“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“That depends.”

“On?”

“What you’re thinking?”

“Nothing much. I am just glad you’re all right. It was scary seeing you like that.”

“I’m sorry you had to witness what happened. It must have been hard to see me feed on someone you know. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have come to you without feeding. I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and I hurt you.” He shook his head in shame.

“You didn’t hurt me.”

“But I did!” he argued. “I bit you.”

“And I told you it’s all right.”

Uta growled deep in his throat. “I expect you to say that, even when it’s not true. What normal boyfriend bites his girlfriend because He’s thirsty?”

My fingers squeezed his hand. “You’re right. A normal person wouldn't have, but you’re not normal and neither am I.”

Uta looked toward the clouds covering the moon. “Yasu took Linda home. She’ll be all right. I only took enough to keep me until Alfred returned. I’m not a killer, Ji-Hye. I wouldn’t take it if I knew it would cause permanent damage.”

He chuckled, noting the irony of a vampire disavowing that he was a killer. I rubbed my arms for warmth and stood next to him. I studied his gorgeous face.

“I know how weird it sounds. Believe me. I could never hurt someone unless I had to.”

I threw my arms around him—taking him by surprise; he held me tight against his chest. He felt strong again.

“After everything you saw earlier, I’m surprised you’re not traumatised. You don’t mind that you’re with a vampire?”

He pushed my hair back and traced the two tiny holes on my neck. His eyes darkened.

“Let’s attend to your wounds.”

I touched his face. “It’s healing already.”

To add to the mystery surrounding me, my ability to self-heal was another. I didn’t know why I could and guess it was another part of my existence.

“I’m sorry, Ji-Hye.”

“The only thing I’m sorry about is that you didn’t finish what you started.”

His eyes searched mine, but the only thing he saw in them was pure honesty. He shrugged away from my touch and leaned over at the balcony, pitching his eyes closed.

“I know you want me to, but I can’t use you like that. The dispute earlier with Witt—”

“I don’t want to talk about him.”

“It wasn’t the way you smiled at him; it’s stupid to get upset over such a futile display of friendliness. The way he looked at you angered me because today I felt a desire for you, only it was for your blood. Whereas, Witt—”

“I’d rather you look at me like a two-pound bloody stake than to have Witt lust over me. That’s gross!”

“You’re more important than feeding stock though.”

I nibbled on my lower lip, staring at the ground for what felt like an hour. Was it so wrong wanting to experience the intimacy of him taking my blood? He scooped my chin up with one finger; his skin was cold. My gaze darted around his arm, over his shoulder. Anywhere but his eyes.

“Uta, what happened at the Institute? What have you found out?”

He faced became serious at once, betraying his worry. “The situation has got worse. I saw my uncle, and he didn’t recognise me at all.”

“That’s crazy. Joe would never forget you.”

“Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t. The infection causes memory loss, as well a sense of right and wrong. I never thought I would see Joe in such a situation.”

“I’m so sorry.”

My words weren’t much consolation, but it was all I could say. I guessed I’m playing to a human instinct by saying them, as people often do whenever something awful happens.

“It’ll be okay.” I hoped.

“I took him home with me. Joe is here.”

My head instantly snapped up to look at him, my eyes wide and jaw slack. “What?”

“I had to.”

“No, Uta!”

“He shouldn’t be there—lock away like an animal.”

“He’s infected.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Uta asked.

I fought the urge to snort at the question.

He gripped the edge of the balcony hard, as if he wanted to break it. “It’s Joe, Ji-Hye. I need him here.”

“It’s not safe.”

“You need not worry; I will not get infected.”

How could he say that so calmly?

“Where did you put him?”

“In the basement.”

“It’s a bad idea to have him here, Uta.”

“Yasu didn’t think so.”

“That explains why you took him then.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

I sighed, hating the way the conversation was turning.

“He would think it’s a clever idea. Yasu only sees two feet away from himself. I’m seeing beyond that. I see what could happen.”

His eyes flicked from the floor and back up to me, a question in his marble-brown eyes. “Are you not listening to a word I’m saying?”

“I know what you’re saying. You’re angry he’s infected. You’re angry he might not get well. But it doesn’t justify taking him here where you can get infected.”

“More than anyone, I expected you to understand my decision!” His voice rose to a high pitch that sliced through me.

I stilled, staring wide-eyed at him. “You think I don’t understand!? I understand caring about someone so much you would do anything to keep them around.” My voice was a sob now. “Trust me, I understand.”

He walked towards me. Scoffing, I placed both my hands on his chest and roughly pushed him away; he stumbled a few steps back.

“Don’t!” I muttered and turned away, proceeding towards the door.

“Ji-Hye, stop.”

I didn’t.

“Ji-Hye!”

“I’ve to go. There’s something to do. Homework.”

“Homework?”

It was a worthless lie. I didn’t care.

Uta grabbed hold of my arm before I could open the door. His touch sent my thoughts swirling and made my heart pound in my chest. I growled—hating the effect of his skin against mine. I snapped my lips closed. I could feel the pricking of sharp points against my tongue.

“Please don’t,” I muttered, contrary to my needs.

Hauling away, I pushed his patio door open, ran inside and slammed it behind me. I didn’t look back. An acute pain cut across my heart, leaving me restless and reeling from the aching, the sting. I hated he thinks I didn’t understand. But he would think so. Uta knew nothing about my past. Anything about what I went through with my father.