Vampire Dreams - 1

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Vampire Dreams is posted here!
Thank you for your patience! Please leave comments and reviews here.

 

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Preface


I died earlier this morning. But I am still alive, I think.
Let me explain before we jump the gun here. Something happened to me the other night. Something I don’t really remember and don’t know how to explain. It is even hard to understand as I relate it here.
Something that turned me into a vampire.
And it happened in the bathroom of a movie theatre. I am a creature of the darkness now.
The ones I have always read about from Anne Rice books and saw on T.V when I was little. Like the old Dracula movies with Lon Chaney or the new ones with Gary Oldman. It was all too good to dream about if someone told me earlier that I would be one today. Now that’s its here, though, I see that it wasn’t as exciting as I had imagined.

 

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Chapter 1
Change of Plans

My summer vacation was ruined! Instead of my grandeur of staying inside watching old horror flicks with two of my greatest friends in the whole world and spending endless hours on the computer I have to go camping. Why camping? It’s so boring being out there with the mud and bugs and the whole forest smells like a giant toilet. Well it does. Animals just go where ever they please. It’s totally barbaric.
My dad must think this is a bonding experience for the two of us. First time in sixteen years that he actually wants to do something. Doesn’t he know I rather stay indoors with the air conditioning for two months instead?
I grimaced as I told my friends my big change of plans for the summer.
“How can he do this to you?” said Sammy.
“He’s positively the worst father ever,” said Kim tossing her hair back. It had a bad habit of falling in to places where it didn't belong. We looked like total opposites walking side by side in the hallway. The queen of horror and the cheerleader.
One wouldn't believe that I was the neat freak. Unlike Kim, I don’t just throw everything on the floor. Cartering to a mostly dark wardrobe it is even harder to find anything at all in a giant pile of clothes, especially if you are looking for a certain black halter top. Last time that happened it took me a week to find it again and it was that time when Kim stayed over for a week when her mom was on a business trip to Chicago. It was the calamity known as Hurricane Kim in my house. It strike everywhere that week.
Kim and I shared the same tastes, so it was good enough. We both enjoyed horror movies and the occult. She preferred werewolves though over my vampires. Like the nursery rhyme of the two sisters where one prefer tea while the other coffee. We always joked about that. We were the closest thing to each other as sisters. With her parents divorced she always suggested that her mom should marry my dad. He does seem really lonely since my mother walked out of our lives when I was three, but I don't think it's possible for him to ever fall in love again. His work as a local reporter was taking its toll on him.
I grimace even more. Especially watching Kim open her gym locker. Its contents gave way to an unexpected avalanche.
It made me proud that this school was too cheap to have regular lockers in the hallway.
“The worst part is no computer,” I fixed my black hat. “I can’t even stay connected.”
“We should have a girl’s night out at least,” said Kim trying to push her gym uniform back in the locker along with numerous shower products. “Before you leave for your trip.”
“Yeah,” I gave a little smile. Kim always knew the right thing to say to cheer me up. “My place, Friday, is 7:00 alright?”
“Yup, right after cheerleading practice,” said Kim tossing her hair again.
“I can’t make it,” said Sammy, “I have to watch my brother.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why he can’t watch himself. He’s like ten.” She paused. “I think.”
“And that’s why you need to spend more time with your brother,” I reply smiling. “I think he just turn nine. Remember his birthday last month?”
“Oh shut up, Kate. You know sometimes I wish I was an only sibling like you.”
“I guess you can only dream.”
After school I walked home alone as usual. In the stupid heat too. It was getting windy again too. A norm for desert climate. Kim had cheer leading practice. Something we didn’t have in common. That was the main difference between us. She was super popular and I wasn’t. I went the same route as I did everyday, right by the soccer field.
These precious few hours after school were spent on the Internet in numerous chat rooms, talking with people who actually understand me better. It always tends to be that way; random people you never met learn your deepest inner most secrets more then the people around in real life. I probably pored out more details of my life online then in real life.
A stray soccer ball flew past my face nearly missing my nose as I jumped a foot backwards. I heard a chorus of laughs that made me spun around to see the school’s boy soccer team. I quickly spotted the ring leader, Jayson . Jayson was the most popular guy in the school in addition to being the star captain of the soccer team and the star in every girl’s fantasy. Except for me.
“Hey Bloody!” he shouted. “Can you give us our ball back?”
I smiled as I picked it up twirling it in my hands. He was making fun of my last name again, Blood. He was the one who started that sick nickname.
“What do you say?” I teased. I loved to toy with him. It was probably my number two most favorite pastime.
“Please give us back our ball?” he choked out.
“Not quite.”
“Forget it. We’ll get another one; you can use that one as a kissing dummy. Want a picture of me for it?”
He turned around and gave a high five to a couple of his buddies. I put my bag down on the sidewalk and threw the ball right at him when he turned around.
SMACK! Right in the nose! It knocked him over too. Score.
The whole team laughed. I think James gave me a thumbs up but I was already booking it out of there. I didn't want to see the aftermath of what just happened.
I thought, at least he got his ball back. But I doubt it was the last I would hear out of him. One more day of school left, he was going to retaliate somehow tomorrow.
I finally reached my only safe haven in the world, my room. My dad worked long shifts at work so I wasn’t expecting him until late. I flipped on my laptop and popped in my favorite mixed track.
My room was the prefect dream room and it should be, since it was my dream room. My walls were all decked out in black and various posters. A couple of old school art projects cluttered it as well. Nothing really Picaso. Nothing could penetrate me in my fortress. I sighed happily.
Once the Internet icon appeared, I went to my favorites list, clicking on Gothic Anonymous, my favorite forum site. I logged in as my screen name, ‘Bloody_Gnome’ and began searching topics to chat in. Kim wouldn’t be on for another hour or two because if cheerleading.
I scrolled down in the forums after checking my private messages and any updates received.
Let’s see. Here’s one by some desperate loner seeking a girlfriend. Good luck with that.
Past. Next topic, Should I wear underwear with this?
Definitely past.
Here’s one in my interest field: Calling all vamps. Click. Post by a Blood_sucking_fiend:
Hey does any1 know any goth clubs in Arizona?
Arizona? Hey, I live in Arizona. I searched the top of my head for any places in that demographic. I quickly wrote back:
DK. Never seen any where I lived.
I exited the post to find a different topic to go in to. How to be Goth. Someone who needs guidance on being a goth. That or being a troll. I clicked on it anyway.
Click. I guess I can help someone out maybe.
BOING!
I jumped. Stupid computer with its noises. I wasn’t used to receiving private messages. Usually Kim and I just post in forums to talk to each other. We figured whatever we talk about would not make a difference to an outsider reading it.
I switched over to my message inbox. An unnamed email from Blood_sucking_fiend. What does he want? Is it even a he?
Are u in arizona? where do you live? Maybe we can hook up.
I’m not the usual type to be meeting strangers from cyberspace in real life but this guy might be just as desperate as I am. Especially in the middle of nowhere. I wrote back:
Depends if you’re a psycho or not. Prove to me that you are at least sane.
I hit send and then clicked on his profile. No picture yet. A total noobie by the looks of it. This could be fun. Seventeen years old, I just hope he doesn’t turn out to be forty. I need to probe him more.
BOING!
Man that was fast, not even a minute. He must be a techno nerd to type that fast. I opened it.
That really hurts my feelings. You just looked like a really cool person to talk to. thanx bye.
Uh oh. I typed back.
I was only kidding. No hard feelings. I just want to make sure you’re not a sex craze maniac.
BOING! Blood_sucking_fiend:
I assure you I’m not. Do you need pictures to prove I’m not some old desperate loser?
Bloody_Gnome:
Sure, it’ll help me sleep at night.
An attachment came with his reply. I opened it and a quick snapshot showed up. The date and time of the picture showed up in the bottom right so I knew it wasn’t a fake, it was dated like a minute ago. And it looked like it hasn’t been tampered with it in Photoshop. I believed him.
He looked like my type, dark and gothy. Someone I would never see at my school. He had straight shoulder length black hair cutted in uneven strains. His skin was a ghoulish white color with dark rings under his eyes, but it could have been the camera flash. Truthfully he looked like he hasn’t slept in weeks, maybe never.
Someone who has spent countless hours infront of a computer monitor.
He met my approval though. His attach message was included under it.
If only it helps you of dreaming about me at night.
What a romantic. I can give him a chance and if anything goes wrong I have my pepperspray that my dad gave me last year handy somewhere.
Okay, but can I at least know the name of the guy in my dream tonight?
BOING!
My name is Kain. And what may I ask is the name of the girl in my dreams?
Should I give him my name? I guess my first name will be fine. He at least gave me his.
It’s Katherine, but every1 calls me Kate.
BOING!
I like Katherine, it suits your picture better.
Bloody_Gnome:
Thanks. Hey, I’ll talk to u later, k?
I signed off. I have to make dinner for my father unless he’ll order pizza home again. That’s how it usually is around here. He brings home junk food unless I make something.
I stretched a little before making it to the kitchen. The cabinet was almost empty. Nothing but spaghetti, can soup, ramen, cookies and chips. Spaghetti will suffice. I can make meatballs with the ground beef in the fridge and make a sauce with the leftover tomatoes we have. I got a couple of pots out and started to boil some water.
Kain was clouding my mind while I was chopping tomatoes and garlic. We need to decide on a place to meet next week, maybe while my father goes fishing at the lake. He would understand why I wouldn’t want to join him in that. I can say killing worms goes against my religion or something and then he would probably dismiss me for the rest of the day.
Dinner was almost done when he came strolling in.
“Hey Kate, smells good,” he dumped his suitcase on the kitchen table and suspiciously checked out my creation. “It’s that spaghetti and meatballs?”
“No, its worms and eyeballs, dad,” I joked, “and we eat on this table.”
I removed the suitcase and put it in the hall closet where it belonged.
“Sorry, hon,” he helped setting the table while I finished up. “It’s a tough day at work. I’m glad we’re going on that trip next week. Kate, I know you’re not really in for it…”
“You think?” My tone harden like a rock. Every year he went, so it should not have come as a surprise to me. But when he told me I had to go. Just another excuse for bonding.
“…but maybe I can take you to Vegas once it’s on the way. Sorta.”
“Really?” My eyes widen as I placed the bowls of spaghetti and tomato sauce on the table.
Vegas? Yeah it was sorta out of the way from Lake Havasu but still, something I haven't seen before.
“Yeah,” he said instantly reaching for it.
“You’re positively the best father ever!” I screamed and gave him a hug.
“Thanks,” he said spooning mouthful of noodles on to his fork before plopping them in to his mouth.
Dad offered to clean up afterwards so I scurried off to my sanctuary. I check my email and was disappointed to see no new mail by Blood_sucking_fiend. He had sign off for the night. Kim had pm me instead asking where I was. I told her that I decided to cook dinner for my dad and his offer to take me to Vegas during our camping trip.
I knew Kim was etastic for me. She has been to Vegas last year and told me everything that he saw there. I knew she could tell how sadden I was because the only thing exciting that happens to me every year is the stupid camping trip in Havasu.
I quickly told her of Jayson and why he might have a nose cast tomorrow at school before signing off. As I laid back in my chair I came to the conclusion that this summer might actually turn out not to be boring after all.

Chapter 2
Stumbling Drunk

I arrived early the next morning to Chino Valley High School. By the way, I live in the quiet little town of Chino Valley in Northern Arizona. Not close enough to anything special or to any civilization worth mentioning. It was like a sea of waste in the middle of the desert. The weather was inpredictable all year round and the general population were ranchers. Not much appeal there.
I haven’t told Kim the story of the dreamy goth guy I met last night on Goth Anonymous but I was going to tell her all about it today. I waited in the main hall was decked out with banners for the pep rally. I knew she secretly hid a picture of Tommy from Big Wolf on Campus on the inside of her locker. I guess it was her werewolf football player dream guy.
“Hey Blood!” I heard Jayson scream as he flew on me.
“Nice nose cast,” I remarked. “It matches your eyes.”
He stormed at me pushing me into the banner on the wall.
“Do you know how ridiculous I look with this?”
“Not as much as you do without it.” I smirked. His face turned white, almost as white as dreamy goth guy.
“Kate!” said Kim running over to the scene with her long black hair flying behind her. “Oh, hey Jayson, what’s going on?”
Jayson backed away and his face regained some color. He kept his cool around Kim.
“Nothing, just talking to Katie here,” he said still giving me the evil eye. I inched away from him. The lovely crinkled indent of me showed on the picture of the chino valley mascot.
“So still on for movies tonight, Kate?”
“Yeah, my dad doesn’t get off till late today, so we have the whole couch to ourselves.”
“You know, I’m having an ‘end of the school year’ party tonight,” interrupted Jayson. “You can come by if you want, instead of watching midnight macabre with Bloody here.”
It was rare for him to ever use his nickname for me infront of my best friend.
“Um, I’ll think about it.”
“By the way, it’s not open invitation,” he added glancing at me. He walked away joining his friend James and some soccer buddies.
“What a jerk,” said Kim. “He thinks he’s so hot because his family is rich.”
“I think he’s crushing on you.”
“It’s so obvious,” she said walking towards her first period. I tailed behind her.
“I have a better idea for what we should do tonight; we should crash Jayson’s party. Or at least I will, since I wasn’t invited.”
“Are you serious?” She stopped and gave me the ‘You crazy’ look. “He won’t let you in at door.”
“Oh come on, rich people never answer the door at parties.”
“Fine, we’ll go. Anyways I’ve been having my eyes on that James.”
“James Hasting? He’s Jayson’s best friend!”
“It doesn’t mean he’s a d**k like him. James is actually a very sweet guy.”
“Speaking of sweet guys…” I began, but the first period bell rang.
“You should get to class,” said Kim. “You’ll be late again.”
“It’s only the last day.” Kim already disappeared in to her algebra class. I had to run to get to English in time, not that I cared. But it would have sucked to get a detention today, especially with Jayson’s party needed crashing to plan.
Kim had cheerleading as usual. I was going to meet her at her house around five, and then we could go to Jayson’s together. When I got home I dumped all my clothes on my bed. After modeling the clothes on my comforter I finally decided on a frill baby lowfat skirt with added studded belts, fishnet stockings and a black lacy tan top. Perfect.
After I got dressed I left a note for my dad. I doubt he will be home before me, he might not even notice that I’m gone.
I grabbed my clutch purse and slipped on my flats with the studded buckles all over the top of the shoe. I checked my self out in the full length mirror in the bathroom. Super Prefect.
I locked the doors then ran to Kim’s house at the end of the street. One advantage of living in a small town, you do not really need a car to get anywhere. Everything is at least in a one mile radius if you live right in the middle. A bike is a convenient tool, but it was not my style and who needs a bike when your best friend drives and has a car? It’s free rides 24/7 for me.
Kim lived closer to nice rich people in the neighborhood, which was closer to Jayson’s house. I let myself in as always and found Kim in her messy bedroom. I tried not to step on any of her stuff the best I could. How does Kim live in this way?
“Hey Kate,” greeted Kim. She was fixing her makeup. I glanced over her outfit. She had skinny jeans and a black lace tank top on.
“I think I over dressed,” I stated. Kim looked at my outfit through her dresser mirror.
“Nonsense, you can’t overdress for a party. You look fine.”
“Let’s go then.” I scurried out of her room playing hop scotch with her stuff on her floor. Kim followed stepping wherever on her stuff.
It was only a few minutes to Jayson’s. Lines of cars were parked on the side of the road. Kim parked her dinged up Buick Regal behind a Ford truck.
“Looks like there’s a big turnout,” I said.
“Definitely,” Kim got out of her car. She didn’t bother to lock it. Causalities were uncommon here, especially in this nieghborhood.
The party was open invitation unlike what Jayson said. The door was wide open for anyone to walk in. As I said, rich people never answer the door at parties, it was a come all festive here. The living room was full of teens; some looked like they were nearing their twenties to me. Jayson was just that popular I guess.
“Kim,” said an eager James with googley eyes coming over.
“James!” Kim looked excited. She looked at me. “Sorry Kate, but I …”
“Go ahead,” I sighed. “You’ll have more fun with him then me.”
“Thank you. I swear I’ll make this up to you somehow.” She hugged me and then joined James. I explored the house. Jayson was no where in sight. Good, because I wasn’t ready to get kicked out yet.
“Hey baby,” shouted some guy with a beard holding a beer bottle. “You look hot. Come over here.” It took me a second to realize he was pointing at me.
“Um…I have to pee, bye,” I escaped up the stairs since they were the closest to me and into the first door I saw. I locked it behind me and turned on the light. This was not the bathroom. It was a bedroom and by the looks of it, it looked like it was Jayson’s. The wall had a soccer jersey and a huge poster of Beckham. Yep, it had to be Jayson’s, unless his parents had a soccer fetish.
I looked around his room. Now what can I do here? I looked though some drawers hoping to find some incriminating evidence on enemy. None. He was as clean as a newborn kitten was. How boring.
His books were as boring as ever too. I took out last years year book off the shelf and flipped through it. It was full of signatures everywhere and from everyone except for me of course. I was the only person in the class not asked to sign his and he never signed mine so we were even. Not that we cared.
I flipped to the pictures of last year in the sophomore section. I was near the top in the B’s as usual. My eyes glanced over my picture. He graffiti over my picture! How dare he! I had the decency not to draw over his at least. Well for this year. I couldn’t resist putting vampire teeth on him freshman year and he looked better with them then without them.
I took a second glance at my picture. He drew one of those hearts with ‘KATE’ written in it.
My name in a heart? It looks like his writing. Could it be he had a secret crush on me?
I snapped the book closed and put it back on the shelf. Maybe it was a trick. But then, he wouldn’t have written it in a yearbook where he intended for anyone else to see it, would he? And he wouldn’t have known that I would be in his room snooping either.
I went through another drawer. Underwear. I can work with this. I found a red marker on his desk and began my work. I drew a heart and put my name on it right in the front. Hopefully he’ll put then on without noticing and somebody on the soccer team will see it in the locker room.
I put everything back and headed out. I heard loud laughter coming up the stairs as I closed the door. It sounded like Jayson and his soccer friends. Crap. I’m trap up here in the hallway. I looked for another door to go back into except for his bedroom again. I choose the one opposite it. No lock on this door, are you kidding me?
Please don’t come in here. I leaned on the door with all my weight, all a hundred and five pounds of it. I really doubt a couple of jocks could be stop by that.
The chorus of voices ceased. I opened the door an inch to see in to the hallway. Empty. They had gone in to his room. I could see the lights peeking out from under the door.
I escaped down the stairs back in to the party room. I wanted to get out of there before Jayson comes back down.
Kim was already getting cozy with James on a couch in the far corner. Way too cozy. Where did they each end and begin? I can’t remember now. Well, operation ‘Find Kim and get the hell outta here’ is a failure. I guess it’s walking for me.
The front door was my exit to hell, but when I got there, Jayson was there opening it for more partygoers. Didn’t they know it was easier to just waltz in without knocking? Goody-two shoes.
When Jayson turned around and saw me I was expecting he would give me the scowl I usually see him give me, but he looked normal. Like he did everyday.
“Kate, what are you doing here?” he slurred most of his words. Drunkard. I didn’t see anyone drinking when I came but maybe that’s why he and some of his buddies sneaked upstairs to do. I smiled. More sabotage was on its way.
“You invited me, remember?” I jested keeping a girl mentality that I wasn’t used to. I’ve seen Kim do enough times so I was pretty good at imitating it.
“Oh,” said the aloof Jayson. “That’s why. Want a drink?”
“No thanks,” I said inching away from him and his drunken mouth. I could smell his breath on me. He’s not a shy drunk that’s for sure. I was able to escape back in to the party room.
“Kate, where’re you going?” said Jayson. He was stumbling after me. No, go away crazy drunk person! Why is it so hard to escape someone that is mentally handicapped and drunk?
“Bathroom,” I said looking for one now to barricade myself against him. He quickly caught up though.
“Did you say ‘Bedroom’?” Not only a fast drunk but a deaf one too. He smiled his pearly whites which probably cost a fortune. I remembered the days when he used to wear braces in the fifth grade.
“No, I did not,” I had to reaffirm before I hit those pearly rights and give him another ten years in braces.
“You’re really pretty,” he said. He must be in la-la land by now. This is just getting scarier, too much for the goth to handle at this level.
“I think my mom’s calling me.” I pulled out my cell phone which was not even on right now. I’m sure he wouldn’t be paying attention to details right now. I flipped it open and pretended to be talking into it. “Yeah, mom, you want me to come home right now.”
“Okay,” he started to lean into me. I could smell his pungent breath; I thought that I might suffocate because it was so strong. I think a zombie’s breath would have smelled better. I instinctively moved back. I ran backwards into a leather recliner and plopped into it.
I was trap now between the chair and Jayson. He made his move at that time fast kissing me on the lips.
My first kiss. And Jayson just stole it. It tasted like a Budweiser and had an after taste of wintergreen mouth wash.
Not at all what I imagine my first kiss to be like.
When he stepped back I ducked forward under him and ran through the crowd, out of here for good this time.

Chapter 3
Karma

“Jayson kissed you?” shouted Kim over the phone. I held the receiver a foot away from.
“He was drunk though,” I reminded her.
“Could he have a secret crush on you then? I heard people reveal their true feelings when they’re drunk. Like in this one movie…”
“This is real life Kim. Stuff like that in the movies doesn’t really happen.” I didn’t want to tell her about what I found in his room. I was just hoping the sabotage underwear will do the job for me instead.
“I was only trying to…”
“I know already, the thought of Jayson crushing on me is completely repulsive. I don’t need anymore comforting.”
“I knew going to the party wasn’t a good idea. We should have just had our movie night like we planned.”
“But you did hook up with James.”
“Yeah, but I had all summer to do that. I wanted to spend time with my best friend before she leaves tomorrow.”
“It’s not forever. I’ll be back in two weeks. Just have fun with James, aright?”
“You’re such a good friend. My mom’s home, I have to go. But have a good trip.”
“Thanks. ‘Night Kim.”
“’Night Kate.”
She hung up first. That was the last time I heard her voice it seems. I glanced over at my computer. I forgot to tell her about dreamy goth guy once again. But I can tell her after I meet him. It will sound more romantic like that.
Two lonely people separated from their world meet and fall in love while camping with their boring families.
BOING! Speaking of goth guy…
I jumped with joy as I read his message.
Where do you want to meet tomorrow?
I thought it over quickly. I had no idea where to meet. I did not know anything about the area I was going.
You can choose. I will just be there.
BOING!
There’s a movie theater near Lake Havasu.
Bloody_Gnome:
That’s good. We should be there late afternoon tomorrow. I can convince my father to let me go to the movies.
BOING! Blood_sucking_fiend:
Perfect! I’ll meet you at seven in front of the movie. I also found a night club there too we can go afterwards.
Bloody_Gnome:
Cool. Can’t wait.
BOING! Blood_sucking_fiend:
Me either. Good night beautiful girl of my dreams.
He signed off right after I received it. This is the guy who should have stolen my first kiss, not Jayson. Why not Kain and not Jayson?
This must be karma for snooping in Jayson’s room and ruining his panties. I hate karma.
But nothing can ruin my night with Kain and nothing will.  

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Chapter Four
A Ghoulish Introduction

The drive up there was the most boring drive ever. But aren’t all long car drives boring.
Maybe it was the anticipation of meeting Kain. Or getting away from father after being stuck in the car with him for hours, watching the empty desert going by.
“Hey, dad, it’s okay for me to go the movies when we get in?” I gave my best smile.
“Um, I don’t know. It’s an unfamiliar town, you could get lost.”
“I’m not five anymore, and I won’t get lost either.”
“Fine, it’s alright then. But don’t stay up too late. We’re heading out to the campsite early in the morning.”
“Yeah.” Oh joy. At least I get to meet Kain first then going to the infamous toilet of the forest.
We stopped at a hotel. After we got settled in I want to find the local phone book to look up the theater. Luckily there was only one that it could be and would eliminate me walking all over town looking for it. It was on the block over.
I rummaged through my clothes looking for the perfect outfit to wear. I excluded everything I wore to Jayson’s party to prevent anymore bad luck.
My short mini skirt with the fishnet lacing with my Lolita red corset top and my pinstripe black and red heels. Cuter then what I wore to Jayson’s. I left a note for my dad so that when he got out of the shower he will know where I went and can avoid questioning over my over the top outfit for the movies. Not that he would really notice. Some parent.
I took the extra room key and scurried out of there. It was only six-thirty. But I didn’t want to be late. The sun was still out. I walked in to the opposite direction in to the darkness.
A chilly wind out of nowhere came up behind me. I pulled my mini skirt down. I wished I had brought a jacket with me now. But it was the beginning of the freaking summer. Shouldn’t it be nice out? I'm in the middle of the freaking desert! In Chino, it was at least making the 100's range.
I crossed the street corner and the theater loomed ahead. It was really old fashioned style like most of this section of town. It was completely red brick and had an old warehouse feel.
Wicked.
I stood in front of the ticket counter. I glanced over at the now playing movie titles. Romance, comedy, action flick….this town doesn’t get a lot of horror here.
My light screen on my cell phone flashed seven O’clock. I set the alarm on it earlier hoping it was the exact time I would see him, my gothic dream guy.
I looked around in all directions to see if he was coming. Empty. Except for some old guy with a beard walking towards here, pray that won’t be him.
“Katherine?”
I spun around so fast on my heel I almost tipped over, all within in a heartbeat.
There behind me at five eight stood the dreamiest guy I ever seen. He looked just like his picture depicted. He was clad in what I call the regular attire of any goth guy, and something I would never see in the halls of Baskerville High School, black pants with the hanging belts on the side and a killer back jacket with buckle straps.
His hair looked shorter in the picture but it suits him better by the way it just hanged there. His skin looked paler too. It could have been just the lighting here under the movie theater though too.
But the first major difference I saw in him was his eyes. In my mind I had clearly remembered the shade of them. That perfect shine they had in the picture . But now there were empty. I was staring in to two dark bottomless pits.
“Your eyes?” I blurted out absentmindedly.
He looked confused at first then finally gave a charming smile. “Contacts.”
“Oh, okay." I said. That makes sense...unless he did alter his photo online. It was quite common these days for people to edit the little quirks about themselves in a picture.
He came closer. I could smell his breath on me. It was nothing like the foul one of Jayson that I would never reminisces from last night. Not in front of Kain.
His breath put me in a dream like trance for a second. It smelled so sweet.
“Um, what movie do you want to see?” I asked him with tension in my voice.
“You can choose, I don’t think we’ll be doing a lot of watching anyway.”
My heart tingled and skipped a beat when he said that. He was fast too, but smooth at the same time. So unlike Jayson.
“Anything scary is okay with me.”
“Good,” he went ahead and bought the tickets. He glanced back at me a couple times sending my heart in to overdrive once again. He came back with that smile again.
I can’t believe how everything about him was perfect! Even that smile was the most beautiful one I have ever seen. His smile was more beautiful then models in the magazines.
The way he moved over to me was smooth like he was floating on water or something.
He stopped and gently took my arm into his and led me in to the theater.
“Let’s go, princess of my dreams,” he said right in to my ear. It made me turn a dark scarlet color.
“So you picked a good one?”
“I thought it didn’t matter because we weren’t watching it anyway.”
“Oh, that’s right. I was just…”
“Dazed?” More like intoxicated. I have never had this reaction around any guy I have ever met. That must mean this is the one for me, right?
The theater was barely empty when we walked in. I guess not a lot of moviegoers in Havasu. I can imagine more party goers. He instantly led me in to the way back of the theater. The whole back side of the place was barren.
“Here we go,” he let me go ahead and sit in the inside. He settled down next to me and placed his arm behind me. I flipped my hair back revealing my tan skinny neck in his direction. He became fixated on it.
“Do you want anything to drink?” he asked. He took his eyes off my neck and looked into my eyes.
“No thanks, so what brings you here?”
“Oh, my father’s on a business trip so I tagged along.”
“Sounds boring.”
“It is, well not anymore it is.” He flicked his eyes. “It had gotten a little more interesting since I met someone.”
“Really? Who?” I teased.
“Well, she’s this very beautiful girl with the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen.” He took my hand and gently kissed it. “And I hope I can spend eternity with her.”
“So does she.”
The lights in the theater dimmed down and the previews started to play. We were both entranced with one another though to really pay attention to the screen.
“I have to ask, what brings a wonderful person like you to this dreary town.”
“Camping trip with my dad. Equally as boring, but he promised to take me shopping afterwards so I guess it isn’t so bad. Plus it just got a little more interesting too with this guy.” He laughed a little.
“Not very original are we?”
"Hey, shouldn’t I get points for a least trying?”
“But of course,” he smiled big, and for a second I thought I was hallucinating. I thought I saw for that moment fangs, and they didn’t look fake to me either.
Was Kain a vampire? No, he couldn’t. Maybe in my dreams but this was reality. Nothing that good truly existed. But when I thought of his screen name on Gothic Anonymous it would have fit, blood sucking fiend.
I did a double take but they looked normal to me. Maybe it was just the light off the screen messing with my head. I was still tired from the road trip earlier.
The movie had already started and I began to get in to it a little. It was a new slasher film, and it wasn’t all too exciting. Some chick got killed right in the opening credits. Usually blood and guts didn’t bother me but it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea.
It wasn’t Kain’s either. I think he purposely picked something we both wouldn’t really enjoyed but on the flip side it was probably the closest movie playing that was remotely up our alley. But it was still around the corner from Tim Burton.
Right after the opening scene I could still feel Kain’s arm around me. He didn’t really move much which bothers me a lot. Usually it was the guy who made the first move. I just couldn’t stand the anxiety waiting for him to make up his mind.
Then it happened. Holy chesse! On rye beard!
His hand had slipped over on to my knee. It was so cold though. Inside the movies it was always cold but he was colder then the air that surrounded us. But my skin was burning in the place where he touched me.
I turned my head to see him looking at me and that’s when he came in and kissed me. It wasn’t at all like the kiss from Jayson from last night and I did everything I could to erase that from my memory.
This was a real kiss. What should have been my first kiss. One where I wasn’t backed up in to a corner with a drunken guy on me. One where I actually kissed the person back. It tasted just as his breath smelled like; sweet. He made it more intense and moved into me. I reached out and put my arms around his neck playing with his hair at the same time. It was so soft.
At this moment I didn’t really care if he was some stranger I met off the internet. I wanted to be with this guy forever. Run away from stupid little Chino Valley and have a real life, that wasn’t so dull all the time.
I felt his hand moving up my leg to under my skirt. I didn’t stop him. It just felt so good. That’s when he gently moved down my neck kissing it. He caressed it with his hand for awhile.
“You’re really good at this,” I remarked with a grin on my face.
“I’ve had a lot of practice,” he said.
“Funny,” I said back. I think it disappointed me for a second that it meant I was not his first but I quickly got over it. I let continue anyway.
That’s when I felt a p***k. No, not just a p***k, something harder biting down in to my neck where he was kissing me. It sting like hell too. I was too breathless to scream or say anything back.
But what the hell? Regular teeth did not hurt that bad. Or maybe it wasn’t my imagination. Maybe I really did see fangs earlier when Kain smiled at me. Maybe he was a vampire.
Sure, it was my dream to be a vampire or actually date one. But it did not hurt this bad.
And by the time I realized this, he was still at it. He was drinking my blood. I was getting weaker by the second. I knew he couldn’t be the good kind otherwise he wouldn’t let it progress this far to the point that I actually might die.
That’s when my survival instincts kicked in. I started to kick not really hitting anything. When I did it felt like something solid. Of course, vampires are very hard core. A kick was probably nothing against a monster like that but it was a shot.
I was doomed to resign to this fate. Meanwhile where he had bit me was hurting more. It was almost on fire. I could feel my heart giving out on me.
The most miraculous thing happened. I was certain it was the act God. A flashlight shone on the two of us. I saw one of those guys who monitor the theater during the movies standing there. On any other occasion I would be pissed to see one interrupting us, but right now he was my life saver.
On the calm look on his face I imagine he didn’t really get the picture on what was truly happening at the moment. Which meant blood sucking fiend here was really good on not making a mess of things.
“Oy! But you can’t do that in here,” said the guy. Kain looked at him.
“Sorry,” he said taking his hand off my leg. Before when he touched me I was all warm and hot blooded, but now it made me shiver. “We won’t do it again.”
I took my escape plan in to action when he was turned away with what energy I had mustered up. I leaped over the rows of seat ignoring the guy yelling at me and ran in to the hall way in to the closest bathroom. And this was the part when I loved old theaters that still had the huge sturdy looking locks on them.
I locked it tight.
I was completely out of breath. I touched the bite mark on my neck. My hand was shaking, in fact my whole body was. When I pulled my hand back, I had blood all over it.
Not good. I needed help. And I had already decided not to go back out there.
Maybe it will get better, I thought. Yeah right. It burned like hell too.
I think I started to hyperventilate but it all became very fuzzy for me at that point. This was the part when I forgot what happened to me and I passed out.

Chapter Five
Changes

This is pretty much where I left off with my little introduction. When I awoke hours later in the bathroom of the theater in Havasu I felt reborn. No, not really reborned. Different. I just knew I wasn't myself anymore. My neck didn’t hurt either.
I looked around. I had somehow crammed myself in to one of the stalls in the far corner in between the toilet and the wall. It was a very small space and you would think someone would have gotten cramps after here after a few minutes but I felt perfectly fine when I stood up.
I stepped out of the stall. The door was still locked.
Blood was on the floor from where I was last night. All brown and dried up.
The smell of it made my nose twitch a little. I walked over to one of the mirrors to see my reflection.
Huh, still there. Maybe I wasn’t a vampire then. What I remember of them was that they had no reflection what so ever. Not any photographable too.
But wait, Kain had to be one. And he was able to take that picture the other day of himself and sent it to me.
This has totally disapproved that theory. Crap. I was still in the ditch here. But besides my reflection showing up I noticed some inept changes right away. I was missing my beach bunny tan sink from living in the desert. I was pale, super pale. Paler then...well not much to campare to really. It stood out more with the dark outfit I was sporting.
My eyes didn’t have that hazel green tint to them either. They were black as coal, which bother me a lot to look at them. The same empty vacous as Kain. My hair was more glorified looking too. My golden waves more defined. Even the rest of my body looked good too. I looked older and beautiful.
After I marveled at myself I unbolted the door to the bathroom. I wasn’t afraid of Kain being right out there waiting because what else can he do to me? And I was fairly sure killing a vampire was hard to do, even for another vampire to do it.
It was still dark outside. I looked at my cell phone. It was four in the morning. Meaning I was here for eight hours at least. My dad must be pissed by now. I looked at all my missed calls. He tried calling me twice and Kim too, but only once.
The theater was closed of course. I think I was more surprise that no one bother to look in the bathroom since it was locked. Unless they locked it at a certain time and thought somebody else already checked it. What would have happen though if I was found during daylight hours though? Would my body have turned to dust? I can imagine hiding in the dank dark theather again for a whole day, that is if I realized the changes.
I went to the front doors the way I came in, but they were locked of course. I could have forced them open but I didn’t want the alarm to go off.
I want to find myself another exit.
What I remembered about vampires is that they didn’t like sunlight all that much, meaning I had an hour or two to get out of here before the sun came up.
I found the staff lounge that had an extra emergency exit that was unlock able from the inside. I went out in the back alley looking around for any signs of Kain. He left for good was my gut instinct. I had no idea that vampires can sense other ones. That’s good to know for later reference.
I scurried my way back to the hotel we were staying at. My dad left the room unlock so I could get in there. Lucky for me he had fell asleep hours ago.
I found my bag with all my stuff in it along with my laptop that I bought along just in case. I can’t believe that I am actually going to need it. I only packed it because I thought maybe I can plug it in sometime we were in civilization or something during the trip.
I quickly wrote a note making up some B.S about Kim needing me back home and that I took the next bus out of here.
He’ll forgive me, won’t he?
But how can I face my loser father now while I am a vampire? I can’t stay. It was already too hard to coop with. I felt like my mom walking out on him again.
But I decided I will find a way to come back one day. I shut the door to the hotel room and unwillingly to my old life as well.
With what little cash I had I found a hotel room to stay at in the next town. I was able to do all this in less than two hours and with less then fifty bucks for the one room.
Traveling made some easier when one of the undead. I was able to move at an incredible speed and have made it an end to those long car rides where I would get sick.
I am going to miss those days.
I was just more surprise I didn’t feel sick now with how fast I move. Any regular person will have their stomachs turned in a few seconds and throw up their breakfast from yesterday. It was that intense.
The hotel was small and shabby but it was the best I could do. It only had one little window which I covered right away and the walls were steel brick.
The other main attraction that appealed to me was a hook up for internet in the room, as long as you had a laptop, and the service was free. I instantly hooked in my computer and log back on Gothic Anonymous. I had one new email from Kim but I ignored it just for now and looked up this Blood_sucking_fiend in all the forums. It seems the only person he talked to were me and he only posted in that one place.
Which meant it was going to be impossible to catch this guy. He’ll probably never use this again. Or switch to a different site to hunt food.
A sickness in my stomach came over me when I thought of ‘hunt food’
How many other girls have fallen in to this trap? Where instead of a good night they become dinner for this guy?
I was determined to not let this happen again. I was furious at Kain, but at myself too. I guess this is super karma for what happen at Jayson’s party. We were always warned though not to meet with strangers off the internet, and it was dangerous. But you usually hear about kidnapping or even worse things, but this?
But I think Kain meant for me not to survive. I really thought that I was going to die there. I was probably the first to escape him. I lay down in bed thinking this over. I considered myself really lucky but also cursed. To be stuck like this forever. To never grow up. Never live another normal day in Chino Valley. I wanted my dull life back.
I woke up with a pain in stomach. I looked at the bedside cloak. It was six-thirty. Night time.
I got up and instantly ran back to the computer to look up anymore postings by him. Nothing. He couldn’t have gotten that far. But then again at the speed vampires can travel I wouldn’t doubt it. He could be already in China for whatever reason.
Hey, he did say something about a night club awhile back. It must have been close by or unless he was lying about that. I pulled up another search browser and type in the area and clubs.
I got about three matches. One was close by too. The other was a couple towns away and the last in Vegas. I took a gamble for the first one.I jumped in the shower and washed up. I still had a little dried up blood on my neck that I needed to scrub away.
Good thing my clothes were fine. I pulled up something new to wear. I found my black skirt and paired it up with a black halter corset with the buckles in front.
I wanted to change something more about my appearance but I didn’t have a lot of time. I want to get there early so I wouldn’t miss Kain in case he does go there. I fixed some makeup even though I didn’t really need. It was the thought that count for me.
The nightclub was easy to spot. Not very inconspicuous, I wonder if vampires hunt in a crowd. I went in anyway. I was up for a little excitement and everything just seemed more appealing now that I was one of them.
I felt like a character from one of Anne Rice’s book. I felt important and better in a way then all of the other people there. But I envied them for still being human with regular lives.
The bouncer let me in. It seems age didn’t really matter but I still saw people drinking. I went to the bar wanting one myself but when I looked at it, but it didn’t hold my interest. Something else was.
I still had the pain in my stomach and I had a weird hankering for something in my mouth. It was making me very anxious and wanting me to do anything to get rid of it.
I decided to walk away from the bar back in to the dance floor. I quickly spotted some underage boy, maybe eighteen or nineteen. He was six feet and had semi long blonde hair. I paced myself walking over to him, with eyes only with him.
It felt like forever the way I graved myself to him. Time wanted to stop and slow down and it felt weird. I never had experience a sensation like it before. The boy saw me coming towards him. His face looked hungry when he eyeballed my body.
This was going to be easy.
I slipped into him putting my arms around him. I moved my mouth closer to the nape of his neck. He didn’t seem to be bother with me kissing it. He was already having fun himself. His hands were all over my body and he had his mouth on to my ear.
I had no idea what had come over me. It must have been some new weirdo vampire instinct. This thirst I had. For human blood.
My mind was fighting with itself. I wanted to do. I needed to do drink this boy’s blood even though it would kill him if I didn’t stop myself. I was even sure that I could.
No, this was the way it was now. It was how vampires survived. They needed blood. There was no other alternative to this.
I had my fangs ready to clamp them down in to his neck. I stopped and pulled back suddenly. There was a new feeling coming over me.
I sensed another near by.
A vampire like myself.
I stayed connected to the boy. He was still doing whatever, feeling me up. I was focused on the other side of the club. In the far back corner there was a guy in a black hoodie.
He was staring right at me.
He was a vampire too. I felt his presence and his cold stare at the same time. How long has he been there watching me? Why didn’t I notice earlier?
The annoying part was he wouldn’t stop either.
Let him go.
I jumped and let the boy go slowly. Did he just do that? I swear I heard his voice in my head.
“Hey babe, not so fast,” he slurred. He had one margarita too many. It was evident on his breath too. He grabbed hold of my wrist. I easily pulled it off and ran away from him.
I moved closer to the other vampire.
I could see his eyes and part of his face. His eyes were different from mine, vibrant. Like Kain’s was before in the picture.
He had black combat boots that were draped over the table. Anything he wore was completely black, like he wanted to blend in to the background. He was doing a pretty good job doing that too. I was the only one who really noticed him.
He stared back at me. Our eyes were connected.
“Who are you?” I asked him even though there was a huge gap between us. But I knew he would hear me anyway.
Just go away.
I didn’t understand. This guy was the only other one like me and he just told me to go away? I didn’t want to take this from him. I moved closer anyway but in a semi-circle so I ended up by his side then in front. He kept his head forward.
“Why did you stop me?”
“I was saving you some humiliation.”
“Oh really,” I said with a little hint of attitude. “And I suppose you have a better idea on how to do it?”
“Of course, but you can find that one out by yourself. I have no time to help a fledgling such as you, especially with such a rotten personality.” He got up and walked away from. It was so quick and smooth I didn’t even see it happen.
“Wait.” I called out after him. He had already reached the back door of the club and gone out. I followed him in the alleyway but there was no trace of him left.
Did he turn in to mist and evaporated in to thin air? I remembered reading about that once, but I think I would have realized that by now if I can do that.
Maybe he turned in to a bat like Dracula.
Or maybe it was just the incredible speed that I always hear about. And that one I had already experienced for myself.
But whoever this mystery vampire is, he was long gone by now. I could not feel his presence even, like I did earlier. He was absolutely gone. I didn’t even see his face. But his eyes were still embedded in to my mind.
I went back to my hotel room. So it was humiliation to kill that boy? Sure all I thought about at the moment was the blood and I want it now, but the aftermath would have been
appalling. To hold his near dying body and what was left of it made me think of how Kain would have dealt with my body.
In the meantime I would have to forget about this stranger and focus back on to Kain.

Chapter Six
Lead

I stayed connected to gothic anonymous for three days straight. I read though every forum and still no Blood_sucking_fiend. It turned out that he hadn’t log in since the last time I talked to him. I think the account was abandoned. It was a pseudonym; he must have numerous accounts so no one can track him.
Tracing this guy became impossible. I mean, if I was him, I wouldn’t use the same account twice if I was killing girls and leading them in to traps all the time. Especially if they realized it was one and ran away.
Someone would have eventually caught on and get him by now.
He must have figured I survive. But if he did would he had already come after me then? Wouldn’t he be waiting outside the door? Or better yet, couldn’t he had brake in with his vampire strength and finish me off for good?
For being good looking he wasn’t really practical.
I finally gave up on Blood_sucking_fiend when it was deleted finally. But I haven’t given up on the forums. I looked for anything suspicious. Anything and everything on the male users and what they wrote.
I even switched to other sites similar to this one.
Kim eventually stopped emailing me when she realized I wasn’t answering back. Plus I think she was having too much fun with James.
I didn’t feel sane enough at the moment to really talk to her.
I had to find an alternative to blood soon. I was feeling very faint. I kept on thinking if only I had that boy. If that guy didn’t stop me. But if I did, I felt like would be feeling regret.
I would have lost a part of me.
I would have to go out sometime too. Maybe an animal would suffice, but I didn’t like the idea of killing an innocent animal, even if it was a rat. Plus I wasn’t getting anyway in this stupid town. I had a sudden urge to go to Vegas. The big city. There has to be at least one vampire there, right? Las Vegas was a trap. Infinite nightlife.
The suburbs suck horribly, and it is too hard to get away with people missing here. In a big city it happened all the time so it wouldn’t make a difference.
I packed up my stuff and my computer and set out. The sun was still setting. For a change of travel plans I went to the nearest bus station and paid for a bus ticket to Vegas. It was only four hours away. I sat in the back row on the bus and turned on my computer. I had enough battery to connect wirelessly for a little bit.
I want back to all the usual forums and chat sites.
No new developments.
Just for fun I made some new accounts. I fabricated as much as I can. Maybe I can fool around some bit. Who knows, with my luck I can find another vampire.
I pretended to a fifteen year old cheerleader snob just for fun. I used a fake picture that I had of some of Kim’s cheerleader friends that she sent to me before. I decided to go with that one bitchy red head I’ve always hated. She always used to snicker at me in the hallway when I passed her. I wondered what she would say if she saw me now.
After an hour I was getting a lot of feedback. Especially from the male users, some of them were over forty too. I wouldn’t think that Kain would pretend to be forty so I just ignored them.
I had put my current location as Vegas since I was going there. I posted a forum asking for an awesome club for partying and whatnot. I instantly got some good suggestions with address and directions. I narrowed some down and choose some good ones. I red about them on the Internet first, some were really popular that there had their own sites.
I picked one called Astral Sin. It was a major nightclub that had everything. It had private rooms for some customers too. It tempted me. It made me want to hunt someone and lead them in a room and privately suffice my hunger.
I shook my head. Bad Kate. I shouldn’t be thinking about that. That stupid Kain put that in to my head. I didn’t want to be like that b*****d, taking some unsuspected persons life away from them.
I closed my laptop. I still had an hour left till Vegas.
I want to cry, but I wasn’t sure if vampires can even cry. I let it go until I got to my destination.
Walking down the strip in Vegas was as glorious as being one of the undead. I seemed to fit in very well with the crowd. The light shone magnificently at eleven in the night. I carried everything I had with me. The club was harder then I thought to find. And I needed to find a place to ditch my laptop and stuff. Somewhere safe.
Does that word exist here?
I found a box down an alleyway in the corner. It looked safe enough and no one was watching me. It was a pretty deserted alleyway too. Far from all the commotion. I don’t think it gets a lot of people down here. I resumed my way to the club.
I was obviously in the bad side of town but it didn’t bother me. I imagine it would before, but everyone didn’t look like a threat. I knew I was well beyond capable of defending myself.
The nightclub was just around the corner. I saw a bouncer and a long line of people. Damn. They were checking for I.D. And I didn’t have one. Or look old enough to get in.
I could use some vampire charm though to get in. If it even existed.
Oh, screw that. I marched right in front of the line. The trick to this was to make oneself seem important. But as a vampire I could just glide right past him without anyone seeing.
I slipped in right behind his tubby a**. It was way too easy. A smile drew on my lips as I glamored at the though that I can go where ever I want now.
Astral Sin was the coolest club I had ever seen. It had a band playing, a huge dance floor with florescent lights and an awesome bar. The band was probably a local band but they were good. The kind of music I liked.
I went to the sidelines of the dance floor. They had tables with couch like chairs. I sat in one of them and watched the people on the dance floor. I wanted to join in but I still couldn’t shake what happened the other day.
I looked behind and saw an adjacent hallway with a whole bunch of doors. Those are the private rooms. I saw a couple go down there and go in to one. Thoughts kept racing in my head. I needed blood. I looked at the dance floor again. My eyes locked on to somebody, a twenty something year old. He’ll do.
I stood up and gracefully went to him. I have to lure him in to a room, quickly.
But stupid people kept getting in to my way. I wanted to snap all of their necks. He got farther away. Damn it.
I stopped when I saw some guys talking to him along with a girl. s**t, he has friends. They’re probably using a buddy system. Curse the buddy system. It used to benefit me when I used to go out with Kim but not anymore.
I turned around to head off the dance floor. The adrenaline was rushing in my head.
My body froze.
That feeling again. I wasn’t alone. I looked thought the sea of clubbers to see someone at the bar.
It was him.
Kain. It had to be. But he must have dyed his hair. It was a dark crimson red now. He was wearing a long black tailor jacket too. He was having himself a drink. He was completely obvious that I was here.
I would have to change that.
For someone who was bent on getting revenge here, she didn’t take a lot of action. I wanted to go at him, but my body wouldn’t respond to this. My feet were glued to the floor. What do I do now?
I could go up to him. I wonder what would happen.
I also pondered how easy it would to kill a vampire. Maybe easier for a vampire then a human to kill one but he was likely older and more experience. He knew things I didn’t, so he had one over me.
I could just play with it. Pretend to be his friend until I found a way to dispose of him. But it would backfire if he decided to get rid of me first. Maybe he wanted me dead.
He wouldn’t do that in a place full of witnesses. I could still approach him and if it gets out of hand I can always lose him in the crowd.
I approached him. He didn’t turn his back once. Maybe alcohol had the same effect on vampires as it did humans.
Was he even drinking alcohol?
“Kain?” The back of my throat went dry. He moved his head back. I couldn’t see his face. “Nice dye job.” What the hell? This was all I came up with. I complimented him rather then chewing him out. He could sense I was nervous, I knew it.
“Is there something that you want?” He sounded amused. Very amused.
“Like you don’t know.” I regained my spark back and switched in to my sarcastic tone.
“Refresh me then.”
“You…you did this to me. You made me in to...what you are!”
“And you don’t like it?”
“Of course not, I can’t stand it.”
“You haven’t feed in days either.”
“Well, I obviously don’t know how to do it right.”
“Want me to teach you?”
“What? Here?” I was a little taken by how this conversation had gone. He got up and turned the opposite away from me. I let him take my hand and lead me through the crowd. It was cold like before but it didn’t matter. Our body temperatures collided with eacvh nulling the effect.
We ended up in the hallway where all the rooms were. My stomach lurched at the thought of what he was planning. He chose the second door on the left and tossed me in there first. I heard the lock click. Not that it mattered. I could escape in a heartbeat if I wanted to, but then again, he was probably faster and stronger then me. But I remembered earlier I didn’t want to be trapped in this situation.
It wasn’t good.
I need to play the game.
“So,” I said breaking the mold. The adrenaline wouldn’t stop flowing in to my head. “Teach me.”
He still kept his back turn to me.
“You want to know secrets then?” His voice was alluring and scary at the same time. For a second I was telling myself this can’t be Kain. I was deluding myself the whole time earlier when I did see him.
This can’t be the same person.
“You’re not Kain, are you?”
It happened too fast. I hadn’t trained myself to see things in this speed yet. He had me against the wall in a flash holding me prisoner in between his arms. I looked straight in to his eyes and I knew it couldn’t be Kain.
He did not have the thirsty look in his eyes as Kain did. Even though they were seductive enough to fit the description. The look wasn’t the same.
It all clicked inside my mind that instant. This was the same guy from the nightclub. The one who watched me prey on that boy and stopped me.
But why? This guy looked identical to Kain yet there was no way they were the same person. His hair was red too, but it was obviously dyed.
“If you’re not Kain, who are you?” I asked again hoping it would prod him to answer.
“I want to ask you the same. How do you know Kain?” His voice was dreamy. He had to be using some vampire persuasion on me.
“Hey, no fair! I asked first.”
“I’m not the one trapped here.”
True. But I didn’t mind being trapped in the arms of a handsome stranger.
The soft look in his eyes had already turned to stone so I knew he wasn’t joking here.
“Fine. If you won’t answer then, I’ll dispose of you.” He whispered it in my ear. His fangs graze my lobe. I felt his cold breath on my nape.
“Wait.”
He backed up an inch and looked me in the eyes again. My mouth wouldn’t move. I was speechless here to save my life.
“You have three seconds to start.” His tone shook me out of silence.
“Kain was the vampire that made me. That’s all I know. Pinky swear.”
I held out my pinky to him like I used to with Kim when we were in Kindergarten.
He seemed baffled by my human gesture.
“Pinky what?” Man, I wonder how old he was. All I could figure was really old, like past its prime.
“You’re kidding, you never heard of a pinky swear? Where did your childhood go?”
“Never mind that,” he said more relaxed. His was obviously put off guard by that. I could have escaped but this guy was too interesting to just run away from. He knew something about Kain as well.
He was the first lead I got.
And I didn’t want to lose that.  

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Chapter Seven
Partnership

“Come on.” He headed out of the room into the hallway. I had no choice but to follow. He had to be doing that mysterious vampire charm again. That or I was obeying him out of my own freewill.
He went the opposite way down the hallway to an exit door. I swiftly followed him.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked.
“To my temporarily base.”
“Your base? Like a secret base in one of those spy movies?”
“Spy what?”
“You know, like James bond in 007.”
“You watch too many movies.”
“No I don’t. You need to get a real life that isn’t the undead.” I was walking side by side with him. I felt so small by him but safe too. He was the complete opposite of my nemesis. “Don’t you watch movies or hang out with anybody in your free time?”
“I have more important things to do.”
“Like tracking down Kain?”
“Exactly.”
So he was a one-track man. I would have to change that. Probably never had a girlfriend with that mind-set either.
I looked where we were heading. It was in the opposite direction of where I came from. Then I remembered.
“My computer!” I half shrieked it. It caused him to go into alarm mode. “I left it by the nightclub near the dumpster. I have to go get it! Can you wait here?”
“Um, sure.”
“Thank you so much.”
I turned heel and headed back to the night club. Luckily no one touched it while I was gone. I would have gone on a killing rampage if it wasn’t in the same condition that I left it in.
The vampire dude was waiting for me still. He had taken off his jacket letting it hang over his shoulder. For the first time I noticed what a hunk he was. He had a more athletic build to him then Kain’s gothic look, like he could be in professional basketball or something.
I have to keep myself from drooling.
“You got everything?” His smooth tone had returned.
“Yeah, thanks for waiting for me…” I stopped. I still didn’t know his name. He failed to mention that the first two times I met him. “What is your name?”
“You can call me Kyrus.”
“Kyrus? That’s a weird name.” I thought it was an awesome name. At least it wasn’t average Joe or anything.
“Sorry then.” He walked away without me.
“Hey!” I ran back up to him. “I didn’t mean it that way. I like it. It’s just you don’t hear it that often.”
He did not say anything after that. It was at least two in the morning already. I was still feeling weak as we walked. He kept the same speed the whole way, always looking behind and around corners.
Something was definitely weird.
“Are we almost there?”
“It’s just around the block.”
“Good. I feel so famished.”
He stopped at the corner and leaned against the brick wall of a factory.
“You haven’t drank any blood, that’s why. Not even once since that change.”
“You stopped me that one time, remember?”
“There are other ways.”
I gave him the evil look. I wish I could tell what he was thinking. He couldn’t possibly mean feeding off animals. I would never. Maybe there was a way to drink the blood of humans without killing them.
I thought of Kain when he bit me. I felt weak so fast, like I was drugged.
“Come on.” He leaped up the brick wall up to a second story window that was half open. Crouching on the ledge he lifted the window up and went in.
I was not a very good observer. I looked at the giant brick building. An abandoned factory. Not bad.
I went after him but I wasn’t so graceful. A pot on the ledge came cashing down on to the sidewalk making the guard dog across the street to go crazy.
“Sorry,” I said to the darkness. It was pitch black. My vampire eyes don’t do s**t in the dark. I strained my retinas to see using what little moon light shone through the window. “Ky?”
No answer.
I walked in to the room bumping in the occasional table or two. A soft light shone around a turnoff.
“Kyrus!” I followed the light in to the office of the factory. It had a lamp that barely shone any light. Besides the desk and chair there was a couch in the corner. A dark green comforter was thrown over it making it a makeshift bed.
A book bag was lying on the floor all flat with some clothes hanging out and more clothes all over the floor. Like a brain with all its guts squash out.
There was another light around the corner. It was an old computer sitting on the floor. The biggest one I have ever seen. It was practically an antique. I saw all the wires behind it. One was messily put in to the phone jack.
SHOWK!
I jumped three inches in the air. For a vampire I was still very jumpy. It was just I jumped higher now then before.
I looked behind to find the source. It was Kyrus right behind me.
“I had to close up the window and cover it up. It helps keeping the sunlight out.” He must have seen my distressed face a moment ago. “Do loud noises bother you?”
“No,” I quickly lied. I put my stuff down on the desk. He didn’t seem to buy that.
“I’ll warn you next time.” He chuckled and put his coat down on the floor. Boys. They were all the same, even the dead ones.
He sat down on the floor in front of the computer. I heard some fast typing and clicking of the mouse. Minutes roared by in my head.
“I like what you did to the place. It’s really …” I looked around to rack my brain for the right word. There was no right word to describe it. It reminded me of Kim’s room where you couldn’t see the floor ever. “Homey.”
He didn’t turn back once. He was too occupied by the computer screen.
I sat on the couch and stared at him. I could bore a hole in his back with the way I stared.
“So, can you teach me?”
He turned his head and stopped typing.
“To drink blood, of course. Remember in the night club…”
He resumed typing. Jerk. Why did he bring me here when all he wanted was to ignore me?
Maybe it wasn’t all to what I was thinking. Maybe it was to feed but for him. Guys who take girls home to only have sex with them, ignoring them the whole time until they want some. But for blood this time.
I shook my head. No way. But he did say there were other ways. He wouldn’t mean vampire blood, would he?
Just like Lestat, feeding off the older vampires to be stronger.
I was a newborn so that couldn’t be it. Unless it was the opposite in real life.
Panic. I felt my heart leap up through my throat. If only I could barf it out so I wouldn’t have to suffer.
“Come here.” I skip out of panic mode and stood behind him. He didn’t glance once at me. “So we’re on the same page here, this was the guy?”
On the computer screen was a shot of Kain from the side view in a nightclub. It seemed to have been taken without his knowledge.
“Yeah, that’s him. That’s Kain.” I did a double take looking at him and Kyrus. “You know, you too look awfully alike. Except for the eyes and dyed hair, you could be twins. For a second I swear it was him in the nightclub tonight.”
“Good deduction.”
“So I’m right? You two are twins?” I applaud myself for my detective skills.
“He’s my older brother.”
“Older brother? And you let him go around turning girls in to vampires?”
“No, you’re the first.”
“The first?” I went in to overdrive. I instantly felt sick. “Are you…you mean, he’s been killing them?”
“Sucking them dry, then disposes the bodies. The girls he goes after usually get filed as missing or runaway.” He looked at me finally. “Why did he let you live? Unless he knows something I don’t. You’re not conspiring with him?”
“What? No! If I was, you’ll know, trust me. I don’t do well under pressure.”
“Somehow I can believe that.”
What was that suppose to mean? I decided not to b***h about it. I was too interested in to what was going at the moment.
“It was all an accident.” I sat down in the chair by the desk spinning it around to face the computer screen. “It was pure luck that I was able to get away. But he didn’t come after me.”
“Interesting. Plus you’re out of the norm for him. He usually goes after very depress girls. He tracks them down on the web and starts to sweet talk them. Eventually he would track them down or trick them in to meeting him somewhere.
“What site did you meet him off of?”
“Gothic Anonymous.”
“Don’t know that one.” He began typing again. His server was extremely slow but it showed the main page eventually.
“It’s not that new. It’s been around for ages.”
Kain moved a little to the left of the monitor.
“Come type in your username.”
I slid out of the chair and joined him on the floor. He kept his distance from me. I wanted to close in that three inches but I was still wary of him. Maybe it was because he looked so much like him.
“There.” It had changed much since earlier when I logged in. No new messages. The last ones that I sent out were to Kain.
Kyrus took the mouse out of my grip without even touching my hand. He gently turned it over using the ball to navigate on the page.
“Is this him here?” The pointer was on Blood_sucking_fiend.
“Yeah. Ironic, huh?”
“Very.” He grinned a little. “Mind if I read them?”
“No, go ahead.”
He click on the last one and scrolled down to the bottom to read from the very first post. I always forgot to erase the old message when I reply to emails. But after a while they get cluttered. Here though it helped Kyrus to get everything he needed.
I knew he was done when he turned to look at me.
“What?” I asked. He was staring at me. “Did that help you at all?”
“Didn’t your parents ever tell you to never meet strangers off the internet?” I heard a hard sigh afterwards.
“I was bored. I didn’t know he was a vampire!” I protested.
“You never know a lot of things about people over the internet.”
“Well, it’s no different meeting people in the night club either.”
“I’m not like my brother at all. I’ve been trying to stop him now for years.” He turned off the computer screen
“Why do you go after him? He’s pretty much impossible to find. Unless you trick him into thinking you’re some depressed girl.”
“Tried that. He seems to know it’s me all the time. I got lucky last time and find a connection over in the next town with him and another girl.”
"In Havasu?"
“Yeah, it couldn’t have been you. This girl was dead.”
“I guess I wasn’t good enough for him.”
“No, you escaped when he wasn’t done so he still needed to feed.” He got up and sat down on the bed. “How did you escape, Katherine?”
“It’s Kate!”
“I know,” he smiled again. His eyes were so soft looking compare to Kain’s. “But Katherine suits you better.”
I shouldn’t have let him read my mail. It was a little embarrassing now that I thought about what was in it.
I told him anyway. He deserved to know what happen. I explained to him that I thought it was weird that he never came after me either.
“You are out of the norm, remember?” He said to me again. “You don’t look really depressed. Maybe it was because you were going on a trip and he thought it would be perfect opportunity. A lot of people get lost on trips, especially girls.”
“Whatever.” I spanned around in the chair. It didn’t make me feel sick anymore like it would when I was younger. It was more stress relieving now.
“He’s never gone after a girl with your fashion sense either?”
I halted to a stop.
“Excuse me? He never goes after goth girls?” I'm assuming he meant goth girls. What else would the people around at school call me?
“No, they are usually preps. But I never thought it would matter that much. He usually dresses to their type anyway, to make them feel more at ease I guess.”
“So what? He was only pretending to be goth because I was?”
“No, he usually dresses like that. I’m starting think he kept you alive because you are more his type.”
“Ha, funny. Here I expected girls to be all the same to vampires, a hot meal.”
Kyrus was getting bothered by my attitude. He didn’t think it was all that funny.
“Think about it. You are the first one not to get kill here and out of everything I ever found about the other girls was that there were never told to be the girl of his dreams.”
I looked at him firmly. “I thought he was only kidding. Anyways it was pretty cheesy. Vampires don’t dream either.”
“How do you know that? When’s the last time you actually slept as a vampire?”
I racked my head on this one. I haven’t slept once doing the whole time since I was turned. I haven’t had my first vampire meal either.
It had made me weak but strong at the same time. A vampire could get desperate at these times. I was unstable. Kyrus still hasn’t told me how to feed either.
“Ky?” I blurted out.
“Kyrus,” he corrected.
“Whatever. Didn’t you say you would show me how to feed? Or at least how you do?”
“Don’t want to feed off little boys?”
“Fine, I admit it, I was stupid back there. Just keep me away from that and teach me how you do it.”
He stood. “Will do.” He walked over to the corner of the room. I spotted a small refrigerator with a cooler next to it. “It’s not the same or as fresh but it suffices.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat. “It’s not animal blood, is it?”
“No, I wouldn’t dare do that. But it’s a good survival technique if you’re out on your own in the wild.” I saw him open the fridge door and pull out a red packet. He tossed it over to me.
I caught it with both hands. It was a cold blood pack. Like the ones hospitals put blood in.
“Did you raid a hospital?”
“No, a blood bank. They never use all the blood in there anyways.”
I looked at the pack like a piece of meat.
“I don’t know if I can do this for the rest of my life.”
“It’s only once a week you need to feed. At least you’re not killing anyone for it.”
I bit down in to the packet and sucked on it. It felt like those juice packets there used to give us in grade school. I finished it quickly. I felt better too.
“Thanks.”
He took the empty packet away from me and threw it in the cooler.
“You should rest now. It’s almost sunrise.”
“How do you know? There’s no window.”
“It becomes inept after awhile. You’ll feel it soon. You can have the couch if you want to.”
I looked at it. It was everything I imagined a boy’s bed to look like, vampire or not.
“Oh, sorry,” he said when he noticed I was staring at it. He cleared his junk off it. “There.”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“The floor, likely. Don’t worry about it. It’s no different from a coffin.”
“Do vampires really sleep in coffins?”
“No.” He started to make himself a bed on the floor between the couch and the desk. “You’ll find out a lot of things soon enough that aren’t true about vampires.”
“Like the sunlight thing? I didn’t think it would bother us that much.”
“Only high noon. It’s alright to go out when it’s cloudy though. But after awhile you don’t feel that well and get sick.”
“Then you have gone out before in the light?”
“A lot really. It was an easy way to catch up to Kain.”
He took off his boots and set them aside. I slipped off my combat boots and put them by the edge of the couch. He let me have the green blanket. I wrapped myself in it until I was a Kate-in-a-blanket. I turned my back to Kyrus and looked at the decrepit wall. I heard Kyrus blow out the candle. Darkness enshrouded us. I could still see things though, like the paint chipping.
“Ky?”
“It’s still Kyrus.” He didn’t like my nickname for him. “What is it Katherine?”
“It’s still Kate too. But anyways, are we partners?”
“If you want revenge on Kain, we could be. I don’t know afterwards.”
“What does that mean?”
“Find out for yourself.”
“You’re mean.” He didn’t response. I turned over on to my backside and looked over. He was lying down with his back to me using his coat as a blanket. “Hey, Ky.”
“Kyrus.”
“Whatever, but I have another question about vampires.”
“What?”
“Do we dream ever?”
“No, not really,” he sounded annoyed. “Or at least I never had. Go to sleep, will you.”
I let it go at that. I closed my eyes to see if he was wrong.

Chapter Eight
Kyrus

I opened my eyes from a dreamless night.
Kyrus was already up and gone. The computer was on. It hummed loudly. I should tell him he can use mine. That humming would eventually get on my nerves and drive me insane.
I stood up and stretch a bit. I felt more alive. Better. It was a little after sunset. I could feel it in my blood. He was right about that.
On the computer he had eight different windows open. I noticed there was a journal nearby. I flipped though it. It had notes about Kain, which sites he was active on, account names, girls he went after, and a list of all the places he has been.
Man, he had Kyrus follow him all over the damn country, even Europe! Maybe I could find a little bit more about them. I flipped though a whole bunch at once.
Nothing good. I thought I saw something written about his family for a second but the pages flashed before my eyes. The journal flew out of my hands in to Kyrus’s. He didn’t look too happy either.
“Um, good morning.” I said. “Or good evening...”
“You shouldn’t look at things that aren’t yours.”
“Sorry.”
He sat on the floor by the computer.
“I was just curious about you. You know. Your past life and all, before you were a vampire.”
“Well, that’s not all really your business. So please don't snoop through my private things.” He placed his tattered journal inside his jacket. It was centuries old by my guess and when I touched it it felt like leather.
“What about your relationship with your brother?”
“Neither is that.” He continued typing switching back and forward on windows.
“Then how do you expect to work together if I don’t know anything about you?”
“You don’t trust me then?”
“No but I just wanted to know… ”
“Just forget about it for now,” he interrupted.
But I can’t forget about it. He was closing off from me. I shared with him. Why wouldn’t he share with me?
“Fine, partnership is over,” I said picking up my laptop. His head snapped up from the computer.
“You wouldn’t really leave.” He found my behavior amusing.
“Watch me.” I said slinging my computer case over my shoulder. I grabbed my bag and my boots and started to walk out. I could do this on my own.
Without Kyrus and his crappy computer.
“Kate, wait!” He blocked the doorway. I had every intention to walk over him.
“What now? Changed your mind?”
“No, not exactly,” he sounded very awkward. Maybe he wasn’t used to sweet talking girls like his brother. Maybe he wasn’t used to talking to girls at all. “But I need you; you’re the only one who can help me trick Kain for me.”
“If you want my help then, just tell me what’s up. After all, I didn’t mind telling you about what happened.”
He studied my face.
“Fine,” he gave in. “Sit down and put your stuff back first.”
“With pleasure.” I put my bag and computer back on the desk. I enjoyed winning my first battle with Kyrus. I found a weapon against him that took him to panic mode from his cool guy act. I liked it that he was vulnerable.
I sat down on the bed while he resumed his spot by the computer. He started to type again for a few minutes. Pondering what to say to me, how to phrase his life story to me. One that was never told to anyone else from his lips.
“How to begin?” He asked himself quietly. My vampire ears allowed me to hear him at this distance.
“I was born in Venice that year.”
“And that was in…?”
“1755” he sighed heavily. “Please save questions for after the tour, thank you.” His imitation of a guide made me smile. At least he had a sense of humor.
“Back then it was easier for us. I had a good education, learned philosophy and art. Nothing was limited. I could say I enjoyed it.
“My father was political. We were upper class I guess one would say. We did live right on the Canal Grande. As you already know, I had a brother Kain. Father did favor him more then me. Kain was the prodigy of our family. Mother adored him and father wanted Kain to take over our family business. I was nothing but the other twin, the younger brother. MY father never paid a lot of attention to me. My mother always encouraged me to make the best of it though.
“I guess you can say it happened in 1772, it was just a regular day. I went to school like I did with Kain. We would always take the long way home through Saint Mark’s Cathedral.”
“Saint Mark’s Cathedral?”
“Yeah, it’s the main church in Venice, not that we were really religious or anything. But it changed one day as we were going through the square. There were performers there, actors that were putting on a show. It was common around then before the inquisition came in.
“They were mediocre, but one caught Kain’s eye. There was a girl, maybe a little older then us, it was hard to tell. She was very fair and had very long dark hair. She let it fall down as she danced on the stage. Her eyes though had done the trick. They were so empty. I wanted to go on home, but Kain wouldn’t come. He was too bewitched by her.
“‘Kain, come on, we’re be late!’ I tried to persuade him.
“‘You can go on home little brother,” he told me and went closer to the stage.
“I never thought he would be drawn in like that, but I had no choice but to leave him. I went back home without him. Our parents didn’t mind much that he was out late. It was common then for men to stay out late, for women it was unspeakable.
“But it wasn’t until the next day that I say him that I knew something was going on. He was a different person completely. He looked weak and tired. I asked him right away what happened but he turned me away. He told me it wasn’t any of my business.
“He went out that same night; I stowed away and followed him. I knew he would go back to the square where he saw that girl. And she was waiting there for him. I couldn’t hear anything that they were talking about but I knew something terrible was about to happen.
“Kain eventually saw me. I didn’t even try to run away. I silently approached him waiting to see what he wanted.
“The girl was even more mysterious close up. She wasn’t like any one I ever met. She looked like a ghost, but beautiful at the same time. I was in awe. Her eyes were the scariest though.
“‘What’s going on brother?’ I asked him.
“‘You didn’t tell me you had a brother,’ said the girl. Her voice betrayed her. She sounded well beyond her years. ‘Are you twins?’
“‘Yes, this is my brother Kyrus,’ he told her. He turned to me. ‘You can’t tell mother and father about this, got it?’
“‘But I don’t understand. Are you eloping?’
“He only smiled at me. ‘Something like that. Now go back home.’
“He turned his back on me and went off with her. He was there without question the next morning when I got up, but darker. He had black rings under his eyes and his complexion had gotten paler. It was surely noticeable by our parents or so I thought but they were all in an uproar.
“‘I can’t believe the state of this place!’ our mother was just hysterical that same morning. ‘A murder in Venice?’
“‘It can’t be that bad, mother,” Kain comforted her. I saw a flicker of a smile but it could have been the light playing tricks on me.
“‘I just don’t feel safe anymore in the big cities. Plus with those gypsies everywhere, speaking of demons and such, I can’t feel safe. I’ll feel much better when those street performers are out of here.’
“‘Who was it though? Did we know them?’ I asked curiously. I had the feeling that Kain might already know by the glance her gave me.
“‘Nobody important, a drunken itinerant. His whole body was slashed, completely drained of blood. And the neighbors won’t stop it with the demon chatter.’
“‘Well, I’m sure everything will be fine,’ Kain reassured.
“We walked to school together and I knew I had to bring it up.
“‘You were out last night; you had to see something, didn’t you?’
“‘Not at all.’
“‘But you know something, it was that woman, she’s a …’
“‘You would be wise to keep yourself out. Or you know it could have been you last night, brother.’ He ran off around the corner before I could farther interrogate him. But I saw it on his neck, two punched wounds there.
“I tried to investigate the murder but it was pointless. Plus the body was slashed, even the neck. I quickly figured it out. If there was any bite marks they quickly covered it up with regular knife wounds.
“But I never thought that something like this could happen. I wanted to do something, but what? That woman was probably a demon, a blood-sucking one. I noticed that he only saw her at night or evening. I was intent to do something, anything.
“I followed him one last time to the meet her. It seemed final; there were caravans ready to go. He quickly ran to her. She was waiting of course; I knew they were planning some sort of eloping. They embraced and I saw her rest her teeth on his neck…
“‘Kain!’ I pulled him away from her. Her soft expressions harden as I did. I pulled out my father’s fencing sword that I brought along. ‘I was right, she is a demon.’
“Kain quickly pulled away from me, ‘So what? I love her!’
“‘You would accept damnation for this monster?’
“‘You’re just jealous! I knew it, you always wanted to be me, Kyrus, but now it’s time to set it apart.’
“‘Kain…’ she said with her lithe face. ‘You two, please don’t fight like this.’
“‘You stay away!’ I shouted at her.
“‘Don’t talk to her like that,’ Kain pushed me away and went back in to her arms.
“‘Kain, don’t you understand…?’
“‘Understand what? Do you honestly think that I want to go back to that perfect life having everyone adore me because I was the perfect one? You must have gotten sick of it too, with me getting all the attention. When I’ll be gone, you can have mommy and daddy all to yourself now.’
“‘But I don’t…’ I could feel tears swelling up. They had left. Through my clouded eyes I saw the vampire woman glance back at me. She had adoring eyes full of pity for me. She left with Kain in to the caravan.
“I knew it was too late. I couldn’t persuade him either way. They were to leave the next morning. I wandered the streets noting knowing where I was going. I decided not to tell my parents anything about Kain. They would learn soon enough though gossip that he had eloped with an actress never to be seen again.
“I walked down a dark alley near the canal opening. The sun was just coming up above the water. I wanted to watch it come up one last time before going home where I knew everything wouldn’t be the same anymore.
“I didn’t hear her coming. She was like a phantom.
“‘Kyrus?’ Her soft voice told me that she meant no harm. I didn’t know how I still had the guts to look this woman in the eyes. She had taken my brother away, bewitched him and now she was back again. Alone.
“‘What do you want?’ I asked her, all my anger abated.
“I had to admit, she could bewitch me as well. She wore this white gown that cling to her body in a dedicate design. She walked on the pavement barefoot towards me with her long hair flowing behind her. She was like a dark angel, and she wanted to bless me with darkness.
“‘I’m sorry,’ her eyelashes flickered. ‘I didn’t mean to take your brother away from you. I wanted to leave him behind but he kept insisting. Telling me to take him away. I couldn’t saw no.’
“‘Do you love him then?’
“‘You should know for someone like me it is hard to love another person. I don’t aspire anymore, dream about anything. To find someone who wants to share my life is hard to find.’
“‘I understand.’
“‘I am afraid though, he loves me more then I do him.’
“I looked her in the eyes. She was staring right at me.
“‘Kyrus…your brother, yes he’s smart, but he is so conceited. I can’t bear to share my life with him.’
“‘Then you haven’t…?’
“‘I already did, it takes a few hours for the transformation. It was the only way for me to get away, and I did pity him. I thought I might as well give him a new life.’
“‘You are going to leave him like that?’
“‘I might as well, the caravan leaves in an hour with him in it. He’ll be trapped by the sunlight until dusk. We will remain in the city and flee at night. He would be miles away and we can escape by the canal.’
“‘You obviously thought this out. But the water, I read somewhere that we can’t cross the water.’
“‘He doesn’t know that. If he is as thick as I think he is he would believe in silly superstitions.’
“I let her came closer to me. I could feel her breath on me. The sweet cadence of it, she smelled so sweet, alluring.
“‘You didn’t really mean it when you called me a monster, did you?’
“I didn’t have the heart to tell her no. I shook my head. I was under her spell.
“‘Then come with me, and let me share my dark gift with you.’ She held my hand. I felt her persuasion like the coldness of her hand. ‘I know that you are much kinder then your brother, I could tell by your eyes. You are both very different. And I think I prefer you over him.’
“She had hooked me and I didn’t want to run away. I let her take me. It was as it should be. I was powerless over her whims. I couldn’t imagine it was the same way with Kain. He was more percussive then I was and it had seemed he had forced her to his desires.”
“I don’t get it, you let her take you?” I interrupted. Kyrus didn’t mind.
“Wasn’t it the same way with Kain? You let him take you.”
“Well, yeah. But it was all an act. I saw through it when he bit me.”
“You’re a lot stronger then I thought if you realize what he was doing. Most girls would have let it go.” He signed heavily. “You have to understand, we are the predators in this world. Humans are our prey. If they were completely frighten of us we would never survive. That’s why you were lured in the way you were. It just the effect of it all, like nature is taking its course.”
“So you were done in too?”
“Of course, but I wasn’t too aware by it. She wasn’t going to kill me, and I let her. If I wasn’t in the state that Kain put me in, I would have been thinking more clearly, but I wasn’t.”
“Okay, whatever. What happened afterwards?”
“She took me to a nearby cellar where she changed me. All I remember after that initial bite was the pain. I would figure you remember how that felt.”
I nodded my head in agreement. It was by far the longest time of my life, waiting for the pain to end.
“She cradled me in her arms the whole time whispering my name. I didn’t even know her name yet she was speaking mine. Amidst the pain I dared to ask hers at least. I was sure Kain knew the whole time but he wouldn’t tell me ever. That was as selfish as he was.
“‘It’s Lilium,” she whispered in my ear in her loving voice. I wanted to hear more about her, her past but it was too painful to say anything else, just to asking her name was sufficient.
“After it I felt reborn, my body was animated by a new force. The world looked different through my eyes. I could feel the excitement in myself. But I also knew that this power was fueled by a price, one that I didn’t care to indulge in.
“As she planned we were able to escape by a merchant fleet. She paid our way on it and demanded a room with no windows and little interruption. We were set to leave for Paris, her home, or once were.
“We still haven’t heard from my brother, but by now he would know that she had tricked him. Whiter he knew that I was with her, I didn’t know. I prayed not what will happen if he did. My head went through each scenario as I lay with her in our cabin. I could see his expression and his actions were boundless to what he would do if he found us.
“‘You would like Paris,’ she told me. ‘It’s quite different from any city in Italy. At night, it sparkles with lights.’
“‘Do you think he is going to find us at all?’
“‘Not likely, I didn’t tell him about myself. He was more interested in the secret behind it all.’
“‘Which is?’
“‘I only told him what I knew and some lies that he would just have to figure for himself. But he would never follow us over the water. Our trail is covered then if it was on land. He will be going in circles in Venice for ages till he had caught up.’
“She was very clever in how she thought out everything.
“‘Plus I would rather share my secrets with someone more meaningful.’
“I was completely enthralled with her. She told me everything there was to know, that she knew behind it all.” He stopped.
“Are you going to share everything with me?” I had to ask. He smiled at me.
“You would just have to wait,” he smiled at me. The gleam in his eye was just enough to send me in to a heart attack. If I was human. But of course now that I was dead, my heart would not be bothering me much anymore. Or will it?
“You would eventually see for yourself anyway,” he said closing his eyes, “I had already told you half of it.
“She also relied to me secrets about herself. She was native to Finland, a country to the north that I had read about before. It explained her delicate and foreign looks that were turned deadly by this curse.
“Lilium wasn’t a noble or anything special. Just a regular girl, the daughter of a farmer. She told me how one night her entire family was killed by a creature, a terrible demon. It left her alive, and decided to take her with him. She was only nineteen, about to be wed to a noble. This vampire changed her and took her under his wing.
“She finally fell apart from him, or he did and went their separate ways. She always said she never understood why. Why it was her that was spared. She asked him once and he said revenge. Against the noble that was to wed her. At that point she didn’t want to say anymore to me and I left it alone.
“Paris was more beautiful then what I read in books. Nothing was could compare to actually seeing it. I knew that I had a whole eternally of this, seeing everything one can not in a lifetime. And I had someone to share it with.
“It was short lived though. He eventually caught up with us. Extremely furious with us both. Kain didn’t allow anything to get in his way. He had changed more in to a monster on his quest to find us both.
“We were settling in a small village in Germany months after we left Venice. Lilium was off by herself. The plan was to go north in to Finland. She wanted to show me her homeland where she grew up.
“On the streets she was calmly walking when he found her.”
“‘Lilium!’ he was right behind her. I was just around the corner, if he knew I was her, I did not know. ‘Lilium, how I missed you so much. When you didn’t come back I was terrified, I didn’t know if something bad happened to you.’
“‘You can see I am fine, Kain,’ she glanced at me, behind him gazing from the alleyway.
“‘I couldn’t trace you at all from Venice, but I eventually gave up and came north. That’s when I found your trail and followed you here.’
“I felt the rage from him when he said it.
“‘You’re with him, aren’t you? I caught his scent as well.’
“‘Kain…please don’t get mad.’
“‘You tricked me; you and Kyrus ran off together and left me. Why?’ He grabbed her by the arm. I had to interfere then. I attacked him from behind putting him in an arm lock. He struggled, but we were both evenly matched.
“‘Why did you do it Lilium? Didn’t you love me?’ he pleaded with her.
“I saw her tear up, her eyes stained with blood. It was the first time I’ve seen her cry. It was the most beautiful thing to see, a vampire cry. Blood teardrops.
“He eventually turned on me.
“‘You started it, you just want everything I have!’ he yelled at me from in front still struggling. I let him go and he stopped. ‘I was willing to give you a life with out me holding you back. When I left it would make you the one father and mother adored more then anything. Then I will be the disgrace never to be heard of again.’
“‘I don’t want your life.’
“‘Then what do you want? You just stole my only love. You took her from me and ran away. You are nothing but a liar and a thief, brother. And for your punishment, I’ll take Lilium with me. And you can be alone, forever, without anybody. Nobody will love you. Not even out parents.’
“‘Shut up! You’re jut messing with me.’
“‘I wish I was, but before I left home I took care of mother and father personally, as retribution for your deed.’
“‘You killed our parents?’
“‘Don’t worry, it was quick. I wouldn’t let them suffered on your behalf.’
“Lilium was speechless. Kain’s words against me hit her more then me. She didn’t understand our rivalry, our hatred for one another.
“‘Stop it!’ she screamed at us. ‘You two are despicable.’
“‘Lilium…’ pleaded Kain once again. ‘Don’t you love me at all?’
“‘No, I only wanted your brother. Since I first saw him in the square, you were just too gullible.’
“‘You used me to get to him? It was all a lie then? You never loved me?’ He was truly hurt. More hurt then I remembered seeing Kain when we were kids and he accidentally broke a favorite vase of mother’s. The look of his face. He shot me a death glance. I had nothing to do with Lilium’s decisions. All I did was gone along with her. He wanted to kill me, but he didn’t. Instead I saw Lilium run away still in tears.
“He chased after her. I let them go. I knew I would find her in out hideout. But I was too late. Dawn was approaching. I didn’t completely understand how a vampire would kill itself, but if she wanted to I knew she would. She left nothing behind but her necklace and a letter.
“She couldn’t bare it anymore, was her words. Kain had followed her and told her that he would kill me if he saw us together again. She couldn’t bear a life without me if that was to be. I would thought that she was stronger then him and would simply ignore his threat as an older vampire but she wasn’t the violent type.
“She ultimately decided that it was best to end it there. By the time I had read it, it was too late, she was gone. Dead to the world.”
“Did she walk in to the sun?” I asked.
“I’m not sure, she could have.”
“She could have let herself on fire too and scattered the ashes.”
“How would she scatter her own ashes?”
“I’m not sure, but it was in a book I read.”
I looked up at him. He was more upset then I thought.
“What happened to Kain afterwards?”
“We went our separate ways. I haven’t talked to him in ages. I have met him a couple times, once in London, another in New York, but it’s always the same. We can’t settle anything.”
I sat watching him still. He was completely motionless. Not something I expected a vampire to do. Be lifeless over a memory.
“So, when did he pick up his new hobby?”
He returned back to normal. “I’m not sure, probably a century or two ago. The internet just makes it worse. It’s probably just some kind of revenge plot he came up with, tormenting me.”
“Then you want revenge for his revenge?” Okay, I was utterly confused.
“No!” he yelled at me. “I want revenge for what he did to Lilium. He drove her to it. To kill herself.”
“I think you both did.”
He looked at me straight in the eye.
“What makes you say that?”
“You said so yourself. She was a much older vampire then the two of you. If she wanted to save you she could have killed your brother and be done with it. But I think the reason why was because she loved you both.”
He scoffed at me, viciously.
“You’re being ridiculous. She told me she loved me.”
“Doesn’t me she didn’t love Kain either. If you understand a woman’s feelings like I do then you would know too.”
“Whatever. You’re just being impractical.”
“No, I’m just being a woman.”
He smiled a little before he turned his back to me.
I smiled too though. But I couldn’t put it out of my mind anymore. Lilium had said it.
I don’t aspire anymore, dream about anything.
She had to mean something by that. With what Kain said I didn’t understand at all.  

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Chapter Nine
Wicked Games

“Your computer is pissing me off,” I said from across the room. He didn’t even bother to turn my way.
“Then don’t be in here.” I sat up and stared at him. Not even my death glance will make him look at me.
“I told you it’ll be alright if you used my computer instead. It’s faster and more reliable then your piece of junk.”
I looked at it again. It was five times bigger then my laptop.
“It’s more compact too.”
He still didn’t look back.
“It’s not noisy either.”
“Okay, I get it. Can you find something constructive to do rather then bug me the whole time?”
“I was just saying…”
“I know, but all my research is on this thing. I can’t just leave it behind.” What about that journal hidden in your jacket? I kept my mouth shut about that. Reminding him of how I was snooping through his personal things wasn't a great tactic.
“Then we can take the hard drive with us and transfer it over in to mine.”
“Can you really do that?” He finally looked at me.
“Yeah, it’s simple.” I got up and joined him by the floor. I set up my computer next to his. “I’ve been doing this since I was potty-trained. It’s like second nature to me.”
“Well, okay,” he chuckled and stepped back to give me room.
I opened up his documents. Damn, he had a lot. I hope they would fit. I started to download them to mine instantly. I gave him his own folder and everything.
“Afterwards, we can wipe this drive so no one can read your files.”
“Sounds reasonable. Not that anyone would care.”
Sure, I thought. But it was true. No one was after us. And no one was going to bother about research about a vampire that was over a hundred years old.
“Katherine.” He half shouted at me from the room.
“What?” I was trying to change my out fit in the other room. “And it is still Kate.”
“I found him. He’s in L.A.”
“Los Angeles? For reals?”
“Yeah, for reals.” His enthusiasm was wearing off. “Come over here.” He eyeballed my outfit change then went back to the screen. “He’s meeting someone at a concert tomorrow.”
“Can we get there by then?”
“Yeah, but the concert’s sold out. We can’t buy our way in.”
“You say we have to?”
“Something tells me you’ve sneaked in to a concert …or two.”
“Three actually, and the movies once.”
“Great,” he said dully. “Then pack up, we’re leaving at nightfall.”
“And you’re leaving the prehistoric junk behind.”
“Yes, I am.”
Without his computer, I would say we traveled twenty pounds lighter. It was about time it retired. Who knew how long he had that mammoth.
We grabbed the first bus out of there and rode the four hour trip to L.A. The backseat was ours. No one seemed to bother us, which was a good thing.
Kyrus took one side of the seat to himself and I took the other one, since we both wanted a window seat.
I sat messing with my computer the whole time. He pretended to sleep, or at least I thought he was. I don’t thinking vampires need to sleep as much as one would think. But he did put on a good show. I would believe it.
“Kate” his voice startled me. But it was quiet at the same time. The person in the seat in front of us wouldn’t even hear.
“Yes?”
“I want this to be it. So I want your complete and utter attention. Do what I tell you.”
“Wait, you can’t just order me around!” I didn’t realize that I had shouted. People three seats ahead turned their head at me. Some were trying to sleep.
“Hey, quiet down back there.”
“Whoops, sorry,” I murmured. I looked back at Kyrus. He was right beside me.
“Having trouble keeping your voice down?” It was effortlessly for him.
“Shut up,” I whispered. “I thought we were partners. This is a dictatorship.”
“I am still your senior by so many years. So take some heed will you?”
“Whatever, go away, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” I continued typing on my computer. I was working on a long email to Kim.
I looked back at him. He was back where he was, at his window.
L.A. was the just same as I remembered it when I last visited years ago. The kind of place I could live. With it high trends and endless nights, I could fit in here. It was the perfect place for the vampire. A place where one can easily hide in.
“Where are we staying?” I asked. He was the one leading. I was just the follower.
“I don’t plan to stay anywhere,” he said.
“Oh, then it’s just straight to finding Kain?”
“Not exactly, I guess if you want to stop somewhere, we can.”
“Good, we’re getting a hotel,” I said walking past him leading the way.
“Yeah, with what money perchance Signora?” He put on his Italian accent.
“I have a savings account.”
“And you’re going to waste it on a hotel?”
“Well, there’s not much to save for now, is there?” I looked at him aghast.
“I would say not.” He let me walked ahead. “But please don’t waste your money. I’ll pay for it.”
“And with what signor?”
“My parents left me a lot of money. Or if you want to say, Kain and I, but he never exactly claimed it. I’ve invested it over the years; it has pretty much accumulated to the point that I am probably the richest man on the face of the earth, if anyone knew it.”
“Impressive,” I couldn’t help it then. “Buy me a car.” I smiled.
“No, you’d crash it.”
“Then why don’t you get yourself one? Instead we have to take the bus,” I said with the most utter disgust.
“Just be grateful we’re not staying in a warehouse.”
I shut my mouth and obeyed. Even if we were the undead, I would still appreciate a place with running water. All I wanted to do was to soak in a bathtub to clear my mind.
“I never been in a suite before,” I gazed out the balcony window on the fifth floor. We had the whole floor to ourselves. Okay, only half of it. But it was still nice. I quickly choose the bedroom by the balcony overlooking Los Angeles. “It’s so beautiful. I feel like I could fly right off.”
“Please don’t.” I heard Kyrus’s voice in the next room over from mine.
“Oh come on, seriously?”
I stepped off the edge and shut the sliding glass door. It was getting close to dawn. I drew the curtains shut. They were the good kind too, the ones that were dark and thick, to keep out the sunlight. I went in to the living room and dining room to close the curtains too. Kyrus’s room was the only one without windows. Maybe that’s why he chose it.
My portable desktop was on his bed. It was already hooked up and everything. I watched as he pulled some blood packets out of the mini fridge.
“Ooooo, you even had them stock it with goodies.”
He gave me a strained look and tossed me one.
“Drink up. You’ll need it for tomorrow.”
Couldn’t he take a joke once? I knew he brought them with him from before in a mini cooler in his bag. Jeez.
“Well, Cheers” I said toasting my blood packet to him.
He glimpse at me and toasted his too.
“To revenge?” he questioned.
“No,” I pondered for a moment. “To us.”
“Us?”
I knew he wouldn’t get it. Men are so dense, even dead ones. Then, I don't think he would ever take me serious. That's why I said it in the first place.
“You know, this would probably taste better out of wine glasses. I bet there are some in the dinning room.”
He sighed heavily.
“This is the last time I am getting a suite. At least with you.”
“Relax, I’m still just joking.”
He was a hard one. I’ll crack him eventually. But at least I was the one having all the fun.
I went ahead and jumped in to the tub like I planned. I wanted to look my best tonight.
I modeled some outfits that I usually wore to concerts. I had my goth pants with the chains. They were still too baggy on me. Oh well. I threw on a corset mini dress and some black lace and showed it off to Kyrus.
“How’s this?”
He was lying on the king sized mattress with the covers still tucked. The laptop was open and he was watching it intently. I saw his eyes wondered off it onto me as I stood in the doorway.
“Nice, for a Celine Dion concert.”
“What? You better be kidding me.” My whole expression went to murder.
“I am. I think its Evanescence or something.”
“What?” My expression went flat. “You better not be kidding again.” I could scream only if it didn’t break the windows and deafen everyone in the building.
“I take it you’re a fan.”
“A fan is to light a word.” I agonized for a second. “If only I had my red skirt. I left it at home.”
“Isn’t what you’re wearing fine?”
“NO!” I was about to go hysterical. “I was saving that skirt for my first real concert that I would go to.”
This was hell all over again. After this I was deeply considering going home to retrieve my wardrobe.
“I don’t think it should matter that much when your dead.”
“It’s undead genius.” Kyrus resumed watching the screen. I heard some familiar voices through the speakers
“Hey, what are you watching on my laptop?” I raced over to the bed and sat next to him. I was surprised for a moment.
I totally forgot that I had old home movies saved to it, before when my father wanted me to convert everything to DVD. He wanted to take the revolution by storm. Or so he said.
It was mostly me in the front lawn trying to ride my bicycle when I was six. Dad was filming it leaving me to fend for myself. At one point he eventually set up the camera on the ground getting some of the marvelous footage of him trying to figure out how to teach me.
“Are you having fun watching me struggle?” He had a slight expression to show neither.
“You would think your mother would be here to help you too.”
“He, yeah right. She left us when I was three. Pretty much I took care of him afterwards.”
“I feel bad for him. He had to lose another one.”
“It would have happened eventually when I would have gone off for college.” The home movies transition in to later ones when I was at a playground with Kim. That’s where I remembered meeting her for the first time. “Anyways, why are you watching this? I have other movies on this.”
“I already saw. All about vampires and bloodletting. Of course nothing could compare to reality, would it?” He smiled at me.
“No, I guess it wouldn’t after all.”
“I’m done watching it. Choose anything you want.”
“Okay, since you mention it, I guess I am in the mood to watch some Evanescence videos.”
“Good, I was wondering what they were all about.”
“I can’t believe you don’t know anything.” I opened up some files and pulled up my music video play list.
“I’m too bent on other things to be concerned in the current affairs of mortals.”
“Not even to have some fun?”
“I don’t have time to have fun.”
I wanted to say it but actually thought twice this time. How can someone live for so long in the shadows without experiencing the world outside them? Sure, he’s got some style tips, but that could have been an accident too.
Of course, what I wanted to say was that Kain was having more fun then he was. He was the only one wafting off in today’s world, and Kyrus was the one that was shrouded in darkness.
I took a mid afternoon nap before dusk. It was better to be well rested for the night that was in store for us. I got up feeling refreshed.
The one thing I knew I wouldn’t mess, that groggy feeling you get when you wake up in the morning and most importantly, bed hair.
Oh, good bye to bed hair.
I ventured out to the living room. The curtains were drawn back. City lights everywhere. It was marvelous. The perfect nightlife for a vampire. But there was no Kyrus anywhere. I went in to his room but he wasn’t there either.
I turned around. I gasped.
He was right behind me.
“Do you have to do that?”
A smile was on his face.
“Is it my fault you’re easily surprised?” I secretly did the 'grrrred' in my head. “I wouldn’t go in to you room then.” He passed me in to his bedroom.
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a surprise.”
A present?
I ran back in to my room. Suspense would have truly been the death of me if Kain hadn’t gotten me first.
On my bed was a new skirt laid out for me. A red flowing one with black strings entwined in its design. It was much nicer one then one lying at home right now in my closet.
It was truly a skirt worthy for the occasion.
I ripped off what I was wearing and put it on. I wondered where he got even. I searched all over for the tag, but it was already removed. Unless he stole it.
I gulped.
Naw, he wouldn’t do that with an infinite cash source lying in his pocket. But it was too nice to be a knock off. It must had cost a lot.
I almost didn’t feel worthy of it myself now on second thought. I took it off and put my regular dull clothes back on. With the skirt in hand I marched back to him.
He looked perplexed as I held it in front of him. He must have expected me to be walking in modeling it for him instead.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t accept this,” I told him holding it out to him.
“Why not?”
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate the gesture, it’s just I can’t take something from you without giving something in return. It doesn’t seem right that you spend god knows how much on a skirt for me that I don’t really need.”
“But you have. We’re partners. You’ll help me more me then you know.”
I was speechless. I couldn’t compete with what he just said. The inner part of my mind told me to just shut up and take the skirt.
“I know you like it, so just keep it. I already took the tag off so they won’t take it back. Just think of it as a thank you present when this is over.”
I silently drew my arm back and gasped the skirt with both hands.
“Thanks,” I choked out in a single breath. I flew back to my room and closed the door. Those last words ran through my head.
When this is over.
Maybe I didn’t want this to be over.
My dream did not want to end.
The concert was just as I expected. Packed with fans. Half of them screaming because they saw Amy Lee running to the backstage.
I felt bad for her. Being short wasn’t a good thing when escaping from murderous fans. Your legs are not long enough to run as fast as you wish in those times of need.
I always wanted to go to a real concert. This wasn’t really how I pictured it.
If tickets were not sold out I would gladly pay for one rather then sneak it. Anything to support one of my favorite bands.
Clearly all the other places I sneaked in to over the years were not even close to this.
It was a snap. Going in through the backstage. Nobody even noticed me. A wonderful advantage in being a vampire. One can easily fade in to the darkness again.
Kyrus was nearby. I could feel him. It was almost inept how I knew he was close. Like a bond had formed between us in those short few days we spent. But I didn’t want them to be the last.
He had blended in with the crowd and gotten in through the front.
Obviously he had far more experience with this then I did. I was still in the fear of being caught stage.
I wanted to stay here in the backstage and maybe even meet Amy Lee but I didn’t have the time. Maybe another day when I wasn’t on a mission.
And maybe when I wasn't a creature of the night. Who knows how humans perceptive me now.
Kyrus told me all that he knew.
Kain was going to be here. And he was meeting a girl here too.
Near the front row, seat twenty-seven. First class seats.
I graced myself over there, like a princess in her gown. That was how I felt wearing this skirt. It was more beautiful then the one at home and envision all my fantasies.
But the words he said when he gave it to me.
When this is over.
Our partnership will end and I will be able to get on with my life.
Or what was left of it.
I hope.
The crowd was eventually settling down. I had to take my seat; apparently it was an open air concert hall. Someone did not show up for their first class seat that they probably paid for with their rent money.
The lights were dimming and the stage ones were on. The band came out. Everyone stood up cheering.
My eyes were glued to the stage.
My first ever Evanescence concert and I was enjoying it in the front row.
I didn’t care what I was supposed to do. I’m sure Kain will eventually turn out. There will be enough time to stop him.
The opening song started. Ooo, my favorite.
It was so entrancing I didn’t see the shadow coming up to me on my left.
“Katherine?”
I recognized the voice. A name registered right away for it. but my heart didn’t at the same time. Only one person kept calling me Katherine and that was Kyrus. And this wasn’t his voice at all.
I turned to the new arrival on my left. My jaw could fly off.
“Kain?”
Why was he coming up to me? Wasn’t he supposed to be meeting some helpless girl whom he was going to savagely kill and probably eat?
He sat down right next to me. His attire very casual. I wonder if he dresses to the girl he meets. My body was locked in my seat. I wanted to move as far as way I can from him, but I couldn’t.
“So you like Evanescence too?” He sounded so casual. It was making me sick.
“It appears so,” I told him. My tone wasn’t the friendliest.
“I didn’t think you would find me.”
“Next time, try keeping your private affairs to yourself over the net and maybe we won’t.”
“You were the one who found me, so obvious you wanted to meet so badly. Are you unhappy about the gift I gave you?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I looked at him. It came to me then, there was no other girl here that he was going to meet.
It was me!
Kyrus had set this up on a date. Or was it a trap?
“Did you know that you were meeting me here?” I snapped at him. He was taken about by my surprised tone.
“Yeah, you told me last night that you were going to be in the front row wearing a red skirt.”
Was this part of the plan? If it was, it wasn’t a very good one. He failed to mention that Kain was actually meeting me. He pretended to be me on a chat site to lure him here. No wonder he kept my computer to himself. Jerk...
I was motionless, waiting for someone to pop out from a corner to tell me I was on a hidden camera show and that was all a prank.
Not that I didn’t mind that Kyrus impersonated me, but didn’t he have the decency to tell me?
And the deal with the skirt. It was only a thank you present, right?
“Kate?” I heard his voice crawl back in to my mind. He was smiling at me. It wasn’t malicious or anything. It was very sweet and welcoming. “Have you decided to be the girl of my dreams after all?”
Girl of his dreams? Was he for real?
“You don’t mean anything by that, do you?”
“Only what it sounds like,” he was perplexed by my question. His arm moved. I flinched. A smile pleased his lips. “Are you afraid of me?” The sweet sound of his voice tickled my ear.
The music roared all around us. My brain tuned it out and was focused on him the whole time. People cheered all around us, but this moment had frozen just between the two of us.
“No,” my voice hadn’t betrayed me. I was feeling confident again. Human emotions didn’t matter at all to the dark creatures that we were.
Well, maybe one did.
One that everyone feared losing in the end.
He leaned into me just like in the theater days ago. I yearned to taste again but all I could think was of Kyrus.
Where was he? Wasn’t he watching?
Cold hands grasped me on my waist gently pulling me closer.
“Would you be my vampire bride?” His eyes looked deep in to mine. Why can’t I turn away? I wanted to, but his voice was so seductive. Was it fair for a vampire to induce another of their kind? Was that even possible? The mere thought of being a vampire bride was too exciting, my head could have exploded. But only one person was on my mind then.
“Kyrus!” I screamed his name, so loud in an inhuman voice that could shatter millions of eardrums. The music was tremendous though, I doubt anyone would have heard it in this chaos.
Kain’s eyes harden as I stepped back.
“You know my brother?” That sweet voice of his had broken. It was full hatred. I didn’t respond. “You…”
“Keep her out of our qualms.”
Kain twisted around to face Kyrus, relieving me of his grasp.
“Kyrus,” I smiled relieved to see him.
“You put her up to it. You always had to take something that I saw first, didn’t you?”
“Let’s take this outside.” A fire burned in Kyrus’s eyes. This was a death glare.
“I have no time for you, brother.” Kain walked away from Kyrus passing right by me. He tease me with a glimpse in the eye and was gone in a flash.
“Damn,” said Kyrus. I looked back at him. The spot he stood at was empty. Gone. Vanished. I ran for the nearest exit.
I knew where he went. After Kain.
He wasn’t going to win. I felt an ache in my heart telling me so.
I ran in to an alley way just around the corner. The concert could still be heard. Or maybe my hearing was just that good.
“Ky!” My lungs busted as I screamed his name again. Kain had him by the throat. The smell of blood filled my nose. It was almost irresistible. The smell of Kyrus’s blood.
It was everywhere though.
Kain had his teeth on his neck ready to bite in.
“Stop!” I ran at him. My voice impeded him. He glanced at me and pulled away from Kyrus as I came closer.
“Do you want him that bad?” He tossed him over to me. His lifeless body. I luckily caught it. I cradled him. My body was in hysterics. I couldn’t stop. “When he’s conscious, tell him the next time I see him, it’ll be his last.”
“But…” I can barely speak. My throat was dry.
“And think about my offer Kate. Just keep in mind, if you call me, I’ll come.” He smoothly turned away and disappeared in to darkness.
I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t finish my sentence.
I wanted to bash his head in. I knew I had it in me one way or another. But Kyrus wasn’t strong enough. Maybe I wasn't either. Why is he so powerful? What does he have that Ky doesn’t?
Now I was part of this stupid game between the two.

Chapter Ten
Recession into Darkness

I was able to bring Kyrus’s lifeless body with me back to the hotel suite. I was still amazed with my vampire strength as I luge his dead body weight up those flight of stairs. Fine, actually took the elevator. I was able to clean off some of the blood so any onlookers were convinced he was smashed or something.
I was getting worried though. He hadn’t say one thing once seen I saw him in Kain’s grasp. I think he moaned something a street ago, but it wasn’t concussive.
I panicked at one point because he wasn’t breathing. But I had to hit myself in the head when I remembered vampires don’t breathe. Kate, you idiot!
I laid him on his bed arranging him on his backside. Still no movement.
Okay, relax Kate. What do we do with a half-dead vampire? What do they need the most?
The word popped in to my head quickly. The smell of blood was still on him. It must have made it easier to think.
Blood.
That’s right. I rushed to the refrigerator. All the nerves had left my body. Everything’s going to be alright. I’ll give him one to suck on and eventually he’ll come around.
Relief was short when I opened the cooler.
We were out of blood packets!
Kyrus, you dummy. How can you let us run out?
Well, I guess I can just go to the nearby supermarket….NO! This was bad. I had no idea where a blood bank or a hospital was. I didn’t even have time robbing one. I didn’t have these skills yet.
The only other option that came in to my head was bad. I can’t do it. No way was I going to kill someone. Just pull someone off the streets, not a good idea at all.
Have a bellhop deliver himself instead of a human meal. Even worse.
I fell down weak in the knees. This can’t be happening. I need to figure this out. Quick! No time to panic.
I stood up and looked at him. He still hasn’t moved.
Kicking off my heels I joined him on the bed. I pulled back my hair to one side exposing a good portion of my nape. The side Kain didn’t sink his teeth into when he made me. I thought it would seem more rude to give him the side someone has already hacked it. It was probably like eating your dinner when someone has already taken a bite out of it.
Now what? I guess I have to cut my self. He’s not going to do it for me being half dead and all.
I took a nibble out of my index finger, hard enough that I drew some blood. I let them fall in to his mouth. Drop by drop. Oh to hell, just give him my whole finger, it may seem a little kinky but what else am I suppose to do?
I think he just moved. Or it could be the stupid lights. Or maybe vampire blood wasn’t as good as human. It had to at least put a spark in to him. I decided to take adverse action and get on top of him exposing my nape to him. I pulled his mouth closer to the point cringing for the contact.
With him like this he would have to bite. I put my hand into his hair pushing him closer.
I waited for what felt like an eternity, but it was only minutes.
I felt his lips move on my neck. His teeth sank in to me. Only the initial pain wore off, after wards I couldn’t feel anything else.
This was different then the bite Kain gave me. This was more pleasurable.
Engulfed in his embrace was pure joy. His hands were all over me. One on my waist and the other one…well, a little bit lower. He was lifting up one side of my skirt. A skirt he had gotten for me.
I wanted to give something back to him. Should I do the same to him? It was only fair.
I had one of my arms still wrapped around his head. The other I grabbed him around the shoulder.
That’s when he decided to turn it around and pick me up and put me on the bottom. He had stopped drinking my blood and was now kissing me on my shoulder blade.
His hand was still busy, caressing my thigh now. I think the other one wanted to take off my skirt, I wasn’t sure. Our eyes eventually met. He was smiling at me the whole time.
“I think I’d like the skirt off of you more, what do you think?” He asked sounding very amused.
“So you don’t like the skirt anymore?”
“No, I love the skirt, by itself.”
“Ky!” I wasn’t serious with him only in a jokily manner. He was at least coming out of his shell. My heart wanted to sing. It wanted to call out for him. Every inch of my body wanted to. And I knew that he wanted me just the same.
“Kyrus?”
“What is it?” His face came closer to mine. I could almost feel his lips on mine. His soft hair enveloped me like a curtain.
“Are we still partners?”
“I think we are little more then partners now. Maybe....”
“Maybe what?”
“Amore?” He kissed me again. I didn’t speak Italian but I knew what it meant. All the same, just shut up and kiss me. And let me forget about tonight, about Kain, about everything.
Darkness enshrouded my mind. My vision clouded. Nothing was very visible, not even me. Everything that had happened in the last week was just floating in my head. Like little goldfish that I remembered I used to have in as a pet in grade school. Swimming around in a fish bowl trying to break free.
Another human memory. I wanted to let go of the past and start a future with Kyrus.
I allowed myself to remember this one.
I was only eight. I had thrown a baseball inside my room and it hit that stupid fish tank cracking it open spilling its guts. I saved the fish but I remembered how they struggled as the water drained. Panic, as everything around disappeared.
The freedom they wanted would have cost them their lives. My head was like that right now.
I was in the same state of panic. Not that I needed oxygen or anything. Vampires don’t breathe, get that through your head Kate. But all the same it was escaping through the membrane of my mind. The cold air in the room hit me like a soccer ball.
Just like it did with Jayson. Damn, another memory. But what good times they were.
I had eternity on my hands now. It would soon become a part of me and I’ll be a part of it. This past week was feeling like it already though.
I can’t relate to Kyrus. When he slept it must feel like an eternal nightmare that replays itself each day. His agonizing pain was now mine.
Our lives couldn’t compare to one another. He faded away in to the dark with no one to hold him back. Only Kain to push him there.
I want to bring him back. No, I needed to.
That’s when I snapped out of it. It was only mid-day outside the hotel.
I glanced at Kyrus. Still locked in his eternal slumber. It was eerie watching him sleep. In fact I haven’t seen him sleep once since we met. He was always in a different room and up before me. He looked like a corpse though, no moment what so ever. Like earlier before I…
I blushed. Heat surged in to every part of me thinking about it. But then I thought, maybe I look like that too when I was asleep.
Then the irresistible thought of vampires dreaming. I wondered what he was dreaming. Me I hoped.
I know if I did I would dream of him. Even when I was still human, if I knew him then.
I agonized on that thought, if only I was human. There would be so many things to do with him. If he was human too.
When he wakes up, I wanted to ask him but I dared not. First time he smiled a little at my pondering, second it was an annoyed scold. I can only imagine what the third time will be.
Our relationship was weird enough as it is. It was progressing so fast. I could barely keep up. At least he has accepted his new nickname. Plus we were sharing a bed together. Everything I ever dreamed about vampire lovers.
Since I’m up I might as well. I went to my computer and turned it on. It made its usual sounds as I logged in making me jump.
“Kate?” I heard his sleepy voice coming up behind me. “What are you doing?”
“Just looking at something.”
“Looking at what?”
“Go back to bed. I’m sure you’re tired.”
“I thought you would be after last night.” I heard his smile behind his tone. It made me laugh. I guess he was no different then a regular teenage boy.
“Haha, very funny. I’m fine though. You're the one that had his throat ripped out, remember? I’m just not used to sleeping during the day. It’s not as fun as it used to be, when I actually had dreams.”
“You need to stop.” He was serious this time.
“But you were the one who bought it up from those emails.”
“Well, we need to go after Kain and forget about that for now.” He looked me deathly in the eyes.
“But what’s the point? If we catch him again, he’ll kill you! He almost did last time. What makes you think it’ll be any different the next?”
“Don’t worry about it, it’ll be fine,” he got up and left the room. It made me angry. He ran away just to avoid the rest of the conservation we were having, if you can call it one at least. He wasn’t being very nice considering I had just rescued him from death.
If you call me, I’ll come.
The more reliable words flooded my head. Call me and I will come? What did he mean by call him? Email him? Only if I knew where Kyrus was secretly talking to him through what site.
The only other way he could possibly mean was to call his name out like when I screamed Ky’s at the concert. But he would have to be very near if that was to happen.
And maybe now that was it. Kain was after us. The prey was going after the hunter.
I needed to focus at that moment and coming up with these whack out ideas wasn’t a good way to. But it was true. Kain was nearby. Somehow I could feel it. Internally. And at the same time I felt it in my heart where it shouldn’t be.
I didn’t understand. Why was I feeling this way about Kain? Of all the guys, human or vampire, Kain right now. I mean he almost killed Kyrus and destroyed my life.
Maybe my head was deluding myself. Kain and Kyrus did look alike. Well, they are twins stupid! But they were more alike personality wise then I thought.
“Shouldn’t we be getting a move on?” He wasn’t in the room but I knew he would hear me anyway. He always does. But he didn’t answer me this time.
I got and quickly stormed off to my room. The clock on the nightstand said it was three O’clock. Guess it wasn’t a good idea to go out right now in the daylight. But if Kain was tailing us it would be perfect to leave when he least expects it.
I took my duffel and started to throw my clothes in to it, stuffing it in to a compact state. The small room was cluttered in my clothes and I didn’t really bother to fold them and organized them like I would usually do. In my mind I knew I was slowly becoming something that I wasn’t.
Evolving physically in to a vampire wasn’t the only changes that was made to me this week. My mental state was slowly becoming inhuman. It wasn’t a quick fast change like the body.
And I knew it myself. I wasn’t usually this untidy. Oh, no. I was slowly becoming my care-free unorganized friend, Kim. Who all of the sudden I totally forgot about. I think I like sent her an email the other day. Actually my dad should still be on the camping trip unless he decided to call everyone in Chino to see if I ran away there.
Hopefully, if I know my dad, he would think that I ran away.
Just to make sure he came to that conclusion I pulled out some stationary from the nightstand drawer and quickly put a letter together about how I decided to run away. It would convince him and give him some closure instead of thinking I was dead.
I quickly sealed up the letter and scribbled my address on it, knowing that I will never be able to go home. The house had too many memories. Well, I did grow up through most of my childhood there. Before I remembered living in the city when my parents were still together. It was an awkward phase for my father to raise me on his own but he gradually fell out of it. Ten years was plenty enough for that to happen, when I could finally fend for myself.
I moved my duffel bag to the front door with my sealed letter in hand. Ky was sitting at the couch facing the bay windows draped with dark red curtains. Daylight was barely visible though them but I can see cracks trying to sneak a peek inside. He was eying me curiously at first. They gradually met my duffel bag in the same appraisal.
“Going somewhere?” Tone of voice told me everything. He still hasn’t forgiven me for earlier. “Or is this one of your ruses to get your way again?”
“I wasn’t faking that time,” I snapped at him. “I’m just getting an early start.”
I turned heel in to his room with the grace of a dancer and packed up my laptop in to its case. “If you want to come, you better hurry up. I hate stragglers.”
“Do I look like a straggler?” He was opening the hotel door, dressed in a black leather jacket; probably Italian, and regular black jeans, bag slumped over his shoulder. “I was actually waiting for you to get ready, but you are so slow for a vampire.”
“Shut up, old man. I’m new to this.” I cracked a smile as he waved me on first in to the hallway.
“Hey, I’m nearly three centuries old; it’s not my fault I’m so crippled.”
“Nice one,” I said pushing the button for down on the elevator. He smirked at my action. “What?”
“Fledglings.” He shook his head in disapproval. “I’ll meet you at the bottom.” I saw a flash of his Italian jacket going to the door marked Stairwell.
“Are you kidding me?” The elevator door ranged opened and I could hear the cheesy music coming from it. He was already in the lobby waiting for me. I forgo using the wretched elevator and followed his path instead.
This was going to be so exciting.
Kidding. This was going to be hell working with Kyrus now.  

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Chapter Eleven
Dead Ends

“Chino valley?” He stared at the address on the letter. “Sounds very dull.”
I ripped the envelope out of his hands. We were waiting downstairs in the lobby of the Charleston. When I reach the first floor that's where I found Ky sitting on the couch. “Place full of dead ends.”
“Take it you didn’t like it there.”
“The most exciting thing that ever happened was someone thought they saw Samuel Elliot at Safeway.”
“And what's a Samuel Elliot?”
“Exactly. Some actor from old western movies I think."
I looked at my cell phone. It was almost six. Luckily I don’t get a lot of messages anymore, but I started to wonder if my dad was still paying service for my phone. It hasn’t been that long so I decided not to worry about it now. I blocked him from calling along with everyone else.
“Hey Ky, do you have a cell phone?”
“No.” He shook his head at me. “Why?”
“Well, in case we get separated, how would I get a hold of you again?”
“That won’t happen.”
“And how would you know? Are you psychic too?”
He chuckled. “No.”
“When we get to the next town you’re getting a cell phone.”
“I won’t need it.”
“You’re still getting one,” I mused at him in a teasing voice.
“I won’t use it then. It’ll remain off the whole time. I don’t want to scare you away with its ringing. If with any luck it will be you calling me freaking yourself out.”
I ignored him. He wasn’t making this any easier for me. Neither was I but what the hell. It was deserted in the hotel lobby that night. Apparantly there was a bus station right outside the double glass doors.
“Do you think Kain’s still hiding here too?”
“I think he left already.”
“But what if he didn’t? What if he comes after us?” I was very sincere with him.
“He’s not after us.” I guess he was too. “There’s no motive for him to.”
Whatever he says goes. Men. I put my phone away.
“What did he say to you though?”
There goes my heart again, or where it should go.
“When?”
“At the concert.” I could feel him closer to me. “It was something that made you cry out my name.”
“It was nothing. He was just getting touchy with me.” I was nervous and I knew he knew. But I couldn’t tell him what Kain really said.
Girl of his dreams? Vampire bride?
It would just get on his nerves.
“Is the stupid bus ever going to come?” I just had to complain. It was two hours after sunset and I hate waiting.
“Who says we’re taking a bus?”
My head snapped ready to explode. I couldn’t even fathom my anger at that moment. Why were we still standing here? I could see the bust stop clearly outside the glass windows.
“Then how are we getting out of here?”
He stood up checking his old fashioned pocket watch.
“Something a little less noisy and crowded.”
“And what would that be?”
“You’ll see. It should be here soon.”
“You’re really getting on my nerves.” I got up from the sofa and turned away from him. The silent purr of an engine came from outside and parked its way infront of the hotel. My mouth gaped open in a very unladylike fashion that I was so used to all my life. Just with my father telling me to close and I wasn’t going to get married with that look on my face.
“Is that a …..Ferrari?”
“Straight from Italy.” He was right beside me now, of course. “Expensive to import them.” He added matter-of-factly. To me I took it as bragging.
“Okay, you’re stinking rich, I get it.”
The driver parked it on the curb before coming into the lobby. Ky immediately sidetracked him.
“Mr. Angoletto?” said the twenty year old chauffeur. He glanced at Ky first then to me. I found it weird to be staring right in to a normal person’s eyes.
He was a bit curious about me. I’m sure I was a pretty young girl to him. All I saw was prey. It shocked me for a second. I have never looked at anyone, not a regular person as a food source.
I did realize that only last night I was in a crowded outdoor concert hall but I was too distracted by the idea of seeing Kain again to notice all the fresh blood around me.
“Yes, that’s me,” said Kyrus taking the young man’s undying gaze off of me. I turned away abashed. Ky side glanced me while he signed the slip he was given and took the keys. I knew from the look that he knew what I was thinking.
It was obvious in that second.
He didn’t need vampire mind tricks to know that one.
I found that neither did I to figure out he knew.
The chauffeur had somebody picking him up a car behind us. I stood and watched as he stumbled in to the passenger side of the car and slammed the door. I could see him through the window talking to his buddy.
“Man, that girl was hot,” I looked away. Apparently I never experienced how well I can hear. “Her boyfriend though is a rich snob.”
“Ky, let’s go.” I said.
“Good, I thought you were just going to stand there for an eternity.” He held the passenger door open for me. It was a beautiful car. Something straight out of ones of those street racing flicks. It had a nice red color with beige leather interior.|
I notice our luggage was already packed snugly in the truck.
“That was fast.” I said I sliding neatly in to the seat. The door was shut and Kyrus was seating next to me before I even noticed. The ignition purred silently.
Before he did anything he glared at me.
“What?”
“Seatbelt?” His face was carved in stone as he glanced down at it.
“Are you kidding me? Seriously!” I was ready to lunge forward at him.
“I just wanted to see your reaction.” He smiled big enough for me to see his fangs. Then very carefully he sat up in his seat and kissed me on the lips. I closed my eyes instantly savoring it. But it was over before I notice.
When I looked we were already speeding away.
“Where are we going?”
“Home,” he said.
“My home?”
“That is where you wanted to go.”
“What about Kain?”
“We’ll back off for a little bit and recover,” he looked at me long diverting his eyes from off the road. No big deal for a vampire to multitask like that. “Relax a little. Anyways we have lots to talk about in the next couple of hours.”
“Couple of hours?" I started to cut it off in my head. Shouldn't it be like closer to eight? In mind, home seemed so much farther away. Like an all day drive. I looked outside the passenger window. Everything was going by in a flash. I looked at the speedometer. It was all the way to the right. We must be closing in back on Lake Havasu now. Funny as it is, I refer to it as my new birthplace.
Now, if I was still human I would freak out. But I was getting used to everything now. Ky’s normal vampire routine was rubbing off of me now.
“You need to act more casual around regular people,” he blurted out. “It was too weird watching you back there. You were leading him on a bit.”
“A bit?” I said. “Did you hear what he said in the car too?”
“Of course. He thought I was a rich snob.”
“Well, aren’t you?”
I saw a small grin.
“I guess I am.”
“How did you get so rich anyway?”
“Well, I inherited most of it. I played on the stock market for a couple decades, way before the crash happened. Then a little after the crash. Playing smart with money comes naturally.”
“What about Kain, did he inherit too?”
“No, he wasn’t around after the change. Our parents died not long after, a year or so. And he never came back home after he took off. I don’t think he ever came back to the city after Lilium.”
“Lucky you, Mr. Angoletto,” I said in a fake Italian accent. “If that is your real name.”
“It is,” he assured me. “Did I forget to tell you, Miss Blood?”
“Of course.” I sat back and pulled my feet up. “Don’t forget about the cell phone you’re getting.”
“Do I really have too?”
“Yes!” I gritted between my teeth. “I’m sure he has one too. It’s quite modern to have one now, old man.”
“Whatever. I play by your rules then.”
I smiled. Winning was so fun.
Twenty miles from Chino Valley, Arizona. I could feel the tension as we got closer to home. I couldn’t wait to smell the familiar scent of the desert climate. Hear the quiet little town. The wind was already pushing against the sports car. It was windy everywhere in this region.
I wanted to share it was Ky. I’m sure if he had the chance to show me his home he would have been just as excited. Even if my home was in the middle of nowhere.
I was busy transferring my contacts list in to my new phone. We had stopped at a Best Buy somewhere back. Kyrus got the most expensive one he could get. He was a complete show off when it came down to things involving money.
But he got me one too. Mine was purple and his was red. It was resting in the cup holder. He took no time to add me as his only contact and then set it down.
I was busy adding every person I knew in mine. I even had time to download wallpaper and get ring tones on to it.
“If you want I can put some on yours too.” I offered. “Tell me what you want.”
“No thanks.” He said in a flat tone.
“Come on,” I said. I picked his phone up. “What do you want to see when you first look at it for wallpaper?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re so dull.”
“Give it back. I’ll do it on my time then.” He snatched his phone away from him. “I don’t know why teenagers get so obsessed over cell phones these days.” He locked it with a password so I couldn’t get in to it.
“Meanie,” I mumbled. I heard him slam the accelerator. We climbed another ten on the speedometer. “Are we in a hurry?”
“I think someone might be following us.”
Kain? His name popped in to my head. I rather not say it out loud in front of Ky. Not with a mood swing coming soon.
I didn't feel him anywhere close by though.
“This is why I got a car. Buses are too predictable on where they are heading.”
“Well, wouldn’t we be as well? If someone was really meaning to stalk us in the first place.”
Ky stared at me for a long …LONG minute. If I was human I would have already died by the time I got a normal response out of him.
“Are you saying we are that suspicious?” I couldn’t believe how serious sounding he was.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You thought we were inconspicuous driving in a hundred-grand Italian sports car?” I screamed. “At least on a bus we hide in a crowd.”
“Kain isn’t the type to let up on a chase when innocent bystanders are there. He would kill them all.”
“Then…it is Kain following us?”
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Who ever it was quit following a mile ago. It could have been a curious vampire.”
“Or some guy with a fetish for Ferrari.”
He cracked a small little grin, but hey, at least I got him to. He was being stone cold most of the day already and it was annoying me. My jokes had to at least ease some of the tension right now going on between us.
My mind ponder though on the thought of another vampire. One besides the one beside me and the other main bloodsucker I know.
I wonder how different the rest of the undead population were from these two.

Chapter Twelve
Unpleasant Visit

Chino Valley…it was all the same. Same old boring town. Everything was mainly located on the highway that ran through it. We had one primarily grocery store, a few fast food places, and a Hollywood Video. So much for fun.
At least Prescott had a mall and a theatre, you would just have to drive forty minutes to get there.
We reach the same old boring high school. I saw some classmates on the football stadium that doubled as the soccer field. I strained my eyes (not that I needed to) to pick out stupid Jayson but he wasn’t there. Did they kick him out finally.
No, he was probably in Hawaii or something. He always brags about his summer vacation when it’s over. Last year it was Paris or so. Not that I care about his dull vacationing. Nothing would top my summer vacation right now.
Kyrus tried his best to slow the car down by the high school, but I think he got bored driving at fifteen miles per hour. Plus it was located on the main highway, why the hell is he slowing down? He pushed the accelerator and the tires screeched to high heaven.
“Ky!” I glared at him then to the soccer players. They were all staring at us, the car more so. They must think we were celebrities or something. I mean I never seen a Ferrari in Chino Valley. Maybe a nice Buick or Ford but that’s it.
“What?” he mused innocently.
“So much for being incognito.”
He raced around the corner ignoring the stop signs on the back roads.
“Where are we going?”
“Home.”
“Home? Wait, how do you know where I live?”
He held up the letter between his fingers. My scrawny handwriting betrayed my address. I snatched it out of his hands.
“And what if my dad is home?”
“We keep driving.”
“Then what?”
“What do you mean then what?” The park where Kim and I used to play at when we were kids passed by in swirls of red monkey bars within the corner of my eye as I stared at him. “It’s your home. You can go back whenever you want. I just don’t think it’s a good idea to go when your father is there.”
“Well, that’s just your opinion. Maybe he wants to see me. And when did you think it was okay to go through my things!?” I shouted and took my mail out of his hand. He relaxed his hand so I didn’t destroy it otherwise with my out of control strength I would have tear it in to shreds.
“How would you explain yourself? I don’t think you have completely comprehended the extent of your transformation. You do not look as human as you think.”
“Well, how the hell would you know what I looked as a human?”
“I saw plenty of pictures, but I believe seeing it for myself might be a different story. I’m sure I’m dead on though.”
I knew he was taunting now, but I did believe him. I have completely lost my humanity.
It was starting to get more evident but I hated that he was the first one to say it. I just wanted to go off and do my own thing but he wasn’t going to let me to that. It was never up to me, I could tell he was lying. Some stupid vampire trick to make me relax thinking I was the one in control here.
But I have to admit, it made me think a bit. I guess I have to listen to my elder for now.
Ky cared about me. A lot. And it was always changing, our relationship to one another. First it was partners, and then gradually in to a friendship. Last night in the hotel room was a huge transition for both of us.
“Just pull up and park by the curb,” I told him when he turned on my street.
“No one’s home,” he said slowing down a house away. “You should be alright on your own for an hour.”
“What? Where are you going?”
“Come on Kate,” he looked at me. “You were right about the car. It stands out. Especially here in whatever you call it.”
“Chino Valley? I know, it’s a very exciting place.” I pointed out to him. "Watch out for the dust storms."
“Likewise. I don’t know what people are going to say when they see this thing in front of your house. That’s why I refuse to pull up in your driveway.”
“That will make some interesting stories…” I could just imagine in my mind what everyone would say if they saw a Ferrari pull in to my driveway. Especially Jayson.
He wanted one so badly, if I remember correctly. He would be super jealous if he heard there was one in the Blood’s driveway. The driveway of his enemy.
I stepped on to the sidewalk and slowly walked the same path I walked everyday for the last years of my life as a human being. It bought the odd and weird sensation that I was completely missing a huge chunk of my life at the moment. Looking back I knew if I haven’t met Kain I would still be home going to and from school everyday like it should be.
Kyrus was already gone. I didn’t even hear the silent motor of the sports car zoom away. Now that I thought about it I didn’t even hear him say goodbye or an explanation of where he was going while I dillydallied in my room.
Okay, calm down Kate….he said he would be back in an hour. That’s plenty of time to grab the stuff I need and try to organized my chaotic life in.
I could feel my mind racing. It was going at least a gazillion miles per second. And it kept on going faster as I got closer to my house. I still had my old house key hidden under the cactus in the yard and luckily my father didn’t decide to change locks at all. Not like he didn’t do crazy random crap like that.
I shook that idea out of my head. No, there shouldn’t be no reason why he wouldn’t be back yet. With me missing it should hurry up that process at least.
My home was the exact same way I remembered it. Remarkably the place was not a mess. I knew my father well, or thought I did, and I was sure in a week’s time it would be the usual standard for him. Unless he wasn’t back from Oregon yet.
The usually pile of desert dust was building up.
Everything seemed untouch.
That's the one place I hated about this place. No matter how much you clean and dust, it comes back in a week. The dust storms and amount of wind we receive daily here didn't help at all either.
Making sure the front door was shut behind me I continued down the hallway to my room. The door was close of course, which was how I remembered it, but I totally forgotten about my name plack. It was so ironic now. I made it in the second grade. I painted my name in red paint to resemble blood and then for fun I super-glued a pair of cheap vampire teeth on it.
I guess I'm trading fake ones for real ones nowadays.
Or something like it at least. I should question Ky on that myth buster right there but to continue on to my mission first.
I opened my door slowly and before I even turned on the lights I knew.
A gust of some invisible wind blew out and I could smell it. That familiar stench. And I wasn't talking about how the dirt here in Chino always smelled liked. It was still fresh from the night at the concert when he was right in front of me.
He was in my room.
He was in my room?!
Wait, I couldn't comprehend this. Kain was here in Chino Valley and he somehow found a way in to my room, let alone found my house in this desert place.
But did Ky know?
He would have to right?
I couldn't believe this. What was he doing in my room? Nothing was missing, I could already tell. I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed the speed dial button for Ky. Pick up, please.
“Kate.” He was voice was as smooth as ever over the phone.
“Ky!” I was as erratic as ever, totally opposite of him.
“Slow down,” he said. “I can't believe I have to tell you this.”
“Can you just come over here right now? It's kinda of an emergency.”
“Okay, give a couple of minutes to park the car.”
“The door's unlocked.”
“Not that it matters.” Click. He hung up on me. No! I wanted him to stay on the phone with me. Not that I thought that Kain was going to show up any moment. But why would he be in my room?
I took another quick double over of my room including the closet and all my drawers. Nothing looked like it was tampered with, nothing moved, it was completely soundless. Just the stench in here, the stench of an undead person. A really familiar unwanted stench.
“What the...?”
I jumped. Surely for not the first time or the last time of my undead life.
“KY!” I turned around and there he was. He was half covering his nose and month with his sleeve. I didn't even hear the door open. Not that it shocked me anymore. Any other day in Chino Valley it would have. “He was in room!”
“Okay calm down....”
He reconnoiter my room faster then I did or ever can. I wish I could look in to his mind and see his method of thinking. It was absolutely nothing like mine. I wondered for a second in the amidst of this disastrous event taking place when I would start thinking like him. A hundred years or a couple? Of course by the then he would be pass me again.
“Kate?” he said snapping my out of my reverie. He was confused and puzzled. “I never took you as a one for daydreaming.”
“Oh!” I took on a more serious expression and look at him. “So what do you think?”
“He was here. But I'm not sure when. It wasn't any time recently.”
“How do you know that?”
“The scent is old, by a few days.”
“A few days!?” Wouldn't that be before the concert?
“Yes.”
“So I freaked out for no reason?”
“Yes,” he said again smiling. “But I'm glad you raise the alarm anyways. But why would he come here?”
“I say, this place is dull for vampires to visit.”
“I can say I at least found one appeal for me to visit...”replied Ky looking at me. If I had a beating heart right now I know I would feel it popping out of my chest. Silently I froze though. “I'll meet you in the car.” That was all he said before disappearing again. I saw this time open the door and close it slowly.
It shocked me for a second. I saw his exact moments that time.
But it all happen within a second.
That's what they meant when they hear everything happens in a blink of an eye.
I sat on the edge of my bed and laid down on my Emily the Strange comforter. It didn't feel as soft as it used to be. Not as soft at Ky's body is to...
I stopped.
Everything that I thought of now was about Ky. His scent was still in the room. That rich sweet aroma. I wondered if I smelled that good to him.
A minute went by. I was wasting time here. In a minute in my life now was worth a whole lot more and it was pointless to let it go. I decided to grab what little memorabilia I had from my previous life. I threw in some extra clothes in my arms, a necklace my father gave to me that used to belong to mother. It was her little 'I'm leaving you' gift. I quickly slipped it over my neck.
My last keepsake was my photos. I grabbed my box full of them and only took the ones I wanted the most. I was really looking for one taken last summer of me and Kim.
But it wasn't there!
Oh, where did it go?
I searched frantically thought the stack ten times. It wasn't there.
Someone had been in my room.
And we knew who that someone was.

Chapter Thirteen
Trail

“Where are we going, Ky?” We were moving faster away from Chino going North on the eighty-nine. I saw the national park and junipers past by in flashes of green.
Home.
It was my home but no longer my home.
I felt invisible wheels turning in my head. They were going as fast as the ones on this car that Ky was driving way past the legal limit.
I have no home anymore. I was abandoning it.
When Ky didn't answer me I looked at him agitatedly.
“Can you answer me when I ask you a question?”
“Kate.” His face was still. In fact he's whole body looked frozen in time. He wouldn't even turn to face me when he said my name.
Minutes started to inch by.
“You can't go home.”
“Well, I realized that.” I was holding on to my old tatty photos in my hand. I made sure to grab things that were important to me. Things that I would miss dearly. My memories, my mother's necklace. Because I knew I was never going to go home again.
Anything to remind me that I used to be human once. If Kyrus ever held on to a memory like my fingers were to my pictures I didn't know. It was something I would believe he would have kept to himself. We both had secrets that we were keeping from one another.
I never stole a second glance in that journal he hide somewhere. There had to more story behind then what he told me.
“You do?” he said amusingly but I could sense an unfamiliar edge in his voice creeping out. Like it was cracking.
Was it fear?
He wasn't like this in my room where I thought he would be after discovering Kain was there. Was it now just hitting him like a rock? Much less a soccer ball.
“You realize then.” He paused. “That if Kain knows where your house is....if he was able to...”
“That I can never go home now unless we kill him?”
“Pretty much. If you ever want to go home again.” The words tinged his tongue. “I'm sorry. I should have realized.”
“It's not your fault.”
“Yes. It is.” He continued driving in a straight line. “If I have gotten to Kain before he changed you, you would still be living your life. You would still have your father and your friends.”
Did he really mean that?
“But...I would never have met you!” I exclaimed. I would never have met the person before me. Or realize how much I enjoyed his presence.
“Kate.”
He was still staring at the empty road ahead of us letting it fall beneath the tire tracks.
“It shouldn't have never meant to be.”
“How can you say that?”
Everything turned to dead silence.
“Ky!”
He didn't answer.
“Then tell me! Tell me you don't love me.”
Still, no response. He won't answer me.
“Cause you can't.” I choked out. It was utterly impossible for him to say it.
“I shouldn't have to.” His voice was almost inaudible to my ears. “You know that.”
I laid back in my seat waiting for the car ride to end.
Waiting for a life to end that would never will.
We eventually had to stop. One thing I totally forgot about. At the hotel we ran out of our food source. Yet, I blame Ky for that blunder.
That and we would eventually run out of gas way before we could reach Flagstaff.
“You can wait in the car,” he told me as he parked by the main hospital there.
"Can I drive it around the block as I wait?"
"No," he said as he took the keys out of the ignition. "I won't be long."
"Fine," I pouted as he left me. It was for only a minute, and what was a minute compare to a dozen lifetimes that I'm going to be living.
The mountain city was quiet relaxing to look at. It was a lot more refreshing then Chino.
I saw him come back, empty handed....
"What happen?" I asked him as he got in the car silently turning the engine on.
"Someone already cleaned it out."
"Someone...." I racked my head on this one. "Who else would rob a blood bank....?"
"Who would you think?" He sped off.
"Kain?"
"No, he doesn't operate that way. It must had been others that feed like we do."
"But wouldn't we have notice if there were other vampires in the area?"
"I did...earlier."
"The car that was following us?"
"Yeah, I'm almost positive."
"That's great." I said sarcastically leaning back in the seat. "Now what?"
"We have no other choice. We have to find a blood bank at least. We'll drive to the next town just to be safe."
Oh this was going to be great. But were there really other vampires out there besides Kain? It made me excited and cringe at the same time. They must be like us though. If they decided to rob blood banks instead of humans for food.
I couldn't sense them at all.
I wonder how they were different from the vampire sitting next to me again. Him and his twin.
The next town was a deserted little desert town. It was buzzing with a nightlife. Something foreign to my hometown.
Somehow I was having doubts of finding what we wanted here.
"Ky, are we stopping here?"
"We have to do something." He said slowing the car down. The main highway went right though the town.
"Hey, there's a nightclub."
"No."
"But..."
"No." We bypassed the town.
"I was just bored."
"I know, but its too risky."
I let it go. Yeah, he was right. But sitting in a car was so boring. I looked out the window as the whole world flashed by.
A odd feeling then crossed me.
I looked behind us. Usually all I would see was headlights in the distant but this time I saw someone's brights forty feet away maybe?
And it was a consent speed to match us. Like they were actually following.
"Ky..." Surely I wasn't the first to alert his attention.
"What?" Never mind. His 'nothing was wrong at the moment' was high in the air.
"Are we being...followed?" I looked behind again to give the indication.
He checked his mirrors, then turned his head to look.
"Maybe," he said with a little edge.
"Maybe? Don't tell me you haven't noticed?"
"Senses fade when deprived of blood, Kate. You can hardly blame me. I'm surprised you noticed first though."
"On a lighter note, isn't that the car that was following us before?"
"The Ferrari fetish guy? What kind of car is it?"
I looked again. Not that I can really tell cars from the front in blinding headlights.
"A Honda?"
"A Honda what? I think that narrows down a lot. There's only like millions of Honda's in the world!"
"I don't know...it's silver and a coupe."
"That sounds right..." Did he actually noted the car's color and model from earlier? I wouldn't be surprise if he had the license plate number memorized.
"What now?"
"If he wants something from us, I don't know. But it can't hurt talking to him."
I felt the car decelerate.
Ky pulled off to side and so did our pursuer.  

[Oerba Dia Vanira]

Chapter Fourteen
Aeron

I watched Ky stepped out of the car in unison with our pursuer, the unconfirmed vampire. I could see him clearly in the clear moonlight. Out in the middle of nowhere it was easy to see his face. Especially on these cloudless Arizona nights.
It was drop dead gorgeous.
Not to say Ky wasn't either. It was a common vampiric trait that was hard to let up. I'm sure in a few centuries my outlook would be completely different. Funny how I can think of what it would be like in a hundred years. It was like comparing the difference of my high school years against my experience of being a creature of the night.
"Ky, do you want to come out with you?" I asked him. Two was better then one. He was hesitating by the car door, letting the alarm continue to beep early half second. The keys were still firmly set into the ignition.
"No, I can handle him on my own."
His reassurance was doubting me though. I refused to believe him. Resting on the thought, I decided to just watch through the rear window and jump in when I was needed.
The stranger wasn't to be trusted in my eyes. No vampire was. Except to the one beside me. Kain's reappearance at the concert shook my trust in all vampires. Not that he was to be trusted before then. Turning my mind off of Kain I focused to the situation at hand. It was no task to listen in to their conversation.
" 'ello," said the newcomer giving the first introduction. He had a very thick British accent. Nice, I thought.
"Hello, I see that you have gain an interested in following us." I heard Ky's voice. He still had hints of an Italian accent as well. Though I couldn't believe he went straight to the point!
Who immediately points out that they are being stalked to the stalker themselves? What sense was it pointing out the blatantly obvious?
Of course.
The vampire we call Kyrus does.
I wanted to jump out of this vehicle and knock him over off the road. Taking over was only going to make the situation worse. It would show the lack of inability that we had to work together and prove a weak point.
"Oh, so you noticed?" replied this stalker. He was just at amused at Ky's wacky response as I was.
"Since California."
"Yeah, well you see, I didn't think there would be any of us around here.”
“Get to the point, will you? We're on a fixed schedule.” Ky seemed annoyed a bit. I almost wanted to get out but not for his sake. Surely the other vampire here was getting turn off by his attitude.
“I can see that. I noticed that you and your friend might need some assistance in the blood department. I would be more then welcome to oblige.”
“No.” So quick to refuse.
Okay, time to take charge. I got out and slammed the car door.
Ky and his stupid attitude made me want to rip this door off this car and throw it at him.
But I contained myself.
Both of them heard my dramatic exit out of the vehicle and stared at me.
“Ky! This is no time to d**k around. We need blood.”
Or you need blood. Ky was worse off then me.
I guess being a fledgling made me somewhat stronger then him. I could withstand substance longer.
“Well, 'ello there,” said the blonde vampire smiling. His hair was as natural as that smile. If it was a dye job, I was unable to tell. Especially with Ky's inconspicuous one. It was almost faded back to its natural color though.
“Hi,” I replied sheepishly before turning my stoic gaze on Ky. All I could do was glare at him. But he got the hint.
“Alright.”
“Joy," he said. "Aeron is the name. It's a pleasure...." he strained searching for a name.
"Kate." I smiled back at him warmly. Ky was not so forthcoming.
"Kyrus."
"Now that that is over with," Aeron headed back to his car. It was a Honda after all. Civic coupe. Older make though. I thought vampires usually like to have the latest models. Guess it doesn't matter, as long as its fast it qualifies.
"Um....the blood?" I questioned.
"If you can, follow me back in to town. I believe there was a nice little nightclub there. I'll be waiting in the back far corner," he gracefully slid in to his car. We watched as he zoomed past us, do a one-eighty leaving skid marks in the road. He stared as us as he came back around. I swear he winked at us too in that fast second.
What a weird guy.
Half-way back in to the car I noticed Ky was standing there, staring at the empty spot on the concrete.
Something in the pit of my stomach told me he wasn't liking this at all.
"Ky?"
"It's nothing," he turned around back in the car in the same graceful manner as our newcomer.
"Are we going back?"
"Do we have a choice?"
I knew the answer right away. It was bothering me knowing that Ky was doing something he wasn't used to.
Trusting others, practically of his own kind probably never benefit him in the least. I was the first and only exception.
Even though what a challenge it was for him to trust me. I admit, something was off how Aeron came up to us. Chasing us down for a day? He seem more interested in something else then helping us.
Did he witness the ordeal at the concert? California felt like a long way from now. Anyone could have been spying on us in the big city.
I relaxed and got back in to the car besides Ky. Extremely distracted by the whole chaos that emerge out of nowhere, I actually banged my head getting back in!
Ky no doubt heard the loud clang as my head hit the top.
"Are you alright?"
He was asking me if I'm alright?
My head most be harder then brick. I doubt the metal frame of this car could break it.
I reevaluated my surroundings and got back in.
"Yeah," I said. "I doubt your car can beat me up that badly."
He took that as a reasonable answer. Letting it go he ignited the engine and follower after Aeron.
I neglected to inform the fact that I left a huge dent there in his car. He'll find out on his own time sooner or later.
A minute after driving Ky looked to me.
"You need to be more careful."
"Careful of what?"
"He was trying to use compulsion on you."
Compulsion? Was he? I remember reading something about that in my previous life. The ability to make others do what you want. It was a dangerous tool. Was Aeron using it? Do I want to say all those things?
"Are you positive?" My voice was a bit shaky.
"He was trying. When you looked at me, you broke whatever control he was trying to establish."
"Can...can you do that too?"
"Sometimes...but you will learn that some vampires are better at things then others." Meaning he sucked at it. "Aeron might specialize in it."
"What do you specialize in?"
"I..." he stopped. "I can a little of everything." He wasn't sure? Geez, I hope I would know one day what I can do. Some vampire he was.
I refused to asked him what his brother. Maybe Kain can do everything better then him. Maybe that's what got him down.
We had already reached the desert town where Aeron told us about. I saw the nightclub again. The one Ky rushed by earlier. It was located in what I would consider downtown, hidden amongst warehouses. A norm for most clubs that deal with shady business.
And when I mean shady, I really mean shady.
Nonetheless, I got out first.
Ky came after me shortly. I can sense his hesitation again. His body language told me everything.
He glance at me before we walked in the door. I knew what those eyes of his were trying to tell me.
They were warning me.
Don't trust Aeron.
Understood. Not that I would trust a stranger we met minutes ago and apparently was our stalker for the last day. Especially since he was trying to use some vampire mind trick on me. This was going to be a quick in and out procedure.
For a small town nightclub it was busting with life. The music boomed louder as we crawled our way in through the clubbers. I can sense where the real night goers were.
The back of the club he said. Well the back we went.
A curtain sectioned it off from the rest of the space making it a top V.I.P place. On a dark blood red sofa against a dark décor sat Aeron. His bright appearance contrasted the whole setting. It was quite unbecoming for our kind.
He wasn't alone either. There was a pretty little number sitting next to him in which he was entertaining. Drunk to high heaven.
A human girl that couldn't hold her drink apparently. The occasional bait at clubs.
I remembered how easily it could have been me at one point.
“Oye!” He brighten up, directly at me. Making quick eye contact once again. “I see you two made it.”
“Wow,” said the girl beside him. “You didn't say your friends were gorgeous as you.”
She was eyeballing Ky in particular. Naturally I'm not a jealous person but I felt a spark flew.
Wait. I was jealous? Over Ky?!
I guess that was normal. I never seen in real life how a human teenager would fall head over heels with him, but if it was anything like how I was so easily trance by Kain, I'm sure she was not to blame either.
Despite that, I got a look at Ky's expression. He was stoic as ever. I hoped he didn't noticed the rage in me for a second. Not that I knew he wouldn't be interested anyway. I'm sure if I was still human in that club in Vegas a week ago, he would never had looked twice at me.
He was too preoccupied with Aeron at the moment to notice my initial rage.
“Hmm, Kate, Ky, come have a seat. Don't be strangers.” He patted the empty seat beside him motioning to me.
Those words of his made me want to sit down reluctantly. Was it the compulsion again? It was hard to tell. The love seat only sat a good three though. Ky found the only black leather one-seater to claim in the sectioned off quarters, all the while keeping his eyes on Aeron.
Aeron had his attention back on the girl making lovely-dovey eyes at her. I stared with an open-mouth expression.
This guy was a freaking master! I could tell he made a hobby out of this deal. Apparently the effect work better on humans.
It also made me think what he meant by supplying us too and what his source was. With the show Ky and I were witnessing right now our thoughts were probably on the same wave length.
“Jessica dear, why don't you get me another drink,” Aeron's voice was so sensual I'm sure no one would refuse. Not even me. I mentally shook my head. Resisting him was getting harder. The one-inch gap between us wasn't helping us either.
“Sure, love,” she got up carrying the empty glasses eying Ky again as she stepped out past the curtain.
He stared at Aeron the whole time. And haven't taken his gaze off since.
Aeron had turned to me, with a handsome smile on his face addressing the both of us casually.
“So, you two need blood?”
“No, sherlock,” I answered back since Ky seemed incapable for any reason. Maybe it was his lack of social skills.
“Well, I'm your man. Just tell what you want and I''ll-”
“That girl,” broke in Ky.
“Oh, don't worry. I had no intention of offering you live blood. I just find it amusing sometimes.”
“Fooling around with poor defenseless girls?” I added in.
“Yeah, it sounds bad when you say it like that. But it's not like I kill them.”
Aeron leaned over me for a quick second within inches of my face. I almost freaked out by his sudden advance on me but then I realized that he was retrieving a black bag from beside the sofa.
It was a bright blue lunch cooler full of blood packets.
“As you can see, I'm no different from you guys.” He tossed the lunch box on the table for free grabs.
“Wow, you got dozens in there. You must have robbed a..”
“Blood bank? Yeah.” He quickly finished my sentence for me.
Quickly grabbing a packet I read the donor tags. Flagstaff Medical...
He was the one!
I looked at Ky. He had already figured it out.
This jerk was the one who cleaned that place out before we did. But how? If he was the one following us...
“Oh yeah, I forgot,” said Aeron moving to the side bar where glasses were kept. I saw him reach the bar in a flash and come back with three glasses in hand.
“Before my little lady friend comes back, I suggest you use these instead so she doesn't freak out.”
“No, not if you pull those moves on her all the time.”
Aeron smiled at me and laughed. He must have known we already figured him out.
“You're a funny one, aren't you?” He took the blood bag from me and gracefully poured its contents in to the glass before handing it to me.
“Fancy,” I said remarking on the vintage glass. “I knew I wasn't the only one that enjoyed it out of a wine glass.”
I stared at Ky when I said that. I saw a light tickle of a smile on his lips as he shook his head. He accepted the glass that Aeron gave him remarkably. I watched Ky as he hesitated to drink out of it.
I never seen him drink blood. Besides the one time when I let him drink mine, so it was awkward watching him when I wasn't his supplier.
Mr. Blondy though kept getting my attention. I noticed how he was leaning in to me and indiscriminately trying to inch closer to me.
Seriously, did he honestly think that he can do that?
In front of Ky.
Of course he would notice. I choose to ignore Aeron though.
He was clearly trying to do his little tricks on me again.
It was obvious he was a player and enjoyed being flirtatious with pretty girls. I was no different then the girl that was siting on the couch before me.
"Oh, I see you got drinks already," said Jessica carrying two glasses in her tiny little hands. She stood there and noticed Aeron's obvious desertion of her by how he was doting on me now.
"Sorry, love. I forgot," he let his voice ring. It wasn't really soothing the drunk girl here. But was he aiming for the opposite effect?
"It's alright." She placed the drinks down on the table and moved in closer to Ky. "So, Ky," she sat on the armrest. He looked extremely uncomfortable with her there.
Again, he has a lack of experience dealing with anyone. Girls nonetheless.
"Want to go on the dance floor with me?"
"No thanks," he replied curtly without looking at her.
"Oh, come on," she begged.
Ky ignored her and twirled his thumbs on his glass.
"Ky, don't be such a grouch," said Aeron. He used his nickname for him like they were best buds or something. I'm sure that ticked off Ky more then anything. I was barely allowed to use it lightly at first.
"Well, I'm up for it," said Aeron standing up. "Kate, I'll be honor if you joined me." He had grabbed my hand and pulled me before I could protest pulling me away.
Apparently Ky didn't like that. I knew he wouldn't. He had jumped up in not a moment's hesitation to block his path.
"Whoa, relax man, I'll bring her back. All in one piece." Aeron was still holding his cool.
Ky looked at me to see how I was standing against all this. I didn't feel like I was being manipulated. Just physically pulled away.
"I'll be fine," I told him even though I wasn't sure on what Aeron's intentions were. "You're just taking me to the dance floor right?"
"Yeah," said Aeron in a certain manner. "Be a gentleman Ky and entertain this lady until I get back."
Ky didn't say anything as he sat back down. Jessica seemed pleased with that and continued blabbering to Ky. He looked like a blank statue there ignoring everything that fell out of her mouth.
I turned back to Aeron on the dance floor amongst the crowd.
I was sure there was a reason why he wanted to talk to me alone. It was obvious the strain he was putting on there to occupy Ky.
"So, what was it you wanted to tell me?"
Aeron turned to me and smiled.
A smile that I wasn't sure I can trust.

Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue

"What is going on?" I asked again letting the commotion around engulf us. We were the only two non-moving objects in the crowd. Frozen in time. Ky must be focusing, paying close attention to our conversation. If he could actually hear us or not I wasn't too positive.
"Kate," he let it linger on his tongue. He placed a strain of my hair between his fingers and played with it. "You're really attractive."
"Yeah...comes the standard with being a vampire."
He chuckled.
"So, did your vampire boyfriend make you then? You two seem really close."
"What's that to you?" I was getting agitated. It was really none of his business on who made me. But if it made him feel better, I would lie to him to put him off it. "Yes, Ky did make me."
He seemed pleased with that answer.
"Good, because you know what they say."
"No."
That's when he smiled amusingly.
"You only belong to the one that makes you."
"Then, where's the one that made you?"
"Long gone. Sadly to say."
"So does that make...you free?"
"If you can call it that. Being alone is not always better."
"Then to ease your loneliness, would you make someone?" Jessica quickly crossed my mind.
"Like, Jessica? Sorry, but she does nothing for me. Doesn't please my pallet. One night thing really."
So I was right. He was a player. But I believed him when he said he had never changed anyone. He was just out looking for a good time.
Like I was.
Aeron was not a bad person either. Ky had nothing to worry about him.
"So, did you approach us..."
"Because I was lonely? A bit. It's been a while since I've seen others like me in awhile."
"Do you want to..." I stopped. Was it wrong for me to offer Aeron to tag along with me and Ky?
Maybe it wasn't my place then. It was a personal matter for us. Bringing an outsider in to this wasn't a wise choice.
"Nevermind."
"What?" He sensed I was asking something. "Is something wrong?"
"No. I think I better get back to Ky. Before..."
I drew away from Aeron but something was holding me back.
"I'm sure he's fine. He seems weak a bit. Tired. Like he hasn't feed enough..."
"Exactly. He needs me," I tried to reinforced. But as I tried to escape again someone whispered into my ear.
"He's not the only one."
That voice. It sting my ear.
Again that feeling.
I turned around. I put myself in a situation where my back was to Aeron. But I thought I could trust him. I mean, he has nothing to do with Kain here, right?
Right?!
"Hello, Kate."
"Kain..." I was shocked. I knew he was following us. But I didn't expect that he would corner us here. Or was he?
I waited for Ky to come in any moment to break this up.
But the seconds ticked by and no Ky.
He told me earlier that his senses were dull as of late due to our lack of blood intake. He was in no position to take on Kain.
"Why are you here?"
He smiled.
"Give me a few minutes head start," he said over my head at Aeron.
"Wait, what?" I stared back at Aeron.
"Sure thing, pal," he said. “She's all yours.”
Why are they engaging in a conversation for?
They were working together.
"Ciao, bella." He waved at me as I felt my body being propelled backwards.
Kain had grabbed me around my waist and was dragging me with him.
"No, let go!" I protested. But Kain was stronger then I took him for for.
I did the only option that I had.
"KY!"
I let his name escape my lips again in hopes that he would hear my cry. We were already at the door. I couldn't see Aeron in the crowd. That jerk.
I was wrong about him the whole time.
"No use calling for him, dear," said Kain as he threw me in to a open top car parked right on the curb. I tried to rush out when he got in but he pushed me back in to my seat and held me there with just that arm alone.
He got the car starting with just one free hand and we were gone like that. The club disappeared behind us and within seconds we were back on the main road. The wind roared over us as he reached probably twice the legal limit.
Looking at the car over, it was a Mercedes-Benz convertible.
This thing must be worth half a million at least. Kain must be living it good to be able to afford this monstrosity.
I refused to fawned over the car of my enemy.
"Where the hell are you taking me?" I shouted at him. He still had his hand on me. Like I would jump out of a moving vehicle but if it meant getting away from him, I might have considered it.
Not only that, but I'll being coming out alive as well. If I was human, I would forget it.
"Oh Kate," he said. He was still smiling. "Kate, Kate..."
"Stop saying my name like that, you creep!"
"I didn't do anything wrong. I was just taking what was mine."
I stared at him puzzled.
Everything that Aeron was telling me was being spoon fed from him.
"So you planned this? Is Aeron one of your underlings?"
"Maybe. He was just someone I hired temporarily."
"Did you get him to rob the blood bank too?"
"Wow, you're smarter then I took you for. My brother is such a fool depending on human resources. It just shows how unreliable they can be."
So everything Aeron told me was a lie? Did he even need the blood packets too? Or was he just another Kain?
I felt a huge lump in my throat.
He was going to have Jessica as a snack later.
"You know, I really hate you."
"Well, we have a long trip ahead of us to work apart our differences."
I sat back in my seat. He refused to relax his hand on me.This was more then just a revenge against two brothers. It was reaching a personal matter.
And now I was just a shiny new toy they were fighting over.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll know when we get there."
"Okay..." I didn't feel like striking any normal conversation with him. "Why were you in my room the other day?"
"Kate." He paused. That's right, my picture. I cracked open the dashboard. Nothing there. I knew he had it.
"Looking for something?"
"No." I gave up. He knew what I was looking for, he was only teasing me at this point.
Refusing for him to win, I sat back in the seat. Only hoping that Ky was going to come.