Stella perched herself on the edge of the dressing room table, crossing her legs and getting comfortable as she waited for Nora's play to end. The faint murmur of voices outside was oddly calming, and she let herself sink into the quiet for a moment. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through Instagram reels to pass the time, letting the colorful blur of videos keep her entertained.
Then, a notification popped up—Mallory. Stella couldn't help but smile; Mallory always had her way of checking in without making it obvious.
"Enjoying?" Mallory's message read, blunt as always.
"Fully, don't worry about me," Stella replied, knowing that would ease her friend's mind. Sure enough, Mallory responded with a simple "Bye," which made Stella chuckle. So typical of Mallory—straight to the point, no fluff.
She glanced at her watch: still 30 minutes until the play started. Sighing, she leaned back and returned to scrolling, feeling her mind wander. About ten minutes later, her stomach gave a small rumble, reminding her she hadn't eaten much all day. She rummaged through her bag until she found a strawberry lollipop. Popping it into her mouth, she enjoyed the sweet burst of flavor, then resumed her scroll, savoring the little moment of quiet.
It was just her, her reels, the faint hum of excitement in the air, and the growing anticipation. Soon, Nora would join her, and they'd head home, wrapping up the night together.
The play was about to start in half an hour, and Ms. Donovan was in a frenzy because he hadn't put on any makeup.
"Why are you making such a big deal out of it? It's just makeup," he muttered, his voice laced with irritation.
If Blake and Rocco hadn't tricked him into joining this play by claiming Stella was involved, he wouldn't be here at all. He could hardly stand to be around Donovan as she darted back and forth, frantically trying to fix what she deemed a "crisis." Compelling her to calm down crossed his mind, but she was a vampire too, aware of all the tricks.
"No matter how handsome and hot you are, none of it will show under stage lights without makeup," she snapped, glaring at him.
He sighed, crossing his arms and leaning back on the couch, watching the other cast members file in, dressed in their over-the-top costumes and painted with so much makeup it practically hurt to look at them. Then his gaze landed on a girl in a green dress. Her makeup was subtle, not overdone like the others. Recognition flickered in his mind—she was Stella's friend.
With his vampiric hearing, he tuned into her conversation.
"Your makeup is nice, Nora," someone from props commented admiringly.
"Thank you, my friend Stella did it," Nora replied, and his eyebrows rose slightly.
Since he'd discovered Stella was the legendary mermaid of the eclipse, he'd kept his distance, working quietly to ensure she was safe from any who might hunt her. He knew she'd be safe for now, at least four years before the next phase of her power would draw any real danger. Still, restraining his ripper instincts had been a struggle. His every instinct pulled him toward her, both with hunger and an overwhelming need to protect.
He listened to their conversation with closed eyes until Nora's next words snapped him out of his focus.
"She's in the green room; we'll head home together after the play."
A smug grin crept across his face as he stood from the couch, feeling Ms. Donovan's glare burning into his back, as if her disapproval alone could stop him.
"Where the hell are you going?" she hissed. "The play starts in twenty minutes."
"To get my makeup done," he replied, flashing her a smirk as he walked out. It was time to pay his little fish a visit.
As he approached the third green room, the faint beat of her heart confirmed who was inside. He opened the door, and there she was—Stella, sitting on the dressing table, lost in her phone, a blue hoodie wrapped around her. She didn't notice him at first, but as if sensing his presence, she looked up, and their eyes met. The lollipop in her mouth caught his attention immediately, his gaze dropping to her lips, pink and glossy from the candy. A surge of desire rose within him, fierce and undeniable.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His hands braced on either side of her, effectively trapping her where she sat. The slight tension in her body at his touch made him smile.
"I don't have time, Stella," he said, his voice low, enough to send a shiver down her spine, and he relished the effect it had on her.
Before she could respond, he continued, "Do my makeup. Will you do it?"
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty as she struggled to speak, the lollipop still held between her lips. The sight was maddening, yet it only made him want her more.
She nodded slowly, still silent because of the candy. The restraint was agonizing, but he held his ground.
"Do it from here," he said when she moved to get off the table. She hesitated, a silent question in her eyes, but she obliged.
Her hands worked quickly, practiced and gentle, though he never took his eyes off her. It had been days since he'd seen her like this, not from afar or hidden in the shadows. How foolish Mallory had been to think she could keep him from Stella. No one could do that—not even himself. He had his reasons for staying distant for now, but once that was over, she would be his.
Finally, she finished, and he glanced at his watch—five minutes until the play began.
Stella pulled the lollipop from her mouth, licking her lips out of habit, and every ounce of control he had shattered. Without a second thought, he pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers, surrendering to the craving that had haunted him for days.