Dan stood outside the door waiting for her to get done. He wasn't stupid enough to leave her alone especially now they were back in little Town.

There were two things that could happen : either she does something stupid or the Mandurugo tracks her down . Either way, non of it ends well.

His ears perked up when he couldn't catch any movement in the room. Thanks to his sensitive hearing he could pick up any sound but suddenly it stopped.

He couldn't hear her footsteps , the ruffling of clothes or the gentle splashing of shower water, it just stopped.

Grabbing the door knob, he rushed in, his eyes darting around nervously, the girl was no where to be found.

He barely walked into the room when he dodged, a baseball bat swung past his head. Almost immediately he tilted to the side, a destructive kick missing his abdomen.

"It's amazing how you can master your vampiric strength in such a short while " Dan complimented

The bat came at him again but he faced it head-on, he raised his arm as some sort of shield. The bat hit his arm and bounced back powerfully , stunning Lia.

"You might be strong but you're still an amateur with no hint whatsoever how to manipulate your strength " he mocked.

Lia was shaking, she had to defeat him else there was no saving her brother. The message was loud and clear, she had to come alone but this vampire was like an octopus, latching unto her side and refusing to let go.

"I don't want to fight you, just let me go " Lia pleaded still swinging the bat.

"I'm afraid I can't do that honey " he replied, swiftly dodging her blows "You see, I'm on a mission to protect you. If anything happens to you, its my head on a platter "

Chest heaving, she snarled at him in disbelief "Liar! Why would anyone kill you for not protecting me"

He breathed "Ask your mate "

Lia paused " mate? "

Her hesitation was a mistake cause a kick from Dan sent her flying, she smashed into the wall and tumbled to the ground with a loud thud.

"ouch" She cried "I think I cracked my ribs "

"Rule number one : never get distracted during a fight " Dan lectured hovering over her.

Dan stretched out his hand which she took and effortlessly lifted her to her foot.

Lia gasped loudly when she felt her broken ribs begin to heal by itself. She was not yet used to this super regenerative ability of a thing, but it was awesome. Does this means she's immortal?

"I leave you for a few minutes and you try to murder me?!" Dan roared, pointing to his chest

Lia coughed, almost choking on her saliva. She glared at him, what kind of outrageous accusation was this?

"Kill you? Are you even alive? How can I kill somebody that's already dead? "

Dan wanted to talk back but he realized it was childish of him, a five hundred and something years old vampire arguing with a seventeen or so years teenager. How ridiculous! So he changed the topic

"What evil plan of yours are you concocting this time? " he asked, regarding her suspiciously.

Lia took a step back, hiding her cellphone behind her back. It slipped out of the pocket of her newly worn shorts during the fight with Dan.

Dan of course caught that abrupt movement, he strude towards her and snatched the phone from her grip notwithstanding her resistance.

"What are you hi-" His expression changed when he saw the message. His body tensed , he took a deep breath, nostrils flaring and a brow raised " Explain "

It was one simple question but she felt she was standing on the judgement throne, about to be judged for her trespasses.

She trembled, his face was dark and scary. Her breath hitched, why was the air suddenly thin and hot.

Lia lowered her head, she couldn't bear to look him in the eye right now "She has my brother, she told me to come alone without you" She said feeling guilty.

All this while he's being trying to protect her but she was busy jeopardizing his plan.

Dan nodded his head, he whispered "The Mandurugo, I should have known. Those creatures are restless and vengeful.Once they set their eyes on something,they hardly let go"

She asked confused "Mandurugo? "

" Yes, they're vampiric creatures with wings and feeds on blood of unsuspecting victims at night "

He scoffed quickly "What do you think I rescued you from? "

She furrows her brows "An evil flying vampire? "

Dan rolled his eyes, he laughed curtly "Sorry honey, but vampires aren't the only supernaturals in town "

"A-ha!, I knew it " She exclaimed "I knew this town was strange, turns out it just reeks of supernatural presence "

"Bingo! You solved the mystery but we have much more problem at hand." He said staring at her with blazing intensity.

Lia shivered, she scratched her scalp awkwardly. Why was he staring at her like that?

"What's wrong? " She summoned the courage to ask but he didn't reply.

Instead he approached her slowly, a curious glint in his eyes. Perhaps, the reason she stood rooted to the ground was because she did not sense any ill intent from him.

Standing in front of her, he bent towards her neck and took a long, deep sniff. Her sweet intoxicating scent engulfed his senses, he eyed her pulsing vein, feeling the urge to slam his aching fang down that flawless neck.

Lia shivered when she felt his fang graze her neck. Her breath quickened, she closed her eyes, balled her fist and waited for the impact. Sadly, it never came.

He pulled away forcefully, maintaining a reasonable distance between them. He stared at her, eyes incredulously huge, he almost lost control .

"Now I understand why the mandurugo is hooked on you " he exclaimed "My God, you are a temptation!"

Lia blinked helplessly , he couldn't understand what he was talking about. His gaze searched her face, his brows furrowed with confusion.

"It's strange, you're strange " he murmured, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully "You feed on vampire's blood while mandurugo whom feeds on human blood is addicted to yours"

Their eyes met and held

"What are you? " he asked, oddly calm.

"A vampire? " Lia answered unsure .

He snorted a laugh " Really? A vampire with a beating heart "

Lia frowned deeply, wasn't he the one that told her she's a vampire?

Noticing the tensed atmosphere, Dan broke into laughter easing the throbbing pressure he casted on the girl.

Lia released a breath she never knew she was holding, what just happened?

He suddenly smiled and clasped his hands excitedly,

"Let's go rescue your brother "