“Where are we going? “ I asked.

“I still don’t know. But I’m not taking you back to Hireath and we’re lucky the Manjuhage haven’t found you yet…”

“I still… don’t fully understand why they took me…”

Medea rubbed my hand in comfort. “They wanted you as a weapon. And a weapon shouldn’t break easily. So that’s why you had your limbs cut off for faster regeneration time when in battle.”

I tightened my fists, “Would- would the Hireath have used me too?”

“Jin, all soldiers are used you know that. But yes they would use you as a weapon, especially with knowledge of your half-vampire status.” Medea looked over at me. “You look troubled, how would you like me to help you?”

“I don’t know…but we need to get out of the capital,” I muttered.

“Jin, we were never safe even when we slept together.” She whispered in my ear

My face turned red. 

“Tell me what would make you feel better…”

My cheeks burned at that. There’s no one near that I can sense… and I’m stressed. The nightmares haven’t helped either. Having my mind clouded by stress could lead to me getting caught. “I-I don’t know… but I can’t afford getting caught, I’m not letting us be vulnerable for my own pleasure.”

“Let me try something, it will be quick alright? I’d like to see something other than a troubled expression.” 

“Are you sure it’ll be alright?” I said anxiously.

“You deserve to feel something good especially after what you've been through.” With that, she clasped her hands over mine lifting them over my head slamming the other hand beside my face. Then pressed me against a wall. “This alright? I can hug instead-“

“It’s alright. I can’t relax- they could find us while we’re distracted… what if the Hireath decides to kill me? What if the Manjuhage kills you? I don’t want to travel alone. I’ll-I’ll get caught.” My voice broke. My eyes getting teary. 

She let my hands go and pulled me into an embrace. “I’m not going to let either touch you ever again. You have my word I will never leave your side you’ll never be alone again.”

“So that wasn’t a one-night stand? You actually want me?” I asked.

“Yes, Jin.” 

“We should get going.” I said. Medea nodded. As we walked my head grew more lightheaded and dizzy. I stopped at a lamp post to rest. We kept going. My rests becoming more frequent. Then while walking everything went black. 

My body felt heavy. Achy and cold but also hot. My mind in a haze. Medea looking over me worried. She touched my forehead. 

“Jin you’re burning up. Unfortunately, I don’t see us getting out of the capital till your sickness passes…what are your symptoms I might know.”

“I feel hot and really cold, achy…”

“It sounds like influenza but as a half vampire that shouldn’t be a problem… “ she stood up “Let me see if the plumbing works here. I'll fetch you some cold towels.”

I nodded. She got up, I heard rushing water and her dipping towels.

“I need to look at your body so I can check if anything is wrong. So I’ll have to undress you. Also, it will allow you to stay cool.”

“I have no injuries…” I said weakly.

“I’m not taking any chances, I'm going to figure out what’s wrong with you.” 

I was acutely aware of her fingers grazing my skin as she stripped me. I shouldn’t feel so excited… how is she able to get me flustered in this state…As she was taking off my trousers I felt myself get hard, please don’t notice Medea. 

“You have no obvious things wrong with you…” she laid her head on my heart. “Your heart is beating too fast… I know what they did to you but I can't quite put my finger on why you’re ill…” She sat up and laid towels on my forehead 

“Am I…dying?” I muttered. 

She kissed my cheek. “As a vampire, I know you’re more resilient than you think.” She laid down next to me. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”

“Even when I get better I’m still a fugitive. It’s not going to be okay…” fatigue washed over me. My eyelids fluttering. 

She stroked my hair. “I will make it okay.”

I heard footsteps. I lifted my head groggily. I must’ve fallen asleep… Is that Medea? I looked over to see Medea sound asleep beside me. Something isn’t right. I shook Medea awake. “I hear something. There’s footsteps approaching where we’re at.”

“Okay, we have to move now I’ll carry you. I’m not going to let anyone touch you.” She stood up from the bed she must’ve sat me down in. She got a towel from beside the basin dipping it quickly not bothering to ring it out; tying it around my feverish forehead. Medea picked me up quietly moving to the back door of the brick house. Soon the noises of footsteps grew louder. 

“Madame and Sir Veritas need their daughter back safety she’s been captured for days and from what I heard about this is a SS vampire.”

that sounds familiar…isn’t Medea’s surname similar? Medea’s pace quickened after they said that. 

“They’re not in the house let’s look around the back.”

Medea broke out into a run. Her foot slipped on a brick littering the street making it clacking away from her foot. “We’re gonna make it out I promise.” 

“There she is! Miss Veritas stop!”

Everything took on a painful hot haze. My vision blurring. My head aching even more each time her feet thumped against the brick city streets. Her foot hit something causing her to fall towards. I slipped in her arms nearly falling out. She gripped me tightly, fingers digging into my arms painfully drawing blood which immediately healed.

A loud rumble resonated throughout the air. Then rain pelting us. Medea took off her overcoat laying it over me. She moved faster a faster, boots slapping against the wet streets. Her shoes squeaked and slid. But she kept sliding forward sending me crashing. A loud cracking noise resonated throughout the air followed by a cry of pain from Medea. Her hands grabbed me again only to drop me as she slipped again. I could hear their footsteps running closer. Hammering into my skull. I groaned. My mouth felt dry. I’m so thirsty I need blood…. Medea managed to pick me up. Her breathing heavy. She stopped sitting down resting leaning her head against something.

“I’m getting tired Jin. I’m not sure I can run much further.” She sounded scared. 

I’ve never seen her scared before. She wasn’t scared when she confronted me…

“Miss Veritas it’s gonna be okay we’re not going to hurt you. Come on out and we’ll take you home for a while.” They said gently,

“But you’ll hurt him you filthy bastards you don’t give a damn.” Medea hissed her teeth clenched in pain. 

“Don’t…put yourself into trouble for me…” I grimaced, “I’m not worth it Medea…”

“You’re worth any blood sweat or tears I shed I’m not throwing you to the wolves to suffer more. You hear me?” Angry passionate clear in her whispers. 

“I think they’re over there! Near those crates!”

“Shit.” Medea rapidly stood up to me in my arms slipping a little. Breaking out into a run with pursuers not far behind. Her grip slipping multiple times. Especially on her right arm. She fell again crashing on top of me. She got up again running slower. She scooted under a pile of rubble with me in her arms. The jagged pieces of walls cut and scraped me. 

“Come with me.”

I turned my head to see a vampire lady with long dark brown hair. with a slender androgynous frame. A white shirt low-cut shirt left a puffy sleeve covered in purple iridescent butterflies and an olive green skirt with an intricate brown belt. She had a gentle calm familiar aura about her. Medea grabbed me tighter. 

“How do we know you’re not with Manjuhage?” Medea said suspiciously.

“My name is Eden, I’m the leader of Labitule.”