Puzzles

I nearly jumped off my skin when a knock came from my door. Flustered, I shoved the book underneath my bed, carelessly trying to hide evidence of what I've been doing. I did my best not to look like a cat that has been caught.

"Y-Yes?"

"Cain, can we talk?"

I calmed myself and opened the door, Cyrus stood anxiously outside. I invited him in, already knowing what was bothering him. He sat down at the bottom of my bed and I crawled in behind him.

"Are you alright?" I questioned worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm just a little confused that's all."

"I'll listen so spill everything."

He sighed, "Do you agree with this development, Cain? For Simon to suddenly take in a vampire is kinda bewildering for me. Sure, the plan was to make negotiations but I didn't think he'd actually pull it through. Besides...that woman is a vampire. It goes against everything that the organization taught us."

"It is pretty reasonable that you'd feel conflicted, after all vampires were the reason why you're all here fighting against them."

"I really admire Leah for voicing out her feelings against this matter, when it's like this I can't help but shut up and just accept how things are going because we naturally don't have a say in what is good for the organization." He fell back on the bed, closing his eyes. "When I was a teenager, when vampires weren't a thing yet, my school was ambushed. Everyone I knew were killed mercilessly, sucked dry by their thirst. People who are important to me, my friends, my teachers, they were all gone in a blink of an eye. When I look back I can't help but feel that did all that really happen? Everything went by so fast I'm not sure anymore."

"I came here so that those same circumstances wouldn't happen again. I wanted to make sure that this time around, there will be someone who's willing to help the helpless. But now… I don't have any idea if this is right or wrong."

"Simon has a complicated character, even when we were living together there were times where I couldn't understand what he was thinking. Even now he seems like a mystery to me. But if there's anything I learned while being with him, is that everything he does has purpose. Someway or another we will get something out from this that will help our cause." I ruffled his hair, "If you're still unsure, just leave everything to me. I'm pretty reliable sometimes. I'll take care of the vampire, I'll make sure she doesn't harm anyone, don't worry."

The only reason why I could say these words was because I can feel it in my gut that Rei wouldn't do anything wrong unless she was driven in a corner. And for that to not happen I have to make sure nothing goes wrong.

"Cheer up, Cyrus in due time you'll come to realize the answers to your questions, and only you can understand them."

Cyrus grinned up at me, "Thanks Cain, you're like an older brother."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and Leah is like our terror older sister."

I snickered, "I can totally see her as one."

Cyrus got up from my bed, "Hey, wanna go out and play in the arcade?"

"Yeah, sure." I agreed right away, I wanted to cheer him up so I'll go along with what he wants. Cyrus is officially the baby of our team.

The place was still pretty quiet when we got out, Cryus and I chose to walk instead of riding since the arcade was pretty close by. We talked about nonsense on the way and had a great time in the arcade. Often competing against each other, although I wasn't quite good at it since I didn't normally play games. The only time I could move freely on my own was when Simon decided to join the organization and brought me along with him. Thinking about it I barely have any recollection of my childhood. Everything seemed so foggy when I try to think about it and it makes my headache so I stopped caring too much.

Cyrus got pretty hungry after a few hours so I offered to buy us snacks since he was still busy with his game. On the way I accidentally bumped into someone.

"Ah! I'm sorry." I quickly helped him off the floor.

I was met with amethyst eyes, and doll-like features. "Hmm? Aren't you Almira's older brother?"

"T-Thank you." He said meekly. I almost didn't hear him.

"How's your sister?"

He looked down shyly, "She's staying at our home."

"That's good! You two should take care, okay?"

"Y-Yeah…If you'll excuse me I have to go."

"Yeah, sure! I didn't mean to hold you off."

My eyes trailed after him even if he was no longer in sight. Strange, why do I feel off somehow…I ignored the strange feeling in my chest and went to get our snacks. After that, Cyrus and I had a pretty good time. By the end of the day he was already feeling better.

"Hey, why don't you show me around town?"

I sighed internally. I was currently at Rei's apartment under Simon's orders. My mission was to constantly be around Rei wherever she goes and whatever she does — basically under constant watch.

"I want to buy some stuff but I can't go under these circumstances." She fluttered her eyelashes at me. I snorted, as if that's going to work.

Okay, I admit it did make my heart skip a beat a little since she always looked so pretty like a Goddess.

...What the? 

Did I just say that?

I stared at her suspiciously, was she bewitching me perhaps?

"Why are you looking at me like that? For your information, I barely did anything today that will come off as suspicious." She crossed her arms, offended.

"...Nothing. Why do you want to go out anyways?"

"Do I look like someone who can stay put in one place?"

"Not really."

"There you have it. And besides, I want to know more about this world. I only get to have one chance out of one thousand to be here." She rambled. I gently poked her with questions, willingly answering them and making me know more about her little by little.

It was such a good thing that she was a blabber mouth.

"Why is it a one chance?"

"You can't really cross the border freely without the crown prince's permission. Ah! That reminds me, I have to get something here to boast." She mused to herself.

A crown prince? So there really was a nobility within the vampires. I'm guessing that the crown prince put Rei in charge, so that means she's close with royalty? But you can't really have free access with royalty unless you have connections or you're some big shot. Is she a part of the nobles?

I remember the vampire that called her a Celeste, considering her natural affinity she must be a noble right? And if the words in the book are true, Celestes are the vampires in charge of maintaining order. So nobles means Celestes?

Silver hair fluttered in my peripheral vision, a sweet smell infiltrated my nostrils. Her alluring voice rang out beside my ear in a whisper. "Are you curious?"

I turned my head, with a blank face as possible, despite my heart almost leaping out. "No."

She moved her body away, "Huh, that's strange. Normally, the young men back at home would've been flustered by now."

I snorted. "That wouldn't work on me."

Rei clicked her tongue. "That's pretty annoying that I can't get under your skin."

"Why are you trying to get a rise out of me anyways? Didn't you want to gain my trust?"

She crossed her arms. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that if I don't annoy you? Even the crown prince had trouble handling me."

I stared at her ridiculously, "...You're a problem child, aren't you?"

Her face flashed, "No, I'm not."

"...Sure." I said, unconvinced. "So does the crown prince clean up after your mess?"

"Most of the time, yeah." She then laughed, sitting down on the chair beside me. "Well, there was this one time where I mixed a love potion in his drink while he was meeting with the mermaid delegation and he spent the rest of the day helplessly confessing his unconditional love for the mermaid princess. I had a fun time tailing after him and watching him make a fool out of himself." Rei told the story excitedly, looking proud of herself.

"And then what did he do to you after?"

Her smile died down in an instant. "I was banned from entering the palace for a hundred years."

Yup, no doubt about it. This girl is a problem child. I'm almost scared for what's to come in the future if I have to deal with her constantly.

"Hundred years? Then, how old are you?"

"Cain, you're not supposed to ask ladies about that." She glared at me disapprovingly.

I leaned back on the chair, "Whatever I don't care anyways."

"Tch."

A moment of silence fell over us, strangely it was quite peaceful. I debated over in my head if I should ask her the question that's been bothering me for days. 

In the end, I just went with the flow and asked her. "That day...why did you tell me about the secret of your names?"

"Do you want to know my real name?"

"Not really. It just seemed dangerous for you to go by telling others about it carelessly."

"I figured that if it's you, it'd probably be alright. Do you know that you give off a different scent from other humans?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"If I were an ordinary vampire, which I'm not, I wouldn't have noticed it. But no other experiments can hide your scent from me."

"...What?"

"Hmm? That Professor is trying to hide your origin is it not? Your scent lures strong vampires towards you, that's why I knew right away that you were someone special. You're pretty lucky you haven't encountered anyone as strong as my level yet or else you'd be in a lot of trouble."

I sat up straighter, shocked by her words. What did she just say?

Rei noticed my reaction. Her mouth formed into an 'O' shape, shocked. "Oh, you don't know?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Her midnight eyes turned serious. "You're curious aren't you? Right now, your smell makes me want to get closer to you to an unreasonable level. It's bearable with the other scent that the Professor has put on you, so you don't have to worry."

"W-What? But Simon has never done anything to me before."

She tilted her head to the side. "Are you sure about that?"

I faltered, of course I wasn't sure. There were times where Simon would hide things from me, and I barely know anything that's been going on around him or me. First of all, why did I smell different than other humans? Second, why would vampires want to go after me? Third, why was Simon keeping this a secret?

There's no way for her to lie, she wouldn't get anything out of it. And the way she said it was her usual ramble talks, which meant she thought I knew about it.

"I can help you if you want." She offered, her lips lifted into a grin.

"Like that guy said, aren't you frustrated being stuck in a constant loop? Dancing around their palms, always oblivious. You can't use the weapons that are made of vampire hearts, and that man is hiding your scent. Don't you want to know?"

I closed my eyes, feeling like some pieces were starting to connect. The fact that I heal incredibly fast was a secret that only Simon and I knew, so for him to hide shenanigans behind my back was already suspicious. My instincts are telling me that everything is a puzzle waiting for me to assemble.

I peeked at Rei who smiled innocently at me. My heart fluttered at the sight. Countless times already I've noticed how strange my reactions are towards her, I thought it was just a passing crush, but I'm certain it has something to do with what she said. On how I lure strong vampires towards me, and that I make them want to be on my side. The fact that I couldn't resonate with a cetas was something to consider, as well as why I was unusually accepting towards vampires.

For so long I've been pushing back on this issue, dealing as if it's something I'll just have to deal with in the future. It seems like there's no room to keep avoiding it anymore. Rei was a strange vampire, yet from the years I've been covered in mystery, this woman was the first one to help me push a step towards the right path from the never ending loop of my existence.

Seeing my troubled expression, Rei patted me on the shoulder. "Well, you don't have to think too deeply about it now. Since I'm dealing with the vampires anyways I'll slip in yours too and help you get it done along the way."

Rei stood up and pulled my arm. "Now come on and let's get out of here. I'm dying to move and explore the city."

We went out of her apartment, I accompanied Rei around town, following wherever she goes, answering her questions about this and that. It kinda feels like Rei is here for a vacation and I'm her good friend who's showing her around.

When she finally got tired, we went to rest in one of the cafe's in the area. Since she barely has any idea what to order, I asked for her preferences and ordered for her. While eating snacks, I saw a familiar face heading towards us.

"Cain, it's good to see you here."

"Marcus! Are you all better now?" I offered him a seat which he gladly took, Rei observing us on the sidelines.

"Yeah, I'm all patched up now. I heard you and your team saved my \*\*\* last week."

"Oh, it was nothing. We barely escaped ourselves."

"But still, you have my gratitude. I've been wanting to thank Leah personally as well but I haven't been able to catch her around lately, and she seems to be in a bad mood."

"Oh, that…" I laughed awkwardly. "Something must've come up with her."

"Yeah, I'm gonna give it some time first. I don't know why but that woman always acts like I'm bothering her. Did she say anything about me lately?"

"I didn't hear anything worth mentioning."

"I see…"

"Did you meet up with someone?"

Marcus' eyes widened. "Oh, you were with someone. Cain, I'm sorry I didn't notice."

I shook my hands. "No it's okay."

"Did you meet someone on the way here?" Rei repeated more sternly this time.

What's wrong with her?

"No, but I did bump into someone…"

"Who?"

"A young man near the park."

"Did you get in contact with him?" 

Marcus glanced at me, wondering what was going on.

"Yeah, I did. He fell on the floor so I helped him up."

"Hmm. Thanks, you should probably get going. Cain and I still have something to do."

I stared at her ridiculously. Was she serious? After asking Marcus a bunch of weird questions out of nowhere she's just going to dismiss him like nothing just like that?

"S-See you around, Cain. You seem busy." Marcus hastily said his goodbyes and left, looking weirdly at Rei. I bet she left a strange first impression.

"What was that?"

"We should go to the park."

"We will if you tell me what got you acting this way out of nowhere." I crossed my arms.

She leaned forward on the table, her hand motioning for me to come closer. Like a bewitched person, I did.

She then whispered something in my ear. "I can faintly smell the scent of the artificial vampire on your friend. This might be a clue."

Without another word we were out the door towards the park.

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