Vampire traits...

Judging by the view from the window, there's little more time for sunrise. The hut house is still the same, with just a simple chair decorating the entire room.

I watched Ryan unlocking the doors, and a fresh set of panic waved through me.

"What are you doing? It's dangerous outside."

But my warnings were a mere nuisance to him. Ryan continued his job till he yanked the door wide open.

"Do you believe me?"

This time I know he's serious, and there's no room for jokes.

"You do know I trust you. Then why ask all these?"

I said, gripping my hands on my hips.

"Because you are acting like you don't."

His eyes narrowed a bit, confirming his serious mode.

I know our future trust completely relied on my comeback. No matter what power I have, he always wanted to be my knight in shining armor. He loves to be my protector and wanted me to trust him completely. I could have answered him 'that I trust him, but not on this'. Knowing Ryan, it would feel terrible for him.

And I cannot just let that happen. Though he never shows any emotions, Ryan's a living thing too, with blood and bones and hormones. He may never publicize it, but he feels everything, just like others.

I know he loves me so much, then why should I protest? He would even risk his life to save me. And moreover, I am not the old, weak Atarah anymore. I have power, my own army and a family who care for me. It's time to lock up my fears and cross them from my bucket list.

"Are you planning a world war?"

I raised my head and saw a smirking Ryan.

Him and his mood swings.

"No, I was planning something more dangerous."

I moved forward and stood near the entrance, then placed my foot outside the door and 'the transparent, whatever intangible liquid' paved way for us.

I don't know how long I have to give Ignacia a standing ovation for this genius idea. It was that brilliant.

Ryan had a smile on his face, acknowledging my answer to his previous question.

"And what's it that is so dangerous?"

I leaned closer to him, narrowing my eyes into slits and in the process mingling our breaths. Stupid stupid butterflies.

"Murdering you Tadaaaa....."

This time, I gave him a smirk and started to walk.

"I hope you are following me."

I said without turning, surely knowing what expression he had now, amusement.

And of course he was behind me. After reaching the banks, I hugged myself. Thanks to the early hours and the chilly wind..

"Where to?"

"Mountains."

I thought it was a surprise. Not anymore, I guess.

"But it's a long way. Are you going to carry me?"

He shook his head.

"No, you are going to run with me."

I laughed at his inexperienced joke. At least he is trying.

"There's nothing to laugh at, Atarah. You are not just a human. You have vampire traits just like us."

"I know. But I do not have the running power. Otherwise, I would have known it before."

"You are a late bloomer. Remember."

"But still...."

"At least give it a try."

I sighed. I will lose nothing trying, right?

Taking my sigh as a confirmation, he pointed at the mountain we had to get to. It was the highest among them.

Thank God Ignacia is my trainer instead of him. Otherwise, I would have been dead already.

He ran at a normal human pace, and still I was dying to be near him. Wow, that sounded cliché. Anyway, I gave up at last and sat on the ground, cross-legged, inhaling oxygen selfishly.

"We haven't even reached the base....." Blah blah blah.

I am not interested in his speech right now, as I have to concentrate on my breathing.

"Are you even listening to me?"

He asked, shaking me.

I gave him a mocking smile.

"What do you think?" I said, wiggling my eyebrows.

"I am going to regret this, but you leave me no option."

"What do..."

But before finishing my sentence, he snatched my necklace and ran.

My mind didn't even register what was happening, but my legs did, I guess, because right now I was running like a maniac. And I am sure it was faster than my normal speed.

Within minutes, I reached Ryan's side, but was still a few feet back. Trees passed in a blur behind me, but there was no time to notice its beauty.

"Time to change gear"

Was all I heard before witnessing Ryan vanish into thin air and I changed mine too. I wanted to stop my legs, but it was impossible because of high speed. And my sudden break made me fall very badly. Sitting in a really weird position, I scratched my head and took in my surroundings.

Astonishment would be a mere emotion to describe, considering what I am feeling now.

The sun just showed up a little like a shy girl but radiating a mixture of grey and light orange throughout the sky. There was a table with two chairs and an umbrella on top. Illuminated lights flooded all around the table with the necessary food for two.

I wanted to cry, I wanted to do a merry dance, I wanted to hug the life out of Ryan and I wanted to do more and more 'I wanted to's.

He is really making me a mad person.

A tender touch caught my attention. Delicately, Ryan placed the necklace around my neck and secured it, biting the lock, which happened to get a little loose after his snatching episode.

About that, I whirled around swiftly, forgetting the tingling effect on my neck, and slapped him hard on the chest. Seeing that he was not stopping, I did it again and again until he caught both my hands and pulled me towards him.

"I was expecting this, but you know it was necessary. "

Though he's right, I will never admit it, at least not in front of him. I gave one more push and faced the scenery.

"And may I ask what the meaning of all this is?"

He came forward and stood beside me.

"What do you think?"

"Well, it almost looks like some sort of date to me."

"And you guessed it right."

He moved the chair, creating enough space for me to sit.

"But why? It's not like we need to know about each other or anything."

I said, sitting and maintaining a doubtful expression. He also took his seat and seemed uncomfortable answering my questions. After all, he's not used to all these interrogations.

Sensing my eyes on him, he sighed.

"Honestly, I don't know, okay? First, I planned only the running thing, but then the view from here was so beautiful and I thought why not arrange a peaceful meeting aka date here? If you are too uncomfortable, then we can leave. It's your choice, Atarah."

He sipped the wine a little and looked at me blankly.

And that was enough for me to throw my head backwards and laugh hysterically. I have never heard Ryan rambling before, shit he never even spoke a complete sentence without necessity. And there he was rambling like hell, and that too, because of me.

Sudden warmth spread from my head to toe.

Ryan was more than unhappy now. And I was going to add salt to the wound.

"Aw, is the Vampire Prince nervous?"

He made an inhuman sound at the back of his throat. And I was really loving it.

"Enough."

He started to get up from his chair, but with my newly found speed, I pushed him back.

"Wo, this is cool. And Mr. Ryan 'O' Donnels, I love this date just like I love you. Now be a good boy and serve the dishes for your beautiful mate."

He gave me a full smile while I went back to my seat. The food was splendid. I wonder how he arranged all this in the middle of nowhere. Whom am I kidding? He is Ryan, for heaven's sake.

..........

Just after I placed my fork on the empty plate with a full-blown smile, I noticed a movement on my right and I gasped. Hundreds of sinister-looking vampires surrounded us and they covered the entire area.

Everything happened so fast. It was as if they were watching us all the time and waiting for a perfect entry. Even Ryan looked a little shaken. Oh my God, this was not going to be good.

The group split into two when a figure that I remember well through my dreams entered, holding a weak Helena. Shit!

Where's everyone else?

What if they are?

No, don't go there, Atty. At least not yet.

"I hope you enjoyed your date. It's time for business."

Asmodeus said, clutching Helena's hair harder. How much I hated that sound and hearing it for the first time directly took me back to my horrible dreams.

Ryan jumped from his seat. But before he could make the next move, Asmodeus produced a dagger from his jacket and stabbed hard in Helena's stomach. A loud scream filled the place, and she stumbled to the ground, unconscious. And just like that, my beautiful life shattered like porcelain glass.

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