Chapter 17

Both Eva and Adrian were thankful to see Taka running into the night almost as soon as they made it upstairs. The boy hadn't looked to have grabbed anything other than his bow. That just left them with the ordeal of taking care of Sumi's body. Adrian would not let Eva help, so by the time he was finished digging and brought the body up, it was nearly night.

Eva paused for a moment before they went back in. Adrian took her hand, and she looked up at him. "I doubt that she had converted to Catholicism, but I can at least ask that her ancestors guide her spirt. I don't know how much good it will do."

Adrian sighed. He felt it was more than the girl deserved, but he just nodded. "I'll give you a moment, but it's late. We can't stay long. After your injury, some of the night horde have been drawn here. Nothing I can't handle, but it is not wise to stay out after dark."

Eva grimaced at that news. Not that she was shocked. Between the release of her seal and the bloody injuries, she was only surprised they weren't coming in droves. Still, she wasn't going to leave before at least saying a prayer for the departed girl's soul. It was less than a minute later that she pulled on Adrian's hand. "Let's go."

They walked silently back into the castle and upstairs. It was as they got to the hall for the bedroom that Eva finally pulled her hand from his grip. Adrian stopped and gave her a worried look for a second before it cleared, and he walked back to cup her face. "You do not need to worry about where you belong. I was an idiot."

Eva gave him a half-hearted smile, but it was gone almost instantly. She shook her head before she spoke. "No, not really. What you said was the truth, or it had been at one point. Although finding my way home was never the only reason I asked to stay, it was a factor."

When it looked as though he was going to interrupt again, she spoke up so she would not lose her momentum. "There is something I need to tell you." She paused long enough to swallow. "I don't know exactly when it happened, but even before those two showed up, I had quit thinking about going home. I know I should, but I just didn't care as much. There is nothing waiting for me, not really, not anymore. It was only after our argument that I realized why I quit thinking about it."

She heard a hitch in his breath as he pulled her closer. She took courage from his actions and smiled up at him. "Adrian ČšepeČ™, I don't know when it happened, but I don't want to think about leaving you, because I love you." Those three words were the hardest Eva had ever said. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest as he didn't move. He was staring at her with open shock.

Eva started to feel exposed and vulnerable, despite the way his arms had tightened around her. Her worry made her shock all the more heart-stopping when he tangled one hand in her hair and leaned down to kiss her. There was more heat in that one action than she had ever felt before. Her knees were weak when he finally pulled back enough to whisper against her lips. "I am glad to hear it. I found that I do not want to let you go."

He then straightened enough so that he could push her hair back and look into her eyes. "We have no promise of what the morrow brings, but I know that I want you in it. I almost lost myself when I thought of you dying. I love you as well, so please try not to make a habit of doing that."

It took her a split-second to register his words before she flung herself against him. He lifted her by the waist as their lips melded together once more. Eva was breathless and dizzy when he finally pulled back, but she was grinning up at him.

Adrian's expression was not much different as he let her slide back down. "We shouldn't stand out here all night, not when there is a perfectly acceptable bed just down the hall."

Eva agreed wholeheartedly. She allowed him to lead her back to the room and was already thinking about what was to come. Though, she was shocked when he paused as he turned to her. Adrian sighed as he looked over her shoulder. "Before we lay down, it might be best if I checked your injuries. They were nearly healed when I last checked."

Eva felt a little pout coming on, but it was wiped away when he chuckled at it. "I didn't say I was not interested. I just want to make sure you are doing better." He then pulled her closer once more, and his voice dropped into a low and pained whisper. "You may feel fine now, but trust me, it was not a sight I ever want to see again."

Eva felt a chill go down her spine. It hadn't really struck her before that moment, how close she had come to dying. She had thought about it as she fell, but there had been too much going on to grasp the concept. Not really. Even when she woke, there had been things that needed her immediate attention. Now, the truth sank in, and she wrapped her arms around herself.

Adrian didn't let her dwell on it. He took a step back and grabbed the hem of her shirt. "Let's get these off so I can take a look."

She gave him a half-smile and allowed him to help remove her shirt and pants. He then led her to the bed, where he had her take a seat. It didn't take him long to remove the bandages around her middle and the ones on her arm and her leg. Eva was shocked to see that there was no evidence she had been injured at all. He placed a kiss on her hand as he smiled up at her. "I told you that you should have regenerative capabilities to rival mine. I believe the only reason it took days instead of hours is because you had been sealed for so long."

Before Eva could do more than stare at him, he gently pushed her arm. "Turn around and kneel for me."

At his words, she instantly felt heat flood her body. It didn't take Adrian long to notice, and he grinned at her as he continued to guide her where he needed her. "While the sight of you like this does make me forget myself, I am not planning to ravish you just yet. I need to check your wings, and this makes it easier." That time, her face pinked in embarrassment. The way he could read her was both a blessing and a curse. At least her back was to him, and he couldn't see it.

It did not take him long to remove the bandage and splint on her one damaged wing. However, when he ran his hand down the length of the one that had been broken to ensure it had healed properly, Eva had to bite her lip to keep from moaning. It was an unexpected sensation that she was unprepared for.

It didn't take Adrian long to notice the change in her scent, either. He froze for a moment and looked over at her. He saw her hands were fisted on her thighs, and from her profile, he could see her jaw was clenched. He might have thought she was in pain if it were not for what he was smelling.

He decided to try something and gently ran his hands down the outside of both wings at the same time. They both twitched slightly, and he noticed the goosebumps on Eva's arms. That was an interesting reaction. He then carefully maneuvered, so he was right behind her before he leaned in and whispered in her ear as he did it again. "Does that feel good?"

That was the last straw. Eva couldn't hold it back any longer, and a breathy response came out as he continued to stroke her wings. "God, you're going to drive me nuts. Please-"

Her voice was cut off when he dropped his head to plant kisses on her neck. She leaned back into him, and her wings flared slightly when he finally let them go to wrap his arms around her middle. His voice was soft near her ear. "Please, what?"

Eva whimpered as she tried to turn and face him. It was a lot more awkward than it should have been since he had to let her go to accommodate her new appendages. By the time she was facing him, she was nearly laughing. At least she had calmed enough that she could speak. "I suppose they are going to take some getting used to. For both of us."

He smirked at her before he reached up and ran his hand across the top of one wing again. Her eyes widened, and she leaned into his chest. "You're going to have to stop that unless you want me to combust right here."

His smirk widened before he pulled her close and buried his face in her neck. It was several seconds before he could speak. "If you believe that is hard to handle, you should know that your scent has changed as well. I find now that I am no longer distracted, it is the most difficult thing I have ever done to not take you right this instant."

Eva pulled back so she could see his face. He wasn't joking. His fangs were at their longest, as though he was in the midst of passion. The sight of his dilated eyes caused fresh heat to race through her. She knew it might not be wise, but she couldn't stop her next words. "Why are you trying not to?"

He groaned before he kissed her again. He then pulled back only long enough to shuck off his clothes. He didn't bother trying to lay her down and fight with her wings. Learning to deal with that could come another day. Right now, he needed nothing more than to be inside her.

Once he was kneeling on the bed again, he grasped her waist and pulled her into his lap. Eva groaned at the feel of him pulsing against her, but he didn't give her long to savor it. He lifted her slightly as she adjusted to accommodate him. When he slid her down slowly, they both released a moan.

Adrian was barely able to hold back long enough for her to settle. It turned out that he needn't have bothered. Eva started rolling her hips forward almost immediately. Before long, they were both lost to their connection.

Their bodies seemed to be as one, and Eva was so close to that feeling of pure bliss. She didn't think anything of it when Adrian tilted her head and started planting kisses on her neck. Part of her subconscious knew what he was thinking about, and she couldn't find the will to care.

However, that all changed when she felt his fangs enter her neck. He stiffened under her, though it took her a moment to realize. He hadn't released her either. She wasn't panicked, but she could tell something was not right. She was trying to catch her breath and call out at the same time. "Adrian! What's wrong?"

He wasn't exactly drawing on the wounds, but he still hadn't moved. She ended up pushing against his chest. Before she could ask him again, he finally released her and wobbled drunkenly before he fell back. He had just enough presence of mind to catch himself on his elbows.

Eva leaned over him with a worried look. "What happened?"

He just looked up at her for a moment before he watched a drop of her blood roll down her collar bone and then drip to his stomach. He then looked back up. "You're bleeding."

Eva wasn't sure if she was more exasperated or worried. He was clearly not okay. "That would be because you bit me."

He chuckled up at her snark and shook his head. He then grasped her hips and lifted her enough so that he could straighten his legs and lay back all the way. "Come here."

Eva gave him a slightly dirty look but leaned down until she was hovering over him. He then shocked her by licking across her collar bone and up her neck. She gasped at the sensation. However, she wasn't given a chance to ask before he flopped back once again.

His eyes were closed when he finally spoke. "There is a significant difference in your blood now. Just thought you should know."

By that point, she was frowning. "You sound completely drunk right now."

His only response was to grin. "I suppose that is as close to this feeling as I could describe. I'll have to remember that going forward. Not a good idea to bite you while sitting up."

If Eva wasn't currently so frustrated at being interrupted right at the edge of her climax, she might have found the situation funny. She still couldn't hold back a smile when he peeked one eye open and grabbed her hips again. Though her smile quickly morphed into something else when he started moving her.

It was like he knew exactly what to do to light her body on fire, even when she was irritated with him. It was not long at all before he no longer had to do more than hold onto her as she moved above him. Though his hips still rose to meet hers.

When her climax finally did break over her, Eva hardly noticed the way her wings flared slightly as she arched back above him and called out his name. It was the most surreal and stunning thing Adrian had ever seen. His breath caught as he watched her, the moment forever etched into his memory before it broke, and she came gasping back down onto his chest.

He gladly held her there, while they both caught their breath. Things were definitely changing between them, but he could not see it as a bad thing. Not when he held her closer and remembered her words from earlier. A satisfied smile graced his lips as they both started to doze.


Trevor and Sypha were only a few days outside of Lindenfeld. They were stopped for the night and were cuddled up in the wagon, trying to get to sleep. Although it had been much harder for both of them to find after they left the destroyed village behind them.

Finally, Sypha sighed and turned to look at Trevor. "I have been thinking."

He was still awake, but he didn't bother opening his eyes, and he sighed at her. "That's never good."

She pushed his shoulder but otherwise ignored his remark before she continued. "I think we should go back to see Alucard."

Trevor did sit up on one elbow then. He gave her a frown. "What? Why?"

She sighed again as she rolled onto her back. "Many reasons. Not the least of which is a promise I made to visit." She then looked over at Trevor. "Do you think Eva has gone home? Do you think he is lonely?"

He huffed at her questions and plopped back down. They both stared at the canvas cover for several moments before he finally answered. "We've come all this way, why not wait?"

Sypha then turned and put her hand on his chest. "Like I said, many reasons. Think about it. We had both heard of the infinite corridor, but I never thought to mention it to them before we left. I suppose I wasn't sure if it was real. Now that we know, the information we have might help Eva. Maybe. Plus, those rumors we've heard since leaving that dreadful place. If they hold any truth, then we need more than what we have to face them."

Trevor sighed. He hated it when she made sense. Especially when it was something he really didn't want to do. He then turned to face Sypha. "Do you really believe they're all true?"

She turned her head to look him in the eye. "It's hard to tell, but even if only one of them is true, we cannot let it continue. The chaos that was left when Dracula was killed was bad enough. If we have someone new trying to fill the void he left with an army of night creatures, then we cannot ignore it."

Trevor groaned and flopped his arm over his face. "Fine, fine. We'll go back. But we will gather as much information along the way as possible. No sidetracking, either. If this is really happening, we can't afford to waste time."

Sypha then snuggled up to his side. "Agreed." That was the last thing said as they tried once more to get some much-needed rest. Especially if they were to track back across the country again.


When Adrian awoke, he groaned at the feeling in his head. It wasn't exactly a headache, but it was as though he had stayed up for days with adrenalin racing through his system the whole time and was just now coming down from it. There was still a pleasant tingle in his limbs, though, so he wasn't going to complain. He would need to be much more careful when he bit Eva again. She was more potent than any drug could have possibly been.

At least he was otherwise comfortable, if a little warm, and very thirsty. He would just learn to deal with the last. He finally opened his eyes to look down at the woman by his side. He was shocked to find that his view was partially obstructed. When he realized what had happened, he wasn't sure how he felt about it. At least until he took it all in and found it adorable.

Eva couldn't sleep on her back for now, and sleeping on her side was similarly uncomfortable. She ended up sleeping halfway across his chest, but that wasn't the issue. No, during the night, one of her wings had stretched just enough to envelope him as well. It curved across and down until the tips were brushing against his opposite calf.

He almost didn't want to wake her, but he needed to get up before his good sense was overrun by his senses. He tried to hide his smirk when he ran a hand down the wing that was stretched across him. He was gratified to feel her shift against him with a moan. Oh, that had so much potential. But again, it would have to wait.

Instead of teasing her awake, he gently called her name until she woke finally. He did finally smirk when she woke enough to realize what had happened. She sat back with a start. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that."

He chuckled at her red face. "Don't let it bother you. It didn't bother me. I simply find it fascinating that no part of you can seem to get enough of me."

Eva huffed at him before she turned to find her clothes. "Stuff it. You already have a big enough head as it is."

He chuckled again, but still traced a finger down the edge of one wing when she turned from him. She stiffened and jumped up. "Oh, no. Not this morning. You keep your hands off those."

He then laughed out loud at the look she was giving him. It was somewhere between horrified and 'please don't listen to me.' It was adorable, but he decided he had teased her enough.

It didn't take them long to get dressed and head down for breakfast. Even with the extra care Eva had to use to get the shirt they had rigged over her wings. At least Adrian had helped.

They were almost done with the morning meal when Eva sat back with a sigh. "I would love to say let's take a day off, but there is a lot we need to talk about."

Adrian gave her a curious look, but she continued as though he had agreed. "First, we need to figure out everything about my powers. Now that they are unsealed, I don't want to accidentally hurt someone." She was thinking of the way her power reacted to Sumi's attack. It was handy, but she hadn't done it on purpose. That part scared her.

He gave her a nod. "Of course. I thought you might also like to figure out how to fly. There is little point to having wings otherwise."

She looked at him with shock for a moment before she got excited. "That sounds like it would be fun! And you can help too if you want."

He smirked at her. "Oh, I wouldn't miss that for anything." He then sobered some. "Though we also need to see if you will be able to hide them. While you are here, it is no issue, but if we were to ever leave the castle, things could get unruly. I don't know how the church would react to seeing an angel they couldn't control."

Eva snorted but agreed. "They would piss themselves before they tried to figure out how to capture me without the populace knowing it."

She clenched her jaw at the thought before she shook her head. Now wasn't the time to think about that. "Anyway, we also need to find a way to conceal this whole area. Like a huge glamour."

He gave her a curious look. "A what?"

Eva sighed and sat back. "It is a term found in fantasy tales. It just means to make something look like something else, usually to conceal what it really is."

She then tapped her chin before she grinned at him. "I know that talking about fantasy stories may seem counter-productive, but after all I've seen here, I can't ignore the possibility. There is one story where the spell makes people forget why they are in the area and want to leave before they get close. It also, obviously, makes it so they can't see the castle in the distance."

Adrian mulled her thoughts over for a moment. "That sounds like a good idea if we could find something of that nature. I have not heard of it before, but that doesn't mean it does not exist. I have to agree that things are often more than they seem."

He then stood to clear the table. Eva stood to join him and gave him a sour look. "That means more research, right?"

He chuckled as he nodded. "Yes, however, I think learning about your power is just as important. Why don't we see what you can figure out today, and we will start a new schedule tomorrow."

Eva sighed but nodded as she turned to clean up their mess from that morning. She might be looking forward to learning to fly, but the rest was daunting. At least she knew she wasn't going through it alone. Adrian was not part angel, but he did have power of his own. It might help her understand what to even look for.

A/N: I had so many questions come up about her wings lol. As you can see, a lot of that was addressed here. It will take time for things to progress though, so expect more as the chapters come out. For now, I want to thank my reviewers that I couldn't respond to directly. It means the world! I hope you all enjoyed. Cheers!