Chapter 22

"So you people drink blood?" John asked Kai. They were in Kai's apartment, waiting. Lun had let him know that Mika was approaching with his car but when Kai asked him to come too he had denied his offer. Hearing that the vampire's mood had been utterly ruined. How could he fix things if Lun was not even willing to talk to him? 

He was trying to forget about it, he was focused on John and answering his questions while they sat in his living room. It was small with a couch and an armchair. A small round coffee table that had been colored black by him and a bookcase. There was no TV actually. He did not enjoy the new entertainment. He seemed to still prefer books and theatre. 

"Yes."

"Do the people you drink from die?"

"Depends. The truth is that when you drink blood it feels good. For both parties. So good it's hard to stop. You can though. If you do stop you erase the person's memories and then you're fine. If you can't stop, they die. Drinking blood for purebloods is different though"

"What's different about it?"

"We can't drink blood from many different people. It's like a price for evolved powers. Purebloods when they turn eighteen they choose a human who will willingly provide them with blood for eternity. Once they find them, blood from others will taste horrible and make them throw up. The moment though they make this pact they get stronger" Kai he explained and John nodded, satisfied with the answer.

"And you? Where is your human?" 

"I don't have one. My blood source was my lover" Kai revealed and John exclaimed, surprised.

"The werewolf? Is that even possible?"

"Yes it is" Kai responded with a chuckle.

"Wait. That means that all blood now tastes bad to you? That must be …"

"Horrible" the vampire stated. "I've learned to control it. Sometimes I fool myself that I like it. When I am really hungry." 

For a while they sat there quietly. The truth was that John wanted to ask him a lot more. The problem was the answers had nothing to do with him or his transformation. He was wondering about the vampire and the story Lun had so selfishly revealed.

From the moment John had seen Kai inside him he knew he wasn't human. He couldn't explain it. It was just a hunch. The way he stood out from everyone else around him, his gaze, cold and distant but somehow mirroring an enormous amount of sorrow. Sometimes John viewed him as a person that was trapped in a glass box. You could see him, observe his beauty that could easily make you dizzy but you couldn't touch, you couldn't get closer. 

But just in a few hours John managed to see a completely other side, one that had shocked him but in a way out his at ease too. Kai was real, he was hurting and he could swear and laugh. Even though he still felt detached from this world John was finally able to see him as a part of it.

"You're awfully quiet all of a sudden" he told him, as he realized that John was lost in his thoughts. The man smiled trying to think of something to say.

"I really don't know what to say. I have so many questions but they don't feel like they are the right ones." He said.

"I see. It must be hard. When I left Bloodbound I felt completely alone. I lived on the streets with no one by my side. It was like I had entered a new world. Right now you are entering a new world too. It must be terrifying but don't be scared to ask." Kai advised him.

"Then let me ask you. Boss, are you sad?" 

"From all the things that's what you wanted to know?" Kai asked him.

"Yes. So are you sad?" 

"Well, sad. I did feel sad. Depressed. I missed Philip, I missed my family, Lun, the self I left back there at that dark castle. My heart was aching but now I am just numb in a way. I've learned to live with it."

"So you are sad."

"Am I?" Kai asked him.

"A depressed motherfucker." Lun's familiar voice was heard and Kai's head snapped. His friend was standing at the entrance of the living room, his shoulder on the doorframe and was looking at the both of them. "Your lock is too easy to break"

"You broke my lock?" Kai asked, his blue eyes wide.

"I had to take my revenge somehow. Also stop referring to him. They are waiting downstairs. I just wanted to make sure everything was….okay" he said and Kai stood up.

"Lun. I...I am sorry. I didn't want us to fight."

"I know. I just felt wronged. I didn't want to be left behind. I never knew your side. Not even now but I will not pressure you anymore. I guess I am glad you're alive." 

"How did it feel?"

"What?"

"Getting the shit beaten out of you?" Kai teased him and Lun rolled his eyes.

"I'm bringing them up. Play it cool lovestruck fool".

"Them?"

"Philip's here too." Lun told him and Kai stared at him with an expression of true horror.

"Why would you even do that?"

"I didn't! Mika brought him, I had…." Lun said but he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Kai looked at his best friend in panic before he walked back and sat on the armchair. He took a deep breath and crossed his legs, his expression turning once more into the coldest reflection of himself. John noticed how he could switch between the most real in a sense form of himself to the one the rest of the world viewed. He didn't want Philip to see him. He didn't want to get exposed. He meant it when he said he didn't want him in his life this time, or at least he was trying to mean it. 

"I'm sick of waiting down there." Mika said and the two wolves appeared in front of them. Kai could feel his mind going insane. He was trying to look as if he didn't care, he was trying to not meet his eyes. "Where is the guy? The one that got turned?" He asked.

"I...that's me" John said and raised his arm as if he was in school. "Your friend turned me." He informed them and they walked in. 

"Sit. Let's have a talk." Lun said and both of them sat on the couch while he sat on the armrest of Kai's chair. 

"I don't think there is something to talk about. You will be coming with us. You can't stay here." Philip's voice was heard. 

"I'm sorry but I have decided to stay with my Boss. I don't want to be a part of your pack or whatever that is." John told them. His voice was shaking, it was obvious he was scared of them and it was completely natural after everything they went through at the hotel.

"You must not understand." Philip told him. "You will join us. Vampires and wolves do not meddle together." He said, this time his tone was harsh. 

"He said he doesn't want to come with you. I think it is completely reasonable not to want to. I mean, your guy bit him in the shoulder just out of spite. You're lucky he is alive." Kai said, unable to stay silent. He had managed to avoid looking at Philip though. That on his own was a success. He looked like an idiot talking to the floor but he didn't mind. That way he was controlling himself. 

"Yes, because being with filthy bloodsuckers is much better." Philip insulted them and Kai heard Lun click his tongue. 

"The boy said he does not wish to join a pack. You ought to respect his wishes. He just needs you to teach him about the full moon. That's it. Then you can part ways. I am sure that's what Mika wants too." Lun told them. Kai had no idea of what their expressions looked like. He was curious, itching  to see their faces but he had to fight the temptation. It was curiosity at first. Then it would turn into shock as he stared at Philip and then he would simply get charmed by him. He couldn't do that. No.

"Mika likes to defy the pack. I do not.  Why were you there in the first place. I mean, it's a good thing for you that Mika made me promise not to kill you. That's the most kindness you will get off me." Philip told them.

"Mika, why don't you tell your friend to shut up for a second? We are not here to talk about his bloodlust" 

"Philip. Calm down for a bit." Mika told him disinterested.

"Fine. Fine. Let's pretend to be friends. Tell me then. Why were you there in the first place?" He asked but Kai ignored the question. He wished that John would think of an excuse but he didn't say anything either. "I am talking to you" he told him and Kai knew he was talking to him. Unconsciously he raised his head, finally meeting his eyes. 

How could he be such a fool? Two times in a row that is. Philip's eyes were like cuffs. The moment you stared at them, you were caught, with no chance of getting out. They had the colors of the woods in them. The secrets of nature revealed in two irises. Kai was quiet, as if someone had put a spell on him and Philip frowned.

"Is he dead?" He asked and Lun pushed his friend slightly, pulling him from his day dreaming. No one could understand. No one could know this feeling. This pain and happiness. It was a horrible mix, disappointment and uncertainty. The urge to simply grab him and kiss him and the fear of ruining his life once more. Kai wanted him desperately and he was sitting right in front of him, the same but also so different. He felt like he would cry. 

"I was looking for someone" Kai said.

"At a werewolf pack?" Philip asked him, questioning his answer.

"We are not here for this Philip." Mika scolded him but the wolf didn't seem to care.

"Then why were you standing outside my door?"

"I already told you it was a mistake."

"I don't believe you."

"Then what could it be?"

"I don't know. I am waiting for you to tell me. Why would a vampire like you be standing on my door. Looking like a lost puppy?"

"How do you know what I looked like?"

"I can imagine."

"Why are you so fixated on me?" Kai asked him. His face showed no emotion as he spoke. It was as if Philip was talking to a wall and maybe that was what annoyed the wolf the most. He scoffed, a cocky grin on his face before he stood up.

"Me? Fixated on you? I think you're crazy." He told him. 

"Philip sit down. You look like a child. Or go and wait outside." Mika told him. He didn't like the atmosphere of the room, he didn't like the way he was feeling. How he wasn't able to describe it. Philip decided to leave the room without saying a word, leaving the rest alone.

"Why did you bring him here?" Kai asked, finally able to breathe. 

"He came on his own. I wasn't planning to. This meeting feels as surreal to me as it does to you. It's horrible." 

"I know, that's why I can't handle it. I will leave you to talk. I need some time alone. I will be in my room. Lun watch out for John." Kai said and stood up in a hurry. He wanted to run away. That's what he was good at after all. 

Kai walked out. Turning to his right, heading towards his room. Maybe he could find shelter there for a while. Avoid the memory of his eyes, the hostility in his voice. 

Escaping fate was not that easy though. Because the more he tried to run away from him the closer they got. Philip was standing outside his bedroom door, a cigarette between his lips.

"Will you stop looking for me?" He told him, a devilish grin on his lips and Kai felt like he would faint.

.....

Next chapter we will finally get some alone time. Can't wait, oh my!

Thank you for reading and of you liked this chapter please leave a comment and a vote. I would really appreciate it.