CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: BITE THE BULLET.

      "And who do you think you are to decide that?" Reiji fretted once Izumi informed them of their agreement with the Mukamis. The girl gave him an innocent smile, she hadn't really expected to meet his refusal. Although she hadn't stopped to think about it either, "You and Ayato are always doing what you two want, and I admit it's partly my fault for giving you so much freedom-" Izumi raised an eyebrow- "But I'm not going to let this keep happening. We're not going to work with them."

      "Then how are we going to defeat the Ancestors?" Laito interjected, his catlike eyes glinting at the prospect of conflict, "Tell us, Reiji, do you have a secret weapon?"

      The black-haired man pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, shooting Laito a warning look so he wouldn't press any further, "No, but you honestly can't think those inferior vampires will be of any help.

      "It's better than nothing," Subaru said with a shrug.

      Kanato nodded, "Teddy thinks we'll win."

      "We're talking about the Ancestors."

      "For that very reason," Shu joined the conversation, "It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing."

      Reiji covered his face with his hand, holding back a laugh, "Please, I won't take a word from an addict like you."

      "Addict?" Laito purred, "Nee, Reiji, what are you saying? Shu is an addict? To what?"

      "To Izumi's blood," he scoffed, "Of course, it would be obvious for someone as spineless as him to fall into addiction... that's what Richter refered to, wan't it? The weak will get addicted, won't they, Shu?" He looked at the blond, but he continued on the couch with his eyes closed, "Did you think I wouldn't notice your new habit of avoiding her?"

      The pinkhead couldn't help but look at Shu at that. She had noticed his change of behavior, but she had never had the chance to ask him why. While she didn't want to believe Reiji because it would be falling into a sibling dispute, she couldn't help but think that it might be true...

      "I'm just complying with your new no-biting rule," Shu replied, opening one eye to look at his brother, "I thought you'd be happy about that."

      Reiji clenched his jaw, but Izumi intervened before they could continue. "Can we get back to the matter at hand? The Ancestors. Yui is in danger."

      "You're in danger," Laito mentioned, pointing his index finger at her, "You seem to have forgotten that detail."

      "I can-"

      "Protect yourself, yes," the brown man burst out, waving his hand as if to urge her to abandon the idea, "Except when it's against us, right? What do you think the situation against the Ancestors will be like? It will be the same shit, if not worst."

      "Regarding that, I think they want me alive."

      Reiji raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"

      The pinkhead shrugged her shoulders, "It's one of my theories."

      "Theory, meaning you don't have any proof to say for sure," the black-haired man reasoned.

      Izumi clicked her tongue, knowing she had no choice but to reveal the new information she had received, "Yuma told me that it was KarlHeinz who killed my parents, and that it was all a plan to keep me here. Richter said I was special. All this means I'm good for something."

      "Yes," Reiji muttered in a bored tone, "Your blood makes its consumer stronger. It only has you in case-" he interrupted himself as he realized something, and his eyes widened slightly. The vampiress nodded, already knowing his conclusion.

      "Exactly."

      "Uh? What happened?" Kanato cried, squeezing Teddy grumpily, "Explain!"

      "If he wanted to use you, he'd have you by his side," Subaru thought aloud, guessing the other two's reasoning.

      Laito smiled, "Hee, so he brought you here for us to use you? To defeat him?"

      The vampiress nodded, feeling a little more relaxed when she wasn't the only one thinking it, "It's one of my theories," she repeated. She looked at Reiji, who clearly seemed affected by this new discovery, "So, is the agreement still in place? Will we work with the Mukamis?"

      Reiji watched her for a long moment. Izumi was not stupid, she knew that now he would watch her as another tool to beat his brother in the competition (created in his head) to win the inheritance of the house. However, she was blinded by revenge on the man who ended her life, and having as many vampires on her side as possible was essential.

      "Yes, but you and Ayato still need to be taught a lesson," Reiji mused. And that was enough for Izumi. While the thought of punishment didn't sound pleasant at all, she had accomplished the first part of her plan. That was what mattered the most.

      If KarlHeinz had done so many things to include her in his plan, she would make sure to ruin that damn plan. Even if it was necessary to waste her last breath on it.

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      Reiji insisted that they went to the Mukami residence because he didn't want them to break anything. Izumi thought it was just an exaggeration, however... now that she was there, she discovered that he had been right. They had been at the place for about twenty minutes now, and no one would stop arguing. It would only be a matter of time before the situation escalated into physical fights.

      The girl with pink hair was standing, resting her crossed arms on the back of a sofa, surrounded by the Sakamaki brothers. She didn't bother to follow the thread of conversations going on around her, and moved her arm to rest her head in the palm of her hand and close her eyes when she felt two hands on her waist.

      "They are so childish, aren't they, princess?" Laito whispered in her ear, causing her back to straighten immediately and her muscles to tense. At her reaction, the chestnut laughed, "Nee, princess, did I scare you? Ever since I confessed my feelings to you, you've been acting like this... Don't you like being loved? I thought you would be happy."

      "Don't make me laugh," Izumi replied, turning in his arms and resting her weight against the back of the couch. Her brows were furrowed, which made Laito's smile grow, "You're just trying to manipulate me. You're brave enough to assume something that stupid would work on me, Laito."

      "Why so cold, princess?" Laito purred, leaning close to her ear again. He let out a sigh, moving down to her neck and beginning to lick it, "It's the truth. I love you, Izumi."

      The vampiress was quick to notice his intentions and, just before Laito dug his fangs into her neck, she pushed him away. He fell backwards, catching the attention of the others who had so far remained absorbed in their discussions. Silence broke through the room, and Laito smiled from the floor as he adjusted his fedora that almost fell to the floor from the impact.

      "You are so violent, princess. I love it."

      "Fuck you," Izumi hissed through her teeth.

      "Now what are you doing?" Reiji scolded immediately, approaching them both. He was clearly ashamed that he hadn't avoided the scene earlier, but that didn't lessen his anger directed at the two of them, "Can't you two behave yourselves? We're not at home."

      "Fuck, Laito, you were trying to bite her, weren't you?" Ayato snarled, growling and baring his teeth like a rabid dog. He approached Izumi and tugged her to inspect her neck, making sure she hadn't been bitten though it wasn't necessary as his sense of smell informed him that it hadn't happened.

      Izumi broke free of his grip, swiping her arms to push him away, "And what do you think you're doing, you asshole?"

      Kanato pressed Teddy against his chest, "Nee, Teddy, don't you think this is so unfair? I should have been the first to taste Izumi's blood. She's my doll. Only mine," he pretended to whisper in the teddy bear's ear, even though everyone could hear him clearly. Then, he rested his gaze on the vampire, "But even if I wasn't the first, I still want to try it."

      With a frown and clenched fists, Izumi opened her mouth to confront Kanato and, at the same time, make it clear that she was not like the human. She couldn't believe she had to make such obvious statements, but she had had enough. Her eyes darkened as she watched the triplets who only seemed to see her as food.

      "It is forbidden," Shu interjected. As usual, his tone was calm but cutting. Giving no room for any kind of objection.

      However, he was dealing with greedy vampires. They were not going to give in so easily.

      "You started it, Shu," Laito pointed out, finally standing up to appear in front of the blond, facing him with a wolfish grin. "Don't pretend to be an angel when it was you who was sneaking around taking advantage of-"

      "Laito," Reiji burst out in time, preventing the brunette from releasing the secrets they kept from the Mukamis.

      The alluded one turned to Reiji, ready to argue but, realizing his almost fatal mistake, he lowered his head, hiding his gaze with his fedora. It wasn't more than a few seconds before he muttered a "right, sorry" accompanied by a playful tone.

      Izumi snorted, ready to yell at them all, but stopped when she remembered the presence of the other vampire family. She turned to them, noticing the curious stares. They were paying attention to even the smallest detail, taking the opportunity to gain more information.

      The girl clicked her tongue, recognizing that they had messed up.

      Ruki smiled, "Allow us to provide you with a little privacy. You clearly need to work out some... things."

      "That's not necessary," Reiji assured, "Please forget this disagreement and let's get back to the plan."

      "No, please, I insist," Ruki continued, "It won't be any inconvenience to us. I can promise on behalf of my brothers and I that we will not listen or-"

      "No need," Izumi interrupted, giving him a cold, deadly stare. Reiji shot her a glare, scolding her for her lack of manners. Then, the pink-haired girl replaced her deadly gesture with a smile so kind it rivaled Ruki's own, "Please, let's get back to the plan. Without any further inconvenience," she remarked since, after all, they too had been arguing with the Sakamaki. None of them were innocent in this game... well, except for Yui who would be better off anywhere but here.