4 - Her Trust

My head snapped towards her, "Are you out of your mind?"

"What?" Rei had the audacity to look confused.

"You can't just adopt someone! You're a vampire," I hissed. "Did you forget that?

She rolled her eyes. "I don't, okay? And what's the big deal? I can take care of him."

Cyrus ran his hand down his face, "Look, Rei. You can't just adopt a boy you just met because you feel like it. There's a lot of thought and consideration that goes when deciding to adopt someone. And in your situation, you don't have the option to do that."

"But I can do it! He's better with me."

"Stop this nonsense, Rei. Someone out there will adopt them someday with the proper care and home that would suit them, and that's definitely not a job for you. You can barely take care of yourself, let alone someone else!"

She crossed his arms, "I'd have you know that I have three other siblings so you shut it."

"Hey, stop." Cyrus got in between us. "Calm down, okay? It's probably just a spur of the moment thing, Rei. Take a few days and think about it. Let's go back, it's late and I'm tired."

Rei yielded for the night, agreeing to go back to her apartment. After making sure she was settled inside her new home, Cyrus and I went back to our own place. On the drive there, Cyrus let out a tired exhale.

"I think I get what you mean when you say she has her moments."

I snorted, "Tell me about it."

The next few days, Rei was silent. Surprisingly, she didn't bring up any of the adoption nonsense ever again, which made her suspicious. Because if there is something I've learned while babysitting—*supervising* her is that she'll find a way to get what she wants whatever means necessary to get it.

Kinda reminds me of a certain Professor with chestnut hair, and onyx eyes behind a pair of glasses.

I set down a plate of cookies in front of her at the couch, knowing full well how she absolutely loves it. This is in no way shape or form—a bribe. Sitting down across from her, I made sure I was in her line of sight as I reached out and had a piece of cookie for myself. "What's bothering you?"

Her midnight eyes followed the trail of my hand, watching as I slowly devoured the cookie. When I reached out for a second piece, she snapped out of her daze and broke her will, accepting the cookies—that is in no way shape or form, a bribe.

"Is there anything up with the Hunter Organization lately?"

"Not that I know of," I raised my brow, "Why'd you ask?"

She shrugged, "It's too *quiet*. I expect some action right about now."

"Well, thanks to a certain someone. The organization has been too busy for the manhunt regarding the disaster vampire. Did you know you're called the Frost?"

"The Frost?" Rei let out a snort. "Can't they use a better title or something?"

"It's the only information we have about you. I'm not even sure what your affinity is."

"It's winter."

My eyes widened, surprised that she was actually telling me the truth about her affinity. If there's one thing vampires ever do, is to not reveal their affinity unless it was absolutely necessary. For Rei to freely let go of such crucial information must mean it doesn't really matter for her. Technically speaking, she shouldn't matter. Even if the organization uses this against her, I'm sure she could wipe us all out in an instant.

"...What do you mean by 'winter'?" I asked cautiously, wondering if she'd tell me more about her abilities.

"My family can command winter. It is our gift from the Goddess."

I nodded, remaining silent. I should ask more, but I refrained from doing so. Rei can tell me about the things she wanted to say on her own time, I shouldn't force her to answer because I asked about it.

Her midnight eyes settled on me curiously. "...You're not gonna ask me anything? I'm surprised, if it was another person they'd jump for the opportunity to learn more about the vampires right away."

I shrugged, "That's too bad, I'm not just another person. Never have been."

"Right," She grinned, "You're special."

I tensed, it was the second time Rei had hinted she knew something about me that she shouldn't. I've never shown her any reason to suspect that there was something going on with me, but somehow, she just knows that something is up.

She had a knowing smile on her face while looking at me, as if knowing my thoughts. "I can tell from the moment we met that you are special—something more than it meets the eye. Don't worry, I haven't found out exactly 'what' yet is about you that got me so intrigued. I'll figure you out soon." Rei had confidence in her voice, as if she was absolutely sure that she could do what she was implying.

I rolled my eyes, "There's nothing to figure out."

"To you, no. But to me, yes."

"I don't even know what you're on about half of the time." I complained, running my hand through my hair.

She laughed in response, after a while, she sobered up and called my name. There was something off about her solemn tone that got me sitting straighter.

"Cain…", Midnight eyes flashed with mine, "Can I trust you?"

Taken aback by her question, I pursed my lips. I honestly didn't know how to answer her question properly. Could she trust me? Put her faith in someone who's working for the Hunter Organization? A faction that hunts vampires—*her kind* for a living? Someone who was assigned to supervise her for the whole duration of her alliance with Simon? To the person who was expected to report about every single detail regarding her? It would be a fool's choice to put your trust in someone like me in this situation. But in the back of my mind, I did want her to trust me. Through the course of the last few weeks, Rei and I had developed an uncertain familiarity with each other. Waking up everyday, it was now our normal to be around each other's presence. Rei would always attempt making breakfast for the both of us before I came to visit her in the mornings, sure an accident would happen here and there but it was all in good will. We would spend the day exploring the city, teaching her new things worth mentioning, humoring some of her bizarre ideas half of the time, and through it all, I would slowly learn more about her. Small snippets and side comments she casually says without her noticing, hinting about her life back in her home—Celestia, she says. The heavenly realm her Goddess Alina had created for her kind.

The more time I spend with her, the less I see her as a vampire—but as a person. At the end of the day, it didn't matter whether I was human or that she was a vampire, she had her own heart and mind, a functioning human being. What her race was was just a detail to who she was as a person.

"Are we friends?"

I lowered my gaze, because honestly, even if I denied it, there was no doubt that I considered her close to one now. If I didn't, I wouldn't have introduced her to Cyrus, to let them get to know each other if I wasn't certain she wouldn't crush his trust. Rei was a respectable woman, she cared about her own kind, going through immense lengths to help them in her own way, all the while not hating on the humans who had hurt them in some way as well. She had a broad understanding and open mind, and that is what made her amazing as a person.

I met her gaze, already knowing my answer. "Yes."

Her lips formed into a smile, a soft kind of smile I've never seen before. It took my breath away that it was directed at me. "I'm glad. I like being friends with you. Back home, no one ever tries to tolerate me, always forced to be this proper lady, but as if that would ever hold me back." She rolled her eyes, "At least with you, you humor me. And that shenanigans come out fun all the time. Way more fun than doing it alone, actually."

"Don't expect me to let you off the hook all the damn time just because we're friends." I crossed my arms, realizing she had something over my head now. No doubt she'd use it someday against me to get out of trouble *she* caused.

"Cain, friends don't betray each other, don't they?"

"Of course," I answered right away, wondering what she was getting at.

She nodded, "Okay, I'll trust you." Rei stood up, she reached for my hand pulling me to my feet as well. "Let's go. I'll trust you because we're friends. The Professor hasn't gained my trust yet, so I'm not gonna involve him even if what we're about to do has something to do with humans. But I trust you'd be a judge of that. After all, you are his representative in some kind of way right?" She rambled as she led the way out of her apartment.

I furrowed my brows, "Where are we going?"

"We're going to save someone."

Surprised, I asked her what she was about. But Rei had remained stubbornly silent. With a frustrated sigh, I decided to go along with whatever it was she was planning to do. Silently following as she made her way around the city, before I knew it we were standing outside of the orphanage we've been at with Almira. I shot her a ridiculous look, was she seriously still considering adopting Almira's older brother?

I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off. "This place reeks of vampires."

My head snapped towards her, "*What*?"

Midnight eyes trained on the building across the street, she elaborated. "Almira, she's human, but there was a vampire scent hanging off of her. Returning her back here made me realize what the source was. Everyone inside the building are all humans, but there are definitely vampire scents in there. Almira's brother took a risk the other night when he decided to approach us."

I pursed my lips, scrutinizing the orphanage with a new point of view. It looked innocently normal, kids playing in the background, caretakers supervising the children. There was no sign of any vampire activities. I wouldn't have suspected anything if Rei had not said otherwise.

"Her brother wasn't human—used to be human. He had the scent similar to the artificial vampire I've encountered, and I know he's one. Not only that, but other scents were on him, strong ones. He had been in contact with vampires. I'm guessing whatever errands he has to run has something to do with the vampires, and the orphanage is well aware of it, or perhaps they are the perpetrator."

I furrowed my brows, tilting my head towards her. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I'm sure." Rei crossed her arms, "He's been watching me for quite some time. Follow after me wherever I go. At first, I thought he was spying on me for the vampires, but when this continued on for days, I suspected that there was something more to it. I waited for him to make his move, I decided to act depending on what action he takes, so I laid low for a while. When he bumped into you and approached our group, he took a great risk by doing that. He didn't know what actions I would do against him, I could've captured and killed him, but whatever conclusion he came up with, he must've realized it was worth risking his life for." The corner of her lips turned up, amused. "He was subtly asking for my help. Didn't you notice?"

My brows shot up, surprised that a whole different conversation had been going on to the one we were having. I tried to recall what happened a few nights ago, determining where the young boy had settled the hints.

"*I was running errands for the place I'm staying at*." Errands that had connection to the vampires and the orphanage no doubt. "*I had free time so I decided to take a walk*." He came to us on his own volition, hinting that his approach had nothing to do with his association with the vampires.

"*I live at the orphanage near the park*." Confirming that he was indeed a resident of the orphanage.

"*That's why I'm trying my best do it doesn't happen*." It was his response to Cyrus' words about the sibling's possible separation if he wasn't careful. Now that I've noticed, I can vaguely understand what he was trying to hint. *Trying his best so it doesn't happen*. He was willing to risk approaching Rei, a vampire who the young boy knows has been in contact with his little sister. Whatever is happening inside the orphanage, it must've been pretty bad if he had decided to gamble by coming to us. Whatever position he was in with the vampires, he could've easily jeopardized it by one wrong move, he and his sister would be gone in an instant. With Rei, he didn't even have assurance that she would be willing to help him, yet he still tried his luck.

As understanding dawned on me, Rei continued talking. "You see why I want to adopt him? No, not just want—I have to be the one who takes care of him. I'd be the only option in this case. I will absolutely not hand him over to the organization so don't even propose it."

"I haven't said anything." I grumbled.

"There's a reason why I confided in you instead of Simon. I know you'd understand, and you wouldn't force victims to become another person's victim, wouldn't you?"

I shook my head, "Yes, you're right. I know full well how the organization can be…extreme sometimes. Having them under the organization's costudy wouldn't do them any good, they'd just face more discrimination and be miserable." Speaking from first hand experience, being a lab rat by the organization was not something I'd like for any child to go through. Human or not, it was simple moral to not abuse a living person in that way.

I wasn't under the organization's experimentation lab, but I was certainly under Simon's. He had…creations where it was too much of a danger to another human being, but he needed results, and as I was the only available test subject in the area who would not die no matter what happens to my flesh, I was under constant tests.

It was a memory I wasn't fond of.

She grinned, "Right. And if you didn't agree, I would've done whatever the hell I wanted anyways."

I rolled my eyes, "It's not like you listen to me at all so there's no point bothering."

"Yeah, so just do what you always do and humor me. Now, let's go." She motioned for the building. Crossing the street, she muttered underneath her breath. "We're going to pretend to be a married couple. There's no vampire in the vicinity other than the young boy—the second artificial vampire I've encountered so far."

I raised my brow, "A married couple—really?"

"It sounds the most logical, and I'm planning to take them under my wing anyways."

"Do you even know how to adopt a human legally?"

"No, but that's why you're here, right?"

"I don't know how, Rei. Adoption hasn't really crossed my mind."

This put the two of us in a delima, we can't just march in there and demand to screen the children for adoption. That would be too suspicious. If we are gonna pretend as a young married couple then how come we chose to adopt instead of make one ourselves? Besides, there are legal papers processed for this kind of thing, the two of us haven't exactly prepared for any of that at the moment.

Before we could come up with a decision, the front door of the house opened, and there stood the young boy from a few nights ago. Rei waved as he approached us.

He cleared his throat, "How can I help you?"

"Hi! I'm Rei, and this is my husband, Cain. We're actually planning to adopt, and we're visiting various orphanages. This one happens to be at the top of our list. Is there anyone in charge I can talk to?"

"Mrs. Cudia isn't at home at the moment. But you can look around, and wait inside. I'm sure she won't be long. Just running for some errands. My name's Alison, I'll try my best to accommodate you."

Rei beamed at him, "We'd appreciate it, thanks."

The young boy nodded his head and motioned for us to enter the house. Totally not missing the hidden conversation the two just had under the disguise of pleasantries. The boy, Alison, subtly informs us that the Head caretaker, Mrs. Cudia, is someone who is also associated with the vampires by the errand he was implying. Most likely the whole orphanage belongs to the vampires, and that puts the human children in danger.

Entering the house, we discreetly surveyed the area, looking for signs of vampire presence or implications that the children are being mistreated. So far, nothing seemed out of the place, no one would've suspected they had dealings with the vampires.

He led us to a common room where he informed us we would be waiting. Curious eyes peeked around every corner, laughter and giggles resounding the whole house as chatter and the patter of feet became a constant buzz in the background.

Alison ordered kids not younger than him to bring us snacks and tea, playing the polite host quite well.

"Where are the other caretakers?"

"They've gone away for the moment with Mrs. Cudia."

"The children are left behind without an adult's supervision?"

He accepted the tray of refreshments from the child, arranging the teacups on the table, he replied. "There is nothing to worry about when I am here. They trust me to take care of my siblings."

"You're a good brother." Rei reached for her cup, "Your manners are quite amazing as well for a child your age. Are you still a possible candidate for adoption? I'm afraid you've piqued my interest."

Alison shook his head, sitting down across from us. "I'm afraid, I'm not. I have been already signed up for adoption by one of the families who had visited here. There are some…complications regarding the processing that I would have to stay here for a while."

I added sugar into my tea, listening quietly. It seems like Alison can't leave the orphanage quite yet. The failed mention of a family name indicates that there was no one waiting for him. A guise so that he wouldn't be able to leave if anyone takes interest in him. Due to him somehow becoming an artificial vampire despite being human in the past, there was no way that the orphanage would let go of him that easily. He would probably be stuck here his whole life doing dirty work.

"Hn. Is that so?" Rei tilted her head to the side, midnight eyes gazing at the toddlers near the doorway trying to peak in at the visitors. We could both hear their murmurs of 'pretty' and 'real life princess'. "They're a lively bunch aren't they? How have they been doing so far?"

"They're being well taken care of. The children are quite young and trust easily, as any child would do. They have not ventured outside, for safety purposes."

"That's too bad. The outside is beautiful. I especially love the view at our apartment complex two streets down from the park. My apartment has an incredible view of the city. Have you been out before?"

I smirked behind my cup, when Rei was like this, I can definitely picture her as the noble lady she claims to be. She has a knack for fluttering words with underlying messages. Expected of what a noble lady should be, after all, they fight with their words and tongue, not with the sword and armour. Always a battle of wits.

"I'm not out often, but I have seen enough of the city to appreciate its beauty. The flower shop I frequent every Tuesday knows a lot of landmarks that are worth the visits."

"Perhaps we should visit this next Tuesday." She mused out loud.

I shrugged beside her, "It's not a bad idea."

The date and time had been set.

After that, the conversation went to simple pleasantries. Alison offered us a tour around the house, discreetly implying the living situation of the children. Overall it was decent, not one thing out of place to suspect that they have had contact with vampires.

We were only interrupted when one of the caretakers walked in on us in the garden with Alison. The woman immediately tensed upon caughting sight of us. "Alison, my dear, who are they?"

"Pardon our intrusion. We have been searching for orphanages in the area in hopes of adopting a child for both me and my husband." Rei linked her arms with mine. "This young boy was courteous enough to show us around."

"Oh. Is that so? That is nice of you, Alison."

She shot the woman a pleasant smile, "He is. Such a polite and well mannered young boy. I had taken quite the interest to how the children are treated here, they're all adorable kids. I'm looking forward to process a potential candidate here."

"I am pleased that it is to your liking. Please do consider our humble abode, a lot of young children had been dreaming of the day where they could meet a new family willing to accept them."

"Yes, we'd like to come back and do the necessary preparations right away." I patted Rei's hand on my arm, "My wife and I has been longing for a child for quite some time now." I gazed down on her, shotting her with the most dazzling smile I could ever handle, trying my best to look into her eyes with adoration.

My acting skills seemed to work, even Rei herself was taken aback by such intense stare. I mentally noted in the back of my head to tease her about it. After all, it wouldn't be fair that only she got to have something hanging above my head. The caretaker seems to buy our act as well, as her gaze turned to longing, wanting the pretend love I was showing for herself.

The woman cleared her throat a moment later, "I am grateful that you have decided to choose our orphanage. Is there any child that had caught your interest?"

"There is, actually." The caretaker tensed once more, meanwhile Alison eyed us with surprise. "A little girl, no more older than six. Amethyst eyes, I heard her name was Almira."

Alison visibly stiffened while the woman shot him a suspicious look, which didn't went unnoticed by the both of us. Through our whole talk earlier, Alison had failed to mention any single detail about his sister. If she is the driving force behind his motivation, we needed to know what exactly her situation is if he wasn't willing to share it.

Alison had said he was already owned by some family under pretense, but he didn't elaborate whether this excuse was applicable to Almira as well. If the woman says she is already under adoption process, then it means Alison and Almira are in this together, although she wasn't old enough to understand anything drastic yet. If she says Almira is still up for adoption, then the little girl was most likely being used as a pawn against Alison himself. Threatening him with separation from his little sister, which he certainly could not avoid despite being under the vampire's rule.

The woman gaze slowly slithered back to us, "...She is still open for adoption. Have you met Almira already? She is an absolute angel. If you are interested in her, I would start the arrangements right away."

"Yes, please. We'd like to talk to Almira ourselves. However, as the sun seems to be setting, we'd return for another day and process the legal preparation needed for her."

The woman nodded, eagerly filling in the details of what to do and to be expected for the adoption. All the while, Alison remained in the background, shoulders tensed, face trying to carefully not show any emotions that indicates it was affecting him. But the frown on his lips had totally given away, making the caretaker smirk thriumphly towards his direction.

It didn't take long for us to take our leave. I made sure to casually mention wanting to buy flowers. Reminding the preoccupied youth about the destinated meeting on this coming Tuesday.

If he was smart like he had proven himself to be so far, he would not be foolish and risk everything.

He would do well to make true of his words.

Walking back to the apartment, it suddenly dawned on me that Rei had forgotten to elaborate on one certain detail. "Wait a minute."

We paused, Rei curiously tilting her head towards me. "If you can know where vampires are based on the scent, wouldn't that be the same for you? They'd know you were there. That's how Alison found you isn't it?"

She smirked, "I'm different from normal vampires, Cain. Celestes give off peculiar scent, one you would only recognize if you've been in contact with one. Alison most likely encountered one already, that's how he knew I was different."

"Are Celestes a higher rank of vampires or are they like you who can manipulate nature?"

"Yes and yes." She moved forward, hands clasped behind her back. "Founding families in the vampire world who had served the Goddess first hand are known as the Celestes. They're given gifts that would keep order within Celestia. My family—House Dominique, governs over winter."

"You're the very first vampire we've encountered who has affinity over nature." I furrowed my brows, "And you're implying one is already present in this world. And if Celestes are what you say they are, then they're responsible for what's happening here then."

"I think so. I don't know how many Celestes are here who decided to betray their oaths to the Goddess, but I did encounter one on that night. The artificial vampire I was planning on capturing managed to escape because a Celeste had intervened. They probably know of my presence already, and they would create plans to counter mine." She looked back at me, "Announcing my presence at the orphanage would give them the opportunity to lure me out. We only need to wait until they make their move and we do ours."

I raised my brow, "What makes you think I'll comply with you?"

She smirked, "You're already in it. Besides, would you let me run off freely on my own?"

I scowled, making her chuckle. "That's what I thought."

The next day, I knocked on Luis' doors. I had to knock a couple more times knowing how Luis doesn't do anything unless it was absolutely necessary. Someone knocking on his door belonged to the unimportant category so I had to knock until it became annoying.

Three minutes later, the door was shoved open, stopping my hand from knocking midair and revealed the man I had been looking for, an obvious tick at the side of his temples as he glared daggers at me, willing me to burst into flames on the spot.

"Luis, good morning."

"Cut off the bullshit. Why are you here."

It wasn't a question but a command.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes because I had to play nicely if I needed his help. "I need you to look into Mrs. Cudia from the orphanage near the park, show me anything you can find and could you also please arrange adoption papers while you're at it?"

If he was bewildered by my request he didn't show it, from his line of work, such an odd request must be normal for him, or that he passed the point of caring. Luis crossed his arms, "And why would I do that for you?"

I beamed at him, "Because we're comrades?"

Luis moved to close the door, my hand snapped up immediately to stop him. "Okay! Okay, I'd give you something in return."

"But I don't need anything from you."

This time, I did roll my eyes. "Fine. Anything you want me to do then?"

He leaned beside his doorway. "There's nothing I need at the moment, so I'll hold onto it for another time." He smirked, "Remember, you gave me your word."

I winced, Luis hanging something over my head was not a good idea. I could only shudder from the last time Cyrus owed the man in question, the things he had Cyrus do was not something I'd want to experience.

I stiffly nodded my head for confirmation.

Luis jerked his head to follow him inside his room. He settled himself on his desk, fingers already typing away for my request. "Why would you need adoption papers anyways?"

"A friend of mine needs it."

He shot me an incredulous look over his shoulder. "You don't have friends."

I glared at him, "I do, you just don't know them."

"Sure…" Still skeptical, he went back to his computer.

"Well, here it is. Alma Cudia, forty five years old, married to Christian Cudia who works as a manager for the Zonneveld Corporation. Both lived a pretty simple life, nothing remarking. No children, and Mrs. Crudia is the Head caretaker for Vitality Orphanage.

"What's the background of the orphanage?"

"It was founded a decade ago by the Zonneveld Corporation, I guess they both work for that company. It has clean records, as well as good reviews from foster parents."

I suspected I wouldn't be able to find anything, judging by the state of the orphanage yesterday, they are meticulous on their work, hiding anything that would come off as suspicious right away.

I wouldn't have been able to notice anything if Alison didn't shed light to the situation.

And knowing what I'm looking for makes the job easier.

Zonneveld Corporation.

There might be a chance the company is involved with the vampires. In this day and age it wouldn't be surprising. As long as you had something to offer and could gain something in return, it doesn't matter if who you are transactioning with is a vampire or human. Like Simon, for example. Morals have nothing to do with it, as long as you get what you want, how it came to be were just details.

But that doesn't make it right nonetheless.

"I'll be printing your adoption papers now."

I nodded, sitting on his bed. He shot me an annoyed look, "Get off."

I rolled my eyes and settled myself on the floor. We both looked up when the door opened and Samantha came barging in.

Her brows shot up in surprise upon seeing me in Luis' room. Couldn't blame her, it was indeed a rare occurrence. I like to avoid having any debts with Luis as much as possible. Cyrus was already the prime reason why you shouldn't stock up on debts.

"Wow, so you two have already passed the knocking stage?"

I shot Luis a teasing look which he determidley ignored. Luis had a thing for Samantha as far as I can remember. Unfortunately, she was yet to reciprocate his feelings. But who said she wouldn't in due time, right? It was up to the team to help the two of them, although both parties definitely did not appreciate the effort. Regardless, some matters are just details.

She glared at me, crossing her arms. "What are you doing here, anyways?"

I shrugged, "Just asking Luis to do something for me."

Samantha eyed me skeptically, "You? A favour?"

I let out a sigh, "Yes. As much as I hate it, I need his help."

"What for?"

Before I could answer, Cyrus bounced his way inside the room. "I knew it. My sensor was telling me something was happening here. Hey! If you're all gonna hang out why didn't you say so?" He plopped himself on the bed. This time, Luis turned to everyone in his room, "Won't you all get out? My room is not a meeting place."

"What are you guys even here?"

"I have a work related discussion with him." Samantha pointed towards Luis who was printing some documents.

Cyrus turned to me, "And you?"

"He needs adoption papers." Luis commented nonchalantly, offering me the requested papers. "Here, now **** off."

Samantha furrowed her brows, "Why would you need adoption papers?"

"Are you still humouring Rei?"

"The vampire?" Samantha crossed her arms, "Are you trying to please her? Cain, your job is to supervise her, not take care of her."

"It's not what it's like." I didn't bother telling them exactly what it's like in Rei's company. They didn't know her, they weren't the ones to spend time with her daily, they don't see the things I see. To them, Rei was a dangerous vampire clouded in mystery, they have no idea about anything regarding matters that included her. But to me, she was Rei. The woman who had compassion for both humans and vampires, she who was easy to accept and forgive the circumstances around her, embracing knowledge with open arms, approaching topics with an open mind when normal people would've closed it off right away without giving it a chance. Rei might be a stranger to them, but to me she isn't. She had given effort countless times trying to introduce me to her world, slowly but surely. Letting me know who she is as a person day by day, sharing stories that could potentially be used against her. But she did anyway, because she had decided to put her trust in me.

They didn't know her like I did.

"Then what is it?" Samantha had a sharp edge to her voice.

"It's confidential. I have to report to Simon first before I could share it with any of you." I said casually.

"Does he know?"

"Not yet, but I'm about to." I pushed myself off the floor, "I'll get going and ask for Simon's permission regarding this thing." I motioned for the papers in my hands.

Exiting the room and rounding on the corner leading to the stairs, I was surprised to see Leah leaning on the wall. "You know she has good intentions, right?"

I nodded. I could understand their worry. After all, I am working with a vampire who is pretty much still a stranger to them. Samantha always had the tendency to be protective towards me, growing up together, she had engraved this idea inside her head that she was responsible for my safety. Although it wasn't really needed, it's not like my body wouldn't heal itself.

If my body gets chopped into pieces it's most likely mend itself back together.

Sometimes I feel like I won't be able to die.

It's not a theory I'd like to prove myself yet, but the nagging thought has always been in the back of my mind.

"Just—be careful, Cain. Even if you can heal yourself, it doesn't stop us from worrying."

I offered her a smile, grateful for their concerns. "Yeah, I know."

She returned my smile, reaching out she ruffled my locks, something she knew that annoyed me. "If you need anything, you know where to find us."

(A/N: Wouldn't you look at that? I did not make Cain and Leah fight this time around. In the unedited version of the story, they both had a fight which lasted for days. In my old work, I wasn't really able to show the group's camaraderie as a Team, and I wanted to work on that here. Team Leah are all living together, and they all know each other since practically childhood. They're all besties.)

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