• 𝓜𝓪𝓮 •

I never wanted to see the city again. Yet there it was, looming in front of me like a horrible joke. I felt like I was walking to the gallows, and the moment I walked through the gates, a rope would be tied around my throat and I'd be made an example of.

Maybe I'd prefer it over what Kite had planned.

Kite was in front of me, and Noah and Luca stayed just a few steps behind. From the outside looking in, it probably looked like they were my bodyguards, though I knew they were only positioned that way to stop me from running.

I wouldn't have a chance if I tried running. I'd probably barely get a step in.

I fingered one of the knives at my hip and slipped it out. So what if Luca and Noah were behind me? I'd make it look like I was just playing with it.

I flicked it open and closed, eyeing the back of Kite's head. Honestly, if he'd been human, and wasn't such a fucking tyrant, I may have liked him. He had some kinks to work out from his personality, but maybe he hadn't been like that long ago.

"Bleed me and I'll take the blood from you tenfold," Kite said, never once looking back. "Those knives will do nothing but piss me off."

"What else is new," I asked, scoffing. "You take my blood whenever you please anyway. It doesn't matter whether or not I shove a knife in your back."

"Then how about this?" He stopped and turned to face me. "Bleed me, and I'll have Luca and Noah drink from you at the same time."

I stilled, my body barely a foot away from his. I could reach up and cut open his throat if I wanted to, but his threat echoed in the back of my mind. Why would he threaten something like that? And why the hell did goosebumps rise on my skin at the thought?

I only glared, telling myself that the goosebumps were because it was cold.

"You think I couldn't see the way you looked at them?" Kite leaned in, lowering his voice though I know the other two could hear him. "You act like you hate being bitten, but the thought of being bitten by the two of them turned you on, didn't it?"

"Go fuck yourself," I hissed.

His eyes twinkled and I realized I hadn't outright told him he was wrong. But I wouldn't allow either Noah or Luca to bite me, even if the thought of it made heat curl in my stomach. They were vampires. Fucking vampires. I'd sooner see myself off a cliff than willingly allow a vampire to touch me.

In the city, I was a blood bag. Kite's blood bag. Only self preservation forced me to tamp my argument down when he went to bite me. I didn't want it. I didn't ask for it.

I flicked open the knife.

Kite's expression turned sinister. He wanted me to cut him. He wanted to bite me, or make my two old friends bite me. He wanted that reaction from me. The way my body flinched whenever his teeth entered my body, and the way I forced back the breath of pleasure.

I had sex before, but quite honestly? Nothing compared to being bitten. That's why so many people gave themselves willingly once they felt it for the first time. I didn't know if it was their saliva, or something that secreted from their fangs when they pierced skin, but it left you breathless.

I wanted to slice Kite's throat open.

Would Luca and Noah let me?

"You're expecting it," I whispered.

"I don't think you'll actually do it." He tilted his head. "I think you're too afraid you'd enjoy the repercussions."

I gripped the knife tighter. I so wanted to call his bluff. I wanted to see his reaction when he realized he was wrong.

He smirked at the two behind me. "Has she always been such a little pansy?"

Before I could think better of it, I stabbed him. The knife sunk into his stomach so easily.

His eyes fell back to me and I twisted it in his stomach, keeping eye contact. Pansy my fucking ass. If I could kill him without him knowing what I was planning beforehand, I would. Then I'd escape again and never look back. I'd keep going until they absolutely had to give up.

"Actually," Noah said, his voice neutral even though I just stabbed someone in front of him, "she's always been quite the opposite."

Kite stood straight, which forced the knife to slip out of his body. He didn't even flinch. He merely looked down at the wound, watching as it closed.

"Do you feel better?" Kite eyed the knife.

"Much," I replied. "Though I kind of wish you'd bleed out."

He nodded slowly. Then he reached out, grabbed me, and threw me over his shoulder. It took me a minute to understand what was happening, but when I did, I started fighting back. The knife in my hand was taken from me, and I shot a look that I wished could kill towards Luca. He dangled the knife in the air before throwing it behind him.

"Let me down!" I slammed my fists against Kite's back, feeling more like I was attacking a brick wall rather than another person. Seriously, how was he so hard?

"No," Kite said. "We're close to the city. Then we're going to get to the castle, and I'm going to make good on my promise."

I glared at Noah and Luca because they hadn't done a damn thing to help me through any of this mess. They'd just stood there and watched.

Noah at least had the decency to look somewhat ashamed of what he'd done. His eyes softened when they met mine, and he looked away sadly. Luca, however, just gave me a smile like everything that was happening was completely normal.

I didn't know Luca anymore. While even more attractive than he had been when we were kids, I couldn't help but think he enjoyed being a vampire. I wondered how long he'd been one, and if he hated vampires when they took over too. Or maybe he was one of those kids who immediately revered the vampires. Who looked up to them.

I didn't understand that. Ever since I saw the destruction they caused, I couldn't bring myself to like them at all. They were monsters, using human beings like their own personal buffet.

Now two men that I used to have a crush on were the one thing I hated most.

I slumped in Kite's hold, refusing to look at either of them.

Once we got into the city, I closed my eyes. It would be better if I didn't see people milling about. I didn't want to see their reactions, or the smug looks on any of the faces of the vampires. I ran, I got caught. It was as simple as that. If it weren't for Tati and her people, I would have fought tooth and nail to stay away from this place.

I hoped Tati and her group would move. Would leave that place for good, even without the threat of Kite coming and killing them hanging over their heads. Their location had been compromised regardless of his promise to leave them alone. Because if I knew one thing from these monsters, it was the fact that they'd continue to hold them over my head to keep me complicit.

And I could only stay complicit for so long.