My Vampire Boyfriend

Chapter 13: A Kiss

By the time Ethan reached the doorway, the scene was far from quiet. Two well-dressed vampires were tugging and shoving at each other in the alley outside his house—a spectacle far too lively to ignore.

Leaning lazily against the doorframe, Ethan decided to enjoy the show.

When Ryan arrived and took in the scene, he raised an eyebrow. “They’re brothers, right? You’re just going to stand there and watch instead of breaking it up? Want me to buy you some sunflower seeds to snack on?”

“Sure,” Ethan said casually. “After you buy them, head to the hotpot restaurant first and save us a table. I’ll ride over.”

Ryan was about to leave when Lucien’s impatient voice rose from outside, demanding to play ranked matches. His obsession with gaming was so severe, Ryan thought he could use electrotherapy. “You never should’ve bought him that computer,” he muttered. “You’re treating him like your own kid.”

Ethan said nothing.

“The match is about to start!” Lucien snapped. What began as a reprimand from his brother about mingling too closely with humans quickly escalated, and in his fury, he turned on Liam. “I told you I’m not going back! You tired of living or what?”

That brat… Liam clenched his jaw, restraining the urge to discipline him. Instead, he said quietly, “Something’s off with the half-bloods. His Highness Leo has been investigating.”

Lucien froze, remembering his purpose in Eastland. His temper cooled at once, and he followed Liam away.

Before leaving, he turned to shout back at Ethan, “I did thirty chores today! You owe me two more!”

It was a cold winter night; the darkness weighed heavily over the dimly lit alley. Yet even under the weak streetlight, Ethan could see that face clearly. His gaze traced Lucien’s features—eyes, nose, lips—silently sketching them into memory until the vampire turned and vanished into the shadows.

“So he’s not your son—he’s your maid,” Ryan teased. “But isn’t this maid a little pricey? Two golden favors in one day? That’s almost my monthly intern salary.”

The wind howled through the alley, but Ethan’s eyes remained fixed on the corner where Lucien had disappeared. “It’s fine,” he said quietly. “I can afford it.”

“Damn,” Ryan muttered. “Maybe I should start working for you too.”

Meanwhile, Lucien had broken free from Liam and flown swiftly to their villa on the outskirts of South District. There, he found his elder brother sitting calmly on the sofa, as if awaiting his return.

Transforming back into human form, Lucien strode forward and demanded, “Leo, what’s wrong with the half-bloods? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You don’t need to know,” Leo said, rising to his feet and studying him closely. His tone carried a quiet warning. “Your scent is too strong.”

Lucien sniffed at himself. The only thing he could smell was Ethan—clean and faintly minty, like the body wash the man used every night. What did Leo mean, “too strong”?

Just then, Liam arrived.

Sensing the topic had shifted, he pressed, “What’s going on with those half-bloods? Why keep me in the dark?”

Leo’s cold gaze cut toward him, and Liam immediately bowed his head. “Forgive me, Your Highness. Prince Anthony refused to return—he was too busy doing chores for a human—so I had no choice—”

“You trying to get yourself killed, Liam?” Lucien snarled, jabbing a finger in his face. “You i***t! Don’t think I won’t kill you just because you’re Leo’s favorite!”

They say a man’s knees are made of gold, but Liam’s clearly weren’t. He dropped to the floor with a thud. “I wouldn’t dare…” he murmured.

“Go on, then,” Leo said evenly. “Kill him. But tell me—was he wrong? Do you wish to experience human life, or become human?”

Lucien’s face twisted in anger. Before he could lash out with a kick, Leo flicked his fingers. An invisible force wrapped around Lucien, lifting him effortlessly and slamming him down onto the sofa.

A dull thud filled the room, followed by a groan. Lucien lay there, motionless with pain.

“Liam, leave us,” Leo ordered.

Liam obeyed, but not before casting a worried glance at Lucien’s crumpled form.

When silence fell, Leo sat on the opposite end of the sofa and spoke gently. “Anthony, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to experience human life. But our kind must not grow too close to them. Do you understand?”

“Get lost,” Lucien spat through gritted teeth. “You’re just as big an i***t as the rest. You think I’m a freak because I can’t use magic? Fine. But now even Liam looks down on me!”

Leo sighed helplessly. His brother had learned far too much foul language from the humans. “This time,” he said, “the half-bloods are different. They’re clever.”

Lucien instantly sat up. “What do you mean?”

Leo didn’t answer. “Stay here. Don’t go anywhere. Liam will remain with you.”

Lucien frowned. His brother had never praised a half-blood before. “What’s going on? I have a right to know!”

“You’re too impulsive,” Leo said. “And too naive. There may be other vampires among them. I’m still investigating.”

Lucien fell silent.

“Get some rest,” Leo said as he turned to leave. “And don’t wander off.”

“Where are you going?” Lucien called after him.

“To see Gray’s grandfather—an old friend.”

Lucien had heard the name Gray before, a descendant of the werewolves. His grandfather had once come to Eastland as a traveler, fallen in love with the ancient land, and made it his home.

Knowing Leo, Lucien didn’t press further and decided to stay the night.

The next morning, driven by vengeance, Lucien rose early and stormed into Liam’s room. “You damn mutt! While Leo’s gone, I’m going to kill you!”

Liam calmly fastened his tie. “Apart from flying faster than me, you’ve got nothing else going for you. I’m just trying to protect you, Your Highness. You’re getting too close to that human.”

“You don’t know a thing!” Lucien snapped. “Ethan is different. Before being human, he’s my blood donor! And you’re Leo’s blood donor—so what gives you the right to judge me?”

Liam merely smiled. “But I’m not human.”

Lucien’s eyes darkened. “I was reminding you of your place.”

“And I,” Liam said coolly, adjusting his glasses, “am reminding you of yours. Things may get dangerous soon. His Highness Leo will be staying longer. If you wish, I can prepare fresh blood for you.”

Lucien snorted. “Don’t make me laugh. I’d rather die than drink your blood.” Then, deflating like a punctured balloon, he muttered, “Tell me everything you know. I’ll trade you information.”

“What kind of information?” Liam asked.

“About the third murder.”

For centuries, vampires and humans had lived in uneasy peace—until the birth of the half-bloods a century ago shattered that balance. When a half-blood lost control, they became feral monsters, slaughtering humans without mercy.

Leo’s journey to Eastland was prompted by reports that in West City, half-bloods had been sending out strange signals. They had to be eliminated. And since it coincided with Lucien’s coming of age, Leo saw it as an opportunity for his brother to grow.

From Liam, Lucien learned that his brother had taken on the task alone after Lucien’s childish antics got in the way. Three murders had since occurred, and Leo sensed that something darker was at play in the city.

The construction site corpse Ryan had mentioned was the first case—a victim of a half-blood gone rogue. Yet that half-blood had mysteriously vanished.

The second, at Phoenix Apartments, involved two more half-bloods. Liam arrived in time to catch them, only to find they hadn’t lost control—they were cunning, deliberate, and when cornered, they leapt from the sixteenth floor to escape. Pursuing them, Liam discovered a third half-blood waiting to assist. After a brief skirmish, all three disappeared.

The third case, on the northern slope of Westspring Mountain, had been even stranger. When Leo and Liam arrived, there was no trace—no scent, no body, as if nothing had ever happened.

“They know we’re here,” Liam said grimly. “They probably even know who Leo is. That’s why he wants me to protect you.”

Lucien sneered. “I don’t need your protection. You think I’m afraid of a bunch of mongrels?”

“With how close you are to humans,” Liam said dryly, “yes—I do look down on you.”

Lucien’s eyes blazed. “You bastard!”

Liam raised an eyebrow. “Where’s that ‘trade’ you promised?”

Lucien recounted everything he’d found online about a mysterious cave. When he finished, Liam looked utterly unimpressed. “That? I’ve seen that post already. Your information’s outdated. I shouldn’t have trusted you.”

Lucien, still cranky from waking up early, exploded. He grabbed Liam by the tie and yanked hard. “You and Leo are both keeping secrets from me! Think it’s fun to toy with me?”

Liam, who had practically raised the hot-headed prince, only sighed. “Careful—you’ll ruin my new tie.”

“When I become stronger,” Lucien growled, “I won’t forgive either of you!” He shoved Liam aside, transformed, and shot out the window like a black streak.

By the time Liam reached the window, the little bat had vanished.

Lucien flew west until he spotted a familiar house below—and a familiar human hanging laundry in the yard. His laundry.

Grinning wickedly, he dove, hoping to startle him. But just as he descended, Ethan looked up, as if expecting him.

The little bat landed squarely on his head. Ethan calmly raised his hand, caught the creature, and held him in his palm. Their eyes met—round, glossy black against a steady human gaze.

The first time he’d seen the creature, it had been eerie. Now it was… adorable. Soft, warm, irresistibly fluffy. He almost wanted to pinch it.

“Chirp!” Lucien protested, flapping furiously before leaping from Ethan’s palm and shifting back into his human form. Shoving Ethan aside, he barked, “I’ll hang the clothes. How many favors do you owe me now?”

“None,” Ethan said simply, stepping aside.

Lucien froze. “What did you say?”

“You left last night,” Ethan replied. “That cleared your balance.”

Lucien stared, speechless.

Seeing his expression darken, Ethan added, “But there’s a new trade. From now on, you won’t need to do chores—and you can drink my blood whenever you wish.”

Lucien narrowed his eyes. Having been tricked enough by Leo and Liam, he no longer trusted easily—especially not humans from Eastland, known for their cunning.

“What kind of trade?” he asked warily.

It had only been one night.

One night—and Ethan had already caught himself missing this foolish vampire.

Ethan met his eyes steadily. “A kiss,” he said. “Just one. And the deal’s yours.”