The pureblood series: Living

AVERY'S POV

In a world you don't know, at least, humans don't know. We exist. We are vampires, undead. Many don't know we're real. That is good. Imagine me sitting to you next in class, baring fangs. Trust me, I know the feeling. I'm Avery, a vampire. I'm one of the last of my specie. I'm a pureblood, a true vampire with unpuddled blood. There are others, the lesser but we'll go into them later. My story is simple. I was born a pureblood. My parent, bless their soul, were also purebloods. They were killed by the very person hunting me, Victor. Victor has been hunting me and the rest of my kind down. I'm being protected by Damian, my father's closest associate. We're arriving at Athenrim, a supposed dangerous place for supernaturals. Now that I look at it, I'm not so sure. I actually believe that this place can scare Victor away, I'm finally going to have a life.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Damian asked me as I closed my journal. Writing my life in a book has been one of the ways to relish immortality, if... you're not being hunted by a dangerous man.

"Nothing, I'm just happy we survived Victor's ambush." I replied. Victor had almost killed me in our last hideout, I escaped thanks to my "come as I wish" abilities. Being a vampire was a curse although it had it's perks.

"You have to go to school. For us to..."

"Blend in." I finished. As a pureblood I stopped aging when I had my first bloodlust. So, I'm literally stuck in a teenage body. Damian on the other hand was turned in his youth. He can literally do anything with his life. Damian gave me a sullen look. He knew I hated this. Running, hiding, the extreme hunger. It was unbearable. The fae who cursed us knew the trick. Now you don't know the story but I do. Don't worry, I'll tell you.

"In the early ages, the supernatural world was split into two. Servants of nature, a pleasant term for witches. They choose to use their powers to their whims. Embodiment of nature, Fae. No one really knows their origin but I can tell you, Fae's were so powerful that their pronouncement could become reality. To fix this, mother nature saps a fae's Vita as punishment. My ancestor fell in love with a Fae but he double-crossed her. In anger, she cursed him and here we are now, still afflicted by the curse."

We arrived at our new house. It was a small bungalow. It's roof was peeling off leaving with with a lighter tomato red. It was perfect. Damian offloaded our bags and we lodged in. The inside of the house was spectacular. The living room had mohogany floorboards. The Persian rug left it looking ancient. The chairs were formed into a semicircle which was facing a fireplace, one we'll never use.

"Damian, I'm impressed." I admitted. Damian gave a weak smile before going to pick his room. I didn't bother choosing a room. My room was usually made by Damian. He usually plastered my room with titanium due to my nightmares. I carried my sorry ass to a sofa to relax, the road had made me sore all over. I began to hear Damian work swiftly with his hammer. I didn't realize when I slept. Whoever told you vampires don't sleep.

I was roused by the smell of blood. It was very strong. It had to be human blood. There was a knock on the door. I could hear giggles and whispers thanks to my enhanced senses. I wanted to call Damian but curiousity got the better of him. As the doorknob opened, I saw a boy right in front of me. His hair was blonde and he had a huge smile plastered to his face.

"Hello." He said. I could see his cheeks flush.

"Yeah."I returned returning his smile.

"We're neighbours." He continued trying desperately to hide his timidity.

I was about to reply when Damian shoved me out of the way. He confronted the visitor.

"So sorry. It's been a rough day...can this conversation be postponed ehm..." Damian said, his pause was for the boy to introduce his name.

"Sure", the boy replied and began to leave but he stopped turned back and spoke, "My name is Henry by the way."

The door was closed but I heard it loud and clear. When the door was securely locked, Damian threw me an adult card.

"Avery, we've talked about this. If you haven't fed. Don't, Don't speak to humans."

He was right and that truth made me boil. I wished I didn't share a telepathic mindlink with Damian. Damian turned and I knew immediately what he was about to do.

"I'm not being homeschooled. I'm like eight hundred for peace sake, can't I make my choice?"

I resolved to stand my ground until he listened to me. He sighed then spoke, "Okay! But, promise me you'll keep a low profile."

"Sure." I assured, "I know the ground rules."

"Then say it?" Damian ordered.

What a jerk! The ground rules were simple. Never get comfy. Always be on alert and never ever get close. It had always kept us safe so it was better that way. After reciting the mantra, I retired to my room. It was going to be a hectic day tomorrow and I had to be ready. I looked at my skylight which was designed to look like stars as my eyes flustered to the home of troubled souls, sleep.

HENRY'S POV

I jerked around my bed blaming it for my sudden insomnia but deep inside I knew it was something else. The bed was perfectly smooth and soft however my mind was scrambled. I remembered the new girl's smile, visualizing it like she was right in front of me. I knew I had to know her. The night was far spent. My alarm clock read 4:30. It surprised me that I had been awake for that long. I got off bed and wore a trainer. I was feeling restless and wanted to go on a jog.

As I raced through the park. I watched the trees dance to the tunes of the wind. I stopped when I could barely catch my breath. The feeling of adrenaline was all over me. I decided to take it slowly before returning to my apartment. While going home, I stole a look at the ancient bungalow. I saw a silhouetted figure move around the house. It was the girl. I didn't even know her name thanks to her cocky father. I wanted to walk up to her but I feared being tagged a stalker. It was better to watch from the sidelines. I was so carried away studying her features that I didn't notice her turn at my direction. I jerked in surprise and hit a pothole rewarded by the dirty water inside. I heard it. She laughed. It was serene, Like a dolphins chatter. For a brief moment, I forgot my predicament and waved to her. She also waved back. I decided to visit her porch but she did the strangest thing ever. She locked the windows depriving me of the opportunity to see her beautiful face.

"At least, tell me your name?" I whispered into the enveloping darkness and got nothing but crickets. As I turned to take my leave, I heard her reply. It wasn't very audible but I could make the word out, "Avery".

The alarm clock chimed waking me up in annoyance. I hit the snooze button and peered at the clock. It was already 6:30 am. I groaned as I lazily stood up to brush my teeth. Why had I volunteered to serve as aide to the freshers. I felt terrible as my eyes ached from lack of sleep. I could hear water run in the bathroom. That meant mother was already awake. Sometimes I had to admit I envied her. She was a strong woman. Ever since father disappeared and was never found. She had taken it upon herself to take care of herself and i. My peptalk encouraged me as i brushed my teeth. At 6:50, I was already dressed and ready for school. Mother dished out waffles which I hurriedly ate before leaving but not before a goodbye kiss which had become a normal for me. I got on my bike and peddled to school. I still surveyed my new neighbours. They weren't out yet so no need to bother them. The ride to Plymouth high wasn't necessarily far. It was only a stone throw from my home.

"Hey, dude." I heard someone say. It was kalim, my best friend. We've been friends since childhood. He got off Cheryl's sweet ride and they both walked up to me.

"How's the selfless student doing?" Cheryl joked.

Despite being tired I had to smile. While kalim and Cheryl went inside the school premises, I waited outside. If any fresher was arriving, I'd be the one to tour them around. After a long wait, a car arrived. Coming out from the backseat was Avery. Her thick black Raven hair danced as the winds tossed them around. Her lips were red and fuller. I was surprised she was coming to my school. Her father sighted me and gave her the "be careful with him" look. As his car reversed and left the premises, I met with her.

"Hi" I started.

"Hi" she sent back.

It was difficult to start a conversation when she had no urge to talk to me but I would keep on trying. It probably because she was new.

AVERY'S POV

As Henry tried to start a conversation, I tried my possible best to be unattracted. Damian's words rang in my head through the mindlink.

"Be careful" he uttered.

Henry continued his conversation as I continued to try my best to not get involved.

"Come Avery, let me show you around."

Oh no! I whispered to myself. This is how it starts in movies. The girl who is trying to be lonely gets a good friend and it all starts from the first encounter.

"No thanks, I have detailed map that can show me around but thanks anyway." I said. As I left him, the look on his face was unmistakable, sadness. It left a hole in my heart but I knew it was better at least I was told so.

The map on my hand was nothing but an agent of confusion. It was getting me lost rather than around. I quickly regretted my decision to abandon Henry but I dared not go back. There had to be someone else who could tell me. My answer walked right in. It was a girl probably in her early sixteens. She had dangerously bleached hair which made it lose their sheen. Her face was bombarded with cosmestics and it made her look a little older than her age. She wore a plain short gown and boots to match.

"Hi" I greeted.

She turned as if seeing me for the first time.

"Hi there." She said slurring her words making it look like she wasn't interested In our little chit chat.

"I'm Cheryl. What do you want?" She continued.

"I'm having a problem finding my class. Em, could you show me around."

The girl rolled her eyes and instructed me to follow her. This was worse than being chased. Her outright negativity reminded me of the bubbling Henry.

The girl, Cheryl or whatever led to to my first class. The class was already jam-packed with students and there was only one chair left. I quickly occupied it. Second rule of highschool, The girl who stands out gets the spotlight.

"Hi." A voice said by my left.

"Hi.", I returned then turned to the speaker. My blood turned cold. It was Henry. Was this fate or was this human just trying to get on my nerves. I made up my mind to finally get him off my back.

"Are you stalking me?" I asked. The mood I expected was annoyance but I received a bumused look.

"Do you really think you're that special?" His reply burnt down my walls. It reminded me of my father. He said that to me the very day he died.

FLASHBACK

I watched my father lay limp of the damp grass. The green plants had been painted with my father's blood. Damian forced me away from his sorry sight. What monster did this? I thought. I knew my father as a powerful vampire and moreover we healed, What changed? He motioned me to come closer. His bright irises had lost their goal.

"Avery, I might not survive this. I want you to know I love you and will always be with you." He paused to cough half clotted blood before continuing, " you are special Avery and never ever be ashamed of who you are." Tears flowed from my eyes as he took his last breath.

"Papa!" I screamed at him begging him to wake up but he never did. That night was the worrst day i ever had.

***

Tears flowed freely down my eyes like a leaking tap. Henry noticed this and knew he had hurt me. My emotions we're greating stronger. The rage coarsed through my body as I'm ages of that day flooded my mind.

"Damian, " I sent through the mindlink." I'm shifting."

"GET OUT!" Damian sent back I could feel his panic. I stood up from my seat, ignoring the teacher's cry. My canines began to extend. My vision got brighter and the urge for blood became almost unresistable. I needed to feed.

I held a dead squirrel in my bloody hands. I hated myself. I had succumbed again.

"Did anyone see you?" Damian asked through the mindlink. No one deserved to see this. A monster that literally had to survive on blood.

"It's alright Damian, I'm in the park." I replied. I could sense his sigh of relief. I dropped the dead squirrel on the lush carpet grass to allow nature do it's work. It always did it's work.

"Wait there. I'm coming." Damian sent again. So I sat on a red bench and waited for me. Occasionally, I eoped at my mouth to clean the traces of animal blood. A terrible gust began to blow but that didn't matter not until I felt it. My senses were at alert. Time slowed as I saw a huge tree collapse heading right for me. The tree fell to the ground making a booming sound. My strength had not failed me. For unknown reasons, I felt a presence beside me. I slowly turned to see just the person that got me into this mess. Henry looked like he had seen a ghost and I was definitely sure he had seen be shove the tree away.

"Damian, "I sent through the link, "someone just saw me use my strength."

Damian did not answer but his emotions let me know he heard and he was coming.

"What are you?" Henry exclaimed, more in shock than awe.

HENRY'S POV

My mind could not explain the phenomenon I had just witnessed. Did Avery just push away a tree like it was nothing.

"Ouch!" Avery screamed holding her hand in pain, perhaps to fool me but it was a lost cause. I subconsciously walked to the tree on the ground. This did not make sense, I thought. The tree was heavy, I tried carrying it thrice. A question popped in my head and even though it was funny, I had to ask.

"What are you?"

An embarrassing silence followed. Avery refused to talk. Her eyes were swollen.

"Are you human?" I continued to ask.

Avery finally broke the silence.

"No, I'm not human." She said.

My mind was in a great dilemma. A part of me wanted to believe what I saw was a lie but I just witnessed something that had no scientific explanation. Was this a prank?, I had to reason.

Avery continued talking.

"You'll forget this anyway but I'm a vampire."

This was madness! Why was I even believing this sh*t.

"Yes, a vampire. Soon you'll tell me werewolves are real." I mocked.

Her expression was unreadable for some time then it changed to amusement.

"You needed to have seen your face." She said bursting into laughter.

This confused me. Was this truly a prank. But the tree... A cold hand suddenly grabbed me. I traced the hand upwards to it's owner. It was Damian and his eyes were bright blue.

"What the hell!"I exclaimed trying to break from his incredible grip. He held me firm and refused to let me go. There was something about his eyes. Even though I was afraid, I could not resist looking at them. They were hypnotising. In fact, I was lost in them.

"Forget the tree falling and leave."

Damian's voice was soft and soothing. I had to obey. My mind erased the memory of the fallen tree and I began to walk away as he ordered.

DAMIAN'S POV

I could not believe the ignorance and outright stupidity of Avery.

"Telling him everything." I spat unable to control my rage."what else would you tell him?"

"You were going to compel him anyway so I thought..."

"No!" I cut in."since we arrived in Athenrim, you've been attracted to him. You knew the rules yet you broke them."

Through our telepathic mindlink, I could feel Avery become angry.

"Yes!" She retorted." I'm tired of running. I just and I've always wanted an average life where you're not being hunted by a psychotic sidhe."

Avery had really let her heart out. I knew how it felt. Even I had felt it. I was her protector after all. I had to soften my tone to pacify her.

"It's alright." I said offering her a hug. She rejected my hug and went to the car, sitting sulkingly at the backseat.

"Are you driving or what?" She said to me." There's a lot to pack."

Pack? Did Avery think we were leaving? I took my place at the driver's seat and watched her through the rear view mirror. It was a very sad look.

"Avery, I understand you're tired of this routine but what choice do we have?"

Avery's face held nothing but displeasure and although she didn't want to talk to me, her emotions got the better of her.

"We are running from just one person, a supernatural that..."

"Siphons magic." I completed for her.

"Yeah." she continued, "why don't we just end him. After all, he's alone."

"He's not alone." I thought and immediately regretted my actions.

"He's not working alone." Avery said.

"It's not important, Avery." I said trying to keep a calm composure.

"You're hiding things Damian and it's not going to be good when I found out.

I hit the brakes when we arrived at the house. Avery left for her room refusing to talk to me. I lazily went to my room. Looking at the bloodstone dagger that lay on my working desk, the one thing that endangered Avery before her full transistioned. I remembered the promise I made to her father. I initially agreed because my lifeline was linked to her. Now, Now I just wanted to protect her if only the damn dagger could be destroyed.

I examined the dagger for the millionth time. It was ancient, old. It's hilt had an embedded stone in it that I could still not name. What fascinated me about the dagger was how the ancient writings glowed when I touched it. Who created it? Why? I was lost in my thoughts for a brief while before someone knocked my door. Avery! I opened the door halfway to prevent her from seeing the dagger on my bed.

"Ve, I know you don't love this life but..."

"I'm sorry." Avery blurted out."you've been protecting me for as long as I remember. I'm sorry for being awful."

This was comforting. Maybe, she wouldn't try to come in, I thought.

"Are you hiding something Damian?" Avery questioned me. An unsure expression plastered on her face.

"Avery, maybe later." I said adding an exaggerated yawn to ensure she left me alone. She understood and began to go. "Also, stop reading me." I finished closing the door and locking it shut.

"I can't stop." Avery yelled from across the room.

I took the dagger and put it in my briefcase. With the coming blood moon, Victor would be desperately searching for them. I needed to find the hidden lines before then.

VICTOR'S POV

I watched the young girl that was just brought in front of me cower in fear. It was a very interesting sight to watch. She had blatantly refused to aid in my search for Avery not until I leveraged her. Lucius stared at her like a wolf would to it's food. He bared his fangs and showed off his luminent blue eyes, all for good cause. I approach the girl and tried the most soothing voice I could muster.

"I just want the location. Tell me and I'll let you leave." As if on cue, Lucius growled.

"I don't know." The girl retorted.

"Then why can't you be compelled? You've taken vervian."

The girl could only cry. It was a great act but under the facade I knew she was lying.

"What's your name girl?" I asked.

"Lucy."

"Lucy, great name." I said. "You see Lucy, I am descended from a long line of protectors. We were saviours of mankind hunting and killing monsters that threatened humanity. Now, vampires were the most difficult to kill. They just kept on growing and growing. The people I worked with planned to create a truck with those savages. I killed one of my own for that. I became sidhe, a dark faeblood. Until I killed the very last, I will not stop. I just need your help then I'll let you go."

" But Vampires were cursed by Faes." The girl blurted out. A very foolish move. It assured me she knew Avery.

"Just tell me the place and I'll let you go." I assured.

"Why Avery?" She cried.

"One takes all. Avery is the last surviving pureblood. If she dies, Every sired vampires die along with her."

"Then why are they helping you?" The girl said pointing to Lucius who snarled in return.

"Smart girl." I said."These vampires saw that I would win and joined me. In return, I'll give them the secret to break their telepathic link with dear Avery."

"Athenrim." The girl whispered.

"Athenrim." I was shocked. Going back to Athenrim would be my doom. But I had to do it. Perhaps it was this hole in my heart or the hunger for power, Avery's power.

"When will you let me go." The girl questioned.

She was so annoying. I turned to Lucius, "You know what to do." The latter nodded and lunged for Lucy.

"Sorry." I said to Lucy as Lucius fed on her"I leave no loose ends."

The girl screamed and begged for a life. As a compassionate man, I forced Lucius off her.

"I said, Turn her. Not kill her."

The girl stared at me in horror at the realization of what had been done. She was transistioning.

"Hello, fledgling." I said before leaving. Avery and her protector was in for a big shock.

AVERYS POV

What was Damian hiding? He talked about a dagger and the blood moon. He was hiding something and a voice in me told me it was big. If there was a dagger which could harm me then it was in it's room. I planned to take it when he left for his nightshift. The suspicion was killing me. Time seemed to move slowly as I waited for Damian to leave. At 10:00 pm, I was already dozing off when Damian came to check on me.

"Are you sleeping?" He asked.

"No, just wasted." I replied.

He smiled and told me when he would be returning. None of which interested me as I anticipated his leave. Finally, he kissed my forehead and disappeared into the night. Yes! Now I could search his room. He usually left his spare key under the rug so it was easy to find. I opened the door and examined his surprisingly tidy room. I searched for anything out the ordinary. There was nothing. While I was frustrated, an idea hit me. Damian mentioned something about the dagger glowing. I shifted to my vampire form. Perhaps better eyesight was what I needed. I searched around and suddenly saw a blinding red glow in one of Damian's briefcases. I opened it. The dagger laid there, glowing. Somehow I regretted my actions. Me finding the dagger assured me that Damian was indeed hiding something. Salty waters poured from my eyelids. I knew he was protecting me but from what. There was a knock on the door. Could it be Damian? Maybe he forgot something? but one thing was sure, I planned to confront him with the dagger. I held it in my palms and headed for the door. The person didn't smell like Damian. He smelt funny. I hid the dagger before reaching for the door then I opened it. A boy looked at me before asking, "Are you Avery?" He asked.

"Yes." I replied.

"Have you seen Henry? I haven't seen him since school, this afternoon and he hasn't returned home. His mother is worried sick."

This was not good. Vampires like Damian had the power to compel but sometimes it brought different results. There was a slight possibility Henry had forgotten everything about himself. He would need my blood if that be the case.

"Hello!?" The boy said crashing by train of thought.

"I think I know where he is." I said. " Sit here, I'm coming."

I raced to the room to wear something road-worthy. I was quick and raced back downstairs.

"Let's go."

The boy threw something his backpack and followed suit. I was worried sick for Henry and although I did not know where he was, I could sniff him out.

KALIM'S POV

The girl I was driving looked very concerned for Henry. It made me wonder who she was to him. Henry's mother had only mentioned that he talked sometimes to the new neighbor. That was how I found her.

"Where do you think he is?" I said accelerating my engine.

"The school." She didn't sound sure but she was the only one I had. The ride was quite rough even for me as I occasionally swerved right and left just to beat time. We reached the school thanks to my dangerous driving and rushed to enter the school before it was locked.

Damn! It was locked shut. I tagged at it just to be sure. The girl was becoming apprehensive as I saw sweat beads form on her forehead.

"Do you have any of his clothing on you?" She asked. This was a funny question but even funny sounded normal at this dire suituation. I reached to my backpack and brought out a jock strap he had forgotten at my place.

"Seriously!" She exclaimed holding it with disgust."where's the guard? Ask him if he perhaps saw Henry."

I didn't need probing to go but something held me back. What did Avery need his jock strap for? I hid in the shadows and watched her sniff the cloth. Yuck! What was she doing? The girl suddenly sniffed the air like my golden retriever would do. It was unsettling.

"Kalim!" She cried out." I know where Henry is."

I pretended to come running. I also pretended to be out of breath.

"Where?" I asked.

She pointed to the woods near the school. What was Henry doing there and more importantly how did she know?

I was so carried away in my thoughts that I barely noticed when she broke into a run heading for that direction.

"Wait for me." I yelled also running.

Trees branches hit me. I was lashed by large leaves and the mosquito bites were terrible. Why would Henry come to a place like this? Avery kept on sniffing the air as if tracking Henry.

"What are you doing?" I asked her.

"Finding your friend."

"How? Through your nose?"

"I have a cold." She said and she sniffled probably to make it real. I of course was not falling for this. I was going to bombard her with questions but I heard something. It was like a cry for help and it sounded a lot like Henry.

HENRY'S POV

I woke up to an enveloping darkness. I was tied up. My head hurt. The painful swelling on my head reminded me of something. I was being kidnapped. My assaulter had placed me tied securely to a tree. He had made a campfire to keep warm and illuminate the area.

"What do you want?" I begged.

A smile formed on the man's lips. It was a sinister im-a-bad-guy smile. It made me wee my pants.

"I don't want you." The man said." I want the pureblood."

"What's a pureblood?"

The man refused to answer me. I only got a long hard stare and it frightened me.

"A vampire." He whispered and began to sharpen his knives.

Was this man joking? Was I with a psychopath? I needed help. I inhaled and screamed for help with all my strength.

The man cackled obviously surprised at my courage. He walked up to me and blew a strangely smelling powder as I slowly began to lose conciousness.

I woke up to see the man slaughtered on the floor in cold blood. Something was different about him though. He was bigger and looked greenish. Was my mind playing tricks on me? I searched around for anything that could shed light on what was happening. Kalim was on the ground next to my abductor. What happened?

AVERY'S POV

What have I done? One night had led to all these. Me killing a troll sent to take me. Beating kalim to pulp. The whole incident hit me anew.

FLASHBACK

I was alerted my Henry's scream. I used my superior hearing to track him down. In no time, I found him except he wasn't alone. Before I could react to what was happening, the man blew a strange smelling dust to my face. It knocked me and kalim out immediately. I woke up tied to a tree. The ropes binding me were soaked with vervian. I thought hunters became extinct a century ago.

"Who are you?" I asked. The man raised an eyebrow and replied, "A troll."

"What do you want?" I spat.

"To sell you to Victor."

Victor had already found what where I was. This was unexpected. The man was unruffled by my disturbed countenance as he continued to talk.

"He'll come soon." He said clicking some buttons on his phone. He was calling Victor at least about to.

" Please, don't." I begged. The man ignored me as I watched him pack more of the powder that knocked me out earlier and blew to my face. The whole world began to spin and I felt dizzy. Was this how I would die? Damian would be heartbroken? My father, Those were what crossed my mind before I passed out.

My nightmares, how could I forget them. They made me do the unexpected. Sometimes it came like a panic attack and sometimes it was my fear taking control of my mind.

I woke up shaking. My hands were covered in blood. The sight and the smell of the fluid almost turned me mad. I knew I could not be near Henry. Surprisingly I did not want kalim's blood.

"Where are you?" A voice said. It was Damian contacting me through the mindlink. Even though this was a recipe for disaster, I had to tell him.

"I just killed a troll and almost killed kalim."

There was a long silence. His mind betrayed him yet again. The presence of the troll scared him. He knew we had been found out yet again.

"I'm coming." He sent an left the mindlink. I on the other hand, had to leave the spot where Henry, the dead troll and kalim were.

***

The roaring and screeching of a car engine informed me of Damian's presence. He got to the location I was. I expected to blow up but he instead gave me a tight hug. He could be adorable when he wished to be.

" Where are they?" He asked referring to Henry and kalim.

Kalim had roused and would have definitely ran if I did not tie him up.

"You!" He protested in fear. It was like he was seeing a monster." You killed that thing." The gory details flowed into my head like I was watching a movie.

Damian walked up to him and said, "Don't worry lad, this is a bad dream." He was going to compel hism.

"A bad dream?!" Kalim ranted. The compelling must have no effect on him."That girl, " he continued pointing an accusing finger to me, "killed that man with a bare hands. Her eyes were blue and she had fangs. This is fucked up." He continued to shout apprehensive about the realization that vampires were real. Damian tried again with no success.

"Vervian." Damian finally said after a series of failed attempt."he must have consumed vervian. What? This was getting complicated. If we could not compel him, He was a threat and he needed to go.

Henry had been compelled and had been sent home. The only problem we had was kalim. I thought how we could determine if he had vervian in his bloodstream. I knew I had to taste his blood.

"Damian, "I said." It could be stress that is disrupting the compelling. Maybe if I tasted his blood."

Damian was at his end. He had no idea what else to do so he gave me the permission. Kalim began to jerk violently and tug at the ropes as my fangs extended.

"This will only take a moment." I aaured him before I sunk my fangs to his neck. Sweet red liquid oozed out. I tasted for the poison. There was none, so I stopped and sealed the bite with my saliva to stop the bite from turning him.

"It's stress." I stated to Damian. It was settled. He had to be relaxed.

I walked up to kalim and bent down to meet his gaze.

"This will all be over but you have to help us. Can you calm down?" I told him and sent him a pleasant smile.

KALIM'S POV

Avery's freak dad tried hypnotising me again after I had convinced him that I was less tense.

"Forget the experience you just witnessed and walk home with no recollection of seeing me or her." He said.

WTF! It did not work. I still remembered everything but they could not know. They would keep here. So I decided to act. I stood up as calm as I could and began to walk home. When I was far from their sight, I took to my heels. Vampires. I headed for the school's park where I dropped my backpack. I checked my phone and saw I had missed my father's call. He had called thrice and also sent a voicemail instructing me to come home or I would be be grounded all my life. I wanted to go home but I also needed a clear mind. Could I live with this? I knew I could because no one would believe me. I would be regarded as a nut case. I had to live with it. Itjrew my phone into my backpack and doing so, something glowed. It was a red glow and it illuminated the whole of my backpack. I went for the object and brought out a dagger. It looked old and was cold. It had imsciption on it. Where did I get it from? I remembered visiting Avery. I must have accidentally taken it. Not that I was going to return it anyways. I noticed the gem embedded to the hilt of the dagger glowed when I touched, brighter when it was very close to me. It was almost magical. I examined the strange writings engraved to the sword. For a brief minute, I understood it. It said something about protecting. I read it again but it was just gibberish that I could not understand. It must have been my mind. I threw it back in to my backpack and took my leave.

My father looked dejectedly at me.

"You're late."

"Sorry Dad." I said and looked up to my father. He looked the same except for the strange markin on his forehead. It looked like a burn. It looked like an eye. I must be hallucinating, I thought. I entered the house and it got worse. There were strange symbols engraved everywhere. My dad noticed by strange behaviour and asked if anything was wrong. I nodded in response. It was my mind playing tricks on me. It was definitely my mind. I went to my bathroom. I reached for the sink and washed my face with water. It was refreshing. I looked into the steamed mirror clearing the steamed surface with my hands. The sight I saw before me was terrifying. A similar marking was on my forehead.

What is happening? I went to the room and stared at my dressing mirror. It was still there. The dagger in my bag seemed to be alive as it glowed so brightly that it turned my backpack to a lightbulb. I took it out and immediately I touched it, I saw something. It was a sword. It's hilt had an embedded stone that was blue in color. It also had a peculiar marking on it, The symbol of an eye.