Chapter Seven

Here's To Lowering Caskets Of Old Friends

Later That Same Day

Arghh! Rose was mentally battling herself as she rested her injured body on the couch in Lao Shi's shop. Why'd I even tell him I love him? I don't love him. Yes I do... No I don't... No. No is my final answer... Oh, screw it. I love him! Rose gave up.

She wasn't going to deny her feelings for Adam. It wasn't the ring that made her change her mind. It was something more. A ring making her love him wasn't like Rose at all. It was something about Adam. The way he always looked out for her. His presence made Rose feel safe. Like nothing bad could ever happen if he was there. He treated her like a goddess and nothing less. Rose couldn't believe that it took her this long to finally figure out that she loved Adam.

Jake walked in the room and she hid the ring in her pocket before he could notice. She didn't want any questions from Jake. He sat on the couch and put his arm around her. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"How you feeling today?" Jake asked, completely concerned for her health. "Any better?"

"A little better." Actually, she was feeling worse. Not only was she recently beaten an inch from death, but Rose had this immense craving for blood. And the lack of consumed blood was making her extremely light-headed, which is quite normal for vampires. "Uh, Jake?" Rose felt a little morbid asking Jake the following question. "Do you have any blood? Or any living thing that I can suck the blood out of?" Jake gave her an odd look.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay?"Jake felt her forehead to check for a fever.

"I just need blood," Rose answered. Jake was starting to feel really akward having this conversation with her. "I'm feeling a little dizzy."

Jake hesitated. "I'll... Just ask Fu if he has anything." He walked into the back room.

Rose lay down and rested her head on the pillow. Going over in her mind how truly confusing it is to be in love with two people. The sound of a door opening brought her out of her thoughts.

"Hello, Huntsgirl," Rose recognized that ominous voice. She looked up and found The Huntsmaster standing a few feet away from her, the serial killer gleam in his eyes.

"What do you want?" Rose snapped back.

"I've come back to finish killing you," His voice was to the point where it sounded manic. "Just like I killed your precious Adam."

"W-W-What?"

"That's right," The Huntsmaster slowly advanced towards her. "Adam is dead."

If Rose had the strength, she would've bit The Huntsmaster and sucked all his blood dry. But, unfortunately for her, she was still incredibly weak and could barely lift her arm, let alone kill someone. The Huntsmaster grabbed the familiar stake from the inside of his cloak

"Jake..." She attempted to call him but it barely reached above a whisper.

"He can't save you now."

"Oh, yes I can." Jake came out of the back room in is dragon form. He tail-whipped The Huntsmaster, who fell back, dropping the wooden stake. "Get out," Jake hovered over The Huntsmaster. "Now."

"Do you possibly believe that I'm going to take orders from a dragon?" The Huntsmaster attempted to get up, but Jake put his foot on The Huntsmaster's chest, holding him down.

"Leave." Jake instructed forcefully.

"You haven't seen the last of me, Dragon." Jake lifted his foot up and The Huntsmaster headed towards the shop door. "I'll be back." He left.

Jake transformed back to human form and checked on Rose. She had a distant look in her eyes, like she was there physically but not mentally.

"Rose?" Jake slowly moved towards her.

It was finally sinking in. Between the lack of blood and her injuries, the news of Adam's death was the most painful to bare. In fact, it was more painful then anything she ever felt in her life. Rose just sat there, looking like a zombie. Starring at nothing. Lost in her own melancholic thoughts.

"Rose?" Jake said again, breaking the trace-like state that consumed Rose. "Are you okay?"

"Adam's dead..." Her voice surprisingly had no emotion to it's tone.

"What?"

"He's dead..." Rose felt like she was going to either faint or grab the stake lying on the shop floor and take own her life. The loss of her best friend was already taking it's toll on Rose's mind. She felt as if by killing Adam, a part of herself died with him. Like her other half was shattered. Adam was her life. The one she could talk to when life was at its worse. The one she could trust her life with. Adam always told Rose that he would die for her. And she now knew that he was telling the truth.

Jake lightly kissed her. "It's gonna be alright." He held her in his arms. "I promise." Rose finally broke down and dug her head in Jake's chest as she silently cried. "Don't cry..." He begged. Rose couldn't help it. She just cried until her body ran out of tears to produce. That's when she really started feeling light-headed. Jake noticed that she was slowly rocking from side to side and that her breathing was picking up speed. He knew why.

"Suck my blood." Jake discontinued holding her in his arms and held out his wrist.

"No, Jake," Rose protested. "I'll kill you."

"Do it." He moved his wrist closer to her. His voice was tempting and soothing."You won't kill me." Jake moved even closer. "Just trust me on this." Rose trusted Jake as much as she had trusted Adam.

The young vampire gently grasped Jake's wrist and slowly sunk her sharp fangs into his flesh. Jake slightly winced. Rose sucked his blood and it tasted like nothing she had ever experienced. Adam had once told her that dragon blood is adored by every vampire and that the Vampire King (A/N: You'll learn about him later) would do anything possible to retrieve it and nourish his nation with it. It tasted wonderful. Rose sucked until the light-headedness had finally subsided.

"Thanks, Jake..." Rose gave him a smile, her teeth blood-stained.

"Lemme' get you some water to wash your teeth off." Jake chuckled a bit as he once again went into the back room. A few minutes later he came out with his wrist wrapped up with gauze, blood seeming through it, and a clear glass with water filled slightly below the point of overflowing. Rose drank the water and lay down. Jake lay beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist. Both of them were quite tired.

"I love you." Jake said before he fell into sleep.

"I love you, too."

Rose fell asleep with Jake.

But she dreamed about Adam.

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Hey everybody.

Is it just me, or are my chapters getting shorter?

I'll make 'em longer from now on.

Next chapter will be soon.