Chapter 10

The trip from the park to the office was quick and awkward. Krysta walked swiftly so she would be a few paces in front of Andreios. Every now and then he would catch up with her. She would shrug then walk a notch faster than him. Soon he stopped his attempt to walk with her and settled for walking behind.

Krysta and Andreios reached the dimly lit building and went straight into the room they met in earlier that day. It looked exactly the same except there were ingredients and potions on the desk. Vasili, Ruby and Roseclear were already in their seats. Krysta and Andreios took their seats.

"We'll cut right to the chase," Ruby said with a smile. "Have you fed in the last ten hours Krysta?"

"No."

"Good." Ruby nodded to Roseclear who was waiting for her signal. Roseclear started mixing something right in front of the vampires. "You see the spell looses its power after thirty minutes so it has to be prepared only now. After thirty minutes the drink will have no effect to anyone anymore."

In the next few minutes everyone in the room was silent and watched Roseclear make the spell. Then Ruby spoke again. "Once Krysta drinks the spell she will not automatically sleep. She would be as if she drank a large amount of human blood in a small amount of time. She will be–"

"A drunk vampire," Krysta added. Ruby nodded.

"It will last probably thirty minutes as well. That would buy you enough time to take her home," Ruby said to Vasili. "During the thirty minute period her powers will fluctuate. They will peak and then diminish near the end of that thirty minute period. She will be unable to use her telepathic powers, fight, lengthen her teeth and any vampire abilities. Then she will just... sleep." She finished with clicking her fingers. To Krysta she asked, "have you got your belongings with you?"

"They're at my apartment. All packed."

"Good. Andreios or Vasili will just collect them. Although, there are clothes supplied in your apartment so that your taste of clothes is unquestionable."

"That's fine."

"It is ready," Roseclear spoke. She looked slightly tired but she was proud to have finished the spell and see it work.

"Alright," Ruby said with a tone of finality. She handed Roseclear a glass where Roseclear poured transparent liquid. It looked like water. As Krysta stood Ruby asked, "Any more questions?"

"None," she replied, then took the glass and drank it all. Krysta's mind started swirling. She felt dizzy yet she felt high. When she finished drinking the glass' contents she heard Ruby say distantly "welcome to humanity." Roseclear smiled along with Ruby.

Krysta then felt strong hands grab her just above her elbows. She didn't realize she had almost collapsed. The strong hands belonged to a beautiful face... She couldn't remember his name...Vasili...That's right. She looked into his eyes. "Thanks Vas," she said in a detached voice and smiled madly. Her vision was dimming but she could still make out Vasili's face look of anguish.

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Minutes later she realized she was in Vasili's car. Someone was in the back with her... someone... she loved. Someone that loved...her. Krysta looked at the person's face. Yes she remembers him, the brother of Vasili. He was holding her. His arms were around her and she realized she was leaning on him...why? For support probably, she thought to herself. He was stroking her hair as if to calm her.

Krysta looked up into his face... "I love y–"Krysta began to say slowly then laughed wildly. What was she saying? He was... he was Andreios.. His name is Andreios.. Then again Krysta's world dimmed... She didn't want to go...now that she recognized Andreios.. Andreios, she called with her mind. When Andreios didn't look at her she tried again. Then she knew her powers weren't working... instead she shouted "NO!!"

Then she sagged unconscious.

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The next time she woke up was at an apartment. She recognized it as the brothers' apartment. She was lying in someone's bed. Andreios and Vasili were walking out the door. The room was dark. The curtains drawn. All light were cut off as the door was closed.

Krysta felt cold. Something she never felt before. Something she never felt when she was a... when she was... something. She couldn't remember what... I want to remember, she thought. Her head was reeling as if it had been hit with a big club... She felt as if she were sinking... falling into the darkness... no! she thought... nooo... I want to remember!!! That was her last thought before passing out, not realizing she had shouted these last words.

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Vasili and Andreios sat in silence in their living room. That usually meant that they wanted to talk. If they didn't one or the other would have left already. But both brothers were still thinking. Vasili went to read Andreios' mind and was surprised that he had blocked it. He had walls around his thoughts, Vasili realized. I guess he's taking Krysta's warning seriously. Vasili could have broken through his walls thought, his defenses weren't that strong but Vasili did not push it.

Slowly Andreios lifted his eyes from the floor and fixed his gaze at his brother. He noticed the way Vasili sat confidently. He's so strong, Andreios thought. This probably doesn't even affect him. Then Andreios met his brother's eyes squarely. Both pairs of eyes as intense as the other.

"I love her," Andreios said. It was softer than a whisper, a thought that escaped his lips.

Vasili laughed out loud. It was the release he had waited for. "You and I already knew that little brother."

"No... I mean, I love her..." Andreios spoke again looking at the room where Krysta lay. His voice sounded confused. "I should n ot have let her be changed. Liten to her! She's hysterical! Did you hear her? She wants to remember!"

"It was her choice Rei," Vasili replied realizing that this was the first time he had spoken to his brother alone regarding the mission. " The only thing we can do for her is to be as strong as we can to help her when she wakes."

"Damn it! Why did it have to be her? One of us?"

"Well, we volunteered," Vasili replied calmly.

"You know Krysta told me something the night we recieved the brief," Andreios said and paused. He had Vasili's attention now. "And she's right. They're hiding something about this mission."

"Mmm.." Vasili thought about what Andreios had said.

"They knew we would volunter Vas," Andreios confirmed. "Why do you think a lot of this mission was already prepared?"

"Maybe they're just organized," Vasili retorted enjoying being the pessimist of the conversation.

"And why do you think they don't want Krysta back until we have finished?"

"Maybe..." Vasili said slowly becoming annoyed at Andreios, "they're right. She might interfere If she becomes a vampire halfway through the mission the hunters might realise."

"But maybe they know that she knows something," Andreios spoke quickly now, his analytical mind shooting ideas at him. "Maybe there's something they think she may know." He paused. "She probably didn't even know she knew something! Oh Krysta.. They're hiding something and maybe they think she's capable of solving it! If only we had the power to –"

"Speaking of power..." Vasili interrupted.

"What about power?"

"Well, you're going to need to feed on humans a lot... if you want to protect your... beloved Krysta," Vasili said with distaste when he mentioned Krysta being Andreios' beloved. He smiled sardonically.

"Uhmm.. She did offer me her blood. But I refused," Andreios replied matter-of-factly.