A Different Kind of Vampire

Chapter 7

Lovino was sitting in the passenger seat next to Feliks. It would seem that even though Vlad had said Feliks was uncomfortable around strangers, the blond didn’t mind him that much. He couldn’t understand it. No one usually preferred his company, especially not when Feliciano or Marcello were around.

“Hey bastard,” Lovino said. “Can I ask you something?”

“Like, didn’t you?” Feliks quipped, sticking his tongue out playfully.

Lovino simply stared at him, and Feliks sighed.

“Like, you’re no fun,” Feliks said. “Like, fine, totes.”

“Vlad said you don’t like meeting new people,” Lovino said. “But, why don’t you have a problem with me?”

“Like, ‘cause I already met you yesterday, remember?” Feliks said. “And, like, I know that you and Vlad are close, so I know that you’re okay.”

Lovino scowled.

“I only met the bastard two nights ago,” Lovino said.

“Like, doesn’t matter. You and Vlad… But, like, if he hasn’t told you, I’m going to keep the surprise.”

Lovino scowled.

“Hasn’t told me what?” Lovino asked.

“Like, never mind,” Feliks said, a knowing smirk on his face. “So, like, you probably want to know what kind of angel you’d be.”

“I can live without that information.”

“Aw, but why?”

Lovino didn’t answer, but instead looked out the window.

“Like, you’re seriously no fun. You totally need to spend more time with Vlad. Like, if he’s not worrying about that Winter bastard, then he’s, like, totally the most fun person ever. Like, he’s a total prankster, and he’s pranked a bunch of angels of war. Like, usually everyone’s so scared of them, but not him. There’s one he especially likes to mess with. Like, the things he’d do to Lizzy are hilarious.”

“What’s the deal between them, anyway?”

“Like, you wouldn’t believe. Like, there was this one time during the Nephilim Hunt…”

“The what?!”

“Like, don’t interrupt. Like, that was before angels knew what you guys would end up being. Like, angels can’t have kids with each other, so when they want a family, they totally need to get it on with humans. And, like, because there are new beings with angel powers, they got worried, so the angels like totally started hunting down and killing the kids of other angels. Liz was on the frontlines. And, like, Vlad didn’t like what they were doing, so he started getting Nephilim to protect them. Like, Liz didn’t like him for that. Vlad trained them so that the angels couldn’t kill them.”

“That Hunt… How’d it end?”

“Like, one of the angels that took part found out her heartwing was a Nephilim and, like, couldn’t kill him. When the angels found out that the missing heartwings could be found in the Nephilim, they stopped hunting. Vlad liked to rub it in Liz’s face.”

“Is that heartwing thing really that important?”

“Like, totally. Angels are made in two’s, but they realised pretty early on that not everyone had heartwings. And because no more angels could be born in heaven, they started to freak out. Some of those without heartwings went to find companionship in humans. Like, that’s usually how you Nephilim are born. An angel’s heartwing is a bond made in heaven, like, literally, and because there’s a chance that someone’s heartwing could be a Nephilim, you guys are pretty much left alone. Not every Nephilim turns out as an angel’s heartwing, and only the angel whose heartwing it is would be able to see it. Other angels and creatures like me can see the heartwing connection if both are in your eyesight at the same time. To angels, it’s like totally the most sacred rule: Don’t mess with someone’s heartwing.”

“What happens when you do?”

“Like, then no matter what kind of angel you are or what kind of rules bind you, you are allowed to torture the guy in as cruel a way as possible. Like, even demons are afraid of that, but if they want to hurt an angel, then they would like totally hurt their heartwing to do that.”

“Do demons mess with angels a lot?”

“Like, totally. The demons were also angels, but they got kicked out after a rebellion. And they’re like totally busy trying to increase their numbers by getting angels to fall, and after they fall they’d give in to their anger and bitterness and become demons. Like, angels of war or justice are easy to turn into demons, while an angel of life is totally the most difficult. Like, it’s been thousands of years, but even though he like totally fell, he’s still not a demon.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Like, Vlad told me.”

“And how does he know all of this?”

“Like…”

“Stop the car!” Jason suddenly shouted.

Feliks yelped and slammed on the brakes, bringing the minivan to a screeching halt. The dark-haired American forced the door open, and he didn’t get far before he started emptying the contents of his stomach.

“Like, totally gross,” Feliks said. “But, like, I guess I should be happy that he didn’t do it in here. Like, it would probably take forever to get the smell out, especially considering that I totally can’t smell anything.”

“Um, could you maybe drive a little slower?” Matthew asked, and he also looked a little green.

Feliks pouted.

“Like, fine,” he said. “Just no more pit stops.”

“Not even for food or a bathroom break?” Alfred asked.

“Like, only when I need to refuel then. And, like, if that happens, please don’t make me angry.”

“Why? What’s going to happen?”

“Like, I have feathers made of fire, and if I’m angry, I, like, totally can’t control how much fire I release, and, well… That’s why I was late, and I don’t want Vlad mad at me again because I was late. At least not twice in a row.”

“So you probably need to keep your mouth closed, hamburger bastard,” Lovino said.

Alfred pouted, but thinking about the explosion that he could cause, he wisely kept quiet.

“Like, are you finished?” Feliks asked, looking outside the window.

Lovino sighed, wondering if he could get Feliks to tell him anything else about Vlad. Specifically, he wanted to know why the vampire had a heartbeat and what that dream was all about.

After Jason had recovered from his carsickness he climbed back inside, and Feliks started the vehicle once again, though he was driving a little more carefully than he did before. The Italians were disappointed, but the Americans were relieved. Hans remained quiet about his emotions.

They were silent for a while, the Jones siblings trying to get over their carsickness, and the Vargas siblings were trying to think of something to say.

Finally, it was Alfred that broke the silence.

“So Lovi, you still didn’t tell us what exactly happened to you while you were gone,” Alfred said.

Lovino’s expression darkened, and even Feliks shuddered at his anger.

“And I’m not going to, you bastard,” Lovino snarled. “I don’t have a reason to tell you a single damn thing.”

“I thought we were friends,” Alfred said.

“Then get it in your stupid head that I don’t want to tell you. I don’t want to talk about it at all.”

“Does Vlad know?” Alfred asked suspiciously.

Lovino faltered, his scowl dropping for a moment before reappearing.

“Only because the bastard read my mind without permission,” Lovino said.

“Like, really?” Feliks asked. “Huh. He doesn’t usually do that. Like, that’s one of his most sacred rules. ‘Ask permission before invading someone’s privacy.’ But, like, what happened?”

“Nothing,” Lovino snapped.

They were silent for a little while longer, and Feliks decided that now would be a good time to turn on the radio.

“… Vampire Lord Yao Wang has stated that whoever stole his precious stone would die a million deaths. No clue as to who stole the vampire’s gemstone…”

“Like, really?” Feliks asked. “A vampire’s going on a rampage because someone stole a gem from him? And it’s published? Like, I miss the days when vampires lurked in the shadows. Like, at least then they totally had class.”

Lovino didn’t want to say what he thought about it, so he kept quiet.

“Hey, do you know what Vlad was like as a human?” Matthew asked.

Feliks looked confused for a moment, before his eyes widened briefly and he shook his head.

“Like, didn’t know him back then,” Feliks said. “I’m only five thousand. Like, Vlad totally has a few thousand years on me.”

“By the way,” Lovino said, a small smirk on his face. “Vlad said you imprinted on him. Is that true?”

“Like, yeah, I guess,” Feliks said, chuckling. “Vlad was the first living thing I saw. He’s like an older brother to me. Like, I’d do anything for him.”

Oh, so it was big brother. Lovino wanted to know if Vlad was the mommy or the daddy. Apparently, it was neither.

That was a bit disappointing.

…

Dimitri smiled, watching over Vlad as he slept. The vampire was exhausted, and he had yet to recover from the should-be-fatal wound he had received the previous night.

It always pained him to see Vlad like that. He was meant to walk in the sun. To fly underneath the warm glow. He was meant to be in the warmth, surrounded by life and happiness. Not death and despair.

He didn’t know how long Vlad would be able to hold out against him. The monster responsible for it all. And just because he had something very valuable, which could only work if it was freely given.

Vlad had suffered more than anyone else Dimitri knew. He had seen other angels turn into demons within a few years. They were weak. They couldn’t handle the torture.

And neither could Vlad.

How many times had Dimitri helped clean Vlad’s wounds? How many times did Klara hold him as he cried? How many times did the bright red eyes turn dark and distant?

How many times had Vlad begged for death?

But it was impossible. They all knew it. Only a handful had the power to kill Vlad, and most of them wanted his most precious ability for themselves. And another didn’t want to see Vlad throw his life away to make his suffering end.

Perhaps the boy could help? He had been on that roof with many other angels. He saw the connection between Vlad and the boy. And Dimitri had seen something in Vlad’s eyes that he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Hope.

The boy was Vlad’s hope, and not just Vlad’s. Vlad had many friends, and all of them wanted to see the vampire escape the suffering that he had been forcefully subjected to. Nine thousand years was a long time, even for immortal beings.

There were two others that would especially be happy to see Vlad escape from the cold that surrounded him.

…

As Feliks had promised, they got a chance to rest when the minivan needed to refuel. Everyone went to the bathroom first, having driven all morning without a chance (and not knowing when they’d get a chance again), while Feliks went to the diner and saved them a seat.

The eight of them ordered something, before lapsing into silence. Asides from them, there were only three other people in the diner, each of them travelling alone, so it was quiet.

Feliks was glaring at another patron, who seemed to be glaring back. Feliks’s eyes went amber for a brief moment, and the other looked away.

Matthew noticed this behaviour and turned to Feliks.

“What’s that all about?” Matthew asked.

“Like, he’s a werewolf,” Feliks explained.

“What?!” Alfred shouted, looking over to the supposed werewolf.

“Like, keep it down,” Feliks said. “He can hear you without the shouting.”

Alfred nodded and settled down.

“So, werewolves are real too,” Jason said.

“Yeah, but, like, be careful. Vampires aren’t like the only things that find your scent appealing. And that whole thing of werewolves only transforming in the full moon, totally bogus. So, like, he could transform at any time.”

“Then why doesn’t he?” Lovino asked.

“Like, because he can smell me too. Like, people always tell me I smell like fire. Makes sense. And both vampires and werewolves are scared of fire. And since we’re so close to a gas station, he’s not going to try anything. But, like, you should stick with me.”

The others nodded, and it was silent again until their orders arrived. Alfred didn’t hesitate in eating, but Matthew and Marcello held back.

“What’s the problem?” Lovino asked.

“Um, how are we going to pay for all of this?” Marcello asked.

The others froze, except for Feliks, who sighed and removed a wallet, before removing a card.

“Like, I’m immortal and I have expensive taste,” Feliks said. “Like, did you think that I wouldn’t totally have a bank account or ten?”

“Sweet,” Alfred said, resuming his eating.

“How’d you get the money?” Matthew asked.

“Like, I may not look like it, but I know a thing or two about making investments. That, and I’ve got a few treasures over the years that museums would pay big money for.”

“Cool,” Alfred said. “So, how much money do you have?”

“Like, not telling. I don’t want to get robbed, even if I can burn them to oblivion.”

“Ve, there’s something I want to know,” Feliciano said. “Don’t you burn your clothes?”

“Nope. I use fireproof materials when making my clothes, and like, some of the things are enchanted to make them extra fireproof.”

Another person entered the diner, and they quickly looked over towards the newcomer. Feliks’s eyes widened briefly, before his mouth spread into a grin.

“Raj!” Feliks called out, and the other looked over towards him. “Like, over here.”

The newcomer, Raj, smiled as he went over towards the group, his mouth partly open as he smiled. The seven humans fidgeted nervously, while Feliks seemed unbothered.

“Namaste, Feliks,” Raj said. “I’m surprised to see you here. Especially with Nephilim.”

The seven panicked, and Feliks laughed.

“Like, Vlad asked me to take them to my house,” Feliks said.

“Oh, is he protecting them again?”

“Yep. But, like, have a seat.” Feliks turned to the seven humans. “Like, Raj here is a naga.”

“A what?” Alfred asked.

“It’s a creature that’s half human, half snake,” Matthew explained.

“That’s right,” Raj said. “I’m an old friend of Vlad’s. I owe him for saving me from that demon that wanted to make boots out of me.”

“Like, different demon,” Feliks said quickly. “Oh, and Raj, you’ll totally like never believe this.”

“What?” Raj asked, a smile on his face.

Feliks leaned over and whispered something into his ear, and Raj’s eyes widened before his smile followed. He quickly glanced over towards Lovino, before looking over towards Feliks.

“That is probably the best news I’ve heard in two hundred years,” Raj said.

“What?” Feliciano asked, looking between the two immortal beings.

“Like, don’t worry about it,” Feliks said, waving his hand absently. “So, like, where you headed?”

“To the coast,” Raj said. “You know, get a little sun. Or I could just hug you.”

Feliks chuckled, before turning to the others.

“Like, Raj has really cold blood,” Feliks explained. “He needs to soak in the sun to make sure he has body heat, otherwise he could totally turn to stone. And, like, because I’m fire, I’m a lot warmer than humans, so, like, Raj could just hold onto me to get the heat he needs. But, like, not cool. I’m on a mission from Vlad, and, like, I won’t fail him.”

“Understandable,” Raj said.

The waitress arrived to take Raj’s order, and he smiled quite charmingly as he spoke to her. Feliks snickered as he watched the display.

“You get better service if you’re charming,” Raj said after the waitress left. “So, what else is new?”

The two immortals made small talk, sharing stories and making the seven humans realise just how young they really were. The only one who had a story that would interest the two immortals was Lovino, but he wasn’t about to reveal to them all he had been through with the vampire trio.

It was bad enough that Vlad knew.

As the thought crossed his mind, an idea began to form. Vlad knew more about his past than he was willing to share, and he knew only a few things about Vlad, but nothing that he wanted to know. He could probably have a word with Vlad and blackmail him into telling him what he wanted to know.

Eventually the meals were finished and paid for, and the large group made their way outside. But just as they were about to part ways, Raj grabbed Lovino and pulled him aside.

“What the hell?” Lovino huffed, trying to pull away from the naga.

“Take care of Vlad,” Raj said in a low voice.

“What?”

“Vlad’s suffered more than you would believe, and he’s been pushed too far. He’s not too far from completely falling. Make sure he doesn’t fall.”

“What would I even be able to do? I mean, I’m…”

Lovino couldn’t finish his thought, and instead looked to the side. Raj smiled gently.

“You can help Vlad more than you’d believe,” Raj said. “Maybe it’s fitting. It would seem that the both of you had suffered in the past. You could help fix each other.”

Lovino looked over towards Raj, but he shook his head and turned away.

“I might see you guys again,” Raj called out to the others. “Don’t drive them crazy, Feliks!”

The phoenix stuck out his tongue playfully, and the group made their way to Feliks’s dark pink minivan.

Lovino looked back towards the naga, who was climbing into his own car, still confused about what he said.

“Ve, fratello?” Feliciano said. “What did he want?”

“It’s none of your damn business,” Lovino growled, climbing into his seat next to Feliks.

He couldn’t help but think back to Raj’s request for him to take care of Vlad. He had no idea how he should go about it, but he knew that he wanted to do it.

And he had no idea why he was the one to do it.