I Love You

"What the fuck?" My eyes locked with Silas. He quickly shoved the girl sitting on his lap away, causing her to fall flat on the ground. I watched as his eyes turned crimson red, matching the blood stains on his lips. "Get your fucking hands off her!"

Deric smirked, amused by Silas’ outburst. Before I could react, he shoved me forward roughly, making me stumble. I nearly fell on my face, but Silas caught me, his arm wrapping protectively around me. His crimson eyes scanned my body, checking for injuries. Despite the nausea twisting my stomach at the sight of him, the memory of him feeding on that girl still fresh, I couldn’t bring myself to push him away.

"Wow, you didn’t tell us you had such a beautiful pet, Silas. I thought you were the sharing type," Deric said. I didn’t know who he was or why he suddenly cared about me, but his presence screamed danger. One look at him, and I knew I needed to stay far away.

"Don’t even think about it. We’re leaving," Silas growled, his voice low.

"But the party’s just getting started. Are you really that desperate to protect the human?"

"You better stop now, Deric, or I’ll rip your throat out." Deric only smirked, tilting his head back as he gave me an eerie, hypnotizing look. My vision swam, and his voice slithered into my mind.

'Such a pretty girl. I can’t wait until we meet again.' His telepathic intrusion sent chills down my spine. This was the first time I’d experienced such an invasion, something illegal among vampires but casually done by him. Deric had no fear of consequences. I hated him.

Silas led me out of the room, ignoring the curious stares of the other vampires. Neither of us spoke as we left the dark basement and entered the bar. We walked through the alley where the Night Dweller was hidden, and I was surprised to see Silas’ car parked there, blending into the shadows. The vibrant red sports car was barely noticeable in the dim light.

We climbed in. I buckled my seatbelt while Silas drove out of the alley in silence. He didn’t say a word, but the tension in the air was suffocating. Was he mad at me? What right did he have? I hadn’t done anything wrong. If anyone owed an apology, it was him. If not for Tammy’s call, I wouldn’t have ended up in that hellhole. Silas needed to choose better company. Tammy had been trouble from the start. And no, I wasn’t jealous of that girl—she was a nightmare.

"Kerina." Hearing my full name startled me. Only Dad ever called me that, and I hated it when anyone else did. Silas’ voice was sharp. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. His grip on the steering wheel was so tight it groaned under the pressure.

"Has no one ever told you not to wander into places you don’t belong? Do you even understand the kind of fucked-up shit that happens at the Night Dwellers? Why the hell would you walk into a den of rogue vampires? You hate vampires!"

I feared vampires, yes, but I didn’t hate them. Why did he keep saying that? "I went because I thought you were in trouble. I thought something happened to you."

"Why did you think I was in trouble?" He ignored the other part of my answer, likely avoiding the explanation for why he was drinking human blood. I’d believed Bill’s lie about vampires only feeding on animals, but clearly, human blood was still on the menu. If it happened in the Night Dweller, it was probably happening elsewhere too, quietly ignored by the police in this vampire-controlled town.

"Tammy called me. She said you needed help."

"Tammy, huh?" His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel harder. His rage was palpable, but he eventually relaxed. "Wait. You came to the Night Dweller because you thought I was in trouble?"

"Yes."

"Why? I didn’t think… I didn’t think you’d do that."

I opened my mouth to snap at him but stopped myself. What did he take me for? A coward? Sure, we didn’t always get along, but I cared about Silas and Bill. They were my family. I’d do anything to protect them, even if it terrified me.

"Because I love you," I admitted, my voice soft but firm. I hadn’t even told Bill that yet, but Silas needed to hear it. I didn’t expect his reaction, though. The car screeched to a sudden stop, and I yelped as I jerked forward in my seat. My words seemed to have stunned him.

"You love me?" His voice was barely a whisper.

"Yes," I said, meeting his gaze. "Who else would I love? Mom always told me to treat you as my brother, and I finally do."

"Seriously?"

"Yes, Silas. You’re my brother, and I love you."

For a moment, his face froze, his eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. Longing? Sadness? But before I could figure it out, he smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Brother, of course." He restarted the car and drove the rest of the way home in silence, the corners of his lips curled in a strange smile.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d said something wrong. Wasn’t he happy I’d finally called him my brother? The awkward silence stretched between us like a chasm. If he didn’t want me as a sister anymore, he should’ve just said so.

When we pulled into the driveway, I felt even more confused. Silas parked and turned to me. "Go clean up. Dad and your mom will be home soon."

"Silas…" I reached for his hand, stopping him before he could leave. "Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?"

"No. There’s nothing wrong." He glanced at my hand briefly before pulling away. "Goodnight, Kerry."

I watched him walk upstairs, the distance between us feeling larger than ever. I headed to my room, my appetite gone despite the smell of food wafting through the house. Sitting on my bed, I stared out the window. The hooded figure outside waved at me, but my response was half-hearted. Terry tilted his head, sensing my mood. I shook my head, kicked off my shoes, and lay down.

'It must be nice being a ghost,' I thought, staring into the darkness. 'At least you wouldn’t have to deal with feelings.'

Sleep finally claimed me. I didn’t notice the figure that entered my room, leaning over me as I lay there.

"I love you too, Kerry. Just not as a sister."