Kian exited the bar, with the girl in tow. He carefully carried her through the back alleys, ever alert for any similar scum that dared to cross his path but there was nothing save the growing pressure of questions and emotions her presence evoked in him. 

He could feel the girl slightly stirring in her sleep as he crossed the street, using the shadows to cover his tracks. The caution was unnecessary as the streets were empty save for the lonely set of lamps every few meters down the street.

His original intention was to bring her to the warehouse but thought differently. If he were to take her warning seriously, it would be ill advised to reveal one of the few safe havens of the others. 

He headed to his apartment instead. No matter who she may claim she was, he wasn’t taking any chances and possibly risk endangering the others who followed him.

Flitting from one street to the next in a blur, Kian finally reached a dilapidated building. He easily climbed the fire stairwell, jumping from each level to the next before finally pushing the window to his living room open. Once inside, his original plan to hold her captive and ask her questions disappeared the moment he entered the apartment.

“You’ve been awake all this time.” Both of them knew it wasn’t a question.

Her eyes opened and she calmly surveyed the room. Everything was kept to a bare minimum. No photographs graced the room, no keepsakes and any hint of personal touches. It was a simple bachelor room connected to the kitchen. A worn couch served as a bed and there was a bookshelf covered in various books dating back so far that many were yellowed and cracked with age.

“Even now he comes.” She repeated her words from earlier.

“So you continue to say.” He returned, watching her closely. He was mistaken. This presumptuous girl couldn’t be her. Her features held some similarity but it wasn’t her.

The girl shrugged, as she continued to survey her surroundings. “Where are the others?” She suddenly asked. “They must be warned. His fight is no longer with just you.”

“You presume too much.”

Her gaze was piercing him, almost as if penetrating his thoughts. He calmly returned her gaze, revealing nothing. A moment passed before she shrugged once more and sat down on the couch.

“Suit yourself. You have been warned.”

A moment of contemplative silence passed before Kian swiftly reached the couch and held her down by the neck, pressing her body uncomfortably into the hard wooden backing.

“Why do you serve him?” He asked, his voice as cold as winter, his eyes as dark as eternity. “He will only betray you and worse in the end. He betrays all who dare to see anything but a monstrosity in him.”

She bravely kept her gaze level with his, her chin raised in defiance despite his hold on her.

“Now it is you who presumes too much.” She returned, her eyes flashed, a mixture of green and brown hues swirling angrily and daring him to allow himself to be trapped in their angry depths.

He revealed nothing except a hint of a strained expression in the corner of his lips. She waited for him to make the next move and was surprised to find that his grip suddenly relaxed. 

Her body stiffened at the gesture, fully aware that for someone as cold as he, this seemingly warm gesture did not mean to comfort but to drown her.

“Your act of damsel in distress has delayed my original plans.” He softly said instead, a dangerous look in his dark eyes.

She watched him open his mouth, his canines considerably lengthening.

“How far have you fallen, vampire, that you cannot forgive yourself?” She softly returned, mesmerized by his too cold and handsome face. She had not meant to make such a comment but the rumors of him were all true. 

She was no exception and felt every part of her unsettled by his very presence.

She maintained her gaze on him, mesmerized by eyes that could easily promise her eternity as drown her in that same promise. She found herself willingly offer her exposed neck to him. 

Instead, she felt him graze her skin and softly kiss the pulse at the base of her neck in a surprisingly gentle gesture.

“Never far enough.” He quietly answered, releasing her.

She opened her eyes and found him transformed. His mouth was tight with much weariness and self loathing. His eyes remained hooded but she had seen enough.

She stood up, not glancing at him. “I will be at the warehouse to lead you and the others to him.”

He did not glance up nor give any hint that he was aware of her.

Her hands tightened by her side. “If you want any hope in saving yourself and the others, you will come.”

He saw her leave in the corner of his eyes but he remained sitting, lost in the memories that came flooding back, drowning him ever deeper.