Children of the Night

"This must be the place. Damn..."

The Uber driver looked over to the right, towards the other side of the road, where a dark, foreboding woods lay, an insistent wind making the treetops sway and creak.

"That's creepy..."

"It's much less creepy in the day," Nat told him.

"Hmm. Alright, well, you have a good night, miss."

"Thanks, you too," she chirped, slipping from the car out into the chilly night.

She hurried to the front gate and pressed the intercom button.

"Darling," a voice came out after a few seconds, "you know the code. Just come on in."

She hesitated, but then keyed in the code, and headed inside the grounds, the gate closing behind her with a definitive click.

The smooth stone of the walkway curved right towards the mansion. The path was illuminated at its start by the light on the wall next to the gate, and along its length by the garden lights glowing subtly in the grass on either side of it. A breeze tickled her, and she shivered.

I just had to wear a dress. Just had to look good. Or at least as good as I can...

A bark sounded from her left. She turned in time to see a golden blur dash around the greenhouse, headed straight for her.

"Hi, baby!" she called, crouching to let Hugo run into her arms.

He barked back excitedly, squirming in her embrace.

"Good to see you too," she cooed, scratching at his back, getting another bark in response.

"He loves you so much," a voice came from behind her.

She started in surprise and turned to see Marceline watching with a smile.

How'd she get here so quickly? The intercom is in the foyer.

Hugo licked at her chin, making her giggle, the thought forgotten as she kissed him on the nose.

"I love you, too, you're such a good boy."

She stood and shivered as another breeze brushed by.

"You must be cold," Marceline said, "come, let's head inside."

"You're not cold?" Nat asked her, noticing her outfit. "You're not even wearing shoes."

The always well-dressed woman was wearing a flowy, sleeveless, deep red gown that stopped just above her bare feet. But when another breeze slipped past, she showed no ill effects, not even the faintest of shivers.

"No, darling, I don't get cold."

"Lucky you," Nat said, laughing nervously at her own joke, the other woman smiling politely.

Once inside the spacious foyer, she took off her jacket, the chill of the night soothed by the warmth of the house.

"Let me get that for you," Marceline offered.

Nat hesitated, but then handed the jacket over.

"This is cute," Marceline said as she hung it up.

"Oh, no, it's just a cheap little jacket I got a few years ago..."

"I do so love to see fashions change," Marceline said, brushing a hand along the jacket before walking deeper into the house. "In my youth, it would have been unthinkable for a comely young woman like you to wear a jacket like that."

"I don't think anyone's ever called me 'comely'," Nat said, again laughing nervously, following the other woman, Hugo alongside her.

"Sebastian is finishing up in the kitchen. Why don't we go into the drawing room?"

The drawing room, much like the rest of the house, was spacious and lushly furnished.

Nat picked a large, luxurious couch, and sat, Hugo lying down at her feet.

Marceline padded over to a table in the corner, on top of which waited a collection of bottles.

"Would you like some red wine, darling? I brought up a few bottles earlier."

"Oh...uh..."

Whenever she would stay over, the couple would offer her the run of the place, including their wine cellar, which boasted an impressive selection. She always decided against taking a bottle.

They all look so expensive. I'd hate to take one that costs like a couple hundred dollars and drink it all by myself.

"Sure, please."

If you insist...and at least we'll be sharing the bottle.

A glass was soon offered, and she took it.

"You're not having a drink?" she asked, the other woman sitting down empty-handed on a chaise lounge across from the couch.

"I don't drink...wine."

"Oh...ok," Nat said lamely, suddenly regretting having accepted the offer.

"I prefer brandy, but that's a digestif."

"What's a digestif?"

"After-dinner drink."

"Ah. So classy..."

Don't be awkward...

She took a sip.

"How's the wine, darling?"

"Oh, uh...it's good...I like it. It's got a good...body."

I think that's a thing wine people say. It does taste like it's expensive though...

"Good, I'm glad."

Nat took another sip.

"So, how was work today?" the other woman asked, reclining slightly, her arms resting on the back of the lounge.

"Oh, you know, same old, same old. I help people with computers. I'll probably have to help them with the same stuff next week."

"Well, computers can be complicated. It took us a long time to get used to them."

"I don't know, I prefer computers to people sometimes, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Uh...well, I mean...computers are...easy to figure out. It's simple if you know the problem. People are more complicated because it's harder to figure out the issues. There's no quick fix."

"People are simple. You just need to find out what they want."

"Yeah, see, I'm not as good with people as you probably are. That's why I'm in IT and not sales or something..."

Nat took a large sip to distract herself from the slight awkwardness. Marceline, however, seemed perfectly at ease, one leg crossed lady-like over the other, arms stretched out on top of the lounge.

Look at her. She's dressed like it's a formal dinner, and I'm wearing a dress I found in a thrift shop.

"That's a nice dress," Marceline commented.

"Oh, this? It's just something I..."

Take the compliment, take the compliment, take the compliment...

"Uh, thank you. I really like yours too."

"Thank you. I thought I would dress nicely for such an important guest."

Nat felt a sheepish blush rise on her cheeks as she took a sip.

A few minutes of idle conversation later, a voice came from the dining room.

"Dinner is served!"

"Ah, come on then, darling," Marceline said, heading into the dining room.

Nat stood, drank the last of her wine, and followed, leaving her purse on the couch and her phone inside it.

Wouldn't want to be rude by having it out at dinner...

The dining room table was long and ornately crafted, but right now there were only three chairs, arranged at and around the head of the table.

"The seat of honor," Marceline purred, gesturing to the chair at the head of the table.

"Oh, uh...thank you..."

A small bouquet was on the table, placed perfectly in between the three table settings. Her setting was already established, knife and fork waiting patiently, along with a cream-colored cloth napkin.

Footsteps sounded nearby, and she turned to see Sebastian walk into the dining room, carrying a tray with three plates on it. She noticed his outfit, a combination of black pants and pink silk shirt, and again cursed her choice of outfit.

I could've at least worn heels instead of flats.

"More wine?" Marceline asked.

"Oh, uh...sure, thanks."

Maybe I'll end up drinking the bottle all by myself. She is offering. And it's Friday night, I can drink a little.

Sebastian put a plate in front of her.

"Lamb chops in a Dijon cream sauce with roasted rosemary potatoes and breadcrumbed green beans."

"Oh, wow," she marveled, "you went all out...this looks so good."

Last time I ate at this table, I had a grilled cheese.

Sebastian smiled and sat down.

"Did you two have a nice conversation while you were waiting for dinner?"

She nodded.

"Yeah, we were just talking about...stuff."

"Good, good. Well, dig in, dig in, don't be shy."

"This is amazing," she told him after a few bites. "Really, really good."

"Thank you."

"Is this a family recipe?"

"No, I picked it up. I've picked up plenty of recipes over the years. Like what I made for dessert."

"Ooh, what's for dessert?"

Sebastian wagged his finger playfully.

"You'll see soon, Natalie, don't you worry."

"You can call me Nat. I think we're past Natalie, since we're having dinner together. No one calls me that anyway, except, like, doctors..."

He frowned.

"But it's a beautiful name. Natalie...it has a certain ring to it."

She blushed, and glanced over to Marceline, who was watching him with a small smile.

It was only then that she noticed their untouched food on their plates.

"Are you guys not eating? Is the food poisoned or something?"

Nice. Make a joke about them poisoning you, that'll go over well.

Their confused looks made her laugh nervously.

"We would never do such a thing to you," Marceline said sincerely.

"Poison is such a nasty thing," Sebastian added. "Ruins the blood."

"Sorry. It was a joke. Sorry..."

"No need to apologize, darling. And as for the food, well...we like to take our time."

Sebastian smiled.

"We make sure to savor our meals. Eating does not have to be solely for sustenance, after all. You can indulge every single sense. Make it a much more exhilarating experience."

"That sounds...fun."

And you sound dumb.

"But do eat up, Natalie. Don't let us stop you from enjoying your meal."

Don't have to tell me twice...

"So," she began a few mouthfuls and sips of wine later, "how was your last trip?"

She had looked up in time to catch the couple staring intently at each other, but they looked back at her at the question.

"Oh, it was wonderful," Sebastian said, "as it always is."

"Met up with some family," Marceline added, "saw the sights, did some shopping, made some business deals. I trust you had a good time with Hugo?"

The dog had been lying on the floor by the door, but his ears perked up when he heard his name.

"Oh, of course, he's such a good boy, I always have a good time with him...and you guys have such a lovely place. Staying here is like a little vacation."

Hugo ambled over, and she patted his head affectionately.

"He really does love you," Sebastian told her.

"Oh, well, I love him too..."

Hugo nuzzled at her hand.

"Oh, Hugo, let her eat, let her eat," Marceline chided gently, waving him over to her.

"No, it's alright," Nat said, but the dog chuffed, and ambled around to the other woman.

"More wine?" Sebastian asked then, brandishing the bottle.

"Oh, uh...sure...thank you."

Third glass. Take it easy, girl...

As Marceline busied herself with Hugo, cooing and petting, Sebastian ate a few bites. Watching him eat, even if he did not seem to enjoy the food as much as she was, helped ease her ubiquitous awkwardness a bit.

She finished her food first, and sat back, finishing her wine with a quick sip.

He reached out with the bottle before she could stop him and refilled her glass.

"Oh," she said quickly, before just smiling gratefully. "Thank you..."

After a few more minutes, he took their plates, his and Marceline's not even halfway finished, and headed into the kitchen.

"That was delicious," Nat told Marceline.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sebastian is quite the cook."

"So, he does the cooking usually?"

"No, not usually."

"Oh..."

"We usually...order out. Very little cooking."

"And yet you guys stay so fit..."

Oh my god, you idiot, you did not just say that...

"Yes, we do. Our diet ensures it."

"I need to learn your secrets, then, if takeout keeps you skinny. I can't eat it without gaining like ten pounds."

She giggled, and then felt a rush of embarrassment.

I might have had too much wine already.

"Maybe one day we'll teach you our secrets," Marceline said, smiling slightly.

"Ooh, mysterious..."

Yeah...too much wine.

Sebastian thankfully returned, again bearing a platter, this one with three little bowls.

"Maple bourbon crème brulee," he announced.

"Oh wow," Nat murmured as he put a bowl before her.

Just like with dinner, she dug in happily, but the couple did not. This time, she did not mention that oddity, only peeking up from time to time, always catching them in an intent stare down. Hugo had returned to his spot by the door, leaving Marceline able to focus her attention on those stare downs.

They really do love each other, she mused at one point. They're like eye-fucking.

The next time she caught them gazing at each other, she stole a few seconds to look at them instead of looking away.

Marceline was quite pretty, with pale skin, bright blue eyes, a thin, delicate nose, full lips, a charming smile, and long black hair. Against her better judgment, Nat let her eyes slide down to her chest, but her gown was not particularly tight nor revealing. Her arms, however, were shown off by the lack of sleeves, so Nat could clearly see the lean muscles there, just enough of them to demonstrate fitness without losing stereotypical femininity.

Her gown also made Nat again regret her own choice of outfit, a blue, knee-length, short-sleeved dress with little white birds all over it, the neckline cut high enough to avoid showing cleavage. She had found it in a thrift shop several years ago, but had only worn it a few times, leaving it mostly languishing in her closet.

It's cute, not formal. I didn't think this would be as formal as it is. He's wearing a silk shirt, for god's sake...

Sebastian, meanwhile, was quite handsome, with similarly pale skin, but dark brown eyes and hair, a strong chin, high cheekbones, a smile not quite as charming as his wife's but more laid-back, and not a hint of facial hair. Her eyes roamed over his arms and chest, the silken shirt occasionally pulling tighter against him as he shifted, evidencing the muscles underneath.

Husband and wife were both physically attractive, but although they were also very nice to her, she was always somewhat intimidated by them.

She glanced back up, and started in surprise, as they were staring at her, two strangely hungry looks aimed her way.

"Sorry, Natalie," Sebastian said quickly, his hungry look immediately replaced by a smile. "You were staring at us."

"Uh..."

Crap, I was, wasn't I?

"Oh, it's, uh...I was just...thinking about how lucky I am to have you guys as a client."

Nice save.

"I bet you say that to all your clients," Marceline purred, her own hungry look also gone.

"Oh no, I really don't. Some of my clients are annoying. But you guys are great, and Hugo's such a good dog."

"Well," Sebastian said, "we're lucky to have you as our dog-sitter. Hugo just adores you."

"Oh, well, I adore him too."

When Nat finished her dessert, he took the three bowls, his and his wife's portions again not even halfway done.

"Shall we retire to the drawing room?" Marceline suggested. "Sebastian can join us shortly."

"Uh, sure," Nat replied, following her back into the drawing room. "I don't know how late I can stay though. What time is it even?"

"Just past nine. And you can stay as long as you'd like."

Marceline took a seat on the chaise lounge, and Nat sat on the couch again. Hugo chose a nearby chair, claiming it all for himself, curling up comfortably.

"Huh. That late? Doesn't feel like it. Dinner went by quickly."

Marceline smiled.

"It usually does when the company is so wonderful."

Nat blushed.

"You guys are too nice."

"Not at all. We can be quite naughty sometimes."

Her smile did not waver, and neither did her gaze, aimed squarely at Nat, who giggled nervously.

"Well, when you're as hot as you two, it's probably fun to be naughty..."

Oh god, I did not just say that. Fuck, I've had too much wine...

Marceline laughed lightly.

"Very true. You must have plenty of gentleman callers yourself."

Nat shook her head emphatically.

"No, I don't really have any."

"Why not? A woman as beautiful as you?"

"I'm not...beautiful," she muttered lamely.

"Nonsense," Marceline said sternly. "You're beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Nat stammered, and then turned to the door as footsteps heralded Sebastian's arrival. He headed over to the table where the bottles were and poured out three glasses.

One went to Marceline, the other to a hesitant Nat, and the third was for him. He sat down on the lounge, next to his wife, and slung an arm over her shoulders.

"Isn't she beautiful, my love? She seems not to think so."

Nat drank her wine, blushing hotter as he let his gaze settle on her.

"Oh, she's quite the vision indeed. But then, we are often blind to ourselves, are we not? It sometimes takes others to show us the truth of ourselves."

"So wise," Marceline teased, before giving him a kiss.

They shared an intent gaze after, only for a few seconds. Nat took a sip, feeling awkward sitting across from them.

Nothing like being a third wheel...

And then they turned to look at her. That same strange hunger appeared in their eyes, and she squirmed, taking a quick sip, her blush burning still, a certain heat rising on her skin as well.

"What's in this wine?" she asked, offering another nervous laugh to go along with the joke.

The hunger drained from their eyes, and Marceline frowned.

"Grapes. Among other ingredients."

"Uh, that was a joke," Nat said hurriedly. "Just a joke. Sorry..."

"You don't need to apologize," Sebastian said.

"Sorry...crap. I, uh, I apologize a lot."

Don't say I'm sorry, don't say I'm sorry, don't say I'm sorry...

"Like he said, there's no need to apologize, darling. More wine?"

Nat looked down to her empty glass.

I drank that quickly.

"Oh, I shouldn't- "

More wine poured into her glass.

It's Friday night. I can drink a little bit too much.

"So," she began awkwardly, "how'd you guys meet?"

They shared another look, this one of nostalgic affection.

"Hunting," Marceline said simply.

"Oh. That's...romantic."

"We were pursuing the same prey," Sebastian explained.

"In France or somewhere else?"

"France," Marceline chimed in. "In the south."

"Right, okay."

"The...prey," Sebastian continued, "had been difficult to track, but I did not give up the hunt. And when I finally came across him, to my surprise, a beautiful young woman had her eyes on him as well."

"Him?" Nat asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A...deer," Marceline clarified. "We were hunting deer. This...deer...was particularly slippery."

"I never shared prey back then," Sebastian said. "But when I saw her, standing there in the moonlight..."

"I was the same way. Selfish. Never shared. But it just tasted better with him. We've been together ever since."

Nat could not help but smile.

So, they're a bit weird, but they do love each other...

The idle conversation continued for a little while. Marceline was quick to refill her glass when needed, and Nat was never quick enough to stop her. The constant alcohol made her squirm restlessly and loosened her tongue.

"I need to pee," she announced after a little while.

Why do I open my mouth?

When she stood, the effects of the cavalcade of alcohol made themselves known. She swayed unsteadily, her head spinning slightly, before half-falling, half-sitting back down.

"Ooh, I drank too much..."

"Not to worry," came a voice from next to her on the couch.

She started in surprise as Marceline ran a hand over her back.

"When did you...weren't you sitting over there?"

"Of course. I came over here to help you."

Her head was still unsettled, so she blinked a few times.

"Did they put something in the wine?" she wondered to herself.

Oh god, did I say that out loud?

"Of course not," Marceline assured her, again running a hand over her back.