Resuscitation

by ThisWolflikes2write

The continuation of "Famished" The series "The Unmistakable Call of a Raven" is part of the Pitch Perfect Spookfest 2024 challenge... thing. And yes there will a continuation for each letter. From a field drenched in blood will flowers bloom? Aubrey's heart is softened, but her cravings continue to hinder her. Her mistakes will be costly... for her fledgeling.

Part 1: Love and Devotion

The Good times and Dancing in rooftops

"Where are we going?" Beca asked excitedly as the blonde woman dragged her by the hand.

"You'll see," Aubrey said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

They ran into the tallest building in the city. The security guard didn't see them, or if he did he didn't acknowledge them. They ran up the countless flights of stairs, laughing, neither one felt any type of exertion as they did so. When they reached the rooftop, the city sprawled out below them, the lights reminiscent of a sea of stars. The sound of distant music from a club wafted up to them, the soft beat in sync with Beca's racing heart.

Aubrey pulled her close, and whispered, "Dance with me." It wasn't a request, it was a gentle command that made Beca's knees weak and she nodded and let the woman guide her. They danced between the stars above them and the stars below. Beca closed her eyes, a small smile on her lips. She felt weightless, free, and entirely in this moment. She had no idea she could feel this way again, and all it had taken was giving up her mortality. Worth it.

"You are so beautiful," Aubrey murmured again.

"It was addictive, that level of relentless adoration… I was never happier than I was when she held me like that and looked at me like I was the only person in the universe."

Painting

"They say that the hardest part about becoming… This thing that I am now, is adjusting to the lack of sun. To live in absolute darkness.

The lack of sun. Ridiculous.

The words will forever echo in my head and in my heart. I've always lived for the night and I've never really cared much for the sun. And if I ever needed a sun in the darkness that was this part of my life.

Then she was the only sun I needed… My mistress, my Golden Goddess."

Beca Mitchell looked lovingly at the blonde slender woman that quietly painted her as she modeled naked form on their bed. Each stroke was careful and masterful. There was a small frown on her face. Her blue eyes deep in concentration as they processed the vision before her and imprinted it onto the canvas with absolute dedication.

"You look cute when you're all serious and focused like that," Beca said playfully.

Aubrey's frown faltered and she smiled. "Thank you dear, but really I should be the one complementing your beauty right now, seeing as I'm the one tasked with the pleasure of trying to capture it." Aubrey sighed a little bit forlorn and continued, "But I worry that my hands are not as skillful as they need to be to do your beauty justice. But alas… we're done."

Beca was in a bit of a daze as she took in the melodic southern drawl. It was subtle and she still couldn't quite pinpoint where it was from. She understood now that it was ancient yet the passage of time has molded and transformed it. Beca loved every word and every sentence.

"Would you like to see it?" Aubrey asked as she gestured her to sit on her lap.

Beca snapping out of her trance nodded. She wrapped the blanket around herself, feeling its soft warmth against her skin as she approached the canvas. Her heart raced with anticipation. She carefully climbed into Aubrey's lap, her gaze locked on the painting. As she finally saw her own likeness, she gasped, her breath catching in her throat. It was... more than she had imagined. The woman cast in oil was a version of her that only Aubrey saw. The background was dark, almost black and she was naked on her bed, looking up at her. Her skin was pale and almost translucent, the depiction of her figure was accurate to a fault, which to Beca simply said I adore you as you are. Her dark brown hair cascaded around her but it was voluminous, frazzled, meaning this was the freshly ravaged version of herself. Her lips slightly parted, almost as if she was a little bit breathless and painted in a deep crimson red, almost the color of blood. But her eyes, they weren't the same, these eyes were red, vibrant, and an incredibly impossible mixture of both prey and predator. She looked both exposed, vulnerable and yet there was so much power in that portrayal of vulnerability.

"This… this is incredible, Mistress," Beca said in a shaky voice, still too in awe by the sight of the painting.

"Thank you, but it barely does your beauty justice. My beautiful Raven," Aubrey whispered as she placed a kiss on her naked shoulder.

Beca turned to her with a small shy smile and playfully said, "Too cheesy dude," but still she leaned forwards and placed a gentle kiss on her Goddess's lips.

"It's cute when you call me dude but I still prefer mistress."

Beca smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Sorry… mistress."

Aubrey returned the smirk and kissed her deeply, the work of art forgotten in her passion. Beca was still sitting on her lap and turned to face her fully, wrapping her arms around the blonde's neck.

Their kiss deepened, their breaths coming together, it was familiar but still new, and still just as exciting as the first time.

Aubrey gave the sheet a gentle tug and unwrapped Beca like a present.

Beca now naked on the beautiful blonde's lap shivered under her intense gaze. It was the same focused intensity she gave the painting moments before. "You're so beautiful" Aubrey whispered, as if seeing Beca's naked form for the first time.

Aubrey wrapped her hands around Beca and grabbing a handful of her ass, lifted her up. The suddenness of the gesture made Beca yelp, giggling as Aubrey effortlessly carried her back to the bed. Aubrey gently laid her on the middle of the bed.

Beca looked up at Aubrey, feeling exposed and vulnerable but also exhilarated by the way Aubrey's eyes traced every inch of her skin. She wanted to reach up, to touch Aubrey, to pull her down and close the space between them, but Aubrey's expression stopped her. Without a word Aubrey commanded her to stay still and wait.

"You know, I just got an idea," Aubrey said with that teasing tone of voice Beca was starting to understand.

Aubrey smiled, that mischievous grin spreading across her face. "I think you'd make a perfect canvas," she said, turning away for a moment to grab the palette and the brush she had been using. She set them down beside Beca, who looked up at her, confused but intrigued.

"A perfect canvas?" Beca echoed, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Yes, darling," Aubrey replied. In one swift, fluid motion, she slipped off her own panties, tossing them aside. "I just need to make myself comfortable first."

Aubrey climbed onto the bed, positioning herself over Beca's head while facing her body. With a slow deliberate motion, she lowered herself on Beca's face, her black dress draping over her and trapping her in a small world of darkness and warmth.

Beca's breath hitched, as she felt the heat radiating from Aubrey's pussy and driven by the enticing act she grabbed Aubrey's hips and held her closer.

"Much better," Aubrey said with a satisfied sigh. She picked up a brush, dipped it in paint and brought it to Beca's stomach. The oil in the brush felt cool against her pale skin and her body jerked as Aubrey began to paint.

The brush danced and traced playful patterns on Beca's abdomen, her thighs, her breast. Beca matched the motions of each stroke of the brush with her tongue, she wanted to be playful as well, but the desire was close to overwhelming her. She tried to stay still, to be a good little canvas but the combination of sensations made it difficult.

"So beautiful," Aubrey murmured breathlessly, as she tried her hardest to contain just how much Beca's tongue was affecting her.

This is what Aubrey did, she showered her with praise whenever they made love. Beca wanted to do anything and everything for her. If she wanted to sit on her face while she painted her naked body, then she'd do it gladly.

"Those were the best of days. We worshiped each other completely, or at least that's what I told myself. Inside Aubrey's mansion, the outside world seemed to disappear, we lived for each other. During the day I slept in her arms, feeling safe and protected. And at night we lived, we danced, we sang and we made love more times than I could count. Yeah, I loved those days. And it only got better, Aubrey was always up to something. I could tell that she'd been alone for so long, that she always wanted to share something with me. She was like a child, excited to share whatever new toy she came across. Sometimes that toy was the Ballet, she just loved the Ballet. Sometimes it was a new play, or the beach during a full moon, or a man or woman for us to devour together… and sometimes that toy was me."

The Nightclub and the Show of Gratitude

Outside one of the most famous clubs in the city, hundreds lined up to come in for the return of the one and only DJ of Sorrow. If dancing is akin to making love, then this rave was a no holds barred orgy. A massive tumult of bodies clad in latex, with dark makeups and darkness in their hearts dancing to the beat of her music.

Beca Mitchell was clad in leather, her hair loose and free. She swayed to the thumping beats, the hypnotic melodies. She dedicated a song called "Midas" to the Golden Goddess herself dancing in the very center of the dance floor. Their eyes never strayed from each other, even as Beca danced while she manned her booth. And Aubrey's eyes never strayed from her, as women flocked to dance with her. She partook of course, she danced with each and every single nubile vixen that wanted her. Her hands roamed over their bodies as Beca watched, her pang of jealousy fueled her desire.

That night Aubrey had another surprise for her and she commanded Beca to not touch her as they made their way back home. It was delicious torture because Beca had grown dependant on her touch, and right now her level of arousal was at its maximum. But she obeyed and simply watched as the object of her desire sitting on the other side of the limousine smirked at her.

When they got back into Aubrey's mansion and made their way back into their room, it was crowded with beautiful women, the very same souls she had danced with that night. Beautiful women in several states of dress, ranging from latex, to leather, to satin and fishnets all sharing that same look of desire she had right now.

"I wanted to thank you, for the beautiful song," Aubrey whispered.

"Mistress I—" Beca hesitated, she'd never been in a situation like this, she'd dream of them of course but this was almost too much.

Aubrey leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Thank me later" and she gently nudged Beca to the center of the sea of women, they eagerly grabbed her and pulled her down to drown her in the sea of their lust. Beca watched helpless as a woman latched on to her neck, sucking gently and she had no choice but to moan. Another woman pulled her face and kissed her, still her eyes didn't leave Aubrey.

Aubrey, still smirking, pulled up a chair and watched with a glint in her eyes as Beca was ravaged by the women. She could see a pair of women crawling towards her Golden Goddess and position themselves at her feet, at the ready. Aubrey fingers caressed her collarbone as she watched as one of the woman unzipped Beca's leather outfit and latched herself to her exposed breast. Beca moaned her eyes still on Aubrey, and one of the woman at her feet started to lick her boots. And she envied her, but still she let herself be devoured, because this was her role, this was her purpose right now. To entertain.

"I did say Sometimes I was the toy. It was overwhelming at first, but it didn't take long for me to become… um an eager participant of these little activities. Because it wasn't about me, not really, it was all about her. All I wanted was to serve her, whenever I pleasured her, whenever I got her off, I felt fulfilled, triumphant, like I had served my purpose. And if this is what it took then so be it. And as long as we both were open and communicated about it, then I would gladly fulfill my duty."

Part 2: To Love You from Afar

The Empty Bed

"You know what was my favorite part of my… night? Waking up next to her. We are cold, but when you are with the one you love, even the coldest of creatures will feel warmth. When I'd open my eyes, the first thing I'd see was her face. Sometimes she was still asleep, her face so serene and beautiful and sometimes she was awake, looking at me with that same adoration I'd become addicted to. That was my favorite part of my night. But sometimes she wasn't there…"

Beca Mitchell lay in bed, staring at the ornate ceiling of Aubrey's mansion. The sun had long since set, but the mansion's heavy curtains kept the room in perpetual darkness. She felt a deep sense of unease, like something was missing. She reached over to face the empty side of the bed and her heart sank. Aubrey wasn't there. This wasn't uncommon, and Beca just told herself that Aubrey was busy, taking care of whatever needed to be taken care of for their sakes.

Beca sat up, and sighed, pushing the blankets aside and standing up. Her bare feet made no sound on the plush carpet as she made her way to the window, pulling the curtain aside just enough to let a sliver of moonlight in. And the beautiful of the full moon did little to alleviate her heart full of longing for her Golden Goddess.

Where are you, Aubrey? she wondered.

She wandered through the mansion, her footsteps echoing in the silence. The place was vast, a labyrinth of rooms and hallways that seemed to go on forever. Beca didn't feel very comfortable here, this place was too big, too empty.

She made her way to the kitchen, hoping to find her there but she wasn't so instead she sought comfort in a glass of blood-wine, a macabre creation Aubrey had introduced her to not long after her transformation. She found it soothing, its effect was similar to that of a calming cup of green tea. She didn't know whose blood it was but she decided not to question, it tasted better that way. The crimson liquid filled her glass, and she sipped it slowly, letting the warmth spread through her.

But it wasn't enough.

Why does everything feel so cold? Beca thought, leaning against the counter.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Her heart leapt, and she set the glass down, hurrying to the foyer. Aubrey stood there, her expression unreadable as she removed her coat and hung it on the rack.

"You're back, Mistress!" Beca said, unable to hide the relief in her voice. And she jumped up and embraced her.

Aubrey blinked a little off guard by the warm welcome and said with a faint smile. "Of course, my love. Did you think I wouldn't be?"

Beca forced a smile, trying to ignore the doubt gnawing at her insides. "No, I just… I missed you."

Aubrey's smile widened, and she crossed the room to pull Beca into a hug. "I missed you too, my beautiful Raven. I'm sorry I was gone so long. I had business to take care of."

"It's alright, it's just this place is so big, and without you, it feels so empty."

Aubrey squeezed her tight as she thought about those words. Beca buried her face in Aubrey's neck, inhaling her familiar scent. It was a mix of roses and something darker, something uniquely Aubrey, blood? Lust?

The Hair Brushing

The room was bathed in a soft, muted candlelight, the heavy curtains blocking out the world beyond. Beca sat on the plush carpet at the foot of the bed, her legs crossed beneath her, leaning against Aubrey's knees. The ritual had become familiar, comforting—a nightly act of care that Aubrey not only initiated but insisted.

Aubrey sat behind her, gently running a brush through Beca's dark hair, the bristles gliding smoothly through the waves. The rhythm was hypnotic, and Beca felt herself relaxing into the motion, enjoying the rare moment of peace between them.

"You know," Beca said, her voice barely above a whisper, "you're really good at this mistress."

Aubrey chuckled, a low, rich sound that vibrated through her. "Thank you."

Beca smiled to herself, savoring the moment. In these quiet times, the chaos of their lives—their darkness, the hunger, the complexities of their relationship—seemed to fade away. But tonight, something tugged at her, something that had been brewing for weeks.

Beca deciding to be bold turned around and said, "My turn,"

Aubrey blinked, confused. "What?"

"It's my turn to brush your hair," Beca repeated, gently taking the brush from her.

Aubrey hesitated, her brows knitting together in uncertainty. It wasn't a request she'd ever anticipated. She had always been the one to care for Beca, to guide her. Being on the receiving end of that tenderness felt foreign, even uncomfortable.

Beca, seeing the reluctance in Aubrey's eyes, offered a small smile. "Relax and just let me do this."

Aubrey shifted, uncertain. But finally, she nodded and turned around, allowing Beca to sit behind her on the bed.

As Beca's hands gently undid Aubrey's bun and let the golden strands unravel and cascade. Beca admired them, her hair was beautiful, gold and full of life. Aubrey felt her muscles tense at first. But the slow, rhythmic brushing began to ease her nerves, and before long, she found herself relaxing into Beca's touch. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

"This is nice," Beca murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of the brush gliding through Aubrey's hair.

Aubrey swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. She had always been the protector, the one who kept things in line. But now, under Beca's gentle hands, she realized how much she had been holding onto. How much she had needed to let go. It was terrifying—and oddly, comforting.

"I'm not used to this," Aubrey whispered, her eyes fluttering shut.

"I know," Beca said quietly, continuing her soft, methodical strokes.

Aubrey's chest tightened with emotions she hadn't expected. She had spent so long trying to mold their lives into something perfect, something controlled. She didn't realize how much she had been keeping herself at arm's length, even from Beca. But now, with Beca's hands so gentle, her words so tender, Aubrey felt herself relaxing in a way she hadn't in years.

Beca set the brush aside. She moved around to sit in front of Aubrey, her eyes filled with affection as she gently tucked a strand of hair behind Aubrey's ear.

"You're beautiful," Beca whispered, the reverence in her voice unmistakable.

Aubrey knew she was, she'd had men and women adoring her for centuries, but somehow right now she truly felt beautiful. Aubrey cleared her throat, trying to remain composed.

"Thank you," Aubrey whispered.

Beca staring deeply into Aubrey's eyes whispered, "I love you."

Aubrey felt a warmth bloom in her chest, but alongside it was a quiet panic. The weight of what she had just said made her feel exposed. Her heart raced, and she found herself pulling back, just slightly.

"I—" Aubrey started, her voice faltering as she stood up abruptly, breaking the quiet intimacy of the moment. "I need some air."

Beca blinked, surprised by the sudden shift and accidentally blurted, "Aubrey?" Beca shook her head and chastised herself. "Sorry! Mistress!"

Aubrey turned, her movements quick, controlled, as if she was trying to compose herself. "I think… Aubrey is fine every once in a while."

"Aubrey…" Beca whispered her name, her tone reverent but she couldn't shake the confusion of what just happened. "Are you—"

"I'm fine. I just… I need a minute."

Without waiting for a response, Aubrey left the room, the door closing behind her. Beca sat there, her heart heavy and perplexed.

A Night at the Ballet

When Beca woke up, the bed was empty again. But not completely. There was a note, and Beca rubbing the remnants of sleep off her eyes read it.

"My Raven, I'm sorry I had to leave you alone again, but I have some matters to attend to, but I'd like to take you out tonight, the Russian Ballet is in town and I'd love for you to accompany me. I left you a present in the closet, please wear it. I'll pick you up at midnight."

Beca read the letter over and over again, there was something so different in the note, something she couldn't quite pinpoint, but it made her heart flutter.

Beca stood in front of the manor, the crisp evening air brushing against her skin. Her heart raced, she felt strangely vulnerable, waiting for her like this. She shifted slightly in the sleek black tuxedo Aubrey had chosen for her. The fabric was tailored to perfection, fitting her like a glove. Her fingers nervously adjusted the purple bow tie, the raven cufflinks catching the moonlight as they glinted on her wrists. The silver gleam served as a reminder of Aubrey's thoughtfulness.

The familiar long sleek limousine arrived and the door opened. Aubrey stepped out and Beca gasped at the sight. She looked effortlessly stunning in her own black tuxedo, the bolo tie around her neck giving a nod to her southern roots. The way she moved, with that calculated grace and quiet authority, made Beca's heart pound even harder. There was something about seeing her in that sharp, black tux that made Beca's mouth dry..

Aubrey smiled, that familiar radiant smile, and gestured toward the limo. "Shall we, my Raven?"

Beca, still trying to steady her heart, nodded and stepped forward, her feet almost moving of their own accord. Her eyes didn't leave Aubrey, not for a moment. She was completely captivated. As she climbed into the limo, Aubrey followed and took a seat beside her, their matching tuxedos creating a sense of unity between them that felt almost magical.

The door clicked shut, and as the limo pulled away, Beca found herself stealing glances at Aubrey, unable to look away for too long. There was something intoxicating about her tonight—something that made it impossible for Beca to think clearly. Her gaze kept lingering on the sharp lines of Aubrey's jaw, the way her fingers rested elegantly on her lap, and the subtle smirk playing on her lips. Beca shifted slightly in her seat, trying to suppress the warmth rising in her cheeks.

Aubrey, noticing Beca's stolen glances, turned to her with an amused smile. "What is it?" she asked, her tone teasing but with a hint of affection. "You've barely said a word."

Beca shook her head, a small, embarrassed laugh escaping her lips. "It's nothing, really," she muttered, her eyes still roaming over Aubrey's suit. "It's just… you look… incredible."

Aubrey's smile softened, her hand reaching over to gently take Beca's. "And you," she said, her voice dropping to a low murmur, "look absolutely perfect."

In that moment, all she could feel was how utterly smitten she was with the woman beside her. The tuxedos, the limo, the anticipation of the night ahead—it all faded away. All that remained was the overwhelming realization that no matter what, she was hers.

"Ready?" Aubrey asked as the limo slowed to a stop in front of the theater.

Beca nodded, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face. "With you? Always."

The ballet theater was small yet elegant, with red velvet seats and gilded walls bathed in a soft, amber glow. It was a quiet and intimate kind of place that would normally make Beca feel out of place, yet she felt entirely at ease with Aubrey by her side.

Seated in plush velvet chairs, Beca's attention drifted back to Aubrey. The way she looked in that suit—the lines so perfectly tailored, exuding a kind of effortless power—made Beca's heart race. She glanced down at the sterling silver raven cufflinks that she adored, a quiet smile tugging at her lips.

A rustle of fabric on stage pulled her attention to the performance. The curtains lifted, revealing the dancers. For a moment, Beca's eyes were drawn to one dancer—a tall brunette, moving with such passion that it almost seemed like this performance was her last. Her movements were captivating, every step imbued with emotion. Beca could feel Aubrey's gaze lingering on the ballerina as well, her lips parting slightly, but it wasn't enough to fully grab Beca's attention. Just a brief moment, an almost imperceptible fascination that Aubrey didn't dwell on for too long.

"She's beautiful," Aubrey whispered, her tone thoughtful, but then her gaze quickly shifted back to Beca.

Beca felt a tiny stir of curiosity maybe even jealousy at Aubrey's comment. She turned to watch the performance, Aubrey was right the ballerina was beautiful and talented. But Beca wasn't as interested, she still couldn't keep her eyes off of Aubrey.

Aubrey smiled, loving the feeling of Beca's adoring eyes on her. Then turned her attention elsewhere, her eyes trailing the rest of the performers before briefly settling on the young theater attendant who had seated them. The girl had a short bob haircut, dangerously curvy, and clearly doing the job as a volunteer. Beca noticed Aubrey's gaze and smirked to herself, recognizing the flicker of interest.

The show went on, but Beca's thoughts had already shifted. She glanced over at the attendant, her eyes catching the girl's innocent smile as she moved through the theater.

"You're thinking about taking her home with us, aren't you?" Beca teased, her voice low enough for only Aubrey to hear.

Aubrey chuckled softly and raised an eyebrow. "Do you mind?"

"To fuck?" Beca asked, her voice a little gruff.

Aubrey winced slightly. "Please don't use that word. It's... unladylike."

Beca looked down embarrassed, she had forgotten, Aubrey still had some ancient sensibilities "I'm sorry. I forgot. But umm…if it makes you happy—"

Her voice trailed off as her gaze returned to the attendant. There was something off about the girl, something that felt out of place, though Beca couldn't quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was her innocence, her smile too pure for this world. Still, she shrugged and said, "I'm cool with it."

As always Aubrey had been right. The innocents tasted better, they were more fulfilling. I couldn't help myself, she was pleasuring my Aubrey. That beautiful, young woman was making my Aubrey moan. I had never felt so jealous. I… I'm not proud of it, but I blacked out, before I knew it I sunk my teeth into the bitch's neck. Her blood was everywhere, on me, and especially on Aubrey's naked body. When I ripped that young woman apart I–got on my knees… I took her place, and I… I finished the job! Because I'm the only one… I'm the one who's supposed to… because she chose me! Oh God, I don't know why I'm telling you this. I guess the point is, through it all, Aubrey was smiling. She was smiling when I killed her.

The Garden and Aviary

Aubrey took Beca's hand, guiding her through the winding paths of her estate with a lightness that was almost infectious. Beca, however, felt a knot in her stomach as they approached an unfamiliar part of the property. Aubrey had a surprise for her.

They approached a large structure made of glass and steel. It glistened in the moonlight. As they got closer, Beca could see the lush greenery inside, almost too vibrant, too perfect.

"What is this?" Beca asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Aubrey squeezed her hand and smiled, her eyes bright with excitement. "You'll see. Just a bit further."

She stopped by a set of ornate iron doors, and in the very center the bars were shaped to spell "Raven's Sanctuary."

"What?" Beca whispered breathless as she read the words.

Aubrey smiled and said "Push it open,"

Beca nodded and pushed open the iron doors, revealing the breathtaking garden inside. Rows of flowers in every color imaginable stretched out before them, their petals glistening with morning dew. The air was thick with the scent of earth and blossoms, a heady mix that made Beca's head spin.

"This is… a lot," Beca said, hesitating on the threshold. "Aubrey, I don't know the first thing about plants, or flowers."

"Yes, but… this is what one does right? Give flowers to the one they love?"

Beca's heart skipped a beat. She froze, her head whipping around to face Aubrey, her eyes wide with surprise. "Wait... what did you say?"

Aubrey's smile faded slightly, her brows furrowing in mild confusion. "What did I say?"

Beca stepped closer, her voice a little breathless, "Aubrey, you just said... flowers for the one they love?"

Aubrey's lips parted as she let out a soft breath. There was no turning back now. "Yes," she said, quieter than before, her vulnerability showing for the first time. "I did. I... wasn't planning on saying it like that. I just..." She hesitated, struggling to meet her gaze.

Beca stared at her, the weight of those words pressing into her, but not in the way she thought they might. There was no panic, no fear—just warmth, a deep and steady warmth that spread through her chest. She smiled, stepping even closer. "You love me?"

Aubrey nodded, her vulnerability laid bare. "Yes. I... I do."

Beca's heart fluttered as she gently placed her hands on Aubrey's waist, pulling her closer. She didn't need to say much, didn't need grand words or declarations. She kissed Aubrey, slow and soft, letting her lips say what she couldn't put into words. When they pulled away, Beca hugged her, resting her head on Aubrey's chest, listening to the soothing beats of her heart.

"I love you too," Beca whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Aubrey let out a relieved laugh, her hand brushing a stray lock of hair behind Beca's ear. "I didn't want to scare you away, with all this."

"Scare me?" Beca shook her head, grinning. "Aubrey, this... all of this is a lot, yeah. But it's you. And I wouldn't want it any other way."

Beca took another glance at the vibrant garden surrounding them. "But seriously, I don't have a green thumb."

Aubrey chuckled again, the tension between them melting away. "It's okay. I don't expect you to become a gardener overnight. I wanted to do something special for you. I want you to think of this place as your home."

"You want me to think of this as our home?"

"Yes, you said this place feels too big, too empty, and I just thought— I'm just sorry I didn't do this sooner, this is your home and it's time it felt like it."

My home? "Aubrey…"

"And there's more. Come with me."

At the far end, nestled among the greenery, was a large aviary made of intricate ironwork and glass. Inside, four ravens flitted about, their black feathers catching the light in a way that made them appear almost otherworldly.

"Ravens?" Beca whispered, her eyes wide as she stepped closer to the aviary.

Aubrey stood behind her, her hands resting gently on Beca's shoulders. "For my beautiful Raven."

Beca watched in awe as the ravens moved about in their enclosure. They were magnificent, their feathers shimmering like onyx in the light. One of the birds tilted its head, eyeing Beca curiously before letting out a soft caw. Without a second of hesitation, she opened the enclosure and stuck her hand inside. The raven hesitated for a second but seeing the unabashed fearlessness of the woman, the trust and affection in the small gesture, gave her hand a gentle peck. Beca didn't flinch or shy away, her smile never wavered and the raven rubbed her head against her hand, causing Beca to giggle softly.

"They're perfect," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aubrey smiled, leaning down to kiss Beca's temple. "They reminded me of you—intelligent and beautiful, full of mystery and grace."

Beca turned to look at Aubrey, her heart brimming with affection. "Thank you, Aubrey. This… this means more to me than you could ever know."

Aubrey's smile broadened, her eyes filled with warmth and relief. "I'm just glad to see you happy."

Beca nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. Aubrey sat down on a nearby bench happy to watch as Beca proceeded to introduce herself to the ravens, leaving their enclosure open. She stepped back and let them peek their heads out by themselves. The four ravens jumped out of their enclosures and bounced to wander around them, their gentle kraa sound expressing their curiosity for their new world and their new mistresses. Beca satisfied with the process turned to Aubrey who was simply watching with fascination with adoration. The sight of Aubrey just enjoying this quiet moment made Beca's heart melt and she nodded, and with a pep in her step, she uncharacteristically jumped on Aubrey's lap and wrapped her arms around her neck.

"I've decided," she whispered.

"Y-you've decided?" Aubrey hesitated for a second.

Aubrey visibly relaxed, and Beca leaned in and kissed her. Aubrey was caught off guard. She was expecting a kiss of gratitude, quick and warm but this kiss was slow, deep. Beca was eager to push further, licking her tongue with hers. When Beca pulled away, Aubrey was frozen in place, her lips slightly parted, her face flushed and a bit of Beca's saliva stuck to her lips.

"I've decided that I really, really need to show you how grateful I am right now, " Beca whispered into Aubrey's ear. Beca could hear Aubrey's heart rate quicken. In that moment one of the ravens' flew onto Beca's shoulder, startling Aubrey for a second.

"Jesus! They're not going to be part of this right?"

Beca chuckled. "Not unless you want them to."

"Maybe next time, we just met after all," Aubrey said playfully. Aubrey lifted Beca up and started to make her way back to their bedroom.

"How did you do this so quickly?"

"Money, darling."

They laughed as they made their way out of the garden and Beca felt a sense of peace and hope for the future.

Happy In Love

"I never thought much about it before, how Aubrey never outright said she loved me. It wasn't like I was keeping track, counting the times she didn't say it. I didn't need to. I belonged to her—that's how it always felt. In my mind, that was enough.

But that night... when she showed me the garden, when she said those word… it felt like the ground had shifted beneath my feet.

She loved me.

My mistress… no—-Aubrey loved me. Hearing it, seeing it in her eyes, watching her let that guard down—it was like a weight I didn't even realize I'd been carrying just vanished. It wasn't just me giving myself to her anymore. She was giving me something, too. Herself.

And suddenly, everything was different. There was a vulnerability in her that I hadn't seen before. I'd never known how much I needed that—needed to see her like that. It wasn't just me pouring my heart into this… whatever it is.

After that night, our relationship became easier, lighter. The trust was deeper, and the walls that had stood between us for so long just... crumbled. We laughed more. Talked more. It was like we had crossed some invisible line, and on the other side was just… us. Finally, just us.

I had to show her, too. I had to find a way to tell her how happy I was, how much this changed everything. I didn't have her money, couldn't build her some grand, sweeping gesture like she had for me. But I had something else. Music."

See me, Please me, Hurt me

Beca decided to express her feelings through music. She invited Aubrey to one of her biggest gigs, creating a special mix just for her called "Please, Please Me." She needed to see the look on Aubrey's face when she played it.

As she played the song, Beca spoke into the mic, her voice trembling with emotion. "Please, Please Me, my Golden Goddess," she called out, hoping her words would reach Aubrey wherever she was in the club.

She poured everything she had into the mix, her movements fueled by a raw, desperate energy. As she danced from her booth, eyes constantly scanned the room for Aubrey, but she couldn't find her. Aubrey wasn't in the middle of the dance floor where she usually was during Beca's gigs, nor was she in the shadows on a corner like she had been all those years ago.

Beca's eyes darted around the club, each second stretching into an eternity. Her breath came in short, sharp bursts, and her hands trembled as she pushed through the crowd. Every passing face that wasn't Aubrey's sent another jolt of fear through her.

Where is she? Why isn't she here? The knot in her chest tightened with every step, her heart racing faster as the seconds ticked by.

Panic started to creep into Beca's chest. She abandoned her booth, leaving the mix playing on a haunting loop as she pushed her way through the crowd, her heart pounding louder with each step. The beat of the music seemed to fade, replaced by the deafening rush of blood in her ears.

As Beca's gaze fell on Aubrey, the world seemed to slow to a crawl. Her stomach dropped, and a cold wave of nausea washed over her. The sight of Aubrey's lips on the other woman's, their bodies pressed together in an intimate embrace, felt like a dagger plunging deep into her chest. Her knees buckled, and she staggered back, barely able to breathe.

No… No, this can't be happening. Beca's mind screamed as her heart shattered in her chest. The woman she loved, the woman she thought she knew, was kissing someone else. She had her against the wall, her arms over her head, Aubrey had her at her mercy. And her hands… her fingers… they did things to that woman's body that should only be done to hers.

This wasn't like the times they'd brought others into their bed, openly and with communication. This was different. This was secretive, hidden—a betrayal.

Beca felt her legs weaken, stumbling back as her vision blurred with tears. She wanted to run, to get as far away from this place as possible, but her feet wouldn't move. She stood there, frozen, as the world around her crumbled.

Why, Aubrey? Why would you do this to me?

Beca's mind raced with a thousand questions. And yet, even amidst the heartbreak, a small, desperate voice inside her screamed that she still loved Aubrey, that she needed to understand why.

Aubrey, hearing the scream emanating from Beca's mind, shook her slightly and blinked rapidly. She quickly pulled away from the woman, her expression shifting from surprise to panic. She turned and took a shaky step toward Beca, her hands trembling as she reached out. "Beca, wait," Aubrey's voice was frail, pleading. "I can explain."

Beca couldn't hear her. All she could hear was the sound of her own heart breaking. She turned and ran. She ran as fast as she could, without any real direction. All she knew was that she needed to get away from the vision that haunted her mind.

When Beca finally stopped running, she found herself alone in a dark alley, her body shaking with sobs. She sank to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest as the pain tore through her.

How could you, Aubrey? You said you would love me… When you asked me to make the choice. I asked you! Will you please love me! And what did you say? Until my dying breath!

Burn

She stayed there, crying until there were no tears left. She lost track of time, and when she looked up, she saw the enemy of creatures like her—the sun was starting to rise. Panic surged through her, she'd been spoiled by the safety of Aubrey's mansion and in her grief she had forgotten about this important detail. Her breathing quickened as she looked around, realizing she was trapped in the alley with nowhere to go. As soon as the sun hit her, she would burn. And she realized she wasn't ready to die.

Frantically, she searched for a way out and spotted a window covered in iron bars. Desperation fueled her as she grabbed onto them, trying to pull them apart. But she hadn't fed that night, and she felt weak. Her strength was still superhuman and the bars were giving way, but far slower than she needed.

As the sun's rays crept closer, Beca's skin began to blister and burn, the pain searing through her like molten lava. She cried out, her voice echoing off the alley walls. Her hands, raw and shaking, clawed at the iron bars, but her strength was waning. Each passing second felt like an eternity, and she knew she was moments away from being consumed by the flames.

A ray of sun suddenly scorched her hand, and she screamed in agony again.

"Aubrey!" she screamed in her mind, knowing that in seconds she would be engulfed in flames.

Don't Burn, Please

The smell of burning flesh filled the air, and she braced herself for the searing pain. But then she saw a familiar hand grab the bars. In one quick pull, the bars were yanked open from the brick of the building. Before Beca realized what was happening, she was lifted and thrown through the window. Her body rolled as she hit the ground, and she looked up just in time to see Aubrey, burning in the sunlight, jump through the window after her.

Beca watched in horror as the love of her life screamed in agony, her beautiful skin blistering and smoking from the sunlight. She rolled on the floor, the flames consuming her slowly.

She came for me. She saved me. And now, she's burning for it.

"Aubrey!" Beca screamed as she scrambled to put out the flames with her hands, tears streaming down her face.

Aubrey whimpered through her pain, her voice barely a whisper. "Beca, please, let me explain. I'm so sorry. I love you, I'm so sorry, my raven," she repeated over and over again, her voice cracking with desperation. She was a broken record, her brain just shut off and her mouth just repeated the words she'd been dying to say.

"Beca, please, I didn't mean to hurt you. I would do anything—anything—to take it back. I love you more than anything in this world. Please, give me a chance to prove it."

Beca cradled Aubrey in her arms, watching as the woman she loved muttered apologies and declarations of love in a daze, her beautiful skin still smoldering from the burns. Beca's heart ached, torn between anger and a deep, unrelenting love.

She came for me. She risked everything to save me.

The day passed slowly as they hid in the dark, empty building. Aubrey lay weakened, her burns slowly healing as she continued to murmur apologies. Her beautiful face was twisted in pain, her eyes closed tight.

Beca gently running her fingers through her hair, noticed something moving in a corner. She gently placed Aubrey's head down and in a blur moved to catch it. The large rat was no match for her speed. She quickly slit its neck with a razor-sharp nail and let it's blood fall on Aubrey's lips. Aubrey, still unconscious, grimaced at the taste of rat blood.

"I know, I know," Beca whispered, she looked over at her burns and they were barely healing.

You told me it wouldn't be enough.

The room was dark and still, except for the sound of Aubrey's weak breaths. Beca's senses suddenly flared—the scent of fresh blood. Someone was nearby. A man. She heard him walking past the building.

Beca's heart twisted. She knew what she had to do, something she wished she'd never do to an innocent person again.

But this time it was for her. To save her.

With trembling hands, Beca stood and moved toward the door. The man outside had no idea what was about to happen.

"I'm sorry," Beca whispered, her voice barely audible, as she crept up behind him, her supernatural speed giving her the advantage. She grabbed him in a blur, dragging him into the building. He barely had time to scream before Beca slammed him against the wall, her heart pounding in her chest.

I have to do this.

Without thinking, and before the man had much time to resist she slit the man's throat with a swift motion using her razor sharp nails, and she caught his body as it slumped forward. The blood poured from the wound, warm and thick, staining Beca's hands. Her stomach churned, guilt surging through her as she dragged him toward Aubrey.

Beca knelt beside her, her voice trembling. "Please, Aubrey. Drink." she whispered, as she held the man's body over her, forcing the blood to drip onto Aubrey's lips.

Aubrey's body reacted instinctively, her fangs extending as she latched onto the man's throat, drinking deeply. Beca watched in silence, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. The man's life drained away, and Beca could do nothing but stare, the weight of what she had done crushing her.

When Aubrey finally pulled away, her strength had returned, her burns almost fully healed. Beca's eyes were wide with horror and panic.

Aubrey's eyes finally slowly fluttered open, and she looked around, disoriented.

"My Raven?" Aubrey finally spoke, her voice barely audible. "What did you do?" Aubrey asked as she noticed the dead body, her voice filled with disbelief.

"I didn't have a choice," Beca responded, tears filling her eyes. "You were dying. I couldn't—"

"You did that… for me?"

Beca gave her a small guilty nod, "I didn't want to, but I just— I couldn't let you die."

Aubrey reached out, her hand trembling as she touched Beca's face. "Even after… what you saw?"

Beca grabbed Aubrey's hand gently and pulled it away from her face. She looked away, unable to meet Aubrey's eyes. "I was angry, and hurt, I still am… I think I always will be. But… I had to do something," she admitted.

Aubrey's eyes filled with tears. "I don't deserve you."

"I don't know if I can ever forgive you," Beca said quietly, her voice heavy with pain.

"I'm so sorry, my Raven,"

"Can you just tell me why?" Beca needed to hear something, anything that would make sense of this betrayal.

"It was a mistake. A terrible mistake."

"A mistake? Is that all it was to you? A mistake?" Beca asked with disbelief.

Aubrey's eyes filled with tears, her face crumbling as she pleaded. "I love you, Beca. You have to believe that. I would never intentionally hurt you. I… I wasn't thinking. I just—" she looked away, ashamed.

Beca shook her head, trying to keep her emotions in check. She wanted to yell, to scream, to hit something, but all she could do was whisper, "I don't know what to believe anymore. I thought we had something real, something special. But now… I don't know."

Aubrey reached out, her hand trembling as she took Beca's. "Please, Beca, don't let this come between us. We can get through this. I'll do whatever it takes to make it right. I'll walk out into the sun again if that's what you want."

"No, you idiot… don't you ever walk out into the sun." Beca wanted to be angry, to hold onto the pain, but seeing Aubrey like this, so broken and vulnerable, made it nearly impossible.

I should walk away. I should end this right now.

Aubrey hearing her thoughts, panicked, "Please don't! Please forgive me."

"I don't know if I can," Beca's heart ached with every word.

Aubrey squeezed her hand. "Please, Beca. Give me another chance. I promise I'll make it up to you."

Beca hesitated, her heart torn between the love she still felt for Aubrey and the pain of her betrayal. After a long moment, she nodded, though her heart wasn't fully in it. "Fine," she muttered, "But this is your last chance, Aubrey. One more slip-up and I'm done."

Aubrey nodded weakly, pulling Beca into a fragile embrace. "Thank you, my love. I promise, I won't let you down again."

Maybe I'm a fool for giving her another chance. Maybe I'm just setting myself up for more heartbreak. But I can't help it. I love her too much.

Aubrey read her mind, sighed relieved, and leaned her head on Beca's shoulder.

When the sun finally set, casting long shadows through the broken windows, Aubrey sat up slowly, her movements careful and deliberate. She looked over at Beca, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and fear. "Thank you."

Beca nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She wanted to tell Aubrey that everything would be okay, that they could get through this, but she couldn't bring herself to say the words.

Aubrey reached out, gently cupping Beca's face in her hands. "I'm so sorry, Beca. I know I've hurt you. I don't expect you to forgive me right away, but I promise I'll do everything I can to make it up to you. I'll prove that you can trust me again."

Beca closed her eyes, leaning into Aubrey's touch. She wanted to believe her, wanted to believe that they could find a way back to what they once had.

"I hope so, Aubrey,"

They sat together in silence, the weight of their unspoken fears hanging heavy in the air. For the first time in a long while, Aubrey didn't seem like the invincible golden goddess Beca had fallen in love with. She looked fragile, almost human, and Beca realized that she wasn't the only one who was scared.

As the night wore on, they finally decided to head back to the mansion. Aubrey, still weak from her injuries, leaned on Beca for support as they made their way through the darkened streets. The walk was slow and silent, both of them lost in their thoughts.

Beca tucked Aubrey in their bed, carefully making sure she was comfortable and safe.

"Stay here, I'll be right back."

Aubrey didn't say anything, she just watched as a pained Beca left their bedroom.

Here's a polished version that keeps the emotional depth and flow:

Once inside the beautiful, expansive kitchen with its stunning French range—the room Aubrey had once called the heart of the house—a heavy loneliness settled over Beca. She allowed herself a moment to let the tears fall, to mourn the betrayal. She had thought they were in love, that Aubrey loved her, but now... none of it made sense. And to have it happen publicly, during her own show—it was all too much.

After a moment, she wiped her eyes, grabbed the crystal decanter with its deep crimson liquid, grabbed a glass and headed back to the room.

Aubrey, still weak, sat up in bed, her face lighting up with a smile of genuine affection as she looked at her Raven.

"Thank you," she said as Beca handed her the glass. Beca just gave her a quick smile and turned away. She didn't know where she was going but it felt like the right thing to do.

Aubrey quickly spoke up, and when Beca turned around,

"Wait. Stay with me?" she asked, hopeful and afraid.

Beca hesitated for a moment. She knew she should keep her distance, give herself time to process everything that had happened. But looking at Aubrey, so vulnerable and pleading, she couldn't bring herself to walk away. Aubrey climbed into their bed and wrapped her arm around Aubrey.

I Will Sit with you

Beca's feet sank into the damp grass as Aubrey led her through the fog-shrouded cemetery. The quiet pressed in from all sides, broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the distant creak of old tree branches. Beca hadn't been back here in months.

Something was different.

As they rounded the corner, Beca's breath caught in her throat. Where Chloe's simple, unassuming grave used to be, stood a mausoleum. A monument of white marble, glowing faintly under the moonlight like something out of a dream. The structure towered above them, elegant and pristine, as if it had always been there, waiting.

Beca froze in her tracks. She couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe.

Aubrey's hand found hers, squeezing. "I wanted to do something for you," she said, "For her."

Beca's eyes traced the lines of the mausoleum, from the intricate carvings etched into the stone to the statue that stood out front—Chloe's likeness, captured perfectly in marble. Her heart twisted painfully in her chest as the reality of it hit her.

Aubrey's voice broke through Beca's daze, gentle but certain. "I know how much she meant to you, and… I wanted to honor that. She deserves this. You deserve this."

Beca blinked back the tears that blurred her vision. She tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. All she could do was reach out, touching the cool marble of the statue. It was Chloe. The smile, the tilt of her head—it was her.

A tear slid down her cheek, and before she knew it, she was crying. The kind of tears that had been buried deep, waiting for something to pull them free. Aubrey's arms were around her in an instant, holding her as she cried into her shoulder.

"It's okay," Aubrey whispered, pressing her cheek to Beca's hair. "I'm here."

After what felt like forever, Beca pulled back, wiping at her face. She glanced at Aubrey, who was watching her with that familiar mix of concern and quiet understanding.

"I don't even know what to say," Beca choked out. "This… this is more than I could've ever done for her."

Aubrey smiled softly. "You've already done enough, Beca. I just wanted to give her… and you something more."

Beca nodded, her chest tight as she followed Aubrey into the mausoleum. Inside, the air was cool. The walls were adorned with intricate marble engravings and in the center, Chloe's resting place—her new tomb, made of beautiful white stone, adorned with delicate carvings. It was elegant, timeless. Perfect.

In the corner of the mausoleum, a small bench sat, polished and simple.

Aubrey gestured to it. "Now you can sit here… and talk to her. Like you always do."

Beca sat down and took in the sight and then, noticing Aubrey standing there just looking at her, gestured to the space next to her on the bench.

"Sit with me?"

Aubrey smiled, moved by the small gesture.

They sat on the small bench inside the mausoleum, facing Chloe's tomb in silence. Beca's fingers intertwined with Aubrey's, her gaze focused on the coffin. She felt the weight of the gesture—the enormity of what Aubrey had done—and it made her chest tighten with gratitude.

But there was something more she was hoping for, something she wasn't sure how to ask.

Beca swallowed hard and cleared her throat, glancing at Aubrey. "Do you... want to say something?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aubrey looked at her, caught off guard by the question. "Say something?" she echoed.

"To Chloe," Beca murmured, her voice faltering. "You did this for her, and I just thought... maybe you'd like to say something." She hesitated, suddenly feeling silly for bringing it up. "I don't know... maybe it's a dumb idea. Never mind." She started to stand, already regretting the question, but Aubrey gently pulled her back down, holding her hand firmly.

"No," Aubrey said, her voice quiet but steady. "I want to do this. I just... I don't know where to start."

Beca looked at her, surprised by her vulnerability. She didn't push her, didn't expect anything grand. She just sat there, waiting, giving Aubrey the space to find the words.

After a long pause, Aubrey exhaled deeply, her fingers lightly brushing through her own hair, a nervous habit she had when she was thinking. She glanced at Beca, then back at Chloe's tomb.

"You know," Aubrey began. "Beca—she brushes my hair sometimes. It's this little thing we do. A ritual, almost."

Beca blinked, her heart skipping a beat at the unexpected mention of their intimate ritual. She said nothing, just listened as Aubrey's fingers slowly untangled a lock of her own hair.

"At first, it felt strange," Aubrey continued. "I wasn't used to someone... taking care of me like that. I'm usually the one brushing her hair. It was just something I did... something to calm her, something to show I cared."

She glanced at Beca, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "And then one day, she asked if she could brush mine. I didn't understand it at first... why she wanted to. But when she did, I realized how much it meant to have someone care for you in that way."

Aubrey's eyes sparkled as she spoke, her fingers trailing down her own hair. "It was more than just an act. It was her way of saying she loved me, without words. It was her way of... grounding me, of making me feel seen. And it made me think about you, Chloe."

Beca stilled beside her, her breath catching slightly at the mention of Chloe. Aubrey's voice remained quiet, reflective.

"I never met you," Aubrey said, her gaze shifting to the sarcophagus in front of them. "But I feel like I know you. And I can feel her in the way you love. In the way you care for people. In the way you brush my hair."

Aubrey paused, her fingers gently squeezing Beca's hand. "I realized that Chloe gave you something... something so pure and beautiful. And when you brush my hair, I can feel that love. I can feel her."

Beca's eyes filled with tears, and she quickly wiped them away, overwhelmed by the depth of Aubrey's words. She hadn't expected this—hadn't expected Aubrey to understand so deeply what Chloe had meant to her, even without ever having known her.

Aubrey took a deep breath, her voice wavering slightly as she continued. "Chloe... if you're listening, I want to thank you. For giving Beca the love that made her who she is. For showing her what it means to care, to really care for someone. And in a way, showing me. I know I've made some mistakes, this is all new to me… But—"

She turned to Beca, her eyes filled with emotion. "I promise I'll always take care of her. Just like you did."

Beca couldn't hold back her tears anymore. They slipped down her cheeks silently, her heart swelling with a mixture of sadness, love, and gratitude. She leaned into Aubrey, her head resting on her shoulder, her breath shaky as she tried to steady herself.

Aubrey wrapped her arms around Beca, pulling her close, holding her as tightly as she could. They stayed like that for a long time, the mausoleum quiet around them, the air filled with the weight of the moment.

When Beca finally spoke, her voice was a whisper, barely audible. "Thank you."

Aubrey kissed the top of her head, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Always, my Raven" she whispered back.

"At first I thought this was another grand gesture meant to make me forget about that night. But as we sat there together I realized that this was something much more, Aubrey wasn't just showing me that she loved me or how sorry she was. She was showing me that she understood what Chloe had meant to me. To me that was more important than her mistakes."

New Hair Brushing Ritual

The manor's silence had become familiar, and comforting, for Beca. This place that had once seemed so daunting and massive was now familiar, it was home.

It had been a full year since everything happened. But here they were, still together, still navigating this strange, exciting and wonderful life they shared.

Aubrey was already sitting on the massive bed, her golden hair cascading down her back, the familiar silver hairbrush resting on her lap. She perked up as Beca walked into the bedroom, her lips curling into a smile. "You're late," she teased lightly.

Beca shrugged, a small smirk playing on her lips as she crossed the bedroom. "Sorry Mistress… I was working on a new set list."

Aubrey's eyes widened, her mock annoyance gone completely. "Really? A new set?"

"Yep! Inspiration has officially struck! I think it's going to be a good one too."

"Oh! That's exciting!" Aubrey said with a broad smile, genuinely excited. "What's the theme?"

"I'm calling this one…Resuscitation."

"Ominous, I like it." Aubrey tilted her head, her gaze following Beca, "As long as you don't forget our little ritual," she teased, but her tone softened as Beca reached for the brush.

Beca shook her head, gently running her fingers through Aubrey's hair before lifting the brush to follow. "Avoid our little ritual? Never," she said, her voice carrying that casual edge, but her actions were careful, methodical.

As Beca brushed her hair, Aubrey let out an almost content sigh. The silence between them felt natural, a sign of how far they'd come from the tension and uncertainty of the past year. There was no need to fill the quiet with words.

Beca paused for a second, running her fingers through the ends of Aubrey's hair before continuing. "I would never miss this." Beca murmured.

"Me either," Aubrey replied with a small smile.

They were quiet as Beca gently brushed Aubrey's hair. Her eyes focused on the golden strands. She sighed contently, and counted as she brushed. She loved this, she could see the tension melt from Aubrey's shoulders.

After a few quiet peaceful minutes, she gently set the brush aside and moved to sit in front of Aubrey. "My turn."

Aubrey looked at her for a moment, her blue eyes lingering on the auburn waves of Beca's hair. Without a word, she reached for the brush, pulling Beca closer and guiding her to sit between her legs. The touch was familiar, yet tonight it felt different—more intentional, as if Aubrey were handling something fragile.

As she brushed, Beca felt her usual defenses soften, letting herself sink into the quiet rhythm of the strokes against her scalp. There was a calm to it, almost meditative, but under the surface lay an unfamiliar vulnerability in the way Aubrey's hands moved—gentle, unhurried, as though savoring the rare stillness between them.

Aubrey's voice broke the silence, soft yet probing. "It's coming up, isn't it?"

Beca exhaled, her gaze fixed on a distant point. "Yeah. Her anniversary."

Aubrey paused, considering her next words. "Do you want me there?" she asked gently.

Beca's mouth twitched into a brief, wry smile. "Do I have to ask?"

A flash of pride flickered in Aubrey's eyes, but it softened quickly as she shook her head, the faintest hint of a smile breaking through. "No, my Raven," she said, voice low and reassuring. "I'll be there."

"Thank you…" Beca whispered, reaching for Aubrey's hand. Aubrey's fingers wrapped around hers, giving it a gentle squeeze before resuming the calming strokes of the brush.

After a few more passes, Aubrey set the brush down and slipped her arms around Beca's waist, pulling her close. Resting her chin on Beca's shoulder, she murmured, "I love you, you know that, right?"

Beca nodded, her hands finding their way to Aubrey's. "Yeah," she whispered back, her voice steady, "I know."

They sat like that for a moment, the weight of the past year not quite forgotten but no longer pressing as hard. The room felt warmer, more intimate, as they both leaned into each other, their breaths syncing in the quiet.

Finally, Aubrey broke the silence with a playful laugh. "You really do need to brush your hair more often."

Beca laughed, rolling her eyes but leaning back into Aubrey's embrace. "That's your job now."

Aubrey chuckled at that, and they sat for a while longer, neither of them speaking, just existing in the moment. And when they finally moved to the bed, crawling under the covers together, it felt natural—like this was always how it was supposed to be. Aubrey's arms wrapped securely around Beca, and Beca relaxed into her embrace, her head nestled in the crook of Aubrey's neck.

The Calming Presence of Flowers and Ravens

Beca knelt down by a bed of peonies, her fingers gently brushing over the soft petals. She had a book propped open beside her, filled with gardening tips and illustrations of various flowers. She flipped through the pages, cross-referencing the images with the plants before her, making sure she was doing everything right. At first, taking care of the garden had felt like an insurmountable task, but now, a few months later, she was proud of what she had accomplished. The flowers were thriving, their colors more vibrant than ever, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming roses.

Nearby, the four ravens hopped around in their aviary, cawing as they pecked at the bits of food Beca had scattered for them. She glanced up from her work, smiling as she watched them. They were her little companions, always nearby, always watching. They felt like an extension of herself.

Aubrey stood by the entrance of the garden, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. She watched Beca with quiet admiration. Beca looked so at home here, surrounded by life and color, her hands covered in soil and her face glowing with happiness. This was where she belonged, Aubrey thought. In this garden, tending to her flowers and caring for her ravens.

Beca could sense Aubrey approaching from behind her, even before she heard the soft rustle of footsteps. There was a shift in the air, an almost imperceptible change in the atmosphere that told her Aubrey was near. She didn't turn around immediately; instead, she spoke, her voice light and teasing.

"You know, one of the things I miss the most… is coffee."

Aubrey stopped in her tracks, her expression softening as she watched Beca. She knew this was about much more than just coffee, this was about the simple pleasures in life. Bourbon, coffee, sunlight, And Aubrey felt an intense pang of guilt for robbing her of these pleasures.

"I—," Aubrey started to say quietly, her voice filled with genuine regret. Her heartbeat, usually so steady, quickened just slightly.

Beca turned to look at her, catching the shift in her heartbeat, the subtle sign of Aubrey's regret. She couldn't help but smile. "It's okay, really," she said, her voice gentle.

Aubrey's heart warmed at Beca's words, her guilt easing slightly. But something that had been nagging at her, ever since the incident, she was constantly worried that nothing she did was enough, that she could never redeem herself, and she hesitantly asked, "Beca… I– um are you happy?"

Beca blushed, looking down at her hands. "I am happy. I never thought I'd enjoy gardening so much, it really wasn't easy. But the day gardener does an amazing job, and the few times I've gotten to consult with him have been immensely helpful. Sorry I'm rambling, yeah I'm happy with the garden… it's nice. Peaceful. And look," she gestured to the flowers around them, "they're all doing so well. I'm actually really proud of this place."

Aubrey smiled, her heart fluttering at the sight of Beca's joy. This wasn't exactly what she meant but this question felt dangerous and she didn't want to pull on that thread, it had taken a lot of courage to ask it in the first place.

Aubrey reached out and pulled Beca into a gentle hug, wrapping her arms around her waist. "I'm proud of you too, my raven. You've done such a beautiful job with this garden. It's perfect."

Beca leaned into the embrace, resting her head on Aubrey's shoulder. "Thank you"

Aubrey pressed a kiss to Beca's hair, her lips lingering there for a moment. "You're welcome, my love."

They pulled apart, and Aubrey took Beca's hand, leading her over to the aviary where the ravens were still hopping around. The birds cawed as they approached, their heads tilting curiously.

"I named them," Beca said with a playful smile.

Aubrey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? That's fun, tell me."

Beca pointed to each raven in turn. "That one is Beauty, that one is Intelligence, and that one is Mystery and… that's Grace back there."

Aubrey chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "How did you chose those names?"

Beca shrugged, a shy smile on her lips. "Well, those were the things you called me when you gave them to me. I thought it was only right to name them after that."

Aubrey squeezed Beca's hand. "I love it. They're wonderful names."

One of the ravens, Intelligence, hopped closer to the edge of the aviary, peering curiously at Aubrey. She reached out a hand to let the bird peck at her finger, but instead, Intelligence gave her a sharp peck on the back of her hand.

"Ouch!" Aubrey yelped, pulling her hand back. She frowned, rubbing at the sore spot.

"That's unusual. They're usually so friendly." Beca tilted her head, looking at the raven with a thoughtful expression.

Aubrey forced a smile, trying not to let the bird's reaction bother her. "Guess he's just having a bad day."

Beca nodded, but there was a knowing look in her eyes that made Aubrey's stomach twist. She pushed the thought away, focusing instead on the moment. She didn't want to ruin this.

They sat down on a bench by the aviary, holding hands and watching the ravens as they moved about. The garden was quiet, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the gentle caws of the birds. It was peaceful, serene, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world had disappeared, leaving just the two of them in this little paradise.

Aubrey turned to Beca, her gaze loving. "So, how was your night?"

Beca leaned her head against Aubrey's shoulder, sighing contentedly. "It was good. I spent most of it here, taking care of the flowers and reading. What about you?"

Aubrey smiled, resting her head against Beca's. "It was good. Busy, but good. I kept thinking about you, though. About coming back here and seeing you."

Beca blushed, her heart fluttering at the sincerity in Aubrey's voice. "I'm glad you're here now."

Aubrey kissed the top of her head, holding her close. "Me too, my love. Me too."

Who was at the door?

Beca wandered down the hallway, still shaking off the remnants of sleep. She wasn't sure what had woken her, but as she neared the foyer, she heard a voice—a familiar one, though it was low and measured, almost too calm.

Aubrey.

Just as she reached the corner, the front door clicked shut. Aubrey turned toward her, the hardness in her expression softening instantly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. But there was something off in the way her shoulders were set—too rigid, too controlled.

"Hey," Beca greeted, her brow furrowing slightly as she glanced at the door. "Who was that?"

For a brief moment, Aubrey hesitated. Barely noticeable, but Beca caught it. "Oh, it was nothing," Aubrey said, waving it off with a light shrug. "Just a Jehovah's Witness."

Beca raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth quirking in amusement, though the unease from earlier lingered. "Jehovah's Witness? They're doing late-night calls now?"

Aubrey chuckled, but it sounded just a bit too forced. "Yeah, well, they're relentless," she said, her smile staying in place, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "They're lucky we're not having them for dinner."

Beca huffed out a small laugh at the joke, trying to shake off the feeling creeping into her gut. "I'm grateful you showed restraint," she said, playing along. But the unease wouldn't fully go away. There was something... off. The way Aubrey had closed the door, the faint tension in her voice. It was nothing Beca could put her finger on exactly, but it lingered.

She wanted to believe her. Aubrey was guarded at times—especially after everything they'd been through—but she wouldn't lie to her. Right?

Beca opened her mouth, the question almost slipping out, but she stopped herself. She didn't want to push, not now. Trust was everything between them, and if she questioned it... what would that mean for them?

"Well, I'm heading back to bed," Beca said, her voice more casual than she felt. "You coming?"

Aubrey nodded, her smile more genuine now, though Beca wasn't sure if that was comforting or not. "I'll be there in a minute."

Beca hesitated, her gaze lingering on Aubrey for just a beat longer than usual, searching for any sign—any reason to doubt her. But Aubrey's expression was open, calm, even loving.

Beca turned and made her way back to the bedroom, telling herself to let it go, to trust. But as she crawled into bed, pulling the blanket around her, the tiny flicker of doubt stayed. She wanted to believe Aubrey, to brush it off as nothing. But something in her gut told her there was more to it.

Still, for now, she would wait. She would trust her.

But the question remained—should she?

A Bouquet of Black Dhalias

"I've never been the type to give flowers. Honestly, it feels kind of dumb—too cliché, too… not me. But things haven't felt right lately. Aubrey's been distant, like she's here, but not really here. I've noticed it in the way her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes or how she stares off like she's somewhere else. And I can't lose her, not after everything we've been through. So, yeah, I'm walking down the hall holding this stupid bouquet, feeling like an idiot, hoping it'll remind her that I'm still here, still trying. I just want to close that space between us before it gets too wide to cross."

Sighing, Beca rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a little ridiculous standing there with a bouquet. She was never the flowers-and-romance type, but for Aubrey, she'd try anything. And Aubrey had been distant—physically there, but her mind somewhere else entirely.

Beca took a deep breath and started toward the library. That's where Aubrey would be—lost in one of her thick, classic novels or some ancient text she had picked up. It was her retreat when things got heavy, and lately, it felt like that's where she always was.

When Beca reached the library, the door was slightly ajar. She nudged it open and peeked inside. There was Aubrey, standing in front of one of the many bookcases, a book in her hands, her gaze far away.

For a moment, Beca just watched her. She could see the weight pressing on Aubrey's shoulders, the quiet sadness that had settled into her features. It made Beca's heart ache, knowing that she was drifting away again.

Steeling herself, Beca stepped into the room, her footsteps light on the carpet and she slipped her around her waist and held her for a moment. Aubrey tensed for a second then relaxed, their touch grounding them both.

"You okay?" Beca whispered.

"I'm fine," Aubrey managed, through a small smile.

Beca didn't push her. She didn't have to. Instead, she stepped back, giving Aubrey the space she needed, knowing that if she pushed too hard, Aubrey would only retreat further into herself.

But before Aubrey could turn around, Beca smirked and reached behind her back. She pulled out the bouquet she had precariously stuffed into the back pocket of her jeans—a bunch of dark, gothic flowers she had spent weeks growing in the garden. Black dahlias, deep purple calla lilies, and a few sprigs of dark foliage. They were perfect, even if they weren't exactly Beca's style.

Aubrey blinked, utterly taken aback. "Where did you…?"

"I grew them," Beca said, almost sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck. "In the garden. I know it's not really my thing, but, uh… It's like you said, this is what one does, right? Give flowers to the one they love? I wanted to do like a playful throwback… because that's what you said when you gave me—" Her eyes shifted, nervous, as if she wasn't sure how to gauge Aubrey's reaction. "This is dumb, I'm rambling, I'm being dumb. I know. Not really me at all, but—"

"It's not dumb," Aubrey whispered, her voice catching. She pressed the bouquet close to her chest, her heart swelling as she looked at Beca. "It's beautiful."

Beca, clearly relieved, shrugged with a shy grin. "I just thought… y'know… after everything, maybe you'd like it. But if it's weird—"

Aubrey shook her head quickly, her hand reaching out to touch Beca's arm, "It's not weird. It's perfect. You're perfect."

Beca's brows lifted, surprise flashing across her face. "Really?"

Aubrey nodded, her smile growing softer. "You've never given me flowers before… No one has, actually."

"What?" Beca blinked, incredulous. "No one's ever—? But you're… you're Aubrey." She laughed, a little flustered, like the idea of someone not giving Aubrey flowers was completely absurd. "Guess I'm the lucky one, then."

"Hey so… tomorrow?" Beca said shyly.

"Yeah, of course, I just need to finish up some stuff in the library and I'll meet you there."

Beca nodded and grinned and just as she was about to turn around and head back to the garden, Aubrey grabbed her wrist, Beca turned to meet her gaze and saw a brief flash of worry.

"Beca… umm, no, it's nothing," Aubrey said, shaking her head as she released Beca's wrist. "Just… thank you. For the flowers."

Beca's smile brightened, and with a soft kiss on Aubrey's cheek, she slipped away, heading back to her garden,

Part 3: Unforgivable Darkness

Double Death-Anniversary

"Perfection never lasts."

"There was one day a year that was supposed to be just for us. A day when I would forget about everything else and just be with Chloe. It was the anniversary of her death, the same day I became what I am now. Every year, I would go to her grave and spend the night talking to her. It was kind of an important tradition for me.

"Aubrey knew how much it meant to me. She promised me we would go together. But this time, she forgot and I was left standing there, alone, and all the memories of Chloe came crashing back, like a wave I couldn't escape. And in that moment, I realized just how much I'd lost."

The night was cool and still, the kind of night that reminded Beca of those late summer evenings she used to spend with Chloe, laughing and talking until the stars faded into dawn. She stood at the edge of the cemetery, her heart heavy with memories as she looked out over the rows of headstones.

The beautiful mausoleum Aubrey had constructed for Chloe was near the back, on top of a hill, by an old oak tree that creaked in the breeze. Beca made her way over, her steps slow and deliberate. She paused for a moment to appreciate the marble statue on the front. It was remarkable how it looked just like her. The sight of her was alone to warm her heart. She placed a hand on her cheek and whispered, "Hey Chloe."

Beca walked past the statue and into the mausoleum, the dim warm motion sensor lights came on. Inside the air was cool and she glanced around at the beautiful marble designs adorning the walls. Right in the center was the white stone tomb that held the body of her long lost love.

"It's me. I'm back."

She sat down, on the small bench and stared at the tomb.

Every year, on her anniversary she came to talk to Chloe, to tell her about her life, to keep her memory alive. And this year Aubrey had promised to be here, and hold her hand. But Aubrey was nowhere to be found.

Beca checked her phone for the hundredth time, hoping to see a message, a missed call, anything to let her know that Aubrey was on her way. But the screen was blank, and her heart sank a little deeper.

She's just late, Beca thought, trying to convince herself. She did say that she had to finish some paperwork in the library and she'd meet me here. She wouldn't forget.

But as the minutes went by, hope gave way to doubt, and doubt to anger. Beca clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought back tears.

How could she forget? How could she not be here, on the one day that actually means something to me?

She stood up, pacing back and forth inside the mausoleum as her mind raced with questions, with anger, with a pain she hadn't felt in a long time. Aubrey had promised her she'd be here.

I should have known better, she thought bitterly.

She looked at Chloe's tomb, her vision blurring with tears. "I'm sorry, Chloe," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry. I thought I could… I thought she would…"

But she couldn't finish the sentence. The words were too heavy, too painful to speak. She wiped her eyes, taking a deep breath as she tried to pull herself together.

I can't stay here, she thought, her heart aching with every beat. I need to find her. I need to know why.

Of all days?

When she reached the mansion, she barely bothered to park, leaving the car running as she hurried inside.

"Aubrey!" she called out, her voice echoing through the empty halls. "Aubrey, where are you?"

There was no answer. Beca's heart pounded in her chest as she ran through the mansion, searching room after room, her panic growing with each passing second. When she finally reached the bedroom, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Aubrey was there, all right, but she wasn't alone.

The same woman from the club was with her, naked and lying on their bed, her lips locked with Aubrey's in a passionate kiss. Beca's heart shattered, the pain so intense it felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Aubrey!" she screamed, her voice filled with rage and betrayal.

Aubrey pulled away from the woman, her eyes wide with shock as she looked at Beca. "Beca, I—"

But Beca didn't wait for an explanation. She lunged forward, her body moving on instinct as she grabbed the woman and pulled her away from Aubrey. The woman screamed, but Beca barely heard her, her mind consumed with a blinding fury.

"How could you?" Beca shouted, her voice shaking with emotion. "How could you do this to me? And today of all days!"

Aubrey stood up, her expression a mix of anger and frustration. "Beca, calm down. This isn't what it looks like."

Beca's grip tightened on the woman, her nails digging into her skin. "Isn't it? Isn't this exactly what it looks like? You're cheating on me, again!"

The woman whimpered, and pleaded for her life as she tried to pull away, but Beca held on, her anger boiling over. "Shut up!" she snapped, her voice cold and harsh. "You don't get to speak. You don't get to say a damn thing."

Aubrey took a step forward, her eyes darkening with anger. "Let her go, Beca. Now."

But Beca didn't listen. She was too far gone, her eyes had turned pitch black and mind clouded with rage and betrayal. She turned to the woman, her eyes blazing. "You don't deserve her. You don't deserve anything."

Before she knew what she was doing, Beca's fangs extended, and she sunk them into the woman's neck. The woman screamed, but Beca barely heard it, the taste of blood filling her mouth as she drained the life from her.

When she finally pulled away, the woman's body slumped to the ground, lifeless. Beca stood there, her chest heaving, her eyes wild with fury. She looked at Aubrey, her vision blurring with tears.

Aubrey's face was a mask of fury, her eyes blazing with a fire Beca had never seen before. "How dare you," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. "How dare you do this… in my house."

Beca's rage dissipated immediately, jarred and disturbed by her own brutality. Beca's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with confusion and fear. "I… I didn't mean to…" She said with a small voice full of disbelief. She couldn't believe it. She'd done it again, she killed out of jealousy.

But Aubrey wasn't listening. She took a step forward, her hands clenched into fists. "Get out," she growled, her voice foreign to Beca, and dripping with venom. "Get out of my sight, and don't you dare come back."

Beca hesitated, as she thought about her garden, her ravens.

Aubrey reading her mind said venously, "No! You leave as you are, there's nothing in this house that is yours anymore!"

Beca's breath caught in her throat, her heart breaking all over again. She turned and ran, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fled the mansion, the only home she'd known for years, the garden she'd worked tirelessly to maintain and her ravens that she loved so much.

As she ran into the night, her heart heavy with pain, she knew one thing for sure: things would never be the same again.

I don't remember much after that. I just remember running endlessly at night, hiding in dark corners during the day. I Ran from everything I thought I knew, from everything I thought I wanted."

Let me Rest in your Coffin

"Grief is a strange beast. It consumes you, suffocates you until every breath is a struggle. When Chloe died, I thought I could drown it in music, lose myself in the beats and the lights. But there was no escaping it. Every note, every rhythm only served as a reminder of what I had lost. Chloe was my light, my anchor. Without her, I was adrift in a sea of darkness.

Then I met Aubrey… Aubrey was supposed to be my salvation, but she betrayed me. I didn't know what hurt more—losing Chloe or losing the person who promised to love me until her dying breath.

Until my dying breath she had said, but she kicked me out, from what she had said was 'our' home. And I didn't know if i'd ever see my beautiful garden, or my Ravens…

I was left alone in the dark, drowning in my own pain."

"Once I stopped running, I was ragged, starved, not thinking straight and I thought maybe, if I could just see her one last time, maybe I could find some peace. Maybe if I could hold her, even if she was just bones and dust, I wouldn't feel so alone anymore. I knew it was insane. I knew Chloe was gone, but I was desperate. I just wanted to see a familiar face, even if it was the face of a corpse."

With a strength born of grief and madness, Beca pushed open the lid of the tomb.

She gasped at the sight of what remained. Chloe was barely more than bones now, her once vibrant flesh desiccated and shrunken, but to Beca, she was still beautiful.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she climbed into the coffin, cradling Chloe's remains against her chest. The cold, rigid bones pressed into her, a stark contrast to the warmth she remembered. But in her grief, Beca didn't care. She lay beside Chloe, her body trembling with sobs.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice barely a breath. "I'm so sorry, Chloe. I should have joined you, but I was scared."

Bleed me

"Seeing her I realized that I didn't want to live anymore. Not without Chloe and as much as it hurt me to admit it, not without Aubrey. Not in this endless cycle of pain and loss. I was so tired, so damn tired of feeling lost and alone. I just wanted it all to stop. I thought maybe if I died here, with Chloe, I could finally find peace. Maybe we could be together again, in some way."

Her hands shook as she pulled a small blade from her pocket, her fingers trembling as she pressed it against her throat. She hesitated, a sob escaping her lips. "I love you," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I love you, Chloe. I'm so sorry."

With a deep breath, she dragged the blade across her throat. The pain was sharp, immediate. Blood poured from the wound, pooling in the coffin, staining Chloe's bones and what little remained of her flesh.

Beca's vision blurred, the world around her fading to black. Her body grew cold, her breaths shallow and ragged as she waited for the end.

DNR

Aubrey's heart pounded wildly, a desperate drumbeat that matched her panicked thoughts. She had felt Beca slipping away through their bond, felt the life draining out of her, and she knew she was running out of time.

Aubrey's eyes widened in horror. Beca lay there, still and pale, in a pool of her own blood, her throat viciously slit. Next to her, Chloe's decayed remains were barely recognizable, a grim reminder of what Beca had lost. The sight of Beca, lifeless and cold, tore a guttural scream from Aubrey's throat. "No! Beca, no!" she cried, her voice breaking with grief and terror.

Aubrey sat her up and held her. She remembered their very first night together.

A tear escaped her eyes and then she said in a desperate shaky whimper, "Will you love me?"

"Until my dying breath." Was the woman's answer, even from within Beca's subconscious, Aubrey's voice was resolute and unwavering.

"Then I'm yours," Beca surrendered

Without thinking, Aubrey slashed her wrist open with her nails, her blood pouring onto Beca's lifeless lips. "Drink, Beca! Please, please drink," she begged, her voice choked with sobs. She pressed her wrist harder against Beca's mouth, desperate for any sign of life.

But Beca didn't move. Her eyes remained closed, her body limp and unresponsive. Panic surged through Aubrey like a flood, drowning her in fear. This wasn't working. Beca wasn't coming back. The blood was not enough.

"Come on, Beca, come on!" Aubrey's voice was frantic, her tears blurring her vision. She couldn't lose her, not like this. Not when she was the one who had pushed her to this point, the one who had driven her away.

"No, no, no, you need more, you need more!" Aubrey screamed, her voice rising in a frantic pitch. Without a second thought, she raked her nails down her arm, from elbow to wrist, tearing through her flesh. Blood gushed out in a crimson torrent, splattering across Beca's face and chest, pooling around her and spilling over to Chloe's body. "Take it! Take all of it! Just come back to me, please!" Aubrey cried, her voice breaking with desperation.

Aubrey's blood flowed freely, pooling around Beca's body and spreading to Chloe's remains, mixing with the old, dried blood that clung to the fabric of Beca's clothes. The sight of so much blood, the overwhelming scent of it, was dizzying. Aubrey's hands shook as she pressed her arm to Beca's lips, her tears falling freely onto Beca's face. "Please, Beca, please come back. I need you. I can't do this without you," she whispered, her voice barely more than a broken sob.

For a terrifying moment, nothing happened. Beca lay still and Aubrey felt her heart shatter. But then, she saw it—a twitch, a small, almost imperceptible movement of Beca's hand. Aubrey's breath caught, and she watched with wide, tear-filled eyes as Beca's lips parted slightly, her body instinctively reacting to the blood.

"Yes, that's it, that's it!" Aubrey whispered urgently, her heart leaping with fragile hope. She pressed her arm more firmly against Beca's mouth, encouraging her to drink, to take as much as she needed. "Take it all. Take everything you need."

Beca's mouth moved again, her lips wrapping around the wound on Aubrey's arm, and she began to drink. Slowly at first, weak and hesitant, but then with more urgency as the blood filled her mouth, bringing life back into her veins. Aubrey could feel the pull, feel Beca's desperation, and she didn't care. She would give everything, she would give her very last drop if it meant saving Beca.

"That's it, my raven, drink. Drink and come back to me," Aubrey murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She stroked Beca's hair with her free hand, her tears falling onto Beca's cheeks, mixing with the blood. "I'm so sorry, Beca. I'm so sorry for everything. Just come back. Please, just come back."

As Beca drank, Aubrey felt herself growing weaker, her vision starting to blur. The loss of blood was taking its toll, but she didn't care. All that mattered was Beca. All that mattered was bringing her back, saving her, even if it meant losing herself in the process.

Beca's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused at first, but then slowly locking onto Aubrey's face. Aubrey's heart soared, a sob of relief escaping her lips. "Oh Thank God, you're here."

Beca looked at her, her eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and pain. She could feel the blood, warm and life-giving, flowing into her, filling her with strength she didn't want to feel. She wanted to be angry, to push Aubrey away, to tell her to leave her to her fate. But as she stared into Aubrey's eyes, saw the raw desperation, the guilt, the love, she couldn't do it. She couldn't hate her, not completely.

"I… I'm—" Beca whispered weakly, her voice barely audible. She could feel the tears on her cheeks, could feel the warmth of Aubrey's blood as it continued to flow into her.

"H-how?" Beca still in her weak state rolled her eyes and murmured "Stupid… blood bond."

Aubrey chucked sadly. "Yes, the stupid blood bond."

"Just why… why?"

Aubrey's eyes filled with tears again, her heart breaking at the sound of Beca's voice, so fragile and full of pain. "Because I love you, because I'm lost without you. Because I don't know if I can live alone in the darkness again. Because I'm so sorry. For everything. I'm just so so, so incredibly sorry."

Beca's heart ached at the words. She wanted to believe them, wanted to believe that Aubrey's love was enough to overcome everything they had been through. But she didn't know if she could. Not yet. Not fully. But as she lay there, cradled in Aubrey's arms, she felt something shift inside her, a small flicker of hope, a tiny spark of something that hadn't been there before.

"Okay," Beca whispered, closing her eyes as exhaustion began to overtake her. "Okay."

The corpse of Chloe remained unchanged. The only difference was that now it was almost drowning in a pool of blood. The blood of the woman who she had loved, and loved her, and the blood of an old creature, that had been turned by one of the firsts. A gust of wind made its way into the chamber where the corpse lay, carrying with it a single and rather large white feather. It danced in the air playfully until it landed to rest on Chloe's chest.

To be continued…

Author's Note: If you are reading this and wondering why certain things don't make sense, don't worry, that's OK, it will all become clearer in the next installment. I've been working on this to the point that I actually dream about this. There's a deviation from the Anne Rice inspiration and the story becomes my own. What did you guys think? Did you like it? What was your favorite part?

Please comment, it helps a lot! Thank you so much for reading. It means the world to me.