Richie lies beside Kate while she sleeps, her face calm, peaceful. For so long he clung to the idea that she was safe and living the life she deserved, wanted. The thought of her happiness was the only thing that consoled him during those times when the emptiness was so overwhelming he felt dead inside, like decaying matter slowly decomposing into a big mass of nothingness, and not even his brother - the only other person he loved in this entire fucking world - could pull him out of that darkness. And in the end, all that pain and suffering was for nothing.

She stirs next to him, moaning, her eyebrows furrowed, causing him to wonder if she's having a nightmare. He threads his fingers through her hair, gently, comforting her. If what he suspects is true, then she's in for one hell of a battle, and this time he and Seth will be there to fight by her side. She'll never have to deal with anything alone again, even if she doesn't want their help. "I think I know why the attacks got worse."

"Why?" Seth probes.

"Because." Richie traces the curve of her cheek. "I don't think she's human anymore."

"What?" Instantly Seth is on his feet, yanking Richie towards him. "What the fuck does that mean?"

"Want to keep your voice down? You're the one who said she needs her rest, remember?"

Seth looks frustrated as hell, like he's ready to explode any second if Richie doesn't answer his questions.

"Help me up," Richie continues, pointing to the hallway.

Seth takes off his jacket and throws it on the chair before helping him stand up. Parts of his body still feel numb but Richie manages to hobble to the hallway with Seth by his side. Once the door is shut behind them, Richie leans back against the wall for support.

"Enough with the stalling. What the hell do you mean she's not human?" Seth demands.

"Was I not speaking English?"

"Want a black eye to go with that limp body?"

Richie smirks, pulling out a cigarette from the inside of his jacket pocket. Seth lights the cigarette for him and Richie inhales a long breath, the smoke burning the back of his throat. He loves that feeling, he always has. "When I showed up here, she had all these bruises on her arms and shoulders. They were pretty brutal."

"How?"

"I think she was attacked."

"Fuck!" Seth growls, angry at himself.

"The bruises are completely gone now. Like they were never there to begin with."

Seth arches his eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. "And?"

"Her blood. It's... amazing. It's like nothing I've tasted before."

"Are you kidding me? That's what you're basing this crazy-ass shit on?" Seth shakes his head, exasperated. "Fucking unbelievable."

"Listen to me, you idiot. I'm telling you the truth. I don't know what she is, but I know she's not just human. It's almost like she' s a culebra but not really. I mean she can obviously still get hurt, and she doesn't heal right away but it's still quicker than how a normal person would heal. And there's this..." Richie scrunches up his face, trying to find the right words to describe his thoughts. "Her blood, it just kinda hums in your throat."

Seth throws his hands up in the air. "You're high, Richie. That venom fucked up your brain."

"I'm telling you, bro, something's up. She glows. I mean, she's always glowed. That's probably why I didn't even notice it when I first saw her tonight. But now that light isn't dim, it's full-on bright, like blindingly bright, and I think that's why the vampires keep coming after her. They can sense there's something different about her blood."

Seth stares at him, disbelief written all over his features. "So you think she's some kind of half-human, half-vampire glowstick? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense."

"We have to tell her."

"Tell her what? We don't know anything! Why freak her out? Let's just find out what the hell is going on first."

"She has a right to know, Seth. I don't want to keep things from her anymore."

The door opens all of a sudden and Kate is standing there, angry, confused. Beautiful. "What's going on? What are you hiding from me?"

Seth casts a quick glance in Richie's direction before turning his attention back on Kate. "Richie's a little fucked in the head right now. He's not making any sense."

"No, Seth. I'm fine." Richie catches her gaze, holds her stare for several seconds, wishing there was some way he could ease her pain at what's about to come next. "I think I know why the vampires keep attacking you."

She swallows an audible breath, eyes brimming with trepidation. "Why?"

"Richie, don't," Seth warns.

"Seth, shut up!" she shrieks, sounding desperate. "I want answers. You owe me that at least."

"Yeah, I do." Richie takes a step forward, cigarette dangling between his fingers. "That night I gave you my blood, I think something changed within you. Or maybe there's another reason why, I don't know."

Seth shakes his head, muttering to himself. "This is nuts."

"Spit it out, Richie!"

If he had a working heart, it would be pounding in his chest right now. A cloud of gloom and dread hangs over his head; he feels sick to his stomach. He takes one last puff of his cigarette - liquid courage in vapour form - before butting it out against the wall. "You're not human anymore, Kate. I think you're some unknown form of culebra. Not like me, but similar."

He expects shock, rage, possibly denial, but when Kate starts laughing he's the one astonished. And taking in Seth's dumbfounded expression, so is his brother.

"You think I'm a fucking vampire?" Kate expels between giggles. "Really? You're supposed to be the smart brother and this is what you came up with?"

"Guess that means I'm the pretty one," Seth says.

Richie's impatient gaze wavers back and forth between Seth and Kate, waiting for them to snap out of it. "I'm not just talking out of my ass here."

"No bro, I think you are."

Richie reminds himself to stay calm, be patient. "Kate, you had all those bruises earlier today. They're gone now."

"Yeah, so? People heal."

"That quickly?" Richie counters, leveling her with a keen stare. "That's not possible."

"Whatever. That doesn't mean I'm a vampire."

"But you're not exactly human either." Something flickers in her gaze - maybe fear, possibly irritation - and he realises his words are finally hitting home. "You have this bright light around you now and I think all vampires see it. They can tell right away there's something unique about you. That's why they keep coming after you."

"Bright light? What, like an aura?" she asks.

"No, that's ridiculous."

"Oh, that's ridiculous?" Seth pipes in.

"Then what do you mean? Do I sparkle or something?" Kate's eyes narrow, filled with disgust. "Are you really trying to use Twilight lines on me now?"

"Okay, Princess." Seth steps in between them. "Calm down."

"No, I'm not going to calm down. And I'm not going to listen to this shit. I'm not a vampire! I don't drink blood, remember?"

"I never said you were a full vampire. Obviously you've retained a lot of your human-"

"Stop talking about me like I'm some kind of freak!" Kate yells.

"You're not a freak," Richie says calmly. "You're unique, and amazing. I wish you could see yourself the way I do."

Their gazes lock, fixated on each other. Even if he wanted to look away, it would be impossible. He can feel the excitement that's slowly starting to build and take hold of her senses. The connection between them has always been strong, intense, but now it's amplified to the extreme, and he wonders if it's because he's the one who turned her.

"I'm not falling for this," Kate bites out, her guard up again. "The two of you can go to hell."

"Hell's gonna have to do without us for a while," Seth snarks. "Richie and I are sticking around. You're not going to be fighting those bloodsuckers alone."

"Too little too late. I don't need you anymore."

"Maybe we need you," Richie speaks up, joining his brother.

"Tough shit. I have things to do, and a life of my own. The two of you don't get to barge in and screw it up again just because you feel like it." She slams the door shut in their face.

Seth pounds on the door. "My jacket's still in there, Princess."

"Get lost!"

Seth turns around, levels him with a condescending glare. "Really? Glowstick? That was the best you could come up with?

Richie shrugs his shoulders. "It's the truth."

"Yeah, great. Did us a lot of good."

"How about you quit your whining so we can go get a room? Think you can handle that?"

They start walking down the hallway, towards the elevators.

"You got off easy, Richard. You realise that, right?"

"Fuck you."

"I'm surprised she didn't stake you."

"I'm surprised she didn't shoot you."

The elevator doors open and they step inside.

Seth hits the ground button. "It's been a long fucking night. I want a beer, a bed-"

"And Kate?" Richie taunts, looking at his brother.

"Fuck you."

Smirking, Richie returns the sentiment by flipping off his brother.