Lucien's eyebrows rose a fraction at the dismissive command. He didn't snap back, didn't grow angry. Instead, he simply leaned back against a nearby tree trunk, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Silent? You might be disappointed," he murmured, more to himself than the siren. "I'm not exactly known for my discretion."

He watched with a cold, clinical interest as the siren began to feed. There was no hesitation in those movements, no shame-just the raw, efficient hunger of a predator. The sound of tearing flesh and the wet sounds of consumption filled the quiet night air, but Lucien didn't turn away. He watched the way the moonlight played off the siren's iridescent hair, his amber eyes unblinking.

A strange thought flickered through his mind-the scent of this creature was unlike anything he had encountered in his long existence. It was intoxicating, even from a distance.
As I tore into the body, I shot him a fleeting glance, showing a hint of annoyance at being stared at while eating. Then, I continued devouring the flesh, lightly licking the blood from my lips.
Lucien saw the glance. He saw the flash of annoyance, the subtle tightening around those deep blue eyes.

Instead of looking away, he leaned his head back against the tree bark, a lazy, infuriatingly calm smile spreading across his face.

"My apologies," he said, his voice smooth and entirely insincere. "I forgot how sensitive your kind can be about their dining habits. Wouldn't want to ruin the mood."

He uncrossed his arms and pushed off from the tree, stepping closer-not close enough to be threatening, but close enough that the scent of the siren's blood-stained skin reached him clearly. The sweetness of it was maddening, a sharp contrast to the iron tang of the human corpse.

"So, what's your name, scavenger?" he asked, tilting his head to the side as if expecting an answer that was actually worth hearing. "Or do you only speak when you're not busy with your meal?"

I replied" then show your idself first, then I'll say-and don't call me like that, you monster sucker.💢" Continue devouring.

Lucien let out a short, genuine laugh at that-the first one that hadn't been laced with mockery. The venom in the siren's voice was refreshing.

"Monster sucker," he repeated, tasting the words. "Fair enough. I've been called worse."

He straightened up, pulling himself to his full height. He didn't move closer, respecting the boundary the siren had clearly drawn with that tone.

"Lucien," he said simply. No titles, no grand introductions. Just the name, delivered with the same casual ease as if they were discussing the weather instead of standing over a half-eaten corpse in the middle of a forest.

He watched the siren continue to eat, his amber eyes tracking the movement of those blood-stained fingers.
After the meal, only some entrails and thos bones remained on the ground. I stood up, wiping my mouth with my hand, and said,

"I'm Alsier..." I shop, turned a round and asked Lucien, "I have a proposition with you. Wana hear it, or nah?"
Lucien watched Alsier finish his grim meal, his gaze lingering on the mess left behind. He didn't flinch or show any sign of disgust. It was a practical matter, after all. He inclined his head as Alsier finally spoke, the name rolling off the siren's tongue.

"Alsier," he repeated, the name sounding foreign and intriguing in his own mouth. He gave a slow nod. "A proposition, you say?"

He pushed off the tree, taking a few steps closer, his movements deliberate. The smirk was back, but it was softer now, tinged with a genuine curiosity that hadn't been there before.

"I'm always interested in hearing propositions," Lucien said, his amber eyes fixed on Alsier. "Especially from those who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. Go on, then. Impress me."

I snorted dismissively at Lucien's tone. "It's simply a that the two of us teaming up as partner for a hunt," I walked past him toward the river to wash away the lingering traces of blood. "Things haven't been going well in my waters lately... How about yours? I hear you guys close to the human cities..."

Lucien followed Alsier's movement with his eyes, watching him walk past with that dismissive snort. The audacity of the siren was almost endearing in its bluntness.

"Teaming up," Lucien repeated, his voice trailing after him like a shadow. "You're suggesting a partnership between a vampire and a siren. That's a bold leap, considering our histories."

He stood where he was, watching Alsier approach the river. The moonlight caught the blood on the siren's hands, making it look like dark jewels against the water.

"As for my side of things," Lucien continued, his tone turning more serious, though the underlying edge of amusement remained. "The cities are crowded. Too much noise, too many witnesses. It's getting harder to find decent blood without causing a scene."

He walked toward the riverbank, stopping a few paces away from where Alsier was washing.

I done cleaned myself up, slowly stood up, and said, "How about this. I'll team up with you for the hunt. I'll use my ability to lure the prey; afterwards, you take the blood, and I'll take the flesh. What do you think?" I crossed my arms and looked at Lucien." However, both must protect each other."

Lucien went still, his amber eyes narrowing as he processed the offer. He let the silence stretch between them for a moment, the only sound being the gentle rush of the river.

"Lure them in, I feed, you eat," he repeated, as if testing the mechanics of the deal. "Efficient. I'll give you that."

He stepped closer, his gaze dropping to where Alsier's arms were crossed. The mention of protection made his smirk falter, replaced by something sharper-something more calculating.

"Protect each other," he said, the words sounding strange coming from him. "You're asking me to watch your back while you're singing your little songs? Or are you offering to be my shield?"

He took one more step, closing the distance until he was standing nearly toe-to-toe with the siren.
I replied calmly, raising a hand to my chin in thought. "Hmm... I'm not sure; perhaps it's both." I looked him straight in the eye. "And I probably need a temporary place to stay, too... that's the only condition." I waited for his answer.

Lucien stared down at Alsier, his expression unreadable. The request for shelter was unexpected-a siren asking for a place to stay was unheard of, let alone from one who had just eaten a human like a common beast.

His eyes flickered to the river, then back to the siren.

"A place to stay," he said slowly, as if weighing the cost of every word. "You're not just asking for a partnership, you're asking for an invitation into my world. That's a big jump from a riverbank meal."

He let out a short breath, almost a laugh, but it died before it fully formed. He turned his gaze toward the dark forest behind them, where the faint lights of the distant city flickered on the horizon.

"Fine," he said, turning back to Alsier. The smirk returned, though it looked more like a challenge now than amusement.

"So is a deal, then?" Alsier extended hand as if to shake on the agreement.

Lucien looked at the extended hand for a long moment, his amber eyes tracing the line of Alsier's fingers. He didn't take it immediately. Instead, he let out a low hum of contemplation, his head tilting slightly to the side.

"A deal," he echoed, finally closing the distance.

He reached out and gripped Alsier's hand. His skin was unnaturally cold, like marble left out in the winter air, but his grip was firm and certain. He didn't shake it with the warmth of a human agreement; it was a pact, a binding of two predators under the same moon.

"It's a deal," Lucien confirmed, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "But don't expect me to play house. My place isn't exactly built for comfort, and I don't do small talk well."

He released Alsier's hand and stepped back, already turning toward the dense treeline.