Even after playing games with the kids most of the day, I struggle to sleep come evening. Tossing and turning in bed from my overheated skin that even an open window and cool breeze can't fix. I lay awake for hours staring at the emerald canopy that reminds me of the thicket. Memories filter in, each more potent than the last. Lore leaning over me. The scent of his shampoo. His breath against my neck. My hands on his hips. His body against mine.

I throw myself out of bed long before dawn to take a run, then a jog, another run, and a freezing cold bath. None of which my body appreciates based on how sore it is when the sun finally does rise.

My eyelids weigh more than drenched robes, wishing for nothing more than to shut and send me to a land of nightmares. How I manage to stay awake through breakfast is beyond me. I poke at my food, smiling at the kids when they speak to me while pretending Lore doesn't exist. The mere sound of his voice forms goosebumps across my nape. I try to rub them away like they're dirt staining my skin.

At the end of breakfast, a butler arrives to retrieve our plates. I'm eager to escape into town under the guise of my research into the Red Moon group, but Lore abruptly calls to see me and Cyan in his office.

"Follow me for a moment," he says, tossling Hyun Woo's hair when he walks by. The boy giggles and swats at Lore's hand, then runs after Nalo towards the school house.

Cyan eyes me suspiciously. We walk side by side through the halls behind Lore. Sticking his nose in the air, Cyan takes two long steps ahead of me. I roll my eyes and let him keep ahead. It's starting to seem like Lore has nine kids instead of eight. Although, I guess technically Cyan is his kid. My mind is very tired right now.

Draven's already in Lore's office when we arrive. For once, he shows the briefest signs of an emotion other than discontent or annoyance. Dare I say it, a worried expression consumes his features, and that concern most certainly is pointed at Cyan. Whether Cyan notices the miniscule reaction is questionable. He doesn't give a reaction because he's fixated on following Lore like a lost puppy.

"I've received news concerning our passage to Vexsis," Lore declares. He stands behind his desk, resting a hand on a few papers. "The four of us will be departing in five days."

Cyan grins like he won the lottery. Maybe I would have been too had this situation not taken such a drastic turn in the last few days. Sweat forms on my brow. My muscles tense until they ache.

"I don't typically condone groups visiting Vexsis, however, this is a more than special case." Lore offers a phony smile. "Seren decided to make this more difficult by tagging along."

I guffaw. "You should have said no to me joining you if it's such trouble."

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to bring Arline?" Draven speaks up, turning all our attention to him. Cyan especially; his glare is downright combustive. I'm beginning to think he was some kind of explosive expert in his past life or perhaps a pyromaniac.

"Seren's a paladin of the Holy Church and Cyan's a mage who--" Draven hesitates. "His blood is considered a delicacy."

"The vampires want to eat me?" Cyan chortles. "Let them try."

"Vexsis is filled with vampires and their Warlords. Even your abilities can't protect you forever."

"If you hate the thought of me going so bad, just say it."

"My decision isn't up for debate," Lore interjects sternly. It's impressive how swiftly he silences Draven and Cyan. They freeze like, well, like children who know better than to talk back, although Cyan simmers at a boiling point that's simply waiting to burn Draven to a crisp.

"Now, let's go over a few rules that also are not up for debate." His gaze lingers on me momentarily.

Huffing, I cross my arms and lean my weight from one foot to the other.

"We will be under constant surveillance, not only on our excursions but also at my estate. While the soldiers will not follow us into my home, they will remain on the premises and it is not to protect us. Due to this, none of you are to travel alone. Seren and Cyan must either be with me or Draven. If you're together, no doubt someone will try to start trouble--"

Lore holds up his hand when Cyan makes a move to speak. Once more, Cyan goes eerily quiet.

"I know you can handle yourself, but the vampires will only try to rile you up as an excuse to cause problems. None of you are to instigate the soldiers or civilians. If I see any of you so much as glare at them, I'll have you sent back to Earth without delay. In short, you must be on your best behavior." Lore claps his hands like he's speaking to a room of children. He looks at me when he asks, "Do you understand?"

"Perfectly," I grunt and Cyan follows. Draven gives a slow nod.

"Alright. Make sure you're ready to leave in five days. Cyan, Draven, you may go. Seren, stay," Lore orders, gesturing at Cyan and Draven to head for the door.

I'm oddly relieved about their departure. The heat from Cyan's stare alone risks another of his famous explosions. He hurries out of the room with Draven right behind. Although once they're both gone, I'm reminded that being alone with Lore is equally as dangerous.

"What more do you have to say to me?" I ask, hoping he'll make this quick.

"I thought I should warn you, due to the dangerous atmosphere, we will be sharing a room on the airship rides," Lore declares nonchalantly.

"...I beg your pardon?"

Smirking, he steps around the desk to approach me. I retreat when he reaches out. His hand hovers, seemingly stunned by my quick reaction. Sighing, his hand drops to his side. His usual teasing smirk soon overtakes his features. "You could say that I'm implying that you don't always have to be on your best behavior, particularly behind closed doors."

My hands clench into fists. My nails pierce the skin of my palm.

"You're so uptight," he adds. "I'm teasing about that. Not sharing a room. News will spread fast about you joining me. There's no telling if someone is keeping their eye on us or hoping to sabotage our trip. It has happened before."

That piques my interest.

"The vampires have tried to sabotage you?" I inquire. The tension eases in my hands. It's so much easier to speak business with Lore. I momentarily forget about everything else.

"Of course. They hate the idea of a dhampir having his hands on one of their precious mines."

"How did you get one?"

"Finders keepers is the rule in Vexsis," he explains around a devious grin that could rival a devil's. "I made a few friends among vampire nobility and hired a search party where I was lucky enough to stumble upon a rather rich nellore deposit."

He frowns at my disbelieving look.

"What?" he asks, resting a gentle hand over his chest. "You don't believe me?"

"Absolutely not. You accidentally stumbled on a mine that has made you filthy rich?" I scoff.

Lore shrugs. "I was filthy rich before I found the mine, thank you. But think of it what you will. The fact remains that most vampires don't care for me much either. We have to watch each other's backs."

I almost stumble over my own feet when Lore steps closer. I grasp the back of the couch to steady myself, which gives him the time to close in. A lump buries itself into my throat, refusing to dissipate no matter how much I swallow.

"Do you have my back, Seren?" he whispers, leaning in too close for me to think.

"Y-Yeah."

"Good." He brushes a strand of hair from my eyes, tucking it gently among the rest. Then he turns his back to me, heading to his desk while I practically sprint to the doors. Said doors slam shut behind me. My back presses against them as my chest heaves for breath, seeing as I wasn't breathing for that whole minute Lore stood in front of me.

Can I really do that; share a room with Lore? For a few days? He's incapable of keeping his hands to himself. He has no idea what the meaning of personal space is. Teasing and annoying me are his favorite pastimes. I'll be driven mad before we reach Vexsis or... or worse.

Lore flirts. Constantly. He pushes me too far as a game, a way to toy with me, and his own fucked up way to toy with the church. What better chance than this; while we're alone in a room? Just like the time we went undercover at the club. My body shivers at the memory.

Pushing away from the doors, I drag my feet through the halls. After all that has happened, after--after yesterday, can I even trust myself around Lore? If he pushes me again, I don't know if I can...

I hurry up the steps to my room that brings me little solace. The church already knows about me going to Vexsis, seeing as they always are informed if one of their members has been granted access. But they will expect to hear from me concerning what has been happening and more specifics on why Lore's going.

I sit at my small desk for hours, staring at a blank piece of paper. I squeeze the pen so hard it almost snaps. When I finally start, I press the pen so hard I rip through the paper. Grumbling, I toss the first two letters away and start over anew. At the end of the letter, my pen rests, unsure of what to put next.

Should I go through with requesting a new assignment? I could come up with an excuse. I'm not fit for this job or the Red Moon group may legitimately have moved to Silra. They need more of my attention than Lore, who likely isn't the killer--anything other than the truth. The terrifying truth that continuously rests atop my aching shoulders. Now, more than ever, I feel the weight on the verge of crushing me completely. I fear what will happen when it does...

But I can't handle the thought of their disappointment, so I sign the letter without asking to leave.

- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -

Phew, Seren's got a lot on his plate and it seems like he's on the verge of losing it. It isn't helping that he's nervous about going to Vexsis as well. How do you think their travel plans are going to go? What do you expect to see in Vexsis? Will Seren be able to share a room with Lore without doing something a bit crazy? ;D