Warm raindrops kissed Everett's neck. As he stirred awake, the horrifying shack in the woods of Nevermourn faded. Everett sighed in relief to see his familiar bedroom and reached out for Kieran beside him. Crimson streaked down the vampire's eyes, and he realized those tears were what he felt on his skin.

"You endured so much," Kieran whispered.

Everett nodded, mustering a response. "I can't believe I'd forgotten all that. Someone altered my memories, didn't they?"

"Yeah, but I undid their work." Kieran wiped at his own face, cleaning the blood-stained tears. "How are you feeling? Do you need anything?"

"I remember it all now." Everett sniffled, wiping at his rheumy eyes. "They buried the remains of those children in the basement. Their souls were stuck with them forever. Vampires took pity on us, wanting to help, but that was part of the trick. Those hunters weren't human or simply wizards."

"No, they were dhampirs. It's common practice to eat the hearts of other vampires to gain their strengths. Very archaic tradition."

"How could I summon a demon like that?" Everett asked softly, voice catching in his throat.

"I've never witnessed a child perform such a thing, but then, only you could see the ghosts of those kids. You've got a special talent for communicating with the dead and the damned, I'd assume."

Everett frowned. "It should've been impossible."

"Wizards unlock their magic at young ages I believe, and I assume yours came early due to such a distressing situation. I've seen it happen back home. Wizards or mages channel potent magic as a last defense against evil. It feeds off your emotions."

"I suppose that makes sense." Everett nodded. "But I wonder what that has to do with this amulet." He lifted the glowing gem. "Do you think it contains my own magic?"

"I'd assume so." A small smile formed. "Probably a precaution to keep you from overusing your magic after letting such dark energy into your body. So you wouldn't harm yourself or someone else. You helped murder those vampire hunters in cold-blood, deservingly so, but not many wield the magic or strength to do such a thing."

"Maybe that's why someone altered my memories to make me forget it?" Everett climbed out of bed. "Come on, let's pay Rowena another visit. I don't think I'll be able to sleep much after that."

Dizziness made him stumble. Everett blinked a few times, willing his throbbing head to quit spinning the room around. Kieran was quick on his feet to keep him from falling to the floor like a fool.

"You need to rest. Both your body and mind are recuperating," Kieran explained. "I took quite a bit of blood from you to do that, I'm sorry."

Everett relaxed in Kieran's arms, letting him guide him back down onto the bed. "It's okay," he assured him. "Thank you."

"I'm glad those fuckers are dead." Hatred gleamed in the vampire's darkened eyes.

"Me too."

"And whoever else is trying to hurt you, I won't spare them mercy."

A smile ghosted Everett's face. "I know you won't. Until I'm rested enough to travel, will you stay with me?"

"Of course." Kieran gently took his hand in his, kissing his wrist.

"Why do you do that?" Everett asked.

"Vampires do this to the mortals they care for. It's like a prayer, in a way. As we don't have our own Gods, we vow to protect ourselves and each other. My mother did so often with my father, before he died."

"Sounds very intimate." Heat radiated his cheeks.

"If I'm overstepping, let me know." Kieran brushed his thumb across his knuckles. "I like you very much, Everett."

"I like you a lot too." Everett grinned.

"With your permission, I'd like to form a blood bond between us."

Everett raised a brow. "Oh, what's that? Like with the soulful link?"

"Sort of, but this is permanent. The protection I give you will never fade away, not unless I'm killed," Kieran explained. "Does that make sense?"

"I suppose." Embers of silver mist coiled around his body. Unease bloomed in his chest as he met Kieran's piercing, crimson eyes. "I trust you. Just tell me what I need to do."

"It's very simple on my end. I just need to drink some of your blood. From the wrist is common practice," Kieran said. "But in return, you must also drink some of my blood."

Everett scrunched his nose. "Would that have adverse effects on me? I can't imagine consuming vampire blood is very healthy, no offense."

"It won't harm you, and you won't need much. Just a few drops in your mouth," Kieran replied. "If it disgusts you too much, I understand. I only wish to do this to keep you better protected. Nobody has ever broken an Acheron vampire's blood bond."

"Alright, but you go first."

Kieran grinned. "Of course." He raised Everett's wrist to his lips, planting another soft kiss before sinking his fangs into his skin.

When he released him, he chanted ancient words unbeknownst to Everett. It quite frankly, sounded like gibberish. Everett assumed it was an oath to bind them together. He hoped he wouldn't need to repeat it.

"So, all you need to do is cut my wrist and do the same thing. Do allow yourself to be fully sure of this bond before doing so. If uncertainty clouds your mind, it won't work."

"Okay." Everett nodded as he reached over for his wand. With a swift motion, he used the air around them to slice a small cut into the vampire's wrist. A light stream of pinkish blood oozed out. "So, I just lick it?" Flustered, Everett held the other man's wrist and brought it to his lips. To his relief, it wasn't a foul flavor. It didn't taste much like anything.

Ripples of magic encircled them both. Radiant embers of black swirled around his bedroom as Everett drew closer to Kieran, heartbeat pounding like a drum in his chest. Roaring winds echoed in his ears, and he found himself burying his face against the vampire's chest until it subsided.

"Everett? Are you alright?"

The young wizard peeled himself away, blinking in confusion. "Was that it?"

"Yes, the bond's completed. Now, nobody can ever alter your memories without my knowledge."

Everett nodded, fiddling with the collar of his nightshirt. "That's a relief."

"You'll have my protection until the day I die. Whenever you're in danger, I'll sense it no matter where I am and will come to your aid. We share a permanent link now, so you can always signal for my help. This connection works both ways, however, as I can reach out to you."

"How does that work?" Everett frowned.

"When you've rested more, I'll show you. I don't want to strain you right now."

"Why would you be willing to do this for me?" Everett asked. "Not that I'm complaining. Surely a bond like this is meant for someone special to you."

"It is. You probably think I'm a lunatic, right?" Kieran chuckled.

Everett narrowed his eyes. "There's another reason why you did this, isn't there?"

"Yes, do you really wish to know?" Kieran's expression soured. "I won't lie to you."

"Well, yeah. Of course I want to know! What did you not tell me before we did that?" Everett crossed his arms over his chest.

"If I had, I don't think you would have agreed so willingly." Kieran bowed his head in shame. "This bond will cancel out your pact made with that demon. You were merely a child back then with no true understanding of what you did. Now, you're fully aware of my bargain. For I am eternally bound to you, to protect you against anything wishing you harm. Including the demoness who desires your soul."

"Goodness gracious." Everett clamped a hand over his mouth, shock settling in. "Kieran, this is too much. I can't expect you to fight demons for me or guard my soul. You must be insane!"

"You know, I never understood why my mother was so fond of my father, who was merely a human. Why would our kind want anything to do with those wretched folks when they damn us to hell?" Kieran brushed loose strands of hair from Everett's face, fingers brushing his tender, soft skin. "And now that I've met you, I realize why she cared so dearly for him."

"Kieran, we've only known each other for such little time. I still don't understand. Why do you want to protect me so much? Do I remind you of your father or something?"

Kieran snorted. "Gods, no. This isn't some weird fatherly issue I have. I just genuinely care for you, okay? Humans have not been kind to me or my family and you're one of the first who treats me so respectfully."

"How do you think your family would feel about this?" Everett questioned. "Surely they'd be as upset as mind, right? I'm a man, for starters, and I don't even live in your country. I can't cross borders as freely as you can. A crush is one thing, but giving your life to someone is very intimate."

"I have many cousins ahead of me." Kieran shrugged. "So my mother and grandmother don't care much about what I do. That's why they assigned me as a damn beat cop. Gender norms aren't cared much about in our culture either. Dhampir children like me are already so rare, as many don't have their own children."

Everett recalled his own previous conversation with his father, cringing. "My folks would attempt to behead you if they heard about this. Briarwood wizards see vampires as wicked scum. You know that."

"That's why the bond is with you. Not your folks or your town." A sly smile crept across his lips.

"What will you do when I get married?" Everett questioned, masking a devious smirk behind his serious facade. "You know that most families around here choose spouses for their single children when they reach a certain age. I'm not sure my wife will like a vampire hanging around us."

"You already have two sisters, so carrying on the bloodline shouldn't be an issue. As for marriage, if you gave me your hand, your family would gain an ally with one of the most prestigious vampire covens in Valorath. Most blood bonds end with marriage to seal the deal, but I won't force you into anything like that."

"Jeez, I didn't expect such a well thought out response. Sorry, I was just kidding." Everett held his hands up in mock surrender. "Nobody's going to force me into some weird marriage."

"That's a relief." Kieran smiled. "But there is one little issue here. Do you actually want to be with me? I've thrown all this on you so suddenly and I understand if your heart's not in it. I'll protect you, regardless of how you feel for me."

"Yeah, I like you." Everett rubbed the back of his neck. "But this is happening so fast, you know? We've only known each other for such little time."

Kieran nodded. "I understand. So, I'll court you."

"You'll... what?" Everett furrowed his brows.

"Is that not a thing here?" Kieran asked with a look of bewilderment in his eyes. "You court the person you wish to marry someday and get to know them. Many are done with intentions of forming alliances, bearing children, or as a way to pay off a family debt."

"No, we don't do courtships here. Many wizards date amongst each other or find mages in Caverott to hook up with," Everett replied. "I've actually never heard of two men courting before. Although, that's probably because the intention is to have children later."

"With vampires, it's different. We don't court with the intention to bear children, as it's rare for our kind. Our family tends to extend through marriages, with some couples sometimes bearing offspring. Much like my mother and father did when they had me. Dhampir children are difficult to raise, which is why it's not common."

"Wizards are also troublesome. Imagine having a child who likes to play with dead things." Everett laughed.

"I can see how difficult that would be." Kieran nodded as he rose from the bed. "You're probably hungry, right? I can sneak down into the kitchen and whip you up something."

Everett bit on his lower lip, casting an uneasy look toward his door. "I'm not sure. I don't want my folks to catch you down there. Let's head out and eat somewhere instead."

"Are you well enough to travel?" Kieran asked, concern crossing his face.

"Of course. We'll just grab breakfast locally. Blissful Bites should be open and the owner doesn't mind serving vampires, last I heard. Dawn has just broken, so not many folks should be awake yet anyway."

"If you're sure." Kieran hesitated.

Everett moseyed on over to his closet, rummaging for a nice outfit to pair with his robe. A fleeting blush crept through his face as he murmured, "Turn around while I change."

Kieran snickered, but did as he desired. "I never realized you were so shy, Everett."

After ensuring the vampire wasn't peeking, he peeled his night clothes off and tossed them in the hamper behind him. He slipped a brown cashmere sweater over his head, followed by shimmying into his nicest pair of denim jeans. As he donned his dark green robe, he brushed his fingers along their family crest embellished on the breast pocket.

Everett chanted a soft spell as he channeled magic through the pad of his finger, unveiling a hidden compartment only accessed by his command. He wriggled a tiny vial out and popped the top off. The unsavory liquid burned going down his throat as his face twisted in revulsion at the flavor. There were still two more safely concealed if he needed them.

"Alright, let's head out." Everett made his way to the door, tailend of his robe swishing behind him. The young wizard sneaked a peek out into the hallway. When he detected none of his family around, he made a gesture for Kieran to follow him.

As they passed by his mother and father's room, Everett held his breath. Father mumbled something inside, but Everett didn't hear his footsteps. Perhaps he was talking in his sleep again? He did that fairly often and it irritated his mother.

When they reached the foyer, Everett sighed in relief as he hurried to lace his boots up. They all kept their shoes in a small closet near the entry. Easier access and it prevented them from trekking mud around the carpets.

"Sneaking out so soon?"

Like a snow deer caught in the headlights, Everett reeled back into the vampire's rugged arms. Panic shot through him as he faced his mother at the top of the stairwell. Her tousled blond hair resembled a mass of cobwebs sticking up at all ends. She took the stairs quite quickly in her slippers and velvety nightgown.

In that moment, Everett swore his own soul slipped from his body and abandoned the rest of him to face her wrath. Fangs, she was going to murder them both.