Chapter 562: I Need Your Blood

"I see." Cassius said slowly, nodding. "So that’s what convinced you."

Then he smirked faintly as he thought of something.

"But tell me something, Carmela. What if I’m just acting? What if all of that supposed kindness I showed others was just a performance? What if I’m actually a manipulative bastard underneath it all and I was simply acting in front of you?"

Carmela scoffed immediately. "That’s impossible."

He leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "Oh? And why’s that?"

"Because." She said, her tone flat but confident. "If you were acting for my benefit, you’d have to know when I was watching you."

Cassius’s grin widened. "Oh, but I did."

Carmela froze. "...What?"

"Yesterday." He said casually, counting off on his fingers. "You were hiding in the wine cellar. Before that, two days ago, up in the peach tree outside the courtyard. And three days ago, on top of the clock tower, watching me from above while I was talking to the guards."

Her eyes widened slightly. "You knew?"

"Of course I knew." He laughed softly, leaning back. "You’re good, Carmela. Very good. But I’m not that easy to sneak up on."

Her jaw tightened, irritation flashing in her eyes.

"And I also knew." He said, leaning forward with a grin. "That you were already in this office before I even walked in. You hide well—but next time, maybe keep that heartbeat of yours down a little."

"Boom, boom, boom—it’s like a drum announcing, ’There’s a vampire in your room!’"

Carmela glared at him, her cheeks twitching slightly in irritation rather than anger.

Carmela’s lips twitched, her irritation plain. She had spent years perfecting her stealth, and here he was casually telling her he’d caught her every single time.

Still, she didn’t let her composure break.

"Even if that’s true." She said coolly. "It doesn’t change what I said. I still don’t believe you’d summon the Church to kill me. There’s no sense in it."

Cassius arched a brow. "Oh? Why’s that?"

"Because I’ve not only been watching you." Carmela said. "But your people too. Your family. Your servants. Everyone you surround yourself with."

She stepped closer again, her tone calm but certain.

"Whenever they see you, their faces light up. They look at you the same way children look at their parents. With warmth, with affection and even strangers as well. The moment you speak to someone, they ease up. Your presence draws people in. You leave a mark on everyone you meet."

Cassius blinked, surprised by how intently she spoke.

"And even those who gossip about you." She continued. "Those who repeat the rumors—they change their tune once they actually meet you. It’s as if your very existence contradicts the filth they’ve been told."

Cassius sat there silently, caught off guard by the depth of her observation.

He hadn’t realized how closely she had been watching him or how much the small act of offering his eyes and heart had affected her perception of him.

Carmela exhaled slowly.

"And besides..." She added softly. "There’s no reason for you to bring the Church to me. I’m already weak. You could have killed me yourself on the day we met if that was what you wanted."

"But you didn’t. That’s why I know this was nothing but an unfortunate coincidence."

Cassius raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You’ve thought this through."

"I always do." She replied simply.

He smiled faintly. "Then tell me, if you were so sure, why threaten me with a dagger? Was that really necessary?"

Carmela narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms.

"Because I wanted to see how you’d react. Whether you’d beg, fight, or lie. That’s all."

"And?" Cassius tilted his head curiously. "What did you figure out?"

She was silent for a moment before answering.

"Not much." She admitted. "You’re...complicated. You wear too many masks. Even the people closest to you probably don’t truly know who you are."

Her crimson gaze softened, studying him in silence before she said,

"But what I do feel is that it’s almost as if you aren’t even supposed to be a noble or someone in the position you’re in. Like someone switched places with you."

Cassius stiffened, a single bead of sweat trailing down the side of his face, while Carmela frowned slightly, muttering to herself.

"Or maybe...you’ve taken the soul of the person who was meant to be in your position. It feels like you’re someone else entirely."

But then she quickly shook her head. "But that doesn’t make any sense. Never mind that."

She dismissed it with a quiet sigh, turning away.

But, Cassius sat frozen in his chair, forcing a calm smile though his heartbeat quickened ever so slightly.

’She’s far too close.’ He thought, swallowing. ’If she keeps talking like that, she’ll find out everything.’

Luckily for Cassius, Carmela didn’t linger on her unnervingly accurate remark about him not belonging in his own body.

She simply sighed and looked away

"Whatever it is." She muttered. "It’s none of my concern. I know you’re not trying to backstab me. I can see this was really just...a coincidence."

But then, she turned her eyes back toward him—sharp and suspicious once more.

"However." She said slowly, narrowing her gaze. "There’s still something I want to know."

Cassius tilted his head, feigning innocence. "And what would that be?"

Her expression darkened.

"Why..." She asked coldly. "Did you not tell me about this affair before?"

"If you truly wanted to protect me, you should have warned me beforehand."

Her voice rose slightly, more confused than angry.

"If I’d known the Church was coming, I could’ve gone somewhere else. Somewhere safer."

Then, almost under her breath, she added,

"Even though...part of me would’ve preferred to stay and finish those sisters off if necessary." She clenched her jaw, muttering. "But I can’t. Not in this condition."

Her hand pressed to her side where the faintest trace of pain flashed across her expression and noticing this he couldn’t help but ask,

"Still not healed, are you?"

Carmela ignored the question. Instead, she looked straight at him again.

"So tell me, Cassius—why didn’t you say anything? Don’t tell me you just forgot."

Cassius opened his mouth, but she went on, voice tightening.

"Your maids clearly knew what was happening today. And if they knew, then surely I should’ve heard it from one of them."

"After all, they love to gossip and through hearing their conversations, I’ve learnt everything about you—every ridiculous little habit and scandal."

"That’s how I learned half of what I know about this mansion."

Cassius groaned quietly and muttered under his breath, "Those girls really need to stop talking so much."

But Carmela wasn’t finished.

"And yet." She said, crossing her arms. "Not one of them mentioned the Church. Not once. Every time the topic came close, they said it was some ’distinguished noble’ coming to visit. Some big fancy guest." She frowned deeply. "Almost as if someone had told them not to speak openly about it."

Her eyes flicked sharply toward him.

"Almost as if you knew I was sneaking around and didn’t want me to find out. So tell me, Cassius—why? Why hide something so important? Why keep me close to the very people who could kill me?"

Cassius’s lips curved into a slow, sly grin.

"Well." He said with a teasing tone. "It’s simple, really. You’re like a cute little pet I just brought home, one with soft fur and a habit of hissing at everyone."

Carmela’s brow twitched, while he went on, grinning wider.

"And imagine buying a lovely puppy, bringing her into your house, and then she runs away the moment she hears there’s thunder outside."

"Wouldn’t that make you sad?"

"That’s why I didn’t tell you." He shrugged. "I didn’t want my adorable little vampire pet running off before she even got used to her bed."

There was a long, dangerous silence before Carmela’s eye twitched slightly as her hand slipped toward her dagger again.

Seeing this, Cassius immediately raised both hands and aughed nervously.

"I’m joking! I’m joking, don’t take it seriously!"

Her hand paused, but her glare could’ve incinerated him on the spot.

He coughed, quickly changing his tone to something sincere.

"Alright, alright, in all seriousness..." He leaned forward, his voice quieting. "I wanted to help you."

Her expression faltered slightly, while he continued, his tone full of conviction.

"The thing is, the sisters you’re so wary of. They actually have something that could help you."

Carmela’s eyes narrowed instantly. "Help me?" She repeated sarcastically. "And what, pray tell, could those hypocrites possibly give me that would help?"

"Unless they plan on slicing their own throats in front of me, there’s nothing they can do that would satisfy me."

"I get it. Truly, I do." Cassius smiled faintly, understanding her bitterness. "But this time, it’s not about them, it’s about something or rather, someone they brought with them."

"Someone who—"

But just as he was about to finish—something unexpected happened.

Carmela stiffened like she was stabbed in the back.

Her pupils shrank to pinpoints.

A sharp, pained groan tore from her throat.

Cassius’s expression changed instantly.

"Carmela?"

But she didn’t reply as her body trembled violently. She clutched at her chest, fangs slipping free as a low hiss escaped her lips.

Sweat beaded on her skin, her breath coming out ragged and uneven.

"Carmela!" Cassius rose from his chair and rushed forward just as she stumbled.

He caught her before she could collapse, his hands gripping her shoulders firmly.

"What’s happening? Are your injuries acting up again?"

Her body was trembling uncontrollably. Her crimson eyes glowed brighter, flickering wildly as if she were fighting something within.

"I—I can’t—" She choked out, her voice hoarse and strained. "I tried to hold it back...but I can’t anymore..."

Cassius looked at her, bewildered. "Hold what back? What are you talking about?"

Her breathing grew heavier, more erratic. Her fingers clawed weakly at his shirt as she whispered desperately.

"I-I can’t hold it in. I need it. I want it...so much..."

Cassius’s heart pounded. "Want what? Just say it—whatever it is, I’ll get it for you!" He said quickly. "If your wounds are flaring up again, I can bring some high-grade healing potions—"

She shook her head violently, her hair whipping around her face. "Not that...not potions."

"Then what—?"

Her eyes shot up to his, glowing like twin stars, her voice trembling but fierce.

"Blood." She whispered. "I need blood."

Cassius froze. "Blood?"

"I’m hungry." She hissed, her voice breaking into something feral, primal. "I’m so hungry."

Her lips quivered, her fangs fully visible now. Her body shook, not from fear or pain—but from unbearable hunger.

Cassius blinked. "Blood? Alright. I can call the maids. Pig blood, lamb, whatever you prefer—"

He turned slightly, about to reach for the call bell.

But suddenly—

Carmela grabbed his shirt with startling strength.

She yanked him down to her level, her fangs fully trembling now, breath hot against his face.

"Not animal blood." She hissed.

Her grip tightened.

"No. I don’t want animal blood."

Her eyes locked onto his.

"I need your blood."

Her voice shook.

"Right now."