Isabela slowly eased back into consciousness. She stared up at the ceiling, trying to catch her breath. There was no doubt in her mind that her throat wouldn't be bruised.

Isabela's headache pounded—-she blinked a couple of times, hoping it would go away; it did nothing for her. She rubbed her eyes. From what she saw from her laying down position, the surroundings were nothing that she remembered. "Where am I?" She choked out.

A familiar, soft face appeared above her. "You're safe now, Isabela," Axiothea whispered, soothingly. She began to run her fingers through Isabela's hair.

"Axiothea-" Isabela began to speak, her voice hoarse. "W-what happened?"

"Vek attacked you," Axiothea explained to the vampire. "It wasn't as bad as it could've been," Axiothea began to address Isabela's injury. She gently pushed the hair away from Isabela's neck—-brushing it aside. "But, it's still gonna leave a bruise."

Isabela tried to sit up, but her headache got worse.

Axiothea urged her to lay down again, but Isabela remained sitting. "Woah, woah, woah." Her hands were put out in front of her. "You just woke up. I don't know why you need to get up."

Isabela held her hand that was somewhat in a fist against her the side of her head. "My head~" She moaned.

Axiothea took a seat by the vampire and rubbed her back. "It's bound to hurt… You'll probably feel lightheaded too."

"Hell yeah I do," Isabela grumbled. She slowly picked her head up from its drooping position. Her eyes widened with recognition when she saw the other figure standing before her—-Ferrantino.

"Ferrantino," Isabela began.

"I know, I know," Ferrantino started to try to explain. "I bet you're irked… You don't want to see me. I get it-"

"No, no. The opposite actually," Isabela said to the Italian vampire. "Did I see right? When I drifted off?"

Ferrantino leaned against the wall, adjusting how his arms were crossed in front of him. "I don't know…" He began. "What did you see?"

"I uh," Isabela began. "I saw you punch Vek."

"Oh, he did." Axiothea moved closer to Isabela, making the vampire's heart rate elevate. "He gave Vek a run for his money, matter of fact."

"Thank you," Isabela said to Ferrantino as she turned back to face him.

Ferrantino smiled a little at her. "You're welcome." He inhaled. "Though, I should apologize… For my prior behavior. I served Ednoth as you know."

Isabela raised an eyebrow. "Served? As in past tense?"

Ferrantino nodded. "Yes. I've decided to take a leave from his company." He swallowed. "When I first became a vampire… I was scared… Alone. Ednoth found me. He took me in when nobody else would." He was silent for a moment. "I guess I was too preoccupied thinking of what Ednoth did for me and how I'd repay the debt that I didn't stop to think about what was right and wrong. And for that, I am truly sorry my lady."

"All has been forgiven," Isabela told him.

Ferrantino questioned, "Are you sure?"

Isabela nodded. "I'm sure, Ferrantino."

Ferrantino faintly smiled.

Axiothea's hand brushed against Isabela's arm.

Isabela stiffened, remembering what Vek had said right before she lost consciousness.

Isabela forced herself stood up to stand up, much to Axiothea and Ferrantino's protest. She stumbled forward—-almost tripping quite a few times—-her eyes dead locked on her destination: the door.

"What are you doing?" Axiothea asked, concerned as she rushed over, just in time to catch Isabela's fall.

"V-Vek said he'd kill me if he caught me near you," Isabela explained to the older girl, her voice wavering—-she breathed heavily.

Axiothea gently grabbed Isabela's arm. She looked directly into Isabela's eyes—-light pink locked with gold. "Isabela," she began softly. "Vek isn't here. He won't hurt you. I won't let him."

Isabela's voice wavered a little. "You promise?"

"I promise," Axiothea confirmed to Isabela before leading her back to the sofa and having her sit down.

Isabela nervously drummed the palms of her hands on her thighs. "So you and Vek...?"

"Not an item," Axiothea told her. "He's been all over me because I'm a siren. I've told him plenty of times that I'm not interested though."

Isabela breathed a sigh of relief.

Axiothea sat right by Isabela. "What's that?" She asked.

"What's what?" Isabela responded.

"There's gashes on your shoulder…" Axiothea reached forward, pushing the tunic down. She pointed to a scar near Isabela's collarbone. "There."

"Oh," Isabela's voice dropped. "Um… Would you believe me if I said I got into a fight with a bear? …A really big sucker?"

Axiothea looked concerned. "Isabela… What happened?"

Isabela sighed in defeat. "My parents happened… More specifically my mother…"

"What?"

Isabela swallowed, her voice shaking. "She hurts me sometimes." She went on to explain what happened to her in more depth.

Ferrantino looked concerned.

Axiothea placed a comforting hand on Isabela's back. "I know what that's like," Axiothea said, grimly.

Isabela sniffled. "You do?"

Axiothea nodded. "My father…" She swallowed. "He used to do all sorts of things like that to me."

"So, we have shared life experience?" Isabela commented.

"I guess so," Axiothea said in response.

Silence fell upon the room.

Isabela and Axiothea's gazes locked upon each other's again.

Axiothea leaned forward—-her breath felt hot on Isabela's lips. Then, the siren kissed Isabela.

Isabela didn't reject—-instead, she leaned into the kiss even more so.

When Axiothea pulled back, she smiled at Isabela, stroking the side of the vampire's face for a little bit. She stood. "I have to go," Axiothea told Isabela. "I have something I have to get to. Feel free to rest here as long as you want." The siren left the room.

As Isabela started off into space in awe, Ferrantino approached her.

Ferrantino said, "If you kiss a siren, you're under their spell… but, if a siren kisses you, they like you." He paused before saying, "You both like each other~… Isabela and Axiothea sitting in a tavern… f-u-c-k-i-n-g."

Isabela snapped out of her daze. She stood as she laughed a little. She playfully punched Ferrantino in the arm. "Shush."

With that, the two vampires left the room as well.