Ferid headed home as fast as he could, his body gripped by an anxiety he didn't think he would still be able to feel. An anxiety that was entirely justified. Krul had been at Yurika's in his absence. That meant that she had already suspected something when she had visited him.

What had betrayed him?

But there was no point in trying to dwell on what he had done now.

He couldn't go back. And if the irreparable had happened, he would hardly have been able to forgive himself. For not having seen the danger he was putting Yurika in, for not having foreseen all this. He who had always been so good at manipulating others, even Krul herself.

Instead, this time he had fallen into the spider's trap. That explained why he had been involved in such an anonymous mission. It had been a simple diversion used by Krul to have free rein.

Burning anger raged through his body. Thinking back to his last conversation with Yurika only made him feel worse. He couldn't take losing her, not like this. If anything had happened to her, it would make Krul regret her actions. It was the last thing he would do. He was definitely out of his mind.

"Yurika! Yurika!" He screamed as soon as he crossed the threshold, almost as if his extreme agitation prevented him from using his honed vampire senses. He rushed to the ground floor room where he had left her before leaving, but she wasn't there. He headed for the room and threw the door open.

He stared dreamily at the figure before him.

"Ferid..."

Yurika was there, in front of him. Whole.

He stood motionless for a second, then sprang upon her, holding her tightly to his chest.

"My love."

The girl sank her head into his chest and lay still, aware of what had just happened.

Ferid must have confirmed Krul's suspicions.

She shuddered as she thought back to the vampire's visit, the feeling of being at a dead end still well within her. The hot bath she'd indulged in afterwards hadn't helped at all to calm her down.

"You're fine." Whispered the vampire, still unable to part from her. It didn't seem real to him that Yurika was still alive. Krul hadn't hurt her.

He felt a chill run through the girl's body. He stroked her head gently. This was to serve as a warning to him for the future, he should never expose the girl to such a risk again. Too bad he had just ruined everything, his attempt to keep his feelings for the girl from showing. Now Krul would have no doubt about it.

A low, deep growl went through his body. He was still too enraged. Yurika tried to pull away from him, thinking he had resentment towards her.

"Ferid." She whispered.

"How could I have made you take such a risk? How could I not see the danger? I'd even left after that stupid scene... I'd never have forgiven myself if she'd done anything to you. Never."

His strong arms seemed unwilling to let go of the young woman.

Ferid sighed, now he had to understand the situation better. "Yurika. What exactly did she say to you?" The girl sighed and began to narrate.

Following Kurena's advice seemed impossible to her. She was facing the vampire queen, a monster completely out of her league. She had already been seen by the vampire once. Yet on that occasion she and Ferid were not yet a couple. What had she come to do? She did not resolve to speak, merely observing the vampire, perhaps with a look that betrayed what she was feeling.

"Relax dear, your time has not yet come. We wouldn't want to make dear Ferid sad."

Yurika lowered her head. "He wouldn't be sad." She whispered. Perhaps convincing her of that would help. "He must have taught you well." "He doesn't..." Krul smiled. "I'll confirm that later sweetheart."

The girl watched her with fearful eyes. What did that mean? What was she planning to do to her?

Krul watched the girl's reactions carefully; they were vital for gaining an overview of the situation. After all, she could prove to be more than just a means to hold Ferid off, but also a conduit to finally accomplish her ends.

"Yurika Hiiragi, it's a strange choice Ferid made with you, isn't it? He set his sights high. Maybe a little too much?" "What are you talking about?" Her confusion all too visible. "The Hiiragi family is a very powerful family and just as dangerous. I think you can agree on that."

Yurika didn't answer, merely waiting for what the vampire was aiming at. She had thought that her only purpose might be to manipulate Ferid, but it seemed there was more to it than that. Why had she brought up his family in the first place? Surely she could not have known that she had always preferred to deviate from the interests and goals of his family members.

"What was your relationship with Mahiru Hiiragi?" The girl widened her eyes, it had been years since she had last spoken to anyone about her, it was not an easy topic. "She was my sister." She whispered. "Just as I thought." The vampire stood up, her eyes shining with a strange determination. "Tell me about Asuramaru. Where is he?" She hesitated before answering, unsure of her information.

"Was... was he Mahiru's demon?" Krul growled. "Do you know where he is?" "I... I don't." She was honest. All she knew was that it had been her sister's demon, but what happened to it following her death remained a mystery to her. The vampire looked around, seeming to search for something. "I could give you anything in case you could help me, anything at all. What Ferid gives you is nothing compared to what I could give you."

"You'll never be able to top what he..." And she froze. All too aware that she had said too much. Krul stepped closer to her. "Has he compromised you to this extent? Has he really managed to debauch you?" She laughed. "Do you really think you're that special? Do you really think you matter to him? You're just a momentary amusement, a new toy he'll throw away at the first opportunity. It's only a matter of time before his fangs get the better of you. Trust me on this. Do you really want to die like this? In the arms of a monster?"

"What other choice do I have?" She asked unconsciously humouring the vampire's thoughts.

"To help me. I am stronger than him. I rule in Japan." All of the vampire's complicated talk of his convoluted plans resurfaced in the girl's mind. Why did everything in Krul's presence seem to be the vampire's ramblings? How could he hope to overpower her? Until a still lucid part of her mind made her wonder about her dead sister's demon. What was so special about it? Why was she grieving so much? "I couldn't do it even if I wanted to. I don't know anything about that demon."

Krul huffed impatiently. She couldn't know for sure if she was lying or not. She could have killed her, but to what end? No one could know what the future would hold for them. She knew Ferid. He was certainly not someone who could be relied upon, plus she had yet to find out how he felt about this human. Better to preserve her as a weapon to hold him off. Then again, maybe one day she'd decide to cooperate with her just as dear Mahiru had. She sighed.

"Looks like someone has nothing to say to me. That's too bad, but if you change your mind, I'm willing to listen." She paused briefly. "You know, even when you realise Ferid's nature. I can't wait to see the look on his face afterwards." She laughed. "Tell that to Ferid. He should check you out better if he really cares about you." And she walked away.

Yurika had been motionless for a long time. She didn't know how to evaluate that encounter. A simple warning? Or a real threat? Somewhere in between? The only certainty was that it had shaken her nervous system. That was why she had tried to treat herself to a hot bath, she hoped it would help her relax. Kurena too found the whole thing rather odd, but the girl had no answer for the vampire.

So she assumed she had automatically become dear Ferid's Achilles heel. From what had she confirmed this? From the way he had re-entered the house.

The vampire pulled her close, stroking her hair. He had to admit Krul had been good. She could have done anything. Instead, she had merely provoked him. Yes, provoking him. That wasn't a warning. That was a provocation.

He continued to hold the girl close to keep calm, especially to calm Yurika down, he felt she hadn't quite calmed down yet. He would have a million different ways to make her completely forget about her encounter with the vampire. To make her forget anything outside of him.

"Ferid, do you have any idea what she was talking about? She must care a lot if she came all this way without killing me." "Yeah, maybe she asked the wrong person. You don't have to worry though, a situation like this will never happen again, I won't give her the satisfaction of catching me unprepared. I'm sorry, my impulsive reaction ruined my good intentions." "Was it really as impulsive as you say?" "Definitely."

The girl leaned over and gave the vampire a light kiss, just below the jaw. "You flatter me." She whispered, as a shiver ran through the vampire. He knew that hers was a kiss without malice, yet it was able to awaken his primal instincts that were difficult to suppress. He lowered his face and brought their lips together in a kiss.

A moment later Yurika found herself lying on the bed, the vampire's lips still passionate on hers. She indulged the vampire, not stopping the hand that caressed her body. Ferid's lips descended gently, leaving a trail of kisses. His fangs brushed against the soft skin of her neck. Yurika gritted her teeth as she felt her skin being violated in this prelude to love. The events of the day slowly sank into her unconscious as she felt the blood drain from her body.

09/07/2021