Vampire Lover

Chapter 6: Buga’s Threat

Returning from the festival with newfound resolve and a hint of hope, Li Mo could almost envision a path forward. The night air was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling streets she had just left behind. As she rounded a darkened alley near her apartment, however, a familiar and unsettling figure awaited her in the shadows.

Buga, the ancient vampire who was not only Lu Chi’s maker but also one of the most feared vampires in existence, stood there casually, as if he had been waiting. His relaxed demeanor and mocking smile sent a chill down her spine. He leaned against a wall, observing her approach with a mixture of amusement and disdain.

“Li Mo,” he greeted, his voice as smooth and cold as the darkness surrounding them. “Back from your little pilgrimage to the witches? Seeking a way to ‘save’ Lu Chi, are we?”

Li Mo clenched her fists, refusing to be intimidated, though she felt her pulse quicken. “Why do you care?” she shot back, determined to keep her voice steady.

Buga let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Why indeed? But I find your little mission quite amusing.” His eyes glittered with malice as he regarded her. “Do you honestly believe you can change him back? Restore his humanity, as if he were a broken toy you could fix?”

Li Mo remained silent, her gaze steady but cold. She had heard warnings before, but something in Buga’s tone felt sharper, as though he wasn’t simply mocking her — he was trying to pierce her resolve.

“You are chasing a fantasy,” he continued, his tone dripping with condescension. “You humans are all the same, clinging to dreams of redemption and purity. Lu Chi is no longer the man you loved, Li Mo. He is something else now — something better, I might argue. Trying to change him will only cause suffering for you both.”

Buga’s words sliced through her, and for a moment, doubt crept into her mind. But she quickly shoved it aside. “I don’t expect you to understand,” she replied coolly. “You see him as nothing more than a pawn, but to me, he is still Lu Chi.”

A flicker of irritation flashed in Buga’s eyes. “A pawn? Is that what you think?” He pushed himself off the wall, moving toward her with a menacing grace. “Lu Chi is far more than a pawn. He is mine — my creation, my legacy. And I will not have some foolish human hunter thinking she can undo what I have made.”

Li Mo held her ground, though her instincts screamed at her to run. Buga’s possessiveness over Lu Chi ran deeper than she had expected, revealing a twisted sense of pride and ownership. He didn’t simply see Lu Chi as another vampire — he saw him as an extension of himself, something he had molded and crafted with his own dark power.

“What’s the matter?” Buga sneered, noticing her silence. “Did you think that by breaking his curse, he would come back to you, grateful and full of love? Foolish girl. Even if you could undo his vampirism — which I assure you, you cannot — he would not be the man you remember.”

He circled her slowly, like a predator toying with its prey. “You should give up this foolish quest before it consumes you. Or worse… before it draws his attention to you in ways you may not enjoy.”

Li Mo met his gaze, defiant. “I will do whatever it takes. Lu Chi deserves the chance to decide his fate, not be enslaved to a curse that was forced upon him.”

Buga’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as a smirk played across his lips. “And what makes you think he wants to change? What makes you think he hasn’t grown fond of his new nature, his power?” He chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with mockery. “Do you truly believe he’s pining away for his humanity, waiting for you to ‘save’ him?”

Li Mo bit back a retort, aware that any word could be twisted into ammunition for his taunts. She knew she couldn’t show him her fear or let him see her wavering.

Buga seemed to tire of the conversation, sighing dramatically. “But who am I to stop you?” he said, his tone lazy, though his eyes remained sharp. “I suppose watching you stumble and fail might provide me some amusement.”

He turned to leave, but paused, casting a sidelong glance over his shoulder. “Remember, little hunter: your determination, while admirable, will not protect you from the consequences of meddling in matters beyond your comprehension.” His voice dropped to a low whisper, filled with a dark promise. “The path you are on may lead you to unimaginable pain.”

Li Mo held her breath as he finally disappeared into the shadows, her heart racing as she processed the encounter. Buga’s words lingered in her mind, each one a poisonous barb meant to undermine her resolve. She understood that he was trying to plant seeds of doubt, to make her question her purpose, her love for Lu Chi, and her own strength.

But instead of breaking her, the encounter solidified her determination. She knew now, more than ever, that she couldn’t abandon Lu Chi. No matter how twisted Buga’s view was, she was certain that Lu Chi had once been the man she loved — a man capable of kindness and warmth. That person was still there, somewhere, buried beneath the curse that had turned him into a vampire.

However, Buga’s warning also left her with a deep sense of unease. She had no illusions about the dangers she faced, nor about Buga’s power and influence. She realized that her quest to save Lu Chi was no longer just about finding a cure; it was about navigating a complex web of ancient alliances, betrayals, and rivalries. Buga’s control over Lu Chi, his possessiveness and pride, made him a formidable adversary.

As she made her way home, her thoughts spun in every direction. The ritual the witch had mentioned was now more vital than ever, but she would need to be careful, to gather every piece of information she could before proceeding. She knew she was walking a fine line, one where any misstep could lead to tragedy. But for Lu Chi’s sake, she was willing to take that risk.

As dawn approached, Li Mo finally arrived back at her apartment, her mind still racing. She understood that the path she had chosen was filled with peril, that it would require her to confront forces far beyond what she had ever faced before. But her love for Lu Chi, her desire to see him freed from Buga’s twisted control, burned brighter than her fear.

With renewed resolve, she prepared herself. Buga’s words were meant to weaken her, to shake her conviction, but they had done the opposite. Now, she had a clearer understanding of the dangers ahead, and she was more prepared to face them than ever.

For she knew that if she faltered, if she allowed doubt or fear to take root, she would not only lose Lu Chi — she would lose herself. And that was a price she was unwilling to pay.