as if a parent had just abandoned a child, but Damien didn't turn back for him.

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Word Count: 3075