Vlad was quiet all day at school. We walked silently down the hallways, and only Henry talked at lunch.
I was worried about Vlad. He seemed truly scared. But scared of what? It was like he was afraid of me, or maybe he was afraid of being judged.
These thoughts raced through my head all day.
As the final bell rang, Vlad grabbed my hand and led me out of the school. He didn't speak, I silently followed him. We walked towards the woods, my confusion only increasing.
The ground began sloping upwards. Vlad and I came to a clearing. The view was incredible. I could see the entire town of Bathory from this one spot.
Vlad let go of my hand and sat down on a nearby rock. I moved to the rock, but did not sit down.
"It all goes back to my parents," Vlad began. I took a seat next him and grabbed his hand. He didn't look at me, instead his eyes remained on the town.
"I'm sure you've heard about their death in the house fire. It's one of the only reasons most people know me around here. Anyway, I still believe that they were killed for a reason."
Vlad's lips had begun to quiver slightly. I had never seen him like this before. "Why would you think that?" I said, tightening my grip on his hand.
"Because of who I am. I'm...different Cassie. There are people searching for me, people that want me dead. These are the same people who I believe killed my parents."
A tear ran down Vlad's face.
"Vlad..." I tried to soothe him, but the tears kept on falling.
"My father," he continued, "wasn't normal. He was, uhm, a vampire." Now Vlad looked at me. His eyes were still moist, but there was something in them that I had rarely seen.
Honesty.
I took a deep breath, "So that means, you're a vampire?"
"Half vampire. Something they call the Pravus. I can do things no one else can. Because of this, many people want me dead. Vampires and slayers."
I couldn't believe what he was saying. Vampires and slayers! Was Vlad going mad, or was I just not willing to accept him.
I must've been silent for longer than I had thought, because Vlad spoke up again.
"You don't believe me do you?"
I bit my lip. Did I believe him?
"Would it be rude of me to ask for proof?" I spoke my thoughts out loud.
I didn't have time to respond before my breath was taken away. Vlad's dark eyes began to ripple and turn into a bright purple color. He smiled, flashing a pair of pure white fangs. My heart skipped a beat, fear creeping it way into my mind. I was actually considering running away from him.
It was over as quickly as it had started. Within seconds, I was looking at the familiar face of Vladimir Tod.
"Wow..." was all I could muster.
I pulled Vlad into a hug as his tears continued to fall. My lips found his. The kiss was soft, sweet, but meant everything.
Vlad could trust me. I was here for him no matter what. His secret was safe with me.
He looked me in the eyes, resting his forehead on mine. "Thank you."
I smiled, "Walk me home?"
The usual Vladimir Tod smirk returned on his face. He was about to respond before I pressed my lips to his once more.
"On the way home, you can tell me about what had happened last?" I said, standing up and taking his hand once again.
Vlad stood up as well and began his story. "Well, it all started when a newborn vampire decided to start killing off neighborhood dogs. A newborn is something we use to describe someone who was just recently turned."
