Chapter Eleven: What A Vampire Sees Laying Down.

Carin's Living Room 

The sitting room was a clash of elegance and chaos. The plush cream sofa was a mess, the cushions were all wonky and the throw pillows flew everywhere. Some were on the floor, others were stuck between cushions like they were in a game of hide-and-seek. 

Several empty bottles of different alcoholic drinks lined the coffee table and remote controls were scattered all over it. The Persian rug had a soft feel but it was half-hidden under a mountain of discarded books and papers.

The only source of light in Carin's living room was from a candle burning in the middle of the room. Aside from that, the room was as dark as a moonless night. 

There was a huge mattress sprawled out next to the candle stand and in it lay Carin, looking completely wasted. Next to him were two young women, they looked like models out of a playboy magazine. The blonde beauties were naked, putting on nothing but red stiletto shoes, and smoking cigarettes.

One of them blew a puff of her cigarette in Carin's face, staring at him seductively. He bit down on his lower lip, returning the seductive look which she had given him. He grabbed her neck and pulled her closer to him. Locking his lips with hers, Carin gave her a passionate kiss.

She pulled away from him, the lust in her eyes evident. "You're so sexy", she said, her words slurring.

Carin laughed softly. "I know", he said, sounding smug. He gave her another kiss and then beckoned for the second girl to join them. "I want to watch you make out with each other", he said. It was a command but coming from Carin, it sounded like he was casting a spell.

They obliged, moaning loudly as they kissed each other deeply. Just then, the curtains were drawn open and sunlight streamed into the room, making Carin and his guests squint their eyes.

"Rise and shine, big bro", Theo's voice rang loudly in the room. Carin groaned as he watched his brother approach him.

"What do you want?", he asked, grumpily. "I don't think I am expecting anyone, especially not you"

Before he could give a reply, Theo's eyes caught the figure of the two blonde girls. His eyes glinted with surprise but he recollected himself. He was here for much more serious business.

"Party's over, girls. Come on, put on something and get out", he said. The girls hurriedly grabbed their pieces of clothing from the mattress and scurried away.

Carin blew them a kiss as they left. "See you again. Very soon!", he called over to them. To Theo, he said. "No one invited you here, party pooper"

Theo rolled his eyes. "What the hell do you think you're doing?", he asked. Seeing that his brother was still as naked as the day he had been born, Theo marched over to the mattress and picked up a pyjamas jacket which he threw to Carin.

"Cover up", he said. "Nobody wants to see all that". Carin laughed, amused. "You're just jealous you're not this sexy", he retorted.

Theo rolled his eyes again. He asked, "Wait, are you hungover?". Carin replied with a wave of his hand. "Try drunk. I'm shit faced drunk", he announced.

Theo plopped into the sofa, his mouth wide with amusement. "If it were someone else telling me that, I would be proud. But you? I'm honestly shocked. You don't drink", he said.

Carin shrugged. "Well, I do now. Your brother's a changed man". They were not exactly two peas in a pod, but Theo knew his brother more than anyone else, knew him like the back of his hand.

"What happened? The last time you were like this…", Theo started to say, but before he could complete his sentence, he was cut off by Carin.

"I'm good. Nothing happened", he spat. Carin skittered to the wine stand in the corner and poured himself another glass of whiskey. He could lie to everyone else, but not himself.

The truth was that after he had left Ember, after he had watched her leave with that strange man, he was tormented. The thoughts of the young werewolf girl followed him everywhere like his own shadow.

He could not escape her smell, her smile and how her skin had felt when he carried her. The thoughts of Ember were even more intoxicating than any wine he'd had over the past few days since he last saw her.

He gulped down the half full glass of whiskey and winced as it burned down his throat. "That is good stuff", he announced to Theo.

Theo breezed over to him with his vampire speed and snatched the bottle of whiskey off his brother's hand. "I have not come here to be your babysitter, Carr", he said. "Whatever the hell is going on with you, you have to suck it up and man up!"

"Watch your tone", Carin said. Theo raised his hands, mimicking a surrender. "My bad, I am sorry. But, it's the truth. We should be out there searching for leads. We should be searching for the Lycan who killed our sister", Theo said.

On hearing that, Carin flinched as if someone had physically struck him with a rod. "Theo", he said, his voice low and full of emotions. "Do you think I'm not doing that? Do you think I'm just sitting around?"

Theo gave him no response. He shook his head, slowly. "I think that our sister's killer is out there, walking freely while you have sex and stuff yourself with alcohol", he replied.

Theo moved closer to Carin until he was standing face to face with him. "Do you know what everyone is saying?", he asked. Carin held his breath, giving no response.

"They say you're weak. That you're spineless", Theo cooed. Theo's words shot a heavy load of adrenaline right through Carin's cold veins. His eyes lit up with fury. With one hand, he lifted Theo by his neck and held him directly over his own head.

"I'm not weak!", he roared. Anger coated his line of sight, painting it pure red.

Really? Because it sure seems that you are", Theo said, even when he was choking under the pressure of his brother's stronghold.

"They forget who I am!" Carin barked at his brother. "I will find the Lycan responsible for our sister's death, Theo. I will tear him apart limb from limb and feed his carcass to the dogs"

A sinister smile lined the corner of Theo's lips even as he dangled helplessly over his brother's head. "Now, that is the brother that I know. Not this drunken, fornicating mess I met here today", he said with a hint of sarcasm and appraisal.

Carin released Theo from his grip, letting him fall freely to the ground. "Ouch", Theo groaned as his body made impact with the ground.

He got up fiercely and looked Carin square in the eyes. "Glad to have you back, brother. I have an important job for you"

A puzzled look formed on Carin's face. "What?", he asked.

"The werewolf who killed our sister", Theo said. "I know where to find him"