Chapter 4

The apartment looked just like it had been two months ago, Krysta noted to herself. Impressed? Vasili asked. Krysta made a sarcastic face at Vasili. She realized that it was obvious that she was at awe of how well they maintained the place after years of scolding the brothers for a messy apartment. "I'm glad that the two of you have decided to care about the place," Krysta stated. "Well done on the efforts," Krysta continued this time speaking to Vasili as she saw images in his head of him cleaning the place up. She smiled at the two genuinely but Andreios looked distracted. He wanted to get down to business so he called the others to the table which he cleared of newspapers.

The three couldn't decide on who was to read the brief first. Krysta said that she didn't need to, all she needed was to watch the person reading it and all they have to do is keep their mind clear and it will be like she was reading it along with them. Between the brothers it was clear that Andreios had an overwhelming interest so Vasili gave the job to him. After training with Vasili for most of her life Krysta knew that Vasili wanted to read it but his love for his brother, although not shown openly, made him let his younger brother do it. Vasili's love for him was so strong that he would give his life up for him. The two were as different as night and day one being kind hearted the other, cold. Just before they started reading through the folder Krysta spoke.

"Vas, you should go hunt," she said sardonically. "You've been planning it for a while, in very good detail I must say," she continued with a knowing smile. She knew how he felt and admired his love for his brother since she never had any siblings. Vasili laughed warmly at her suggestion and said, "Nothing much gets past you Krys. I'll take you up on your suggestion, I'm faaamished." He gave her a wicked smile then continued, "I'll leave you and lover boy here to read, but make sure you share any progress with me." He laughed again matching his wicked smile; even his eyes seemed to sparkle as if there was more than one progress that could happen. In an instant he was out the apartment door. Looser, Krysta called to Vasili from inside the room.

I'm flattered, Vasili replied amused. I must say I think I saw you blush before I left. Krysta laughed in his mind, it sounded harsh and piercing. Even Andreios heard it because Krysta saw him flinch. That wasn't blushing Vas, Krysta continued, that was me saying Get A Life! With that Krysta told Andreios to start reading. Over two hours passed when Andreios finished reading everything. It took a long time to get through because after every few lines Andreios would stop and make a comment and wouldn't continue until Krysta answered his questions. Soon Vasili was on his way back, after a successful hunt, when Krysta called him to her. They conversed telepathically while he was traveling back to the apartment. He projected to her images of his hunt, which to Krysta went out exactly as she had seen in his mind earlier. She then showed Vasili what they have been doing during that time. By the time he arrived at the apartment it was as if he never left the room.

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"So lets summarize the brief again," Vasili suggested. "One of us," he paused, "will be erased of their memory and basically be a vermin," he paused the second time then continued with a disgusted look on his face, "a human!"

"Not erased of memory," Andreios interjected, "it will be blocked off while doing the mission. Vampire hunters are not stupid, they can tell vampires from humans. The memory will be returned after."

"Well I certainly don't know of any decent vampire who would take this opportunity gladly," Vasili responded. "I would never accept that role, even if I was a goody-good like you Rei. There are too many risks." Then silence tore the room. Vasili didn't realize that he had raised his voice. The thought of one of them turning human sent chills down his spine.

"Brother," Andreios started, "I wi—"

"I'll do it," Krysta spoke, not letting Andreios finish. Both brothers were genuinely surprised. Krysta had been thinking about taking up the role of being human, it didn't seem bad although Vasili was right, there were too many risks involved.

"Why?" Vasili asked. He obviously did not expect Krysta to agree with such a role and certainly not volunteer so easily.

"I have my reasons Vas," Krysta answered, "I don't intend to share them with you, naturally. But as you know I would do anything needed to uncover my parents' killers." She paused giving the other vampires time to understand what she had said. "Andreios," she continued, "I know you'd like to take the role but it is for your best interest that you don't."

"What do you mean Krys?" Andreios clearly confused.

"Krysta," She corrected Andreios instinctively. She saw him recall the conversation they had the day before and saw his face look hurt, if only she could take back what she said. She didn't mean to say it but it had escaped her lips. She saw him nod accepting the correction. "I fear that if you have a taste of being human that you will be tempted to stay one forever," Krysta declared. "Being human is not a temptation to a vampire who hates humans, but you Andreios," she paused, "you feel for everything. You are unlike others, you are a good soul." Krysta stopped talking amazed with what she had just said and angry with herself for saying it.

Andreios was overwhelmed with what he had just heard. This was one of the rare moments in which the true Krysta spoke, the Krysta he had always loved. She understands me, Andreios thought. Vasili was surprised too with Krysta, he had known Krysta to have the ability to be nice, but it had been a long time since she had been nice. After their parents were killed she had become like a stone placed in fire. It becomes colder and stronger amongst the heat that surrounds it. Vasili was even more surprised to know that she saw his brother as a good soul. She is unpredictable, Vasili thought. Great, Krysta thought, now they have an insight on what I feel. Goodbye reputation.

To change the subject Krysta decided to proceed with her lists of reasons. "Besides," she spoke as if to defend herself from an accusation, "if you," she said referring to Andreios, "pose as a human it would be not as believable as if I toke the role the reason being that you and Vas look horrifyingly the same," she paused when she heard Vasili chuckle at her opinion and raised her hand to stop Andreios from protesting. "If the vampire hunters do figure out that Vasili is a vampire they wouldn't hesitate to attack a human who looked close enough to be Vasili's brother," she took a deep breath. "And lastly and more importantly, well how is it that a human is biological brothers with a lamia vampire?" She concluded knowing that she has won the debate.

She would be a human, Krysta thought. She would be allowed to feel. She stood up and stretched. "It's getting late. I suspect that you both have agreed with my decision of taking the role of human. I'll see you tomorrow then," she said quietly and began to leave.

"We'll meet at the training ground like today," Vasili said with a sort of detached voice. He understood and agreed the points Krysta made but he wasn't sure if that was what she really wanted. I'll talk with her seriously before the meeting tomorrow, he thought. Krysta nodded at the plan for tomorrow and left.

The two brothers didn't need to accompany or remind Krysta to be careful of drunk or homeless people that she may encounter. They knew as well as she did that she could defend herself from such petty assaults. Her only problem would be if she came across a pack of renegade Night People who might want her dead for some reason, or the more feared alternative would be a group of vampire hunters. She could defeat one or two guaranteed, but if six or seven ambushed her she has a slimmer chance. Krysta smiled at the thought. That would be a good challenge, she thought. She could outrun them or outmaneuver them, but she thought, she would think about that only if, and when she has to.

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Krysta arrived back in her medium sized apartment. It was on the fifth floor and overlooked the city. It has been her home for almost six years. Before that the trio had always moved from town to town paranoid that their parents' killers were going to find them. They lived together too. They lied to the landlords telling them that their parents allowed them to stay in their own apartment. The landlords believed although skeptic but they thought that in this day and age parents allow their children a lot of things. As Krysta grew up, and as she made herself more isolated and callous, she announced that she would be moving to a separate apartment. She looked out her bedroom balcony as she recalled their families.

Both their parents were rich, although Krysta's family was wealthier and more renowned than the Stonehawks because they're related to the Redferns who go way back. The Stonehawks line had been living in Spain for generations. Andreios' and Vasili's family were the first to migrate to another country. Vasili mentioned something to do with their parent's work. The Redferns were the royal family of vampires. All the treasures and wealth their families had now belonged to them. They worked occasionally to earn extra money or when they're bored. It was usually only Andreios though. Krysta and Vasili were not all that eager to interact with humans. That was how they paid the apartment and any other things they wished to buy.

Krysta walked back to her bed and flopped in it freely. It had been a long day and now that she was alone she didn't care if she moved with finesse. She lied there trying to soak up the softness of her bed. Krys? A voice asked.

Andreios? Is that you? Krysta replied slightly surprised that he had the guts to call her. It must be important she decided.

Yeah, its me. What are you doing?

Um.. Krysta turned her head left and right viewing herself. I'm lying on my bed arms and legs everywhere, I'm tired as hell.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Pause then, hey listen Krysta, can I come over there for a while?

Krysta sat up on the bed not expecting to hear that. Come to think of it, she didn't know what she was expecting to hear. Ah, okay Rei, but be careful on your way here okay? She replied.

Of course I will. Hey Krysta are you hungry? I could bring you some food.

You're going to bring me a human? Krysta asked astonished. Andreios only hunted and fed on animals. It was partly why he was a weak vampire, plus he hardly ever fed. Krysta preferred to drink criminal's blood. They're condemned to be punished anyway.

Um.. no. I have refrigerated animal blood. I just thought you might want some. But if you don't its—

No, it would be fine Rei. Krysta intervened and laughed softly. I guess it's the thought that counts right? Besides, I haven't fed today yet. Be sure you talk to me along the way so I know you're still alive and kicking. Not to mention annoying.