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Chapter 13

Betrayed

The pressure applied to Tyson's lips muddled the tune he had been humming. The foreign feeling on his lips made Tyson scrunch up his face in distaste. He hadn't felt something so weird on his lips since his first kiss from Kai, and that was because the vampire had taken him by surprise.

It was horrible. Whatever was on his lips was soft but it was pressed so firmly against him his it made him want to turn away and spit.

He did just that.

"Oh Kami, what was that?" He scrunched up his nose and pretended to gag. "That was terrible."

"Stop being over dramatic. We both know I am not a bad kisser."

Brooklyn! Tyson may have met the werewolf once, but that voice was imprinted on his mind. But what did he mean by kiss? They hadn't kissed—

He stood up.

Oh Kami! He felt the color drain from his face, as realization dawned on him; it was like a spider crawling down his spine. That strange feeling had been Brooklyn kissing him!

"You pervert!" Tyson cried, concealing his lips under his fingertips. He was sinking in a sea of embarrassment. At least when he first met Kai he had been given a chance to struggle, but he had just been molested in his hazy state! Okay, maybe "molested" was bit of an exaggeration, but he definitely felt like his space and consent had been violated.

Brooklyn wasn't fazed by Tyson's reaction. If anything he was pleased. It was as if he knew how Tyson was going to react and seeing that he was correct satisfied him. "Tyson, if I had molested you, you would find yourself sore in places a person shouldn't feel sore unless they are doing the walk of shame."

Tyson's jaw dropped. That had been blunt. "You do realize I have a boyfriend, right?"

"Yes," Brooklyn let out a depressed sigh. "And sadly he is a vampire. Honestly, you could do so much better."

"Don't insult Kai!"

"You two give me a headache," Max moaned and slowly pushed himself off the ground. He felt sick and his head was pounding. It felt like a flock of woodpeckers were attacking his brain, and his eyesight was blurry—like looking under water. "Someone get me an aspirin."

"Actually," Brooklyn began, "I am not the reason for your headache. Some humans after being entranced feel disorientated and ill." With a smug fox like grin, he nodded at Tyson. "You can thank your friend over here for that. He was using a vampire hypnosis trick."

"What?" Shock couldn't describe Tyson's reaction. He hadn't done anything. He had been walking with Max. How could walking with a person be a "vampire hypnosis trick"?

Max moaned. He rubbed his forehead to rid himself of the tension, but his head would not stop throbbing. He was barely paying attention to Brooklyn and Tyson now. "Brooklyn," another groan, "Explain." His words were slurred and mumbled, but it was he all could do.

"So demanding." He smirked, and took a step towards Tyson.

Tyson took a step back.

The reaction made the situation worse. Brooklyn moved closer, and began circling Tyson like the animal he was. The smirk that had been on the orange-haired youth grew more sinister.

Tyson's shoulders tensed. He bit back the urge to gulp, and willed his legs not quiver under that intense green stare.

"You know, I am risking the wrath of your vampires. Don't I deserve something for putting my own life on the line, just to give you two information." A canine poked out from Brooklyn's wicked grin. He ceased pacing around Tyson, and let his eyes wander down the boy's form.

Tyson sneered. Truthfully, his stomach was bubbling with worry and disgust at the way Brooklyn acted, but he refused to show fear. He channeled all of his fear into anger.

Max's fingers twitched. The desire to grab Tyson and get away from Brooklyn was strong, but his feet were rooted to the ground. The need for answers was too strong, and had more power over him. However, he wasn't going to let Brooklyn keep acting like a creeper around his best friend. "Knock it off. You were the one who volunteered information, so stop complaining."

Brooklyn barely glanced at Max. "Perhaps, but I can still ask for payment."

"If you want doggie kibble so bad, then go to town and buy it yourself." Tyson balled his hands into fists and gritted his teeth.

Brooklyn laughed, his eyes flashing with sadistic glee. "Sorry, but I have other things in mind for a meal."

It felt like he had just swallowed a slug. Tyson's back became as stiff as rod and his jaw dropped. "You sick—"

"Ah. Ah. Ah." Brooklyn held up a hand and waved his finger in front of Tyson's face. "Careful. I may not help you if you don't watch your tongue."

Tyson grumbled, and looked towards Max. He didn't mask any of the annoyance he felt. "Max…" His voice was laced with a warning.

Max felt his heart fall. He understood where Tyson was coming from—heck! He would want to leave too if he were in Tyson's place, but he needed answers. "Listen Brooklyn, could you please just tell us if you saw any strange people come by here. One's a woman with long silver hair while the other is a man in all black."

"Maybe."

Max and Tyson groaned together. They were never going to get anywhere with this.

"C'mon, Max." Tyson spun on his heels. "He's obviously not going to help."

"Oh, I will help you. For a price."

"Yeah. Exactly what I said, 'he's not going to help'."

"What kind of a price?" Max asked.

"Max!" Tyson cried plaintively.

Brooklyn chuckled, a lazy smile forming on his lips. He looked at Max and then at Tyson. He placed on hand on his hip. His posture screamed confidence. "One kiss from him." He pointed his thumb at Tyson.

"Go to hell, you dog-bastard!" Red colored Tyson's face.

"Tyson…" Max groaned.

"What? You can't honestly think—"

Max made his eyes go wide and watery. After years of using his infamous sad puppy eyes around Tyson, his best friend was probably immune to his pleading, but he had to try. As slimy as Brooklyn was he felt like he could get a straight answer out of him before he could get one out of Rei or Kai. Brooklyn was his only hope.

"No." Tyson pointedly glared at Max.

"But Tyson—"

"No."

"Please, Tyson, you know—" Max stopped himself. Even if Brooklyn felt like the only person he could get straight answers from, he didn't like the idea the werewolf knowing about his personal life. Swallowing his words, he locked eyes with Tyson. He hoped Tyson would understand him. "You know what I said earlier."

The glare fell from his face. However, Tyson's expression transformed into something ugly. It looked like he was torn between scowling and pouting. He eyed Brooklyn warily, and then returned his gaze to Max. He shifted his weight between his legs.

"Please?" Max tried one more time, dropping his begging eyes routine. He wanted Tyson to know how sincere he was, and his watery eyes would only come off as cheap manipulation.

Tyson bit the inside of his cheek and cursed.

Hopeful glee fluttered in Max's chest.

"Fine," He grumbled, and kicked the leaves near his feet. He shoved his hands in his pockets, and sneered at Brooklyn. "You try anything funny, and I swear I'll personally make sure you never rut with anyone."

Brooklyn chuckled, unfazed by the threat, a fact that made Tyson squirm.

The werewolf approached him, and Tyson had to bite his bottom lip to make sure he didn't yell at Brooklyn to stay away. He nerves shivered with fearful anticipation. Briefly, he wondered if he would get lucky and someone would stop Brooklyn before anything happened. However, when two big hands grabbed him by the waist and the back of his neck, he knew he was doomed.

He didn't like the way Brooklyn easily pulled him in close, or the way he smirked down at him. Brooklyn looked down at him as if he were some prize he had just won.

Anger burned and thrummed through his chest. He let it leak into his expression.

Brooklyn's eye flashed with amusement. He leaned in close.

Tyson tensed and held his breath. Here it comes!

But Brooklyn's lips missed his, and instead breathed against Tyson's ear. "I can see why a vampire would like you. Such a feisty creature you are."

"What the hell are you—"

Lips landed forcefully on his.

Tyson winced, and placed his hands on Brooklyn's chest. He pushed, but the grip the werewolf had on him was like iron chains.

A slimy tongue moved in his mouth, and Tyson bit down on it. He had hoped it would encourage Brooklyn to let him go, but the werewolf moaned.

Tyson felt like he could puke.

"Okay! That's enough of that!" Max shouted, and grabbed the two of them by their upper arms. He tried to yank them apart, but Brooklyn's hold was too strong for him.

Tyson glared—not that Brooklyn could see it; he had closed his eyes. That's it! He lifted up his leg and kneed Brooklyn in the balls.

Brooklyn broke the kiss, but there was no sign of pain on his face. Instead he just looked immensely pleased with himself.

"You got your kiss, now let go of me!" He punched Brooklyn in the chest. His cheeks flared up with heat when the werewolf didn't even flinch.

Taking his sweet time, Brooklyn released his hold on Tyson, and stood back. He then turned towards Max, who was nervously looking over Tyson for any signs of injury or trauma. "What was it you wanted to know again?"

Max blinked, and tore his worried gaze away from Tyson, who was spitting on the ground. Momentarily caught off guard, Max quickly recovered. "Did you see two people? A woman and a man recently?"

"I saw two vampires, if that's what you mean by 'man' and 'woman'."

Vampires! Max shared a look with Tyson.

"Do you know who they are, or what they want?"

Brooklyn smirked. "That will cost you more."

"Are you kidding?" Tyson viciously rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand. If his eyes were lasers he would have fried Brooklyn with them. "You got your damn kiss; stop being a prick and pay up!"

Brooklyn held up a finger. "One kiss: one answer."

Max bit his bottom lip, and looked between Brooklyn and Tyson.

The tiny hairs on the back of Tyson's neck rose. It was obvious to him that Max was weighing his options, and Tyson was torn between being furious and apprehensive. "I am not kissing him again!"

Brooklyn snorted in amusement. "For the information that Max requires it would be more than a kiss from you."

"But you do know who they are?" Max asked.

Brooklyn nodded.

Tyson's stomach knotted. He didn't like Max's tone; it was filled with consideration. He had already refused to kiss Brooklyn again, so he couldn't fathom what Max was considering.

After a few seconds of silence, Max spoke each word slowly and thoughtfully, "Is there anything I can offer in payment?"

"Max!" Tyson's heart raced and his hands clenched. "Are you crazy! This guy is sick! He's—"

"You're not my type," Brooklyn deadpanned.

A rush of relief filled Tyson, but it was squashed by Max's pout. He grabbed Max's shoulder and gave it a squeeze; he hoped it gave his friend some comfort. "Don't worry about it Max. You're better off without Brooklyn's information if he'll only give it to you for a price."

"Yeah…" Max's chest was tight, and his was heart a brick. He really had been a fool for trusting Brooklyn, but still—he wanted that information; it was like the last piece of a puzzle.

"I didn't say there wasn't something you could do for me; you're just not my type."

Max couldn't believe his ears. For a moment his heart returned to its weightless self.

"The heck!" Tyson cursed.

Brooklyn smirked. His eyes flickered with amusement and held Max's gaze. "Your kisses and embraces are safe from me. However, what I would need of you is something that is best kept private." He looked pointedly at Tyson.

Tyson crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. "As if! I am not leaving Max alone with you."

"Tyson." Max whined.

"No! I was willing to do this before because I wanted it to help you, but it's obvious to see that this guy is only looking out for himself." Heat pooled in Tyson's cheeks; he was furious. He grabbed Max by the upperarm. "Let's go."

"But Tyson, I—"

Tyson pulled.

Max grunted and pulled back; they were in a stalemate.

"Fascinating." Brooklyn's eyes glimmered with intrigue.

"It's my choice." Tiny sparks went off in Max's stomach. It wasn't much, but he could feel irritation growing within him. He pulled his arm back.

Tyson kept his hold, not giving any ground. "You're too desperate."

Like flint being struck, a fire was lit within Max, and his lips twisted into a scowl. "At least I am thinking, unlike someone who spends his days and nights prancing around."

Tyson strengthened his hold on Max. "What the hell, Max!"

"You heard me!"

The fox-like grin of Brooklyn's face grew with each insult. It was as if he were watching the world's most entertaining movie or play. His eyes were locked on them, but suddenly they tore away and he frowned.

The expression vanished from his face, and he returned to grinning. "Well, I'd hate to get in between you two. So I'll go for now."

Tyson and Max stopped fighting to stare at him.

Brooklyn winked. "You know where to find me." His grin turned coy. "You can always come alone."

Tyson didn't know who Brooklyn was aiming his statement at, but it made him shudder, stick out his tongue, and pretended to gag anyway.

Max tried to take a step towards him, but Tyson held him in place. He glared at his friend. Before he could demand that Tyson release him, Brooklyn transformed into a giant wolf and ran off.

"I can't believe you!" Max shouted at Tyson.

"And I can't believe you!" Tyson let go of Max. "That guy is trouble!"

Max rolled his eyes. Tyson was one to talk. Max could recall several times Tyson had gotten them in trouble. "You know what, forget it. Let's just go back home." I'll talk to Brooklyn later.

"Best idea I've heard all day." Tyson stormed off.

Max looked back at where Brooklyn had vanished. He would definitely be back.

"Tyson! Max!" Daichi cupped his hands around his mouth. After Kai and Rei had revealed the truth about the melody Tyson hummed, the three had gone to look for the two humans. When they didn't find the teens, they had split up and gone in search of them. It hadn't been long, but Daichi's chest was tight with worry.

The forest was naturally dangerous. It was more dangerous when one of the people journeying through it was humming a song meant to enchant humans.

"Tyson! Max!" He paused and listened.

No response.

"Damn it!" He kicked a plant at his feet, and ran deeper into the forest.

"Tyson! Max! Ty—"

"Daichi?"

"Tyson?" Daichi skidded to a stop. It sounded like Tyson was somewhere to his left. He spun around.

"We're here!"

Daichi ran towards Tyson's voice at his full speed. In a few seconds he stood in front of Tyson.

The human blinked down at him. To the human, it must have looked like he magically appeared in front of him.

A branch cracked a couple of meters behind Tyson.

Daichi glanced over Tyson's shoulder and spotted Max climbing over a bush. He returned his gaze to Tyson's and scowled. "And what the hell do you think you were doing?"

Tyson blinked.

The sight made Daichi growl. How dare Tyson play stupid! He knew Kai and Rei were overprotective psychos and had probably warned Tyson and Max not to go out into the forest alone. Normally he would encourage Tyson's rebellion, but not after what he had just learned. "You should know better than to venture out here alone! At least tell someone where you are going! There are freakin' werewolves—"

Tyson burst into laughter and doubled over. The sound was loud and pure; it lessened the horrible feeling in his chest: Tyson was safe.

Still Daichi was not going to let him off the hook that easily. He crossed his arms over his chest and did his best to strengthen his scowl. "What the hell is so funny?"

"I am not sure if I should call you 'Mom' or 'Kai'." Tyson shook his head. He grinned.

Daichi tried not to smile back, but he could feel the pull of lips. "Do it, and I don't care who loves you, I will kick your ass."

"Not if I kick yours first."

He could have dodged it, but he let Tyson wrap an arm around his neck and pull him into an embrace. He frowned when the human rubbed a fist into his head—even as a vampire noogies weren't fun. "Knock it off!" He threw Tyson's arm off of him and took two steps back so he could look Tyson in the eye. "We need to go back to the house."

Tyson smirked; he was probably still happy about getting Daichi in a headlock. "Good because that is where we were heading, right Ma—" Tyson had been about to look over his shoulder at his best friend, but he stopped.

Daichi frowned and looked over at the blond.

Max hadn't moved much farther than he had when Daichi had first seen him. He was only about five steps away. Max had never come off as very social to him, but even the most socially inept wouldn't keep such a distance with such a small group. Max also refused to look at them; he was staring off into the distance.

Tyson huffed and snapped his head back in place.

Daichi's brows pinched.

Very odd indeed.

Suddenly a grin spread across Tyson's lips. "Well, let's go. If we worried you then Kai must be going crazy." His mouth formed a beaming smile, but his eyes held no light. Instead his pupils and retinas slowly slid to the corner of his eye, but slipped back as if burned. He was holding back; he wanted to look at his friend.

Daichi looked back at Max.

The blond stood there like a statue.

"Sure," Daichi said slowly. He turned to lead the way back, but his thoughts were trapped in the forest.

What had happened?

Kai was ready to pull his hair out. He had searched the forest for an hour, but he couldn't find Tyson or Max anywhere. He wanted to keep searching, but Rei, Daichi, and him had agreed to meet back at the mansion after an hour—they had hoped that Tyson and Max hadn't wandered so far that it wouldn't take any longer.

The whole trip back he grit his teeth together and kept telling himself that if he hadn't found the two then Rei or Daichi must have. He had been very thorough when looking, and had traveled at top speed so he could cover more distance. When the gray tops of the mansion appeared in the horizon he felt a lump form in his throat.

No matter how many years passed Tyson would always be the one to turn him into an emotional mess.

He chuckled at that. It wasn't funny, but he was pushed beyond the point to care. He just needed to release some of the emotions that had been gathering in him like a storm cloud.

How much danger was Tyson in? Was the hum just a latent memory that had worked its way to the surface, or was there something more sinister at work?

He didn't bother opening the iron gate around the mansion—he was approaching it from behind so he would have to walk to the front to do so—instead, he climbed up the bars in seconds and dropped down the grass as silent as a cat. Once in the gate, it was only a few more seconds before he was in the mansion.

He was on his way to the living room where he, Daichi, and Rei had talked, but he stopped halfway there. He could hear voices from the kitchen.

His fingers twitched, and his chest constricted. Every part of him hoped Tyson was one of the people in the kitchen.

He wanted to run, but he controlled himself. He didn't want to make a fool of himself. He didn't want anyone to make fun of him for being overeager.

The closer he got the more he wanted to run into the kitchen. Tyson was there!

He stopped in the doorway of the kitchen.

Tyson sat at a small circular table across from Daichi. Cupped between his hands was a bowl of rice. He laughed as Daichi said something.

The corner of Kai's lips curved upward. His chest was no longer tight with worry, and he could sigh with happiness—but he didn't. He forced his smile down and cleared his throat.

Tyson and Daichi looked up.

"Kai!" Tyson smiled, and pushed his chair back. He moved to stand, but stopped. Blood flooded his cheeks and he lowered his gaze.

Kai's finger twitched with the need. He wanted to grab Tyson and hold him close so he could feel the heat of his blood beneath that soft layer of skin. He wanted to hear Tyson's heart beat as it spread that precious life-giving fluid through his body.

He folded his arms over his chest and gave Tyson an impatient look. "And where exactly were you?"

The red tint of Tyson's cheeks deepened, and Kai resisted a smirk. He wasn't going to let Tyson off easy for leaving without telling anyone—and he was going to ask him a few questions to—but he no matter what the situation he always enjoyed an embarrassed Tyson.

Tyson stood up and approached Kai. "I want to talk to you." He touched Kai's arm.

There was a small patch of warmth where Tyson touched him, however, Kai couldn't enjoy it.

Tyson was biting his lower lip, and his eyes were wide with a plea. Something was bothering Tyson.

Kai unfolded his arms, and brushed his fingers lightly against one of Tyson's. He hoped it soothed his lover.

A small smile spread across Tyson's lips, but it was weak. He looked over his shoulder at Daichi, who was still seated at the table. "You don't mind if Kai and I talk, do you?"

Daichi shrugged and pushed his seat back. "You were starting to bore me anyway." Daichi brushed past them as he left.

Once Daichi was gone, Kai wrapped an arm around Tyson's waist and pulled his love close. He felt when Tyson jumped an inch and the inhale of his breath. They were pressed chest to chest, and he could feel the flutter of Tyson's heart.

It had been a long time since he had been this close to Tyson.

"Kai?"

"You said you wanted to talk."

Tyson looked up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Uh yeah." His hand came up to squeeze Kai's bicep. "I just wasn't expecting…" He looked at Kai's arm around his waist. He frowned.

Kai's chest tightened again, but this time it wasn't in worry. He knew that Tyson and him were not in a perfect relationship, but he never thought Tyson might refuse such a simple touch. He wanted to press Tyson's closer to him, but he forced himself not to. He wouldn't push it this time.

He loosened his hold, intent on letting Tyson go.

Fingers wrapped around his wrist.

Tyson smiled up at him.

Kai couldn't breath. It was the true smile that had been missing from Tyson's face for days, and it was aimed at him. His wrist tingled where Tyson touched him, like soft teasing kisses. Warmth filled his chest and he smirked.

"I don't want to talk."

Kai could feel the smirk on his lips soften. He was smiling. He knew he should ask Tyson about the song, but he didn't want to. It had been so long since they had been like this together. Also, Tyson was safe with him; he could put it off as long as he kept Tyson close.

He pressed his forehead against Tyson's and breathed in his love's scent. Tyson was covered with the smell of dirt and pine from the forest.

Small but strong arms wrapped around his neck; he was in Tyson's embrace. "I don't want to talk." He groaned.

Kai frowned. The repeated phrase sent off warning bells in his head. "You have already said that."

"I know." Tyson sighed. "But I should." He bit his bottom lip.

Kai pressed his fingertips into the crook of Tyson's back. He could sense it. Whatever Tyson said was going to be a bomb, it was just a question of how destructive.

"Do you remember Brooklyn?"

It took all of his willpower not to grab Tyson by the shoulders and start demanding answers out him then and there. He barely held back a growl. "I hope you are talking about the place in New York."

Tyson shook his head.

The arm Kai slipped around Tyson's waist slid up his love's back. He buried his fingers in Tyson's long, blue locks and gripped the back of his skull.

He held Tyson's head in place. He wouldn't let Tyson look away; Tyson would meet his gaze.

It pleased him when Tyson showed no signs of averting his gaze. He met Kai's stare openly.

"I saw him today."

Kai gritted his teeth. He had a sinking feeling he knew why Tyson was stalling, but he dare not even think it. "And…?"

"He kissed me."

Iron fist crushed Kai's heart and his gut boiled with rage. He didn't know what to say or think; all he knew was that he wanted someone to feel as bad as him. Tyson was his, the one he was destined to be with. The thought that someone might take that away from him, it—

"I'm sorry."

Kai's grip loosened. He drew away from Tyson.

What was Tyson saying? He had apologized. Did that mean…?

"Did you kiss him?" The thought made his skin crawl. Any warmth Tyson's body provided was slowly turning into ice.

Tyson shook his head and scowled. "I was asleep the first time, and the second I kicked him in the balls."

A growl broke free from Kai. He wrapped his free arm around Tyson's waist and moved the other to his love's shoulders. The ice he had felt between them was replace with an inferno, and he refused to let go Tyson. "He kissed you twice?"

Tyson nodded. "Yeah…." The scowl vanished to be replaced with two large eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Kai. I understand if you're mad at me. I just—I just…" Tyson looked down at the floor. His body was tense in Kai's arms. "I hated it."

Silence.

Words escaped Kai. He wanted to say something, but nothing that came to mind could convey what he wanted to say. He could see the self-loathing that burned in Tyson's brown eyes. He could feel the quiver of regret that choked his love, and feel the deep and painful breathes that filled Tyson's chest.

He wouldn't forgive Brooklyn for making Tyson experience such heartache.

Kai released his hold on Tyson.

Tyson smiled; it was fragile and fake. He took a step back. "Thanks for not yelling at me at least. I mean, I know I messed up, but I would have been really pissed if you started yelling at me, cause I—"

Kai cupped Tyson's face in hands. "Shut up."

He pressed his lips against Tyson's. Smirked as Tyson's soft lips moved beneath his to form a perfect "O" shape.

Max looked up from his drawing when he heard a click. He had returned to his room upon arriving after the mansion. He found a notepad, and seated himself at his desk. He had been doodling circles for a while; he needed to keep his hands moving.

Rei had entered the room and was approaching him.

A weight sunk to the pit of Max's stomach. He had known that he would have to lie and keep another secret from Rei when he went to see Brooklyn. He hadn't liked the idea, but he resolved to do it. Now that Rei was in front of him, the guilt felt too heavy to bear.

He flinched when Rei laid a hand on his shoulder.

Rei frowned but didn't let go. "Are you all right?"

Max feigned a laugh. "I thought we were fighting?"

Rei's eyebrows pinched together. His eyes searched Max's face.

Max almost held his breath, but caught himself just in time. If Rei noticed that he was holding his breath, he'd know something was wrong with Max.

Rei looked away. "We need to talk."

"About us?" He wasn't ready. Everything was still so confusing. He needed more answers before he could have this conversation with Rei.

Rei shook his head. "You get to decided when we have that talk." He locked gazes with Max.

It was the perfect response.

Max gulped. It was a little unnerving how well Rei could read him. Perhaps Rei knew more about what Max was going through than he let on? The thought sent a shiver down Max's spine.

"You need to be more careful."

Max rolled his eyes. "Rei—"

"No. I need you to listen, Max." Rei kneeled so he was eye level with Max. "I know you already know about the dangers of the forest, but there may be something out there that is even more dangerous."

Something more dangerous? What could be more dangerous than a werewolf? Max frowned. "What is it?"

He felt Rei's fingers tightened around his shoulder.

"I rather not say until Kai and I can confirm or deny if there really is a threat."

More secrets. Max wanted to be angry, Rei was hiding more things from him, but he knew that would be hypocritical of him.

It felt like a chasm had formed between them. He wanted to reach out and touch Rei—tell him the truth—but a voice in the back of his head wouldn't let him. It kept reminding him how Rei had been the first to keep secrets; it told him that there was no promise that Rei would be honest with him in return. "So I should trust you."

"Max…" Rei's face contorted. His eyes were closed with though but his mouth was twisted with pain: he was fighting with himself. "I don't want to scare you if I don't have to."

"And saying that there is something dangerous out there isn't going to scare me?"

Rei sighed and stood up. "I understand your frustration, but please be careful. I don't want to lose you."

His stomach had been heavy with guilt before, and Rei's words added two more bricks to it. He felt like he was betraying Rei. "I'll try." He knew he would never keep his promise.

Rei smiled. "Thank you." He turned to leave, but paused halfway to the door. "Also, if Tyson starts humming around you it would be best if you left the room."

The song! Max tensed. If he asked would Rei elaborate, or would he keep it to himself? It didn't matter that he already knew why Rei was warning him, he wanted to know if Rei would tell him. He scrunched up his face and stared at Rei. "Care to tell me why?" He laughed weakly. "I mean, he's my best friend," but he wasn't even sure about that any more. Not after the fight they had.

Rei frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. He bit the inside of his cheek and stared ponderously at the floor. "I guess you should know." He unfolded his arms. "Daichi caught Tyson humming a song that vampires use to lure humans. It won't harm you, but it may put you into a daze."

"Oh." Max blinked. He felt happy that Rei had told him the truth, but once again, the weight of guilt increased.

"So if Tyson starts to hum around you and you start to feel strange, will you leave the room?"

"I might ask him to stop first, but," Max shrugged, "yeah, I'll leave if he doesn't. Does Tyson know?"

"I believe Kai is going to talk to him about it."

"Okay."

Silence.

Max wanted to squirm. Rei was still standing in the room as if he wanted to say something more, but he didn't. It made the urge to squirm more enticing.

"You seem to be taking this quite well," Rei voice was full of contemplation. "Are there any other questions you have?"

Max shook his head.

"Are you sure?"

Max nodded.

Rei frowned. He didn't believe Max, Max could tell. However, Rei nodded his head, and slowly turned around.

Max didn't know why Rei wasn't questioning him more. It made him want to stop Rei and ask him some questions of his own. He refrained though. However, he couldn't stop the words that slipped through his lips as he watched the retreating vampire's back. "Hey Rei."

Rei tilted his head back.

"Thanks."

Due to the angle of Rei's head, Max could not see half of his face, but he could still detect a small smile on Rei's lips.

Rei closed the door as he left the room.

Max frowned and turned back to the notepad on his desk. He glanced out the window. Soon everyone would go to sleep, and that's when he would make his move.

He was going to get his answers.

"I wanna disappear. I'm hearing myself thinking too clear. It's too quiet in here."

Quiet-Demi Lovato

Author's Rambles: Let me just say this: Yay! Not only is this a long chapter, but more than half of it was recently written. I tried to mimic my old style of writing, so hopefully it's not too different. I did struggle with the end quote though. I was torn between the one above and "Who do you think you are, runnin' around leavin' scars, collectin' your jar of hearts?" (Jar of Hearts-Christina Perri). One was lyrically more fitting (Quiet) and the other was better tonally (Jar of Hearts). Anyway, please share your thoughts, and you are all awesome!