Chapter 158: Hunger and Rules
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"We are stronger."
Sekhmet nodded once.
"Yes," he said. "Stronger than you should be."
The twins looked at each other for a heartbeat. Then both of them moved. They dropped to their knees in front of him at the same time.
Not forced. Not theatrical. It was instinct and gratitude woven together.
Vera lowered her head. "Master," she said, voice shaking slightly now, not from fear but from overwhelming change. "You saved us."
Vela’s voice followed, steady but intense.
"You gave us life again," she said. "A real life."
Their loyalty pressed into the room like a weight.
Sekhmet could feel the bond.
It was not the crude chain of ghoul control.
It was deeper.
It was a blood oath.
Not mindless.
But heavy.
Betrayal would not be impossible.
But it would hurt them in a way that reached the soul, not the skin.
Sekhmet stared down at them.
He did not like worship.
But he understood the gratitude.
He spoke calmly.
"Stand," he said.
They stood immediately.
Their movements were smoother now. Faster. Controlled. Their bodies had adapted frighteningly quickly.
Vera’s eyes stayed on him like a loyal blade awaiting direction.
Vela’s posture was protective already, instinctively shifting slightly to his side as if she belonged there.
Sekhmet felt the poison tug again inside him.
It had been quiet during the conversion, but now it reminded him it existed.
He swallowed once, keeping his face calm.
Then the system flashed a note.
[System Note: True vampire blood contains enhanced regenerative properties.
Recommendation: If the host consumes a small amount now; poison remnants may be purged.
Warning: Do not overfeed.
Note: The host needs different types of blood sources for growth. The twins may serve as emergency food only. They can’t increase blood proficiency.]
Sekhmet’s eyes narrowed slightly.
"So their blood could heal the poison."
That was useful. And dangerous.
Because it meant he would be tempted to feed on his own kin whenever his body was damaged.
The system was already warning him.
Diversify blood sources.
Do not rely on them.
Keep them as an emergency.
Sekhmet nodded slightly, almost imperceptible.
He looked at Vera and Vela.
"You are hungry," he said.
Vera swallowed.
"Yes, master."
Vela’s voice was quiet.
"We can hold it," she said. "If you command it."
Sekhmet did not command them to suffer. He had seen enough suffering disguised as discipline. He lifted Vera’s hand gently. He extended her palm upward.
Vera’s fingers trembled faintly as she offered her hand.
Sekhmet lowered his face. His fangs touched her skin. He bit lightly.
Not to injure.
To open.
Blood welled.
Vera inhaled sharply.
Sekhmet drank.
Only a controlled amount.
The blood was different now.
It carried his own resonance, but improved, refined by the conversion.
As he swallowed, he felt the poison inside him react.
The cold wire loosened.
The toxin that had clung to his organs began to dissolve as if melted by something hotter than chaos energy.
Sekhmet kept his face neutral.
Inside, relief spread.
He stopped before hunger could take more than necessary.
He released her hand and shifted to Vela.
Vela offered her hand without hesitation.
Sekhmet bit again.
He drank again.
The remaining poison in his body broke apart fully, flushed by the regenerative strength in their new blood.
The cold tug vanished. The pressure behind his ribs eased. His chaos energy flowed smoother.
Sekhmet exhaled slowly, careful not to look too relieved.
Vera watched him closely.
"Master," she asked softly, "are you hurt."
Sekhmet shook his head once.
"Not anymore," he replied.
Then he made a decision.
"You will feed," Sekhmet said.
The twins’ eyes brightened with hunger and devotion.
He stepped closer between them. He tilted his head slightly, exposing both sides of his neck.
It was not a romantic gesture alone.
It was a ritual.
A reinforcement.
A reminder that their hunger and loyalty had a place, and that he controlled it.
Vera’s breath hitched.
Vela’s pupils tightened.
They moved in perfect sync, stepping closer until their faces were near his throat.
Their hands did not grab him roughly.
They held him carefully, like a precious weapon they did not want to damage.
Then their fangs touched his skin.
For a heartbeat, Sekhmet felt the strange intimacy of it.
Not lust.
Not softness.
A bond written in blood, older than contracts and louder than words.
Vera bit first, gentle but firm.
Vela bit a heartbeat after.
Pain flashed.
Sharp.
Then warmth.
His blood flowed into them. He could feel their bodies drinking, not like thieves, but like starving creatures finally allowed to breathe. He could feel their hunger calming as the blood filled them.
Their eyes closed briefly as they fed, their expressions turning almost peaceful, like warriors resting after battle.
Sekhmet stayed still. He did not allow his own hunger to rise. He held control. He counted breaths. He monitored the pressure in the bond. He would not let them take too much. He would not let himself enjoy it too much either.
Because enjoyment made people careless.
And carelessness in Null got you killed.
The candlelight flickered softly as the three of them stood in the study, bound by blood and oath, the air thick with the scent of power newly born.
Vera and Vela fed in silence, and the silence felt like a vow.
Sekhmet’s eyes remained open, calm and cold, even as warmth pulsed through his throat. He thought only one thing as the bond settled deeper.
"This is my foundation now."
And the night outside the window remained quiet, unaware that two new true vampires had just taken their first drink under the roof of their master house.
Sekhmet was unaware that three strong vampires were on their way to the lower domain. A Blood sovereign... A mid level god had given the order to hunt him down.
Sekhmet did not move. Their fangs were still buried in his throat, one on each side, perfectly mirrored.
The sensation was wrong and right at the same time.