83ADRIA’S POVHis eyes held a malicious glint when I made that statement, and I spotted the little upturn in his lip.“Teach you?” He asked, slowly, turning to face me, and although I was a little hesitant there, I eventually nodded.“Yes. I… I would like to learn to use those skills.” I replied, and he gave a wide smile.“Then let’s meet here again tomorrow night.” He said, walking towards me.“Tomorrow night?” I asked, and he nodded.“Tomorrow night, I will show you a bit of what we can do. We will take it little by little. Remember, a giant jump makes you skip all the little details, and I’ll teach you how to love yourself just the way you are.” He assured me, with a hand on my shoulder, and at that moment, I felt a connection to him.He had said he was lonely. Did people avoid him because of what he was? Was he like me? Did he suddenly wake to find himself a vampire?He was going to teach me to love myself just the way I was. How had he known I had been hating myself for being a
84ADRIA’S POVA gasp flew out of my mouth, and my hands found my lips, covering them, so not another sound would escape it.I was horrified. My feet fell a step back, and I tried so hard not to blink. He didn’t even look like he was sucking, yet the girl’s expression was one of pain.She was feeling a lot of pain, at the moment.I fell back again, wondering if I would make it if I ran. Was he going to make me a prey? What if he decided to suck my blood because I got scared of him?No, vampires didn’t suck other vampires’ blood, did they?Finally, he raised his head from the girl, and another drop of blood rolled down from her neck where two little deep pink holes had been made.They were the holes made by his teeth. The girl turned back to being expressionless, and I felt pity for her.“Go home.” He commanded her, and she began to walk blindly away from where we stood.Derek had a drop of blood that had run down a corner of his mouth, and when he saw me staring, he wiped it off with
85ADRIA’S POVThe wind carried my hair along with it, not letting it drop, or touch my shoulders for a second, and it also found a way into my clothes, ruffling them, and making me feel lighter than I’d felt in years.My legs bounced across the forest effortlessly, and although I put my best into it, I was never able to catch Derek, not even when he slowed down for me.We played tag with our superhuman speed, and when he was to catch me, he caught me effortlessly, which made me scream, and giggle.But when it was my turn to catch him, I never caught him, he was simply too fast—too fast for me.After running around for hours, we sat on the rock, breathing hard.“It was fun.” Derek said with a chuckle, as he threw a stone at a bunch of grapes on a tree.“I haven’t had fun like that in years. It was epic.” I replied to him, getting up to pick the grapes which had fallen on the ground. “They look fresh.” I replied, turning them over in my hands.We began to munch on the soft, and juicy g
86ADRIA’S POV.The sweet scent traveled all the way into my nostrils, and filled my head. It felt like I had inhaled drugs, and it had succeeded in getting me intoxicated.I wanted to keep on sniffing, and sniffing. I knew it was blood, but it smelled so sweet at that moment, that I didn’t even feel a bit nauseated.Not only that, but I could suddenly feel an ache in my teeth, and my breathing pace increased, as I felt the urge to grab the tumbler, and pour the contents down my throat.But instead, with immense efforts, I turned my head aside, and pushed the tumbler away.No, I couldn’t…“There’s no harm in it.” Derek smirked, raising the tumbler to his lips.My fingers were shaking. It was so terrifying that I actually wanted to drink the blood. That I wanted a taste of it, even if it was a drop.I clenched my teeth, closed my eyes, and took in deep breaths.“I… like I said, I’m not ready.” I insisted, although it wasn’t strong.“It seems to me you’re ready. You just don’t want to a
87ADRIA’S POV.I wasn’t even trying to suck. The blood just came freely, pouring into my mouth, and down my throat, filling every corner of my body, feeding my desires sweetly.I continued to gulp more blood down my throat, and the cow let out pained groans. How had I been running from blood all that while?Why had I not accepted my nature? Who knew blood could be sweeter than honey? At that moment, all I wanted was to drink. Derek was totally forgotten, so was everything else around me.I gasped as the blood refreshed me, like I was taking in sweet fruit juice. In moments, everything around me seemed to clear, and I couldn’t hear a single thing, not even the cow’s cries.A hand alighted on my shoulder, and squeezed lightly, but I didn’t stop. Derek had made me drink, and so I was going to keep drinking, and drinking. He had gotten a full cow anyway, so I was very sure I would have some left after drinking to my fill.Finally, after some time, I released the cow, and realized we both
88ADRIA’S POV.The urge was more than I could take, and already my fangs were out fully.“Are you okay?” Stacy asked in concern, turning me to her, but I couldn’t reply unless she would scream after seeing my horrible teeth. “Adria?” She called, and the guys turned to us, noticing Stacy’s worried tone.“Is there something you’re eating in your mouth? Something you don’t want us to see?” Tommy asked. “Well, we’re going to see it!” He suddenly added, dashing for me, and just then, Lucien and I locked eyes once more.Seeing him stare like that made me feel cornered. I couldn’t help feeling scared he’d hate me more, if he realized I was changing to my vampire self, all because I saw cows passing by.So, I pushed Stacy’s hands off my shoulders, and ran.“Oh my God. She’s so… fast.” I heard Daniel say, and I tried to slow myself down. At least, to athlete speed.I knew it wouldn’t be obvious that my fangs were down with my mouth closed.Because in the movies, the vampire teeth never affecte
89ADRIA’S POV.“Adria. Is there something you have to tell me?” My mum asked immediately, turning to face me, and I stuffed my toast into my mouth, trying to act casual.“Adria.” She called again, and I tried to munch as fast as I could, so I could reply to her.I swallowed, settling into a sofa, and opened my mouth to speak.“Something I have to tell you? I don’t understand.” I replied, still acting innocent.“You’ve been returning home really late at night, and this morning, your room smelled nauseating. It smelt like blood.” She attacked, turning off the television.“So, you think I ate all those cows, or something?” I asked, dropping my toast on the center table.“Adria. Let’s be truthful…”“I’ve been so miserable, mum. Being a vampire isn’t what I wanted. I tried to see if I’d heal, or die, last night, so I cut myself repeatedly. The blood dried, I healed, but the smell stuck to my body, and I was too tired, and depressed to wash up.”When I had become such a good liar, I wasn’t
90LUCIEN’S POV.I sat back, and gave it a good thought. She had suddenly started acting all happy. I should have known that something was wrong. She was also looking a little healthier.When we had stopped at the same stall to buy snacks, cows had stopped by, and shortly she had run off.She wasn’t an experienced vampire, so it made sense she saw the cows, and tried to satisfy herself with them when she got the urge.But could she really be responsible for the missing people?Would Adria really kill people? What was she doing? I was barely trying to stay on my own, and avoid her. Why was she doing something else that would definitely catch my attention in a bad way?One more missing person, and I was going to have to warn her. I couldn’t bear watching the humans go amiss when the killer might possibly be in my hands.One more human missing would prove a lot because the guilt on her face would show immediately I asked her about it.I was disappointed in her. She knew how much havoc th
127ADRIA’S POV.I took it out, and happiness flooded my heart. The happiness I had felt when I had received it.The fact that those memories could be happy memories that I wanted, brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t remember. Why? Why was I feeling so happy just by seeing a tumbler?Then, as I kept on studying it. The memory had become clear. Lucien had given me the tumbler. I turned to him wondering why he would give me a tumbler, smiling when we were enemies, and then, I recalled his name.With the recollection of his name, everything suddenly hit me like a blast. I recalled lots of faces, and everything about me. I became myself.How had I lost control, and killed those helpless humans? How?And why was I about to kill Lucien?“Lu… Lucien.” I called, but it was so hard to speak. My throat was dry, and unused. He looked at me with relief, and joy flooding his eyes, and I tried hard not to break down.“Lucien.” I called again, and my breath came out in hitches. My hand found his fa
126LUCIEN’S POV.With the speed of lightning, Adria appeared to me, staring at me, with lasers in her eyes. The wolves made to attack, but I held up my hand once more.“No interruption.” I instructed, and Adria struck, trying to slash my neck, but I dodged, and took hold of her hands, turning her the way I always turned her, whenever we fought.“Adria!” I called, but she easily broke out of the lock I had her in, and managed to slash my right arm.It was a deep gash, but that did nothing to me. I was already healing. She thrusted, and I parried. We carried on with that pattern for a long time because I didn’t wish to hurt her, but she became even more violent.“Adria!” I called once more, but she didn’t budge. She raised her claws to slash my neck, but I bent, and wound my leg around hers.She fell backwards, but made it to her feet quickly in a backward roll. “Adria!” I called again, trying to bring her to her senses, but she was too restless, and too fast.It was obvious she was st
125LUCIEN’S POV.I wasn’t the only one, who felt it. Everyone felt it. The wolves, Lycans, and the vampires too.The odd sensation that filled the air. Like something was coming.They all paused one after the other, looking around. So did the wolves, and the Lycans.And it felt like I already knew what was happening, but was too scared to admit it.The vampires on the right began to part, and about half of them bowed, while the other vampires looked irritated.Out of their midst, on the clear path formed, after they all separated, came Adria.The white dress she was wearing was tattered, and covered in blood, but that did nothing to diminish the aura around her, and it didn’t stop her from being beautiful.She walked confidently with her eyes red, and flaming.Her dark claws were out, and longer than I remembered. They looked like they could claw out the human heart in a matter of seconds.It felt like she commanded the air. It hung around everyone, with a feeling of doom. She had fi
124LUCIEN’S POV.“I’m thinking the same thing as you are.” Zayne said, confirming my suspicions.“You think Adria’s the one behind the missing people?” I asked, looking around for the remote controller.“Exactly what I think, and as for the rebel vampires… We’ve finally heard news of them.” He added, and I stopped my search for the remote controller.Watching news I had missed out on, was no longer important at the moment.“Tell me. What are they planning?” I asked.“They are creating an army large enough to defeat all the wolf clans, and humans, together.” He answered, extending the papers embodying his research.“How is that possible? How big would an army have to be to defeat the wolf clans, and humans alike?” I asked, taking out the papers, and skimming through.“A thorough investigation has been done. They’ve sought for vampires all over, and they’ve also turned some humans who have a strong will to kill. As we speak, they’re getting stronger in numbers, and enslaving the vampir
123ADRIA’S POV.I was being sincere. I was tired of fighting, and fighting endlessly. Before it ended in the death of one of us accidentally, I wanted him to close his eyes, and kill me.That was the solution we’d been ignoring. He didn’t want to kill me, with his hands, so he’d been avoiding it.“You’re someone I know as brave. It’ll be over very soon. I’ll rise again, and even if I forget you, my heart won’t forget the face it beats for. When I come to terms with who I am, and accept that I love you, things will be alright again, so please, Lucien. Please…” I begged, still holding his hand to my neck, but he withdrew it, and sighed.“How do you expect me to kill you with my hands…?”“Just do it! Do it! I’m sick of our clashes repeating itself over, and over. Aren’t you sick of it too?” I asked, getting to my feet, and looking at him straight in the eye.“Damn, Adria. We need to think.” He said, placing his hands on the wall next to him, and bowing his head.“We’ve done all the thin
122ADRIA’S POV.I felt sad, and distraught. What thick darkness was threatening to cover our light?Athena went back to tending to Lucien’s arm, and I watched her.“So, what have you come here for?” She asked softly, dabbing ointment on the wound.“Um… we keep on fighting each other. I’m a vampire, and he’s a werewolf.” I replied, watching her intently.“Of course, you keep on fighting each other more than the average wolf, and vampire would fight.” She replied, dropping the wool, and ointment.“Why?” I asked, and she got up from her stool, placing a hand on Lucien’s shoulder, and holding his arm with the other.“Because you both are the strongest of your species.” She replied, setting Lucien’s arm straight, in a single motion.Lucien didn’t make a noise, but the way he squeezed up his face, and looked away, suggested that it had hurt.“What a fine young man.” Athena replied, and moved to me, starting with my head. “You’re the daughter of the vampire Queen. A pure-blooded vampire, an
121ADRIA’S POV.Hope flooded my heart like never before, and we began to make our way, towards the shore. Lucien still couldn’t move his arm, so I had to take him all the way out of the water.Finally, I got out of the water, and pulled him out too.We panted hard, and looked at each other, with sparkling eyes.It had been done. We had survived it. At least that was if there were no more obstacles for us, on the way to Athena’s house.“I think we made it. Athena will grant us a safe path home, after she answers our questions. Lucien! We actually made it!” I squealed, and threw my arms around him.“It’s still too early to celebrate. Let’s get there first.” He replied, stiffly, and I immediately withdrew from him.His shoulder was swollen.“Lucien, did you…?” I was asking, and he began to walk away.“It’s not my first time having a dislocated shoulder. It’s fine. I’ll set it straight.” He replied, dragging himself, tiredly.“Hey. You… you shouldn’t have… you shouldn’t have covered for
120ADRIA’S POV.Fear gripped me hard in my chest, as I watched the large creature. Never, in my life, had I ever seen a creature as large as that.The worst thing about the giant octopus was that it seemed to have eyes everywhere on its body.“Damn.” Lucien muttered, and immediately turned around, pulling me with him. “Swim.”I began to swim, but it was hard. Already, my stomach hurt. The leaves, and cloth Lucien had used to cover my wounds had slipped off, and I wasn’t supposed to be in water, with such a would.Swimming forward was our only option because the water didn’t let us get anywhere near the shore.Just then, a large tentacle landed right between Lucien and me, with a large splash, and we were both driven apart by the force of it.I landed on another tentacle, and my heart threatened to burst out.“Adria! Use your claws!” Lucien said, as I began to rise out of his reach. I got up from the slowly rising tentacle, and tried to jump down, but another tentacle caught me, and w
119LUCIEN’S POV.Things were beginning to get worse. I didn’t know if we could outrun eagles when we were running at human speed, and I feared greatly for Adria who was injured.“Let’s run!” I whispered frantically, even though the eagles didn’t need to hear us to chase us.We began to run, and she winced continuously as she did. Honestly, I was also scared. Not just for myself, but for her. Even though I had promised her mother that I’d bring her back safely, the thing that scared me most was losing her.When she had been dying from my slash the other time, it had felt like the whole journey had ended, and I had lost her, but thankfully, I was able to save her.“Can you run? Will you get on my back?” I asked, holding her hand, tightly.“No, I would rather not slow you down. Besides, if those eagles sweep down low, I’ll be injured first.” She teased, and we continued to run. It was harder because we had to climb, though.Had it been on level ground, we could have been a bit faster. T