The Blood Contract
Chapter 115: For your eyes only

Chapter 115: For your eyes only

Lucian opened his eyes the next morning, and the very first thing that struck him as odd was the ceiling above him. It wasn’t his. There was no mirror installed above the bed, no polished reflection staring right back at him the moment he regained consciousness. And that alone was all the reminder he needed—that he wasn’t in his room.

He was in Serena’s.

His chest rose and fell in a silent breath, and for a moment, he just lay there, motionless, letting the truth of where he was sink in fully. The events of the night before came crashing through his mind, each one bringing a different rush of heat to his skin. He blinked slowly, resisting the smile tugging at the corner of his lips. If he wouldn’t lie to himself—and he rarely did—then last night had been one of the best nights of his life.

A sharp contrast to the cold, calculated life he had grown so used to living.

He turned his head to the side, expecting to see her already awake, already watching him with those sharp yet curious eyes of hers. But no. She was still sleeping, her body turned away from him, her soft breathing even and undisturbed. Her bare shoulder peeked out from under the duvet, the rest of the fabric pulled lazily over her chest and hips, leaving her back slightly exposed to him.

He didn’t rush. Didn’t speak. Didn’t even breathe too heavily.

He simply propped himself up on one elbow and reached out, letting his fingers trace feather-light, invisible patterns along the curve of her shoulder. His fingertips moved slowly, drawing lazy, looping lines across her skin. It was a casual touch, yet intimate... like he had the right to do it. And in a way that made him feel strangely possessive, even proud.

The faintest smile finally spread across his lips, unbidden. His mind, which was already reeling from the vivid memory of their shared adventure last night, felt warm and relaxed. The type of peace that rarely settled in his body.

He watched her features closely, taking in the way she began to stir, the way her eyelashes fluttered ever so slightly, like she was still hovering somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. And then finally, her body gave a small twitch in response to the ticklish sensation on her shoulder, and her eyes opened groggily, adjusting to the morning light filtering through the curtains.

Her head turned, and when she realized it was Lucian’s fingers that had roused her from sleep, a soft gasp left her lips. But it was his smile, his lazy, charming, and thoroughly satisfied smile, that set her cheeks ablaze with a hot blush. Her memories returned just as swiftly as his had. Last night. What they did. How it started. How it ended.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said to her, his voice low and strangely gentle.

It was such a simple greeting. An ordinary greeting which normal people do. But instead of making her smile or giggle like most girls might, Serena’s brows pulled together in a slight frown as she stared at him. She remembered clearly what he had said the day before. How he claimed normal greeting was boring, and told her to get used to his alien type of greeting. So what was going on with him now?

Lucian noticed the change in expression instantly. "What is it? You look like you’re calculating something complex in your head."

Serena blinked. "I thought you said you don’t greet like that."

Lucian chuckled lightly and gave a single nod. "I don’t," he said. "So don’t get used to it. This is just a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of thing."

Before she could respond, the sudden buzz of his phone shattered the quiet intimacy between them.

Lucian reached out to the bedside stool and picked up the device, his eyes narrowing when he saw the name Modi flashing on the screen.

His frown deepened, and he answered the call, bringing the phone to his ear.

"You don’t seem to understand the severity of the situation, Lucian," Modi’s voice came through immediately, firm and brisk. "Because I don’t get why you’re not here yet. That message I sent to you is not a joke. Leave everything you’re doing and come here as soon as you can. This is very important."

And then, without waiting for Lucian to reply, the call ended.

Lucian slowly lowered the phone from his ear, staring at the screen in muted confusion. The sudden seriousness in Modi’s voice was unsettling. Modi rarely calls him unless it was a matter of life and death, and had something to do with Lucian personally. If he was calling now and sounding that way, it had to be serious.

Recalling that Modi had mentioned a message, Lucian quickly scrolled to his inbox. True to his word, there it was, an unread message.

He opened it, his brows drawing tighter with each line he read.

"We just discovered something very unusual about Serena’s health. You need to come to the Council of Vitae to see it for yourself before we make a decision on our next line of action."

His breath stilled as the weight of the words sank in.

He shifted his gaze back to Serena, who was now propped slightly on one elbow, watching him with curiosity blazing in her eyes.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked her, the seriousness in his voice instantly catching her attention.

"I’m fine," she said, brows furrowing slightly. "Why?"

"There’s something in this message... Modi said they discovered something strange about your health." He paused, holding up the phone as if she could see the words for herself. "He didn’t explain what it is, just that I need to come there now. Before they decide what to do next."

Serena stared at him, her own confusion rising. "That makes no sense," she said. "I feel fine. There’s nothing wrong with me." She internally checked herself. "Maybe something in my blood. Remember they took my blood."

Lucian sat back, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I know. That’s what makes this even more confusing. But I’ll go find out what they’re talking about."

He didn’t wait for her response.

He climbed out of bed, stark naked, utterly unfazed by the exposure. He moved with a natural ease, as though modesty was a foreign concept. And it was, to someone like him.

Serena didn’t know whether to look away or to keep looking at him. Couldn’t he try to be a little discreet? Have a little shame?

But even while thinking all these, her eyes stayed glued to his body, moving about from one part to the other as if she wanted to memorize every inch of him.

He reached for his shorts and pants, slipped them on without a word, then grabbed his shirt, not bothering to wear it, and held it loosely in one hand.

Serena pulled the duvet tighter around herself, sitting upright now. "Shouldn’t I come with you?" she asked. "Since the discovery is about me?"

"Absolutely not," Lucian said without hesitation. "I’ll let you know what their discovery is all about. And if there’s any reason for you to be there, I’ll take you myself. Okay?" He wasn’t sure why but he felt there was something off about the message. Still, he refused to assume.

She exhaled softly, watching him. "Okay," she said.

Lucian gave her a final look before turning and walking out.

Once he left, her eyes drifted to the untouched glass of drink from last night, still sitting on the table. She frowned slightly, then pushed herself off the bed.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she walked with an odd stiffness, her movements slightly awkward from the soreness between her thighs. She winced a little but still made her way to the bathroom with the glass in her hand. She didn’t want Marlowe asking questions. Pouring the drink away would avoid that altogether.

Meanwhile, about an hour later, Lucian arrived at the council building with Adrian.

They hadn’t exchanged many words during the drive. Lucian was too consumed with Modi’s cryptic message, and Adrian was understanding enough to give him some space, already knowing why they were headed to the council building.

At the entrance, they were received by Modi himself, who looked like he’d been standing there for quite a while.

"I’m sorry for disturbing your morning, Mr Draven," Modi said without preamble, "but this couldn’t be overlooked. Please, come with me."

Lucian didn’t argue. He gave a single nod and followed him in.

However, when Adrian made to step forward and follow as well, the guards stationed by the doors raised their arms, blocking his path. Adrian halted, puzzled, and Lucian turned immediately to Modi with a questioning glare.

Modi caught the look and answered without hesitation. "What we’re about to show you is for your eyes only."

Lucian paused for a beat, then turned back to Adrian. "Wait here. I’ll be back."

Adrian gave a single nod in understanding.

Then, without another word, Lucian followed Modi deeper into the Council building, his thoughts racing as he prepared himself for whatever the hell they had discovered about Serena.