CHAPTER 9: Help

ALICIA

"Aaaaah!" I screamed when someone pulled my hair. It was so painful that I felt like I was going to lose my head.

"Help!" I shouted.

I arched my back as I tried to see clearly who it was while he was putting pressure on my hair. It's a vampire. His eyes were red, not those of Akihiro but it's lesser pigment of red.

He doesn't look like a human before his face is distorted and he reeks of corpses. I almost threw up when he opened his mouth and I saw insects inside.

Before his sharp fangs could pierce my neck, someone grabbed the vampire...and the next thing I knew Akihiro was already holding his heart.

I covered my mouth in shock. This is too much to handle and I don't think I will not be insane after this.

"What is that..." I whispered.

"That's a low-life vampire. These were humans bitten by vampires, mostly half-blooded vampires, and due to several circumstances they didn't make it to as a vampire." He explained to me while checking my wound.

"You're bleeding again." He cursed and I saw frustration. What was that? Is he concerned about me?

Just then, some men arrived and I recognized them as members of the night class. One of them flicked his finger, and the low-life vampires disappeared.

"Oh, Alicia Reed. You wouldn't want that to happen to you, right?" The girl smirked at me. If I am not mistaken, she is Leah, the most famous girl in the night class.

"What should we do to her, Akihiro? Don't tell me you are going to spare her life when she knows about us?" She crossed her arms while looking at me.

I didn't see her gaze and focused on my wound as I felt pain. Akihiro was putting a handkerchief on it as he lifted me up.

"We need to stop your knees from bleeding until all the vampires here come and bite you alive."

I hit his hand when he tried to hold me. "You are a vampire. What makes it different?"

"Hey! That's rude!" Leah said, ready to slap me when Akihiro gets in between. She scoffed and said, "We are pureblooded vampires and we can control our lust. That makes us different from the one who attacks you. So, we demand respect knowing you owe your life to us!"

"I don't owe my life to you." I glared at her, even though I shouldn't be fighting with vampires.

"How dare you—"

"Enough with that," Akihiro's voice thundered. "I don't want another argument. You should go back to your house and I will deal with this alone. I didn't call you here."

"We are just here to help." One of the vampires said while looking at Akihiro.

"Niko, I appreciate the help." Akihiro replied. "But, I will handle her. Just make sure no more low-life vampires are around. Call the patrol vampires to watch the whole town in case there's breach from other clans."

"How about here? Do you intend to keep her alive?" Leah argued. "She knows a lot about us now. What makes you think she's not going to tell someone about it?"

"No one will believe her." Akihiro was sure of it.

"I can tell everyone about it!" I warned them. "If you kill me, surely my parents will investigate and it will lead them to knowing about you!"

"Are you threatening us?" Leah scoffed. "Don't forget we are more powerful than anyone!"

"I don't believe it." I glared at her. "Surely, there's someone out there...who would want to kill you. Let's say...hunters!"

"What do you know about them? Are you one of them?" One of the vampires asked me again. "Who sent you?"

"I wished I knew them so you'll be all dead, however, I don't. I just happened to read a vampire book. But, guess I was right. You guys are afraid of — ouch!" I screamed when Leah pulled my hair.

Although, my eyes widened when Akihiro held her hand and it was on fire.

"Fuck, Akihiro!" She complained. "Why is it even my fault? I am your goddamn fiance and that girl is human! Have you forgotten about it?"

"I did not. So, I hope you didn't forget what I told you before." Akihiro's crimson eyes glowed in the dark. "No one harms her..."

It should be a sweet romantic line only that he added, "But only me."

I rolled my eyes. "What are you going to do with me? Are you going to kill me?" I should slap my mouth for arguing, but I don't want to die crying.

"You better kill me before I announce to the whole world about your existence!" I warned them.

"Really?" Akihiro smirked. "Can you afford to do that when your life is in my hands...so your family?"

I was speechless. I am not thinking ahead of me. Of course, he is a vampire...and he can do whatever he wants.

"Oh, so you know how to shut up now?" Akihiro smiled as he offered his hand to me. "You wouldn't want to see me mad, so how about you take my hand...and I send you home?"

I stared at his hand. "My parents don't have anything to do with this. They don't know about vampires...so please..." I started begging, making them all mocked me.

"Seems like you know how to beg!" Leah said. "You have to thank Akihiro because you are still alive."

"Are you sure about this?" Another one said. "We cannot let her live. We have to at least erase her memories."

"Oh, about that? Go on...try compelling her and let's see if it will work." Akihiro stood up and invited one of the vampires to go in front of me.

I tried to stand up but Leah pulled me down. "We're not yet done with you."

I looked around the area. What is happening? Why does it seem like no one can hear me...and see what they're doing to me?

"Look at me, Alice." The guy said as he stared at me. I did what he asked me as he muttered, "Forget about vampires, Alicia. After this, you will go home and leave a normal life—" I slapped him in the face which shocked all of them.

"Wake up, vampires!" I stood up and eyed them one by one. "You cannot tell me to forget!"

"Who are you?" They all whispered to me.