They had decided to head back home, with Ilyara calling Hanna to tell her where they were heading. Now, Silver was seated comfortably on a couch in Ilyara's penthouse, her head resting on his lap as he patted it absentmindedly.
"What are you thinking so hard about?"
Silver broke away from his stupor before looking down.
"Mm, your sister."
"Why?" A flash of jealousy appeared in her gaze.
"I... don't really know. It's like something..." He trailed off, exhaling as he shook his head. "It's nothing. Let's talk about something else—like the money, marriage, and vampirism."
"What do you mean, vampirism? Don't tell me you want me to turn you?"
Silver shook his head. "Not really. It's for my sister. I was wondering if turning her might wake her up."
"I don't think so. In order for a vampire to turn a human into their Familiar or Vessel, they need their permission. Otherwise, they'll turn into ghouls instead, hideous creatures that eat flesh and have low intelligence."
"What's the difference between a familiar and a vessel?"
"A familiar is like a second life, while a vessel is like a sword. You can't have both—just one. And once you choose between the two, you're stuck with that choice for the rest of your long lifespan."
Silver became thoughtful. "So that means a vampire can't turn more than one human?"
"No, it's possible to turn more than one human, it's just that the other methods are a little unorthodox. They involve blood rituals, a taboo mostly associated with House Umbraxis.
But even for houses like Umbraxis, it's rare to turn humans. Vampires are proud, noble creatures who value the purity of their bloodline above everything. Even a vampire with little purity is valued more than a human-turned vampire."
Silver nodded. "That's interesting. Then how can I help my sister?"
It was Ilyara's turn to be thoughtful. "Well, there are various methods, but each comes with its own price. I would consider turning her into a werewolf and receiving the blessing of the Moon."
"Why a werewolf, exactly?"
"Werewolves are prideful, short-tempered, crude, and extreme nudists, but they're the best of the Veiled Monsters. They don't hate humans. They're fiercely loyal and very family-oriented. That means they would welcome and protect your sister more than even you could."
As she spoke, her eyes flickered between crimson and their natural gray. She trailed a finger along the pulse on his neck. Silver noticed and was curious.
"Are you hungry?"
Ilyara shook her head, her face turning red, clearly embarrassed. "It's not that, b-but..."
Silver noticed how her chest heaved up and down. He could smell an intoxicating scent that made him feel drowsy. He cupped Ilyara's face and felt her warm skin—too warm.
Silver frowned. "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly so hot?"
Ilyara closed her eyes in shame, unwilling to admit she was thinking about the kiss from earlier and how it was making her feel a certain way.
Heat coiled in her stomach, and she felt a wet sensation in her panties. But even so, she refused to move from Silver's lap, knowing this was a golden opportunity she might not have again for some time.
"It's nothing, I..."
"You can drink my blood if you're hungry."
Ilyara was pleasantly shocked. Just when she was about to cave in and come clean, Silver said it, with a deadpan expression, but a spark of excitement in his eyes.
Ilyara swallowed. "Really?"
"Yes, it's fine."
Ilyara quickly shifted positions; she was now straddling Silver. Her hands hesitantly wrapped around his neck. She could hear the thrumming of his heart, beating erratically in his chest.
The thought that he might be as excited as she was made her feel desired and happy. She brought her face closer to his pulse, her mouth opening as her fangs extended.
She sank her fangs slowly and deeply into his neck, and Silver let out a moan. His body reacted immediately, arousal straining against his jeans. Ilyara gulped down the first flood of blood, and lost herself.
It was unlike anything she'd ever tasted. She tasted the Veil Mana inside, something that should've been impossible unless a human was God-chosen. But she'd observed Silver long enough to know he didn't have holy powers. And even if he did, it wouldn't taste so... powerful, dark, addictive, and arousing.
She drank more, unable to stop. Both she and Silver lost themselves in the euphoric pleasure coursing through them, for entirely different reasons.
Silver felt like he was in a state of perpetual climax. His pants were soaked, yet he remained hard, still orgasming.
Ilyara felt as though her body was doused in fire and ice, the blood ravaging her with power, more intense than any narcotic. She ground herself against his rock-hard cock through their clothes, her pussy aching with need.
She lost more of herself, drinking her fill, a hidden seal within her loosening without her knowledge. By the time she came to, it was too late. Silver was on his last leg, his blood nearly drained. He was dying.
Ilyara looked at him, horror-struck. She slapped him lightly, calling his name, but aside from shallow breathing and a smile etched on his face, he was unresponsive.
His life force was dwindling. It was a miracle he was still alive, having been drained so much. She leapt from his lap and paced, desperate for a solution, and then she had one.
She hesitated for a moment, eyes flashing with determination. She had to act while he was still alive. But in his current state, she couldn't risk making him a Familiar or Vessel.
Creation of a Familiar, Soul Connection. Two Souls Become One.
Creation of a Vessel, Blood Exchange.
As things stood, soul connection required a clear head, it was dangerous. And for blood exchange, she had already drained him of nearly everything.
Both processes were off the table. That left two options, the blood ritual that required the death of a newborn, which would take time to arrange.
"So... the only thing left is a rune summoning ritual, for a devil-bound vampirism. But because of its advantages, there's a big price to be paid. Our souls," Ilyara muttered.
She was reluctant, but looking at Silver's now paler face, she knew it was the only way. Her eyes glowed with violet light, a horn already grown out of her forehead. She didn't realize the seal, one she hadn't even known existed, had already loosened.
And thus, she didn't know what kind of entity her ritual would call forth from the Hell Realm, stationed in the Second Veil Layer but connected all the way to the Fifth.
Ilyara exhaled.
"Here we go."