Sorry for the huge delay! I promise explanatory chapters will follow soonish. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
"So, what are you hiding?" Erin began conversationally as they loitered at the gates. Malik frowned at her.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Well, you've been up to something. What is it?" He sighed; she obviously wasn't going to drop the subject.
"Well... if you must know..." He cast his mind around for a convincing lie and, when nothing sprung to mind, grasped at a distracting truth instead. "I think you're kinda hot. You know. For a a half-fang."
"Oh, thanks." She rolled her eyes. "Now tell me what you've been up to." She'd forgotten how fast vampires could move; he was right in front of her before she had chance to react.
"Why are you suddenly so interested in me?" She swallowed nervously.
"Oh, obviously I just love a guy who hits on his recently-dead brother's girlfriend."
Malik flinched as if she'd hit him.
"You said you'd never forgive him."
"He'll never forgive you if he finds out this was your fault." It was a risky ploy, but it worked; Malik slammed his hand into the stone wall behind her and hung his head, obviously struggling to control his temper.
"I lost my mother, he didn't even stay dead, I think we're even-"
"So the shapeshifter was your mother?" She'd expected to feel triumphant, but Malik looked close to tears. "I... I'm sorry."
"She was all I had." He straightened up and ran a hand through his hair, daring her to comment on the moisture in his eyes. "All I had, and then I got to find my Dad, but Mum wanted me to destroy them and, well, she looked after me all these years. But now... she's gone and they won't want me when they find out-"
"I'm not going to tell them, if you don't." She didn't know what had brought that on; of course she had to tell them... didn't she? But he looked so heartbroken and lost, and Erin couldn't help but remember that he'd taken care of her brother, when he'd taken to the streets. She couldn't help but remember the squalor he'd been living in when they'd tracked him down; no doubt that would be all that was left for him, if the Draculas let him leave undead.
"You... aren't." He seemed suspicious, and she couldn't say she blamed him. With a quick glance towards the main building of the school, she moved closer and opened her arms.
"No." Malik hesitated, but then he swept her into his arms, clinging and resting his head on her shoulder as her feet dangled in the air.
"Thank you." He seemed to realise what he was doing, suddenly, and lowered her to the ground, stepping backwards to run his hand through his hair again. "I, uh... I meant it, by the way. You are pretty hot."
"For a half-fang."
"For anyone." She smiled at him for a moment, eyes shining... but something else had caught his attention. "Sun's rising. Come on." He grabbed her hand and sped to the nearest door, but even once they were inside and making their way through the corridors – thankfully, the roof wasn't as damaged as they'd thought – she noticed he hadn't let go.