Never Have I Ever...

Two days later, Nikolai’s mansion

Igor lounged on the worn-out leather sofa, a dull throb in his leg serving as an occasional reminder of the chaos he'd survived just two nights prior. As soon as the vampires stirred from their daylong rest, it was clear that this night would not mimic the previous one. The evening before had been rather slow; Igor was still recovering from his injury and blood loss, while Maria and Rachel occupied themselves with television and practice sessions at the dojo. Ethan attempted to pry more information about that disastrous conclusion of the prior evening from Maria, but she had no desire to relive it and fuel his potential disapproval further. Consequently, the hunter spent his time in some online research before retiring for the night. All things considered, it was an uneventful and rather dull evening.

Maria and Rachel lounged with feline grace on the opposite side from Igor, their eyes gleaming with a hint of predatory allure under the soft light. Ethan sat at the end of the couch with a brooding expression, focused on the laptop screen.

“Good evening, boys! How are you doing?” Maria purred. “I see you can’t get rid of that computer, Ethan. What, did you find a stake sale or what?”

“Dear God, you Yankees should really work on your humour,” Ethan mumbled, not looking up from the screen. “I’m just doing some research. It’s what I do.”

“Well, we should do something fun tonight, don’t you think?” Rachel said, stretching her arms above her head and arching her back, the movement accentuating her curvy figure. “I mean, we had a quiet night yesterday. I think we deserve a night out.”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Ethan warned. “After what happened it would be wise if you two lay low for a couple more nights. We don’t know if they’re are looking for you...”

“Oh come on, Ethan,” Maria chided, “Live a little! Look, I agree that going out tonight wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do, but we can at least have some fun here!”

Igor nodded, “She has a point, you know...”

“Fine,” Ethan suddenly closed the laptop and put it aside. “So, what are we doing then?”

“Well, Igor here already found some vodka, so let’s start there,” Rachel said as she poured them shots.

"You can pour me another one, Rachel," Igor's voice carried a hint of challenge as he slid his empty glass to the blonde vampiress.

"Don't overdo it, biker boy," Maria purred after she downed her drink, her lips curving into a seductive smile as Rachel passed him the bottle instead.

"Yeah, last thing we need is you passing out again," Rachel laughed teasingly.

"Ethan was right about your humour. By the way, my leg’s practically good as new." Igor took the shot glass from Maria to pour her another one, feeling the cool touch of her fingers against his skin—brief, electrifying. Her skin was a bit colder then before - probably because of the lack of feeding last two days, he presumed.

"How does it feel, Igor? Hanging out with vampires and a hunter?" Rachel asked, a playful glint in her blue eyes as she leaned forward, her white-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders like a silken waterfall.

"Surreal," he admitted, his gaze drifting to Ethan who was uncharacteristically relaxed, nursing his own drink. "Still trying to wrap my head around it all."

"Well, you're certainly keeping some unlikely company," Ethan remarked. A rare twinkle danced in his gaze as he continued, "Even I can't fathom how I've ended up here at times."

"Cheers to a company of misfits then!" Maria raised her glass.

"Cheers!" they echoed, the clinking of glasses punctuating the moment with a crystalline clarity.

Igor knocked back the shot, feeling the burn of the liquor trail down his throat, warming him from the inside out. "You know," he began, his voice thoughtful, "it still feels weird a bit. I mean, destiny clearly brought us all her for a reason, but we don’t even really know each other that well, do we?"

"Well, aren't you the philosopher tonight," Rachel quipped, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "But you’ve got a point. How about we play a game to get to know each other better? Truth or Dare, anyone?"

“I’m not playing that game against vampires, dear,” Ethan shook his head. “You’d have a massive advantage against the two of us. No way.”

“Alright, what about Never have I ever then?” Rachel proposed.

"Never have I ever?" Ethan echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds even more... juvenile."

"Lighten up, Ethan," Maria said with a laugh, her eyes twinkling as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "It'll be fun."

"Fine with me," Igor sighed, rolling his eyes. "But I feel like I'm back in high school."

"High school or not, it's happening," Rachel declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Ethan, you in?"

"Uh, I don’t actually know the rules," Ethan admitted.

"Simple enough," Rachel explained, her fingers tapping rhythmically against her thigh. "One person says something they've never done. If you've done it, you drink. If you want, you can explain the details, but we won't force anyone to do it. There. Easy peasy."

"Right, but here's the thing," Ethan interjected, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Vampires aren’t nearly as affected by alcohol as humans are. It's hardly fair."

"Then we’ll balance the scales," Rachel suggested, her grin turning wicked. "We’ve got some coke left from our little fun with the cartel. Maria and I can hit that if things get too uneven."

"Great," Igor muttered, though a smirk tugged at his lips. "Just what we needed. Vampires high on coke."

"Deal?" Rachel asked, her eyes locking onto Ethan's, daring him to refuse.

"Alright, deal," Ethan agreed reluctantly, his posture stiffening slightly. "I’ll play a round or two."

The group settled around the coffee table, the soft glow of the lamps cast elongated shadows across their faces.

"Alright, Rachel, you suggested this," Maria said with a playful smirk. "You get to start."

"Fair enough," Rachel replied, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Her eyes flickered mischievously as she considered her options. Finally, she spoke, "Never have I ever… cheated on my significant other!"

As soon as the words left her lips, Rachel's grin faltered when she noticed Maria’s face fall, the light in her eyes dimming. A pang of regret hit her, but it was too late.

"Shit, sorry Maria," Rachel murmured, looking genuinely apologetic.

Maria picked up her shot glass with a forced smile, the amber liquid inside shimmering. "It's fine," she said, her voice carrying an edge of something darker, more poignant. She downed the liquor in one smooth motion, the burn trailing down her throat felt almost cathartic. "It was...Nikolai's influence," she added, the name dripping with venom.

Igor’s brows furrowed and he opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, unsure of what to say. Opposite to him, Ethan remained impassive, his piercing blue eyes revealing nothing.

"Guess it’s my turn," Igor finally said, trying to inject some levity back into the moment. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his voice a low rumble. "Never have I ever bitten anyone during sex."

Maria and Rachel groaned in unison, rolling their eyes as they reached for their glasses. "Damn human," Rachel teased, lifting her drink. They clinked their glasses together before taking their shots, their laughter mingling in the air like a haunting melody.

"Wait, what?" Maria exclaimed, her gaze snapping to Ethan as he lifted his own glass and took a deliberate sip.

"Well, I had some...kinky nights myself," Ethan said with a nonchalant shrug, though his eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief.

"Well, color me surprised," Rachel quipped, winking at him. "Didn't peg you for the adventurous type."

"There's a lot you don't know about me," Ethan retorted.

"Clearly," Maria interjected. "Alright, it’s my turn now. Never have I ever... been arrested," she declared.

Igor and Ethan exchanged a quick look before both reached for their glasses. Maria's eyebrow arched in surprise as they downed their shots simultaneously.

"Alright, spill it," Rachel demanded, leaning forward with a playful smirk. "What did you two bad boys get arrested for?"

"Got busted for DUI when I was a teenager," Igor admitted with a sheepish laugh. He rubbed the back of his neck, the memory clearly not one of his proudest moments. "Not my finest hour."

"Bad boy from the start," Maria teased, nudging him with her elbow. Her touch lingered a moment longer than necessary, sparking a shared glance that spoke volumes.

Ethan, however, remained enigmatic. He set his empty glass down with a soft clink and met their curious gazes with a cryptic smile. "I was framed by a vampire I was chasing, spent a week in brig before Sanguis Sanctus got me out," he said, his tone flat but laced with underlying bitterness.

"Framed?" Rachel echoed, her blue eyes narrowing in suspicion. "How'd that happen?"

"Ugh… long story," Ethan replied curtly, shutting down any further probing. His eyes darkened, and it was clear he had no intention of elaborating.

"Fine, keep your secrets," Maria said with a shrug, though curiosity burned in her gaze. "It’s your turn, Ethan."

"Right," he murmured, running a hand through his hair. "Never have I ever... done drugs."

"Hey! That's cheating!" Maria protested immediately, pointing an accusatory finger at Ethan. "You know damn well Rachel and I did coke the other night!"

Rachel, ever the provocateur, chuckled and pulled out a small baggie from her pocket. She laid out a line on the coffee table and snorted it without hesitation. "Cheers," she said with a wink, passing the bag to Maria.

"Good one, Rach," Maria responded, mirroring Rachel's actions. The powder disappeared with a quick inhale, and she sighed in pleasure, her golden eyes shimmering with a renewed intensity.

Ethan watched them with a mixture of disapproval and resignation, his jaw tight. "This isn't a game anymore," he muttered under his breath, but there was no stopping them now.

"Give them a break, dude. It’s harmless for them," Igor chortled, clearly starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. "I only did weed, but rules are rules," he added before downing another shot.

"Alright, let’s go on. Never have I ever gotten drunk playing Never have I ever. Until tonight, that is," Rachel declared with a wicked grin, her blue eyes sparkling under the dim light of the living room. She leaned back into the couch, her posture relaxed but her gaze sharp, watching for reactions.

"Cheers to that," Maria said almost immediately, lifting her glass and taking a generous sip. The amber liquid slid down her throat, leaving a burn that was both familiar and comforting. She glanced at Igor, who was already raising his own glass.

"Either we don’t know how to play this or we did a lot of stupid shit when we were younger," Igor chuckled, the lines around his eyes crinkling in good humor. He took a swig, savoring the taste before setting his glass down.

"Wild times indeed," Maria agreed, her voice tinged with nostalgia. Her golden eyes met Igor's, and for a moment, the room seemed to shrink around them. Their glances lingered a bit longer, their smiles more intimate.

"Well, don't leave us hanging," Rachel teased, breaking the spell. "What kind of wild stuff are we talking about here? We weren't hanging that often back then..."

"I was a rebel. Let's just say I've had my fair share of run-ins with authority, but luckily I managed to avoid real problems," Maria replied cryptically, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "And Igor here? Well, he seems like the type who's seen some action."

"More than I'd care to admit," Igor nodded, his tone casual but his eyes betraying a deeper story. "But those days are behind me..."

"Oh really?" Rachel raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Well, now that I’ve met the two of you… maybe not," Igor chuckled, a twinkle of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Anyway, it’s my turn. Let’s see… Never have I ever accidentally told someone I loved them." His voice softened as he looked directly at Maria, the words carrying a weight that everyone could feel.

Maria's breath hitched, and she quickly masked it with a laugh, though her hands trembled slightly as she lifted her glass. "Guilty," she admitted, tilting her head back and swallowing the shot with practiced ease. The liquor burned away the sudden tightness in her chest, but not the memories it dredged up.

"Let me guess," Ethan interjected sarcastically. "Nikolai again?"

"Go to hell," Maria mumbled, but her irritation was evident to all. She set her empty glass down with a bit too much force, the sound echoing in the tense silence. But instead of continuing the argument, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "Yeah, it was Nikolai alright. He… ensnared me so completely that I mistook his manipulation for love."

"That's twice now you've blamed him for your poor decisions. I wonder how many more excuses we're going yet to hear," Ethan smirked, leaning back against in his plush couch. His piercing blue eyes held a challenge, daring her to continue.

"What exactly is your problem, Ethan?" Maria snapped.

"Hey, guys, it's just a game," Igor said softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Maria's arm. His touch was warm and reassuring, a stark contrast to the coldness she felt inside.

"Yeah, just a game," Maria echoed, forcing a smile. She glanced up at Igor, grateful for his presence.

"Never have I ever... paid for sex," Maria declared. Her golden eyes sparkled with mischief as she kept her gaze at Igor, expecting him to take the shot.

"Well, looks like I'm safe on this one," Igor chuckled, his rough laughter filling the space between them. "What can I say? I never had to pay..."

To everyone's surprise, it was Ethan who silently reached for the shot glass, downing the fiery liquid in one swift motion. The room fell silent, all eyes on him. His piercing blue gaze was unreadable, a storm brewing beneath the surface.

"Well, well, noble hunter," Maria teased, her tone laced with curiosity and something darker. "I guess there's a darker side to you after all. What, not enough hunter girls in your summer camp? Or they just weren't ready for your kinky shit, so you had to buy hookers?"

"Mind your own damn business, Maria," Ethan snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. The tension crackled, palpable and dangerous.

"Why so bitter? Isn’t it nice when someone exposes your weaknesses?" Maria smirked, leaning back in her chair, her fingers playing with the rim of her glass. "Alright then, your turn."

Ethan's eyes narrowed, a malevolent glint flickering within them. "If that's how you want to play this game... Never have I ever killed someone I loved," he said, his words dripping with venom.

Rachel gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. The room went deathly quiet, the only sound the ticking of the antique clock on the wall.

"Fuck you," Maria mouthed silently, her eyes blazing with fury. She took the shot, the burn of the alcohol doing nothing to numb the ache in her chest. Igor watched, dumbfounded, unable to process the weight of Ethan's accusation.

"Your move, Rachel," Ethan said smugly, his lips curling into a satisfied smile. But before Rachel could speak, Maria interjected, her voice trembling with rage.

"Wait, I’m skipping the line!" Maria shouted, her glare fixed on Ethan. "Never have I ever betrayed any sacred oath!" Each word was a dagger aimed straight at him.

The room's atmosphere went agonizingly silent. Ethan's jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring as he fought to maintain his composure.

"That's rich, coming from you," he spat, each word laced with venom. "Corrupting everyone around you, making them your pawns."

"Corrupting?" Maria laughed bitterly. "Who the hell do you think I'm corrupting?"

"Are you seriously asking me that? Did you forget the fact that Rachel was human mere week ago? And now you found yourself another plaything-"

"Hey, man, watch it," Igor didn't let Ethan finish, his tone a clear warning,

"If that bothers you, why the hell are you still here then, Ethan? If you hate me and what I am so much, just leave!" Maria shouted.

"Maybe I should!" Ethan's voice rose, his fists clenching at his sides. "But someone needs to keep an eye on you bloodsuckers. You're dangerous, and you know it. We all know what happened two nights ago and what are we doing right now? Drinking and playing stupid games like everything is normal! Don’t you see, Maria? You're nothing more than a monster, taking lives as you see fit…"

Maria stood, the chair she was sitting in toppling to the floor with a resounding crash. "Fuck you, you don't know shit about me! " she hissed, her fangs elongating, her eyes glowing with rage. Ethan jumped to his feet as well, his hands clenching into fists.

"Enough!" Rachel screamed, slamming her hands on the table. Both of them froze, their eyes locked in a staring contest. The tension in the air was palpable as they all struggled to regain their composure.

"Yeah, let's cool it down. This is getting out of hand," Igor added, trying to inject some calm into the volatile atmosphere.

"Stay out of this, Igor," Ethan snapped, his eyes never leaving Maria's. "This is between me and her."

"Oh no, I’m not going to stand here and explain myself to you," Maria said, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. "I'm done here." She stormed out to the terrace, the door slamming behind her.

Igor and Rachel exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. "Go after her," Rachel mouthed. Igor nodded and followed Maria outside, closing the door gently behind him.

The night air was cool, a stark contrast to the heated confrontation inside. Maria stood at the railing, her back to Igor, a cigarette trembling between her fingers. The glow of the moon above the forest cast long shadows, wrapping around her like a shroud.

"Hey," Igor said softly, approaching her cautiously. "Mind if I join you?"

"Suit yourself," Maria muttered, exhaling a stream of smoke that curled upward, dissipating into the night.

"So… at least it’s not another boring night, eh?” Igor hummed as he leaned against the railing beside her, following her gaze into the dark woods.

“I'd prefer boredom right now…”

"What's going on with Ethan?" Igor asked gently.

"He's a cold-hearted bastard," Maria replied, her voice cracking. "I don't know, I guess he’s conflicted and feels like he's betraying his stupid hunting club by being here with us. I don't really care."

"Well, he has to clear that up with himself, probably," Igor said, his tone sympathetic. "But what about that other thing... the one that got you so riled up?"

Maria took a deep drag of her cigarette. "Nikolai, my maker," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "he manipulated me, made me drink from Steve—my boyfriend. He knew it would bind me to him, make me dependent. I drained Steve. I… I killed the man I loved."

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she spoke. "That’s where Ethan was right about me and why I snapped. I hate Nikolai for what he did to me. For turning me into this... monster. And if I ever get the chance… I’ll have my revenge."

"Maria..." Igor began, reaching out to touch her shoulder, but she flinched away.

"That's why I've been so hesitant with you," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I'm afraid of losing control again. Of hurting someone I care about."

"You're not a monster," Igor said softly, his eyes full of compassion. "You're stronger than you think. And I'm here for you, no matter what."

“How can you say that? Didn’t you see what I did in the alley?”

“That’s different. You had to fight them, otherwise it would have been your body that would’ve ended in the pool of blood.”

“That’s true, but…,” she finally turned to him in an attempt to make her point clear. “Igor, I killed five, six men. Yes, it was self defence. But afterwards I… there was no guilt. Actually, I felt such power coursing through me, such dark ecstasy…”

Igor nodded with an understanding smile and said, “I know, I’ve seen all of it. Not a pretty sight, I admit. But you left out the part where you saved me from your friend. She lost control but you... you didn’t.”

“No, I…” Maria wanted to object but she couldn’t find the right words.

Igor pulled her into a gentle embrace and touched her cheek, “Maria, you’re not a monster. If anything, you're a predator."

"Huh? There's no difference-"

"Oh yes there is. You're like a lioness who kills to survive. And just like the lioness, you don’t take more than needed. You’re still in control, even with all that darkness inside of you.”

“I…” Maria was surprised by his words. Did he really believe that? After everything she had just told him? She stayed in his embrace for a moment longer, her cheek pressed against his chest. He smelled so good, so alive and so… safe. It was an odd feeling to receive comfort and understanding from a mere mortal, but right now she needed it more than ever.

"Thank you," she finally whispered, her golden eyes glistening with tears. "I don't deserve you."

"Yes, you do," Igor insisted, pulling her into a tighter embrace. "You deserve all the good in this world, Maria. And I'm here to see that you get it."

Maria leaned into his embrace, her body craving the contact. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel the warmth of his touch and the beat of his heart against her cheek. For a brief moment, she almost believed she could be normal again. That she could have a life with Igor, away from the darkness and bloodshed. But she knew it was nothing more than a pipe dream.

---

Igor and Maria returned to the living room, their presence breaking the charged silence. Rachel was seated on the arm of the couch, speaking softly but firmly to Ethan, who looked as if he were ready to bolt at any moment. His posture was defensive, shoulders tense, fists clenched.

"Look," Ethan muttered, his voice gruff with reluctant apology, "I’m sorry for what I said."

"Yeah," Maria echoed, her tone clipped, "me too." But the edge in her voice suggested that her apology was merely a formality. She exchanged a glance with Igor, a silent communication passing between them. Then, she caught Rachel's eye and made a subtle gesture with her head. Rachel nodded imperceptibly before following her into the kitchen. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Igor and Ethan alone in the living room.

"Listen, Rachel," Maria said quietly, leaning against the cool marble countertop, "I don't want Ethan around anymore. It's just too much tension and don’t want to deal with that shit right now. See if you can set things straight with him tonight. If not, make sure he leaves tomorrow."

Rachel raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Alright… I guess. Any specific method you had in mind?"

Maria hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "No. Just do whatever you think is best. You know how persuasive you can be."

"Got it," Rachel murmured, her fingers tapping a rhythm against the counter. "Leave it to me."

The two women returned to the living room. Maria looked at Igor, her gaze lingering on him as she made a decision. "Igor, why don't you join me in the bedroom for the rest of the night?" Her voice was soft, inviting, and at least to him, irresistible.

"Sure," Igor agreed, his heart pounding in his chest as he followed Maria upstairs to the bedroom, leaving Ethan and Rachel alone in the living room.