"I know," she whispered."You're the last person anyone should underestimate."
"You couldn't handle that cold, not like what’s out there," Krevan said as they entered the kitchen, his teeth still chattering."This place is unbearable when it freezes like this."He collapsed into a chair, his limbs heavy."Never seen a winter this harsh here.Not that it's...affecting me much.Just...need energy conservation."
Ancelin squeezed his shoulder and set a steaming mug before him."My hero," she whispered, brushing frost-dampened hair from his forehead, her fingertips lingering on his icy skin.
"Not trying to be heroic," he mumbled, the words blurring together."Just don't want you to worry.Need you to know you're...safe with me."
"Is that what matters most to you?Keeping me safe?"
His eyes locked on hers."Always."
She squeezed his hand."I've never doubted your strength."The mystery of Triaxen males would always elude her, she thought, watching color return to his face as his body temperature rose.She pressed herself against him, her warmth seeping into his cool skin.
Five days later, the storm had transformed into something even more monstrous.Wind shrieked around the house like a living creature, rattling the windows with each gust.Krevan checked their communications panel for the dozenth time that day.
"Nothing," he said, his voice tight."SatView's dead, “Satphone won't connect, computers can't reach the net.My father's been silent for four days now.This snowstorm has completely isolated us."
Ancelin slid her arms around his waist from behind."Whatever shall we do without our precious entertainment?"she whispered, her voice carrying a suggestive edge.
His mood lightened instantly."I'm feeling much recovered."He turned, teeth grazing her shoulder as he guided her down to their makeshift bed on the floor.
"Your venom," she sighed as his fangs pressed against her skin."It's in my bloodstream now.Five hours without it and I've started feeling shaky.You've turned me into an addict."
His fangs gleamed white in the dim light."And you're my favorite flavor."
"What now?"she asked."We used to alternate between this and SatView."
"We're getting better at this," Krevan murmured as their bodies joined.His movements remained deliberate, careful."Is this alright?"he asked, his voice low and attentive as they found their rhythm together on the makeshift bed of blankets spread across the living room floor.Darkness enveloped them, deepened by the makeshift window coverings.In the shadows, his eyes caught what little light remained, reflecting it back like twin stars.Ancelin treasured these moments—watching his expressions shift as pleasure overtook him, feeling her heart swell with emotion.
"Perfect," she whispered, arching against him, her fingers tracing patterns up his back before clasping behind his neck.He paused, pressing his lips to the hollow of her throat, the curve of her shoulder.She returned his kisses with equal tenderness.Suddenly, mid-embrace, Krevan froze, his entire body tensing.He withdrew abruptly, leaving her startled."What is it?"she asked.He gestured for quiet."What's wrong?"she breathed, barely audible.
Krevan's lips barely moved."I hear voices."
The words sent ice through Ancelin's veins."Out there?In this storm?"She whispered back, leaning closer."That's impossible."
"Shh."He raised one finger; head tilted toward the front of the house.
In the silence that followed, she heard the voices too—muffled fragments of conversation carried on the wind.As she watched, Krevan's features hardened.His jaw locked, nostrils flared, and something ancient and predatory flashed behind his eyes.The transformation was so complete she almost recoiled.
"What are they saying?"she breathed.
"They're discussing entry points."His voice was flat, clinical."Stay close.We need to move downstairs—now.Bring those blankets."
She gathered their things without question as he guided her through the darkened house.At the basement door, he paused."Lock this behind me.I'm going to see what we're dealing with."
Ancelin clutched Krevan's sleeve."Stay.Please."Her voice cracked."They wouldn't brave this storm without weapons—better ones this time.They're counting on catching us vulnerable."She swallowed hard."What will you fight with?"
Krevan's mouth curved into something ancient and hungry as his lips drew back.The teeth behind them looked suddenly longer, sharper.His fingers splayed before her, the nails lengthening into translucent points that caught the light.
"What good are those against firearms?"Ancelin gestured at his mouth and his hands, her voice tight with exasperation.
"I don't need or fear guns."His eyes hardened."You Earth humans always think firepower solves everything.Hide here.If they find you, scream for me."His voice left no room for debate.
She tightened her grip on his arm."The cold is going to affect you.They'll have every advantage."
"The cold might kill them," he said, voice softening."For me, it's merely inconvenient."He pressed his lips to hers."They're just humans, Ancelin."
Then he was gone.
