Chapter 8: Humans make us weak
A/N: 28.02.20
Do you guys have a favorite quote/saying? I need inspiration.
And I know I'm always asking for names, but do you guys have any names that would suit a vampire (girl or boy)? You know, to avoid naming another character Acorn 🌰
🍒🍒🍒
Night had fallen and the moon was out. The velvet sky that held the stars cloaked over the steep mountains, allowing Aleksei and the rest of the vamps to feel less tired in their natural time of the day.
He left Bran Prep High and climbed into his car, placing a black bag in the passenger's seat before driving out of the school gates and into the dark forest.
Aleksei opened the windows, taking in a deep breath. It was only when the wind brushed over his smooth face and the smell of pine and grass filled his car that he started forgetting Noah's scent. The sinfully, divine scent.
When he drove over a wooden bridge to the other side of the mountain, he heard loud howling echo from afar. His grip tightened around the steering wheel in annoyance.
The wolves were hunting, and he was trespassing onto their territory.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it, I'm going," he muttered under his breath, closing the windows and stepping on the pedal. After spiraling around the hill, he made it to a large mansion.
He put his finger against the small machine that scanned his thumb, and once it beeped green, the silver gates creaked open. The castle was gigantic, built in gothic style and looming proudly behind the secured gates. At its threshold stood a delicate marble fountain, gurgling water that resonated in the surrounding silence.
He parked his car and went up the stairs, stepping into the beautiful, yet haunting castle. Aleksei knew his way around it by heart and went directly to Nyx's office, opening the door without knocking.
There was a beautiful human girl lying half-naked on top of Nyx's large desk, giggling as Nyx kissed her chest. Aleksei knew that she was under his hypnotism, but simply cleared his voice.
"Oh my, Aleksei," gasped Nyx in his strong Brittish accent, pretending to be startled when really, he had already known that Aleksei had arrived when the silver gates creaked open. "You should really learn how to knock. How embarrassing!"
Nyx covered up the girl and called one of his servants to her a room. He tightened his gold robe and went over to his wine collection, pouring himself a drink.
"Care for a cup?" he offered. Instead of answering, Aleksei tossed a bag that fell at Nyx's feet. Nyx raised a brows. "And what might this be?"
"Your dinner. Enjoy."
Aleksei turned around to leave, but Nyx smiled.
"I only get a limb?" he pouted, running his hand through his raven black hair that fell back over his shoulders like silk. "I thought I asked for a body."
"And I thought I told you that I'm not going to kill."
Aleksei reached for the door but Nyx, who could move as quickly as light, was now standing in front of the door, leaning his back against it while sipping his wine. His coal, dark eyes rivaled with Aleksei's azure, blue ones.
"Oh, come on darling, you always leave so early," Nyx whined. "At least stay for a chat. Tell me, whose limb did you rip? I do hope it was one of your female teachers, I find some of their bodies irresistibly charming. So fresh and plump, oh and-"
"The school janitor," answered Aleksei coldly. Nyx frowned, which finally made Aleksei smile. "Enjoy your meal."
"Hold on a second, didn't Roman tell you to fetch me one of the new boys?"
"He advised me to, yes, but I don't take other people's advice. Can I leave now?"
"You do know that those students are most-likely with the FBI, which I find pretty ridiculous considering that they still think that they actually have a chance of catching me or any other vamp for a matter of fact," laughed Nyx. "Why didn't you get me one of the boys?"
"I wasn't going to search the entire school to find new faces just so that you could have an arm," sighed Aleksei, running a hand through his unruly hair. "I'm tired enough as it is."
"And do you know why you're tired?" said Nyx. "It's because you've been drinking nothing but animal blood for the past two years! You've become weak and fragile, you wouldn't even be able to fight off a newborn vampire in your pitiful state."
Nyx crossed his arms over his chest.
"What happened to Aleksei the Great? The ruthless vampire that killed villages full of people? The powerful vampire that everyone worshipped? The strong vampire that ruled tremendous land? The heartless vampire that everyone strived for? Everyone was terrified of you, Aleksei, you used to be a king for Hell's sake!" hissed Nyx, nostalgic of his old friend who hunted twice as many humans as he did back in the days. "And look at you now! The only thing left of you is your temper and your tongue. And it won't be long before you perish into dust from your own hunger."
"Are we done here?" asked Aleksei through clenched teeth.
"You can hate me all you want, but your family pledged allegiance to mine and since you refuse to show any desire for power, I'm at the top of the hierarchy," reminded Nyx in a sharp tone. "And as much as I've always hated your broody mood swings and stubbornness, I won't let an old friend die. Not on my watch."
"I am so grateful, thank you," said Aleksei in a monotonous voice that screamed with irony. "Can I leave now?"
Nyx stared into Aleksei's blue eyes and sighed.
"I suppose so," he mumbled, knowing that there was no point in keeping Aleksei here any longer. But when Aleksei stepped forward, Nyx put his foot in front of him.
"You're going to break one day, Aleksei," he said in a more serious tone. "And when that day comes, you'll hate yourself more than you ever will. You know, hatred and regret are terrible emotions for vampires. They haunt us for an eternity."
He retrieved his foot and smiled brightly. "Now you may leave."
"Hating oneself for an eternity? Well, you should know that better than anyone else now, wouldn't you?" smiled Aleksei, before leaving the room. The smile on Nyx's face vanished.
"Over a thousand years and I still can't get the last word with him," he muttered under his breath.
Nyx put his cup down and looked over towards one of his maids. "Darling, would you be kind enough to fetch me Roman?"
She nodded and left. A few minutes later, Roman entered Nyx's workroom. He sniffed the air and could smell fresh blood, and glanced at the bag that Aleksei had brought.
"I know. Hideous, isn't it?" commented Nyx, wrinkling his nose. "He could have at least wrapped it up nicely."
"You asked for me?" said Roman, clearing his voice.
"Why is everyone in such a hurry," sighed Nyx. "Do you all hate my company that much?"
There was a pause.
"Right, don't answer that. Anyway, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it?" asked Roman, already getting a bad feeling.
"It seems as if the FBI has decided to bring in another batch of investigators. It's quite silly, really, they're losing precious young lives by doing so," said Nyx, but feeling no empathy towards them at all.
"I thought Alek took care of it," said Roman, glancing towards the limb. Nyx paused, raising a brow.
"What do you mean? Aleksei told me that he didn't see any of them."
Roman stiffened, clenching his fists. Nyx noticed that something wasn't adding up and slowly walked towards Roman.
"What hasn't he told me?" Nyx asked, his voice now sharp and low.
"I don't know what he's told you," informed Roman, remaining calm.
"He told me that he was tired and gave me a janitor's arm. Your turn."
Knowing Nyx, he would never let Roman leave unless he found out the truth. Roman mentally apologized to Aleksei.
"He told me that he stumbled across one of the transfer students on his way to class."
"Which one?"
Roman didn't answer.
"Roman, which one?"
"Noah," he finally answered.
"What else did he tell you?"
"Nothing," said Roman, who had thought Aleksei listened to him and had given Nyx one of the new students. But of course it wasn't the case. Since when did Aleksei every listen to him? For the matter of fact, when did he ever listen to anyone?
"So he lied to me," murmured Nyx in surprise. "Why would he lie to me?"
Roman remained silent.
"I've changed my mind," said Nyx. "I want the new students alive. Keep a close eye on them, especially the one named Noah, and make sure to keep an eye on Aleksei as well. Report to me if anything strange happens."
"Nyx, I'm not going to spy on Aleksei for you," he sighed. "If you want to know something, then ask him yourself."
Nyx burst into laughter. "Ask him? Do you really think that he's going to tell me? That mysterious fool wouldn't spill a word even if I had a wooden stake at his chest!" he hissed bitterly. "You're to do as I say, is that clear?"
"I told you-"
"It's either Aleksei or Issa," growled Nyx. Roman narrowed his eyes at him but Nyx didn't flinch. "And I'm sure you'll have an eternity to ask Aleksei for forgiveness over a small betrayal. He thinks very highly of you, give him a couple of years and you two will be back to being friends. But Issa? I'll snap his neck before-"
"Nyx!" boomed Roman, his voice echoing in the room. Roman rarely ever lost his temper and Nyx knew that he had hit a sensitive spot. "You swore that Issa would never get involved."
"Yes, as long as you follow my orders," informed Nyx with a smug smile. Roman unclasped his hands.
"Fine," he muttered darkly. "I'll do it. Just leave Issa out of it."
"You know me," beamed Nyx. "Always keeping my promises."
Roman turned around and was about to leave, but he heard Nyx call his name.
"Oh, and a word of advice, Romeo," he chirped with a sly grin. Roman glanced towards him, meeting the vampire's hollow, black eyes. "I'd refrain myself from getting too close to Issa. Humans are nothing but a burden, and worst of all, they make us weak. Don't ever forget that."