To everyone who has been reading this. My deep apologies for ALL my grammar mistakes and spelling errors or whatever else. After writing my first draft copy on a notebook, with almost unreadable writing, I carelessly, not to mention quickly retyped it on the computer. I have not had the chance, until now, to read the final posted story and locate any errors. I will make sure to rewrite the chapters again without errors. i appreciate your continued reading and reviews. much love ya'll.

Chapter 11

"She did?" Vasili asked curiously unable to hide his intrigue. No one between the three of them had ever offered their own blood to someone within the group, or to Vasili's knowledge, with anyone else. Neither Vasili nor Krysta would have wanted to share their strength for they knew strength meant power. And power was vital. Andreios did not have much strength to share anyway.

"Yeah. But not in a sort of uniting way, not even the faintest hint of loving way," Andreios replied his face reddening. The other reason for vampires to share blood was to unite or to show affection. Same goes with vampire's exchanging blood with humans. But that was forbidden in the Night World laws.

"I see. Well you shouldn't have done that Rei. It's not like she offers someone her blood everyday."

"Those were her exact words."

"It would have taken her," he glanced towards the door of his room where they left Krysta, "a lot of courage to do that. To... to offer her strength and you shut her down. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a nastier vampire after this mission. And it would be your fault."

"What do you mean?"

"She doesn't always show her kinder side does she Rei?"

"No, but –"

"But she even surprises herself sometimes when she does." Vasili paused to smile. "Believe me, she's nice to you brother. Well at least she tries to be. When you refused to take her blood she might decide to never be kind because her efforts are shut down." The smile was gone now. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, I..." Andreios started to reply but became distracter. "Can you feel her?" Andreios asked alarmed.

"Yes," Vasili replied tonelessly.

"Her life force... it's declining..."

"Of course it would, you knew that was going to happen." As vampires are superior beings to humans they have a higher, stronger life force than all humans. This enables them to be faster and powerful than humans. With Krysta's becoming human her life force would decrease to the level of a human's, Vasili thought.

"You're right. I... I just thought for a moment that... she was dying."

"Honestly Andreios sometimes you forget you are a vampire." He bared his long white teeth at Andreios. Vasili's tone had changed, so has his mood. He was angry at his naïve brother. Their quality time had ended. "I'm hungry, I'm going to eat. You should eat too. On a human, not some rat –"

"I won't feed on a human," Andreios stammered.

"If you don't I'll bring one back for you especially. I always thought you liked 'take aways'." He laughed out loud. A sound of evil. It sounded foreign amongst the hushed conversation they've been having earlier.

"I don't want you to bring home a human Vasili," Andreios shouted to his brother. Vasili had already stood up and began striding towards the apartment door. "I don't want to be strong!" Andreios added with the same volume. He stood up too.

Vasili stopped. His hand resting on the doorknob. With his back to his brother he replied. "Not even for Krysta?" His voice was low and quiet, only meant for his brother to hear. Then Vasili was gone.

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Andreios was dumbfounded. He sat down again trying to calm himself. He rarely lost control of his temper. For a long while he sat on the sofa thinking of Vasili's last question. He wasn't sure of his answers. Later he sat on a chair next to where Krysta slept. He watched her twist and turn restlessly in her sleep. He watched her beautiful face which right then looked tight with tension. If only he could do something to make her sleep peacefully, he thought.

He continued to watch her until the night sky started to lighten, hoping he would find an answer to Vasili's question. If only he could talk to her, he thought. She would help me answer Vasili's question. But she couldn't answer me now because she is going through hell, Andreios remembered as he saw Krysta's face with beads of sweat all over.

It was then, when Andreios watched Krysta sleep feverishly, he found his answer. "Krysta is going through hell for me, for Vasili and our parents. She is going through hell to be weak. I should go through my hell. To embrace what I am. To be strong and truly be a vampire." Andreios spoke to the room. He took Krysta's hands, put it against his lips and kissed it both. He held her warm hand against his cool pale skin and whispered, "for you I will be strong."

He left her side that morning and he started feeding on humans again. The first time he had since just after his parents died. It was good to taste human blood again. It tasted so much better than any animal's blood. It felt good to succumb to his dark side knowing he was becoming stronger – for Krysta.

He fed on criminals of course. And the city alleys were abundant of them. They're the ones Krysta liked. She was fair. She chose her victims carefully, making sure they deserved what she would do to them. So unlike Vasili whose preferences are innocent girls with long legs and big breasts. He laughed to himself as he thought this, he had just finished drinking to the limit he can take from a person without killing them. He had just finished feeding on his third crinimal.