chapter 20

'she really is quite the character, huh?' I chuckled internally.

"Allright, let's change the subject. I only got one blood pack left..." I said as I looked at Sam.

"how long ago did you drink?" Elise asked.

"when I woke up, so about an hour ago..." I muttered as I wrapped my fingers around my chin.

"how long until you'd have to drink again?" she continued to question.

I tried to wrap my head around the situation. but no matter how hard I try, I can't get a definite answer.

"It's hard to say. different situations could cause different problems to occur..." I pondered out loud, "but the longest I've gone without drinking blood is a week..."

"hmm, not bad, but when you run out you'll have to feed on a normal person... and you seem to be somewhat against that notion..." Elise continued as she played with her hair.

"welp. if it comes down to it, will just have to get you some more blood so you don't end up draining some poor fucker on the side of the road..." Sam stated nonchalantly as he stared at the fire with an intense gaze.

"Yah, but the only problem with that is compared to normal blood the blood packs tast a million times better, and they seem to be more nutritional then regular blood. if that makes any sense..." I said as I scratched my head.

I guess you could count this as a type of addiction, but the only difference is I need the blood to survive.

Elise seemed a little nervous at the mention of the blood packs. maybe she's interested in trying it, but since I only have one left I don't want to share.

come to think of it, why didn't I ever think she wasn't a vampire? I think I just knew it from the first time I met her in the corner store back in Alamosa.

"don't worry too much about it... I'm sure I'll figure something out..." Elise muttered without making eye contact.

I studied her for a moment, wondering how she would be able to come to a solution for my current predicament. but I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt, and trust her.

"alright then... I'll be counting on you then." I said with a smirk.

unable to make anything but darting glances at me I chuckled as she continued to glance nervously at me.

"whatever..." she muttered, as she looked away.

"anyways, you gonna go back out on the prowl for more wolves?" Sam questioned, changing the subject.

Sam's right. while there are still plenty of wolves left in LA, my goal here isn't to eradicate them.

maybe I should set my sights on better horizons?

"how about you work on those black flames of yours?" Elise chimed in.

"huh?" me and Sam asked in unison.

"back in the forest, you used the black flames. but you were sloppy, like you were an inexperienced soldier waving a flaming sword around..." she elaborated.

"heh, about that..." I chuckled nervously, as I looked away.

Elise looked at us in disbelief, she had the look of someone that watched the most stupid thing in history.

".... you're kidding me, you've never been able to use them at will have you?" she asked as she rested her face in her palm.

"so what? it not that big of a deal. we've been doing fine for three years!" Sam rebutted with a smirk.

"Ugh... you're not going anywhere until you get down the basics of those flames at least..." Elise said in a serious tone.

I guess she's got a point. I've never really tried to figure out what these flames are, let alone try and wield them like a weapon. then there's the aspect of stronger opponents in the future, and dispite how far I've come, I'm not strong enough yet.

that's the cold hard truth of my situation.

"Alright then what do you suggest I do?" I asked Elise.

she let a dark smile spread across her face as she held up her hand.

suddenly crimson tendrils sputtered to life.

"I'm suggesting you take advantage of your situation..." she said in a dark tone as the tendrils spread around her body like lightning.

~

???'s, the sound of metal hitting stone resounded throughout the hall as i walked down the corridor. looking to my left I could see a deep purple sky, and the big red moon that shown brightly in the eternal night sky.

continuing down the corridor, several guards were standing along the wall, sword and halberd in hand.

each one gave a slight bow as I past them.

rounding the corner I came to a stop at a oak door with intricate designs carved masterfully on it.

with a quick knock on the door, I entered.

a man with dark hair and defining features looked at me with wide eyes.

"father? what brings you here?" my son stood up and bowed.

he looked at me with blood red eye's, that were filled with uneasiness and worry.

"I heard that the Vermillion clan member disappeared..." I said with a flat tone.

"yes, she's stubborn so it would obviously be a pain to get her to submit. but don't worry, I'll have her soon..." he said with a proud smile on his face.

without saying another word, I turned towards the door.

"she is indeed stubborn, I doubt she would submit to anyone. perhaps you should look for someone else...." I said as I walked out the room.

continuing down the corridor I stopped infront of two large dark oak doors, torches hanged on the bare wall.

the two guards posted at the door courtesied, and opened the doors.

walking through, I was instantly met with killing glances from all directions. but as soon as they came, they disappeared.

guards in elegant red armor stood like statues in a line leading to a man with dark purple hair and eyes like a dragon.

he was dressed in a regle wine colored suit with a black tie. sharp features, and his normal crazed look in his eyes.

ignoring his dominating aura, I leisurely walked towards him.

"hello father." I greeted with a slight bow.

he didn't respond, yet I could feel there was something different about him. he seemed excited about something, or someone.

'I pity who or whatever has gotten this monster all excited...' I thought as I studied my father.

"are you alright father? you seem different..." I asked with a neutral tone.

"I'm fine, it's just that things are about to get very interesting..." he said as a distorted smile spread across his face as maniacal laugher filled the room.

'oh shit...' was the only thought that ran through my head at the sight.