Chapter 132-A cruel reminder

Chapter 132: 132-A cruel reminder

Maisa swam through the blood pool, letting herself sink deeper into its warmth.

Every passing minute felt almost unreal, as though she had been lifted from the world and placed somewhere far more peaceful. The blood soothed everything deep within her, wrapping around her like a comforting current.

In what felt like forever, her troubles seemed distant. Her thoughts became quiet, and the constant ache of thirst faded until there was nothing but a strange, satisfying calm left inside her.

Her body felt different in the blood pool. Her fangs seemed sharper and stronger, while the strength coursing through her limbs felt almost overwhelming. Her speed, reflexes, and healing had all been heightened, as though the blood itself had awakened something dormant inside her.

She finally understood why the blood pool was considered sacred as it wasn’t merely a source of nourishment. It was heaven written in blood.

"I could stay here forever," she murmured, resting against the edge of the pool with a blissful sigh. "This is what eternity should feel like."

Her peace lasted only until a shadow moved through the blood towards her. Feeling the ripple, Maisa opened her eyes.

Addessa was swimming toward her. The blackblood didn’t say a word. She simply approached with that unreadable expression of hers, steadily closing the distance until Maisa instinctively backed away. A few more strokes and her back met the smooth stone wall of the pool.

Maisa frowned. Her displeasure was written all over her face. She was having the time of her life, and it was extremely peaceful, with Addessa being in the other corner and not paying attention to her.

"What are you up to now?"

"Aren’t you going to thank me for bringing you here?" Addessa asked, raising one eyebrow. "If it weren’t for me, a redblood like you would never get to enjoy even a second in the blood pool."

Her fingers moved lazily through the blood between them, sending small ripples across the crimson surface.

Maisa blinked slowly. Her eyelids suddenly felt heavy. Whatever peace the blood pool had given her, dealing with Addessa was beginning to steal it away.

"Just say what you want," she snapped. "As long as it doesn’t compromise my dignity, I’ll do my best."

Addessa’s expression shifted. She lifted one hand and lightly traced a finger along the side of Maisa’s neck.

Maisa froze. The touch was so unexpected that a chill ran through her entire body. The slow path of Addessa’s finger felt almost like a warning, leaving Maisa with the unsettling impression that she was marking the exact place where a blade might fall.

Her heartbeat quickened. She had no idea what had changed. One moment, Addessa had been ignoring her existence, and the next, the girl was swimming toward her, and now looking at her with an intensity that made every instinct in her body scream with caution.

"A-are you going to kill me?"

For a second, Addessa simply stared at her, and she laughed. It was adorable how, after two confrontations, Maisa had gotten it down in her head that they were enemies and she should expect the worst of the worst from her.

The tension broke as the sound of her laughter hit every inch of the enclosed room.

Before Maisa could understand what was happening, Addessa reached around her waist and drew her closer, steadying her in the water.

"Wha... what are you doing?" Maisa stammered, stiffening in surprise.

Addessa gently brushed aside the damp strands of hair that had fallen across Maisa’s face.

"I got you hurt during the blood trial," she said, her voice quieter than before. "Consider this my way of making up for it."

Maisa stared at her. The fear from before returned. Now, she was getting more and more confident that she was about to be sacrificed. Why else would Addessa apologise to her if not to get rid of her own guilt before Maisa passes away? ℴ

Addessa gave her cheek a brief, friendly peck. Maisa’s breath caught in surprise, and she froze in place.

For several breaths, neither of them spoke. They stared in Addessa’s arm, praying for her dear life in her heart.

Addessa held her gaze, her expression unusually calm. "Does this count as confirmed acceptance?"

Maisa could only blink at her. The blood pool no longer felt quite as peaceful as it had a moment ago.

What was she supposed to answer? No! And what next? It’s not like she trusted Addessa to kiss her on the lips to show acceptance of the bond. The vampire wasn’t that generous, and if she became so, Maisa would only wonder what she had up her sleeve.

"Do you find me attractive, Maisa?"

The question stole the air from Maisa’s lungs. She stared at Addessa, utterly bewildered.

What kind of question was that? And, more importantly, why was Addessa asking her?

Maisa’s mind raced for an explanation, but nothing made sense. She desperately wanted to return to the version of their relationship that had made sense just minutes ago: enemy, rival, reluctant ally, or at least something she could understand.

But now? Addessa was behaving like an entirely different person.

"Why is that important?" Maisa finally asked, holding her gaze. "Isn’t your goal to destroy me?"

The blood pool had restored her strength completely. Every ache from the fight earlier was gone, and her body felt stronger than it had before. If Addessa tried anything, Maisa was confident she could defend herself in a one-on-one fight.

"So, if destroying me is what you want, why do I need to be attracted to you?"

Addessa opened her mouth to respond, but she never got the chance as a brutal pain suddenly tore through her arm, and her expression changed instantly.

Addessa released Maisa and turned away so quickly that the movement sent crimson water rippling around them. She clutched her arm beneath the surface, gritting her teeth as another wave of pain surged through her.

Something was happening to her. It was terrible, and she refused to let Maisa see.

The pain intensified. Addessa held her breath and stared at her arm. Letters were appearing across her skin, one by one. They were not written. They were being carved into her flesh by an invisible force, each letter forming with agonizing slowness.

Addessa’s fingers curled into fists. She refused to make a sound. She would not give Maisa the satisfaction of seeing her vulnerable.

For five unbearable minutes, the punishment continued, and then the final letter appeared. It spelt a name she knew too well, Asher.

Addessa’s eyes widened. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly feeling as though it were filled with broken shards of glass.

There was only one person who could have done this, her mother. Asher, her dead brother. His name was more than a mark. It was a reminder, a reminder of the brother she had lost, of the redblood blamed for his death and of the grievance her mother had never allowed her to forget.

Addessa blinked rapidly, desperately trying to force the tears back. ’Don’t cry... you’re stronger than this... don’t let a single tear fall...’

She failed to take herself out of reacting emotionally.

A single black tear escaped the corner of her left eye and slid down her cheek before dropping onto her wounded arm. She clenched her jaw harder.