Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Soft Night
After a bath, Selene changed into her nightwear and sat alone in her room. She enjoyed the peace and quiet—not the kind of solitude she once experienced in the vampire manor, but a choice she made due to her own nature. Having lived for centuries, she had grown indifferent to many things. In this world, the only person deeply connected to her was Erik. Tonight, he had gone out for a meeting, so she planned to pass the time by reading magazines.
Thick wooden doors and heavy curtains blocked out all outside noise, leaving only the rhythmic ticking of the clock. Selene sat cross-legged on the couch, engrossed in her reading. Suddenly, the door opened, and Erik walked in.
"Back so soon? She didn't invite you to a romantic evening?" Selene was surprised to see him return early. A hint of quiet joy flickered in her eyes as she got up, much like a wife greeting her husband. She helped Erik remove his coat.
"You reek of alcohol," she remarked, waving a hand in front of her nose as she caught the scent.
"Ororo was too nervous and drank herself under the table. I just dropped her off—Jean is taking care of her now," Erik explained.
"A little girl like that?" Selene gave him a sideways glance, her words carrying a hidden meaning. "Even someone like her, you'd still go after?"
Erik rubbed his nose, slightly embarrassed. "You're one to talk, my dear daughter."
Selene immediately retaliated at his teasing, and their playful banter carried them into the bathroom. It was a while before they came out.
Dressed in his sleepwear, Erik pulled Selene into his arms as they settled into bed. Their relationship was complicated—neither lovers nor master and servant, but a blend of various emotions, something akin to family.
For Selene, the past was gone. This world was her home now. Erik had witnessed her journey and guided her into this new life. Their fates were intertwined.
For Erik, Selene held an irreplaceable position in his life. He was not a native of this world. His past was complex, and many of his experiences could not be shared with others. Even as a strong and resolute man, there were times when he needed someone to confide in. Selina, who also carried a past from another world, was the perfect companion.
They understood each other. Over time, a strange bond had formed between them, one that made them feel like they were the only two people in the world who could truly rely on one another. With Selina, Erik didn't have to put up walls, and Selina no longer needed to be withdrawn and guarded. This sense of comfort was something they both cherished.
"Did you take care of Yuriko?" Erik asked about the mutant girl he had brought back from Stryker.
"Professor and Jean treated her. She's in the observation room for now. Logan is keeping an eye on her—he hasn't left her side," Selina replied, shifting into a more comfortable position. She curled up against Erik, enjoying the warmth of his embrace like a carefree girl.
Perhaps it was a trait of her kind. Vampires had lower body temperatures than humans. Even after inheriting the immortal bloodline of Alexander Corvinus, Selene's body still remained cooler than Erik's. Like a cold-blooded creature, she enjoyed basking in the sun during the day and snuggling into warmth at night.
For Erik, it was a pleasure as well. He was no saint—having a beautiful woman in his arms was undeniably a satisfying feeling.
"Logan's instincts are sharp. Yuriko is essentially his sister—they both went through the Adamantium bonding process. Too bad we didn't find the other one. It would've been interesting to see his reaction," Erik mused, recalling another female mutant who had undergone similar experiments. She hadn't been in the Alkali Lake facility. Who knew where she was? Maybe they'd cross paths in the future.
"Why did you let Stryker experiment on Klein? Aren't you worried he'll make our enemies stronger?" Selina asked, referring to their earlier deal.
"Are you worried about Klein?" Erik teased.
"Of course not," Selene scoffed. She had no sympathy for traitors.
"I like your ruthlessness," Erik chuckled. Then he explained, "I'm not worried about Stryker gaining an advantage. The more time we spend dealing with him, the more we understand him. Human paranoia about mutants won't disappear just because he's gone. If we take him out, another will rise in his place. It's better to keep him where we can see him."
"You must have a bigger plan," Selene noted.
"Of course. I don't mind feeding certain people's curiosity. If I give them enough distractions, they'll shift their focus away from mutants. With the resources I have from other worlds, they'll soon be overwhelmed by the strange creatures they encounter. They'll fight among themselves for control. If they do manage to make discoveries, I won't be too concerned. The further they go down that path, the more they'll lose sight of their original mission. Imagine their reaction when they see squads of vampire warriors, werewolf enforcers, and bio-enhanced agents emerging from labs. Compared to that, mutants will seem insignificant. Reality will force humanity to change its perspective. In the end, there will be no more mutants, no more ordinary humans, no more divisions—we will all become something new."
"For all your big talk, what about Lucian? I thought you'd let him cause chaos, but you sent him to Britain instead. He won't be making waves anytime soon," Selina said, puzzled about their fellow traveler.
"Lucian is different," Erik said. "I value his intelligence, not just his strength. In his old world, he was powerful, but this world is different. The real power is concentrated here. If he exposed himself too soon, he'd be crushed. Sending him to the outskirts gives him a chance to grow. I also gave him Alexander's blood, so he'll be better at hiding himself. But Lucian isn't one to sit quietly. Once he realizes how far he has to go, he'll start seeking out the original vampire bloodlines again. By then, Stryker's work will be complete, and they'll naturally cross paths."
"You're wicked," Selene murmured, playfully patting his chest. Her tone carried a trace of affectionate complaint. In the dim light, their gazes met, and something stirred between them.
Erik lowered his head, his lips brushing against her soft skin. A shiver ran through Selene's body.
"Not here," she whispered, pushing him away. Her porcelain skin flushed a delicate pink, her collarbones rising and falling with her quickened breath. "Someone might notice."
Erik shrugged. "The professor isn't that nosy."
"Still, I feel a little awkward being so close to someone who can enter your mind anytime," she said, shrinking back.
"He respects privacy. At least he wouldn't install cameras in our room," Erik replied with a smirk.
Understanding her concerns, he didn't push further. Instead, he simply held her in his arms. Their fingers intertwined as they slowly drifted off to sleep.
Outside, the moon hung high in the sky.
In another room of the mansion, Ororo was lost in a dream.
In her mind, Erik approached, wrapping his arms around her slender waist before leaning in for a deep kiss.
As the kiss deepened, Ororo trembled, her body swaying like a reed in the wind. Her breath quickened, her eyes fluttering shut as she surrendered to the passion.
Erik's lips teased hers, his touch both firm and tender. His hands roamed, setting her body aflame. A sudden gasp escaped her lips as a wave of heat surged through her.
That night, in the quiet of her room, the air was thick with desire.
Outside, the moon shone even brighter.
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