I awoke to a bed of feathers and a blinding ray of morning light. Stretching my muscles and yawning with pleasure, my vision finally adjusted. Zero wasn't beside me. Did the events of last night cease to exist?

I could scarcely recall the heat, the soft moans, the fluff and shredded bed sheets, but a smile remained glued to my blushing face regardless.

Then reality began to take its toll. I remembered that the genetic curse was slowly eating away at my heart, and that there was only one solution to such a fate. However sucking a Pureblood Kuran dry wasn't exactly an appealing meal.

A torn piece of lined paper lay on the wooden desk next to the four-post bed. Picking it up with my small, dainty fingertips, I read aloud.

Kaname is the only Kuran bloodsucker left. I suggest him being the main meal. Tonight. I'll offer a hand holding the bastard down if you'll let me.

P.S, sorry about the pillows.

With love,

Zero.

I sighed with both fear and anticipation. I wasn't exactly keen on consuming the life of my own brother, but if it meant being with Zero for as long as possible, I didn't have a choice.

It was close to nightfall, and the clouds shrouded the moon from giving the only source of light. But to my advantage, I at least had my vampire eyes. Bloodlust increased vision and heightens my senses like mad, as well as brightening my irises to a more vibrant red. I only then realised how badass my abilities were and it was quite strange; last night, I felt hopeless and insecure. Now I felt nothing but a seeping urge to kill and take what I deserved.

I only then realised how thirsty Zero must have been. How long has he endured his cravings for blood? Surely he wasn't only surviving on blood tablets? Or was he? I began to panic. No, he needs blood, my blood.

"Val." His voice warmed my heart. Instantly, I revealed my neck to him, pulling my shirt so desperately that I almost tore the material. Drink, dammit.

"Hurry. You need this." I spoke my words firmly so he would give in, digging my nail across my throat so blood would flow, so he couldn't hold back.

"No! I can't, Val. I can't drink from you, not anymore. I'll lose control like I did once. I can't risk it happening again! That's why I've forced myself to digest those disgusting blood tablets. So I wouldn't fall into that trap again. I can't hurt you like that again." Zero was struggling even more so than I was. His hands were covering his mouth, his nose, his eyes flashing so brightly it was like a neon light.

"Just do it!" I snapped, forcing myself onto him.

As if a switch was flipped, he grabbed my wrists with his fangs already protruding. His lips curved and ripped into a vicious snarl as my body fell onto the damp ground, my fingers clutching the grass and my mind continually being reminded of the pain to come.

However, with the way Zero began to lick my neck with his hot tongue; the way he buried his face into it; the way his pelvis pressed against mine; the way his teeth lightly grazed my flesh; it was almost erotic. A love bite.

Then the pain seared through my veins, cutting deep as his sharp molars did. I held back a scream, biting my lips and clutching his back, his neck, his torso, gripping onto his body as much as physically possible, reminding myself that I was still in his heart, regardless of the beast he became within those brief moments of electrifying ecstasy.

By the time he removed the blood from his chin, straightened his clothes and ruffled his already tangled hair, I was still on the ground with merciless breaths. I could sense the guilt he was experiencing, but it didn't matter. He needed what he received.

"Come on, get up." His voice was sharp, but it didn't faze me.

"Don't act like you're pissed off just because I gave you a bit of blood." I brushed the dirt off my skinny jeans and sweater, running my fingers through my silky hair.

"Heh, you expect me to be grateful? I could have killed you, once again." He retorted. Boo-hoo, I thought. He has to deal with the possibilities of me getting hurt. I'm used to it.

"At least I'm willing to sacrifice my life. I care about you and you're going to have to deal with it."

"Caring about me has almost gotten you killed, Val. Hell, you even attempted to freakin kill yourself."

"Whatever. I had a right to feel what I did." I snapped.

"You have a right to start living."

I stopped there. Why were we arguing ? Of course, I needed to remain alive, but I'm willing to take risks, especially for his sake.

"I'm sorry, it's just I love you too much, Zero." I apologized, hoping he'd soften up a bit by hearing those words. I loved those words. They'd lighten up any conversation.

"I love you too, but we need to think rationally here. I don't want you dying on me. I can't lose anyone else in my life."

Tears were going to fall, but I held them back. It's time that I start being a stronger woman. It's time that I start making the right decisions. I need to do what I have to do to keep alive. To keep my heart beating for Zero.

"Zero," I met his eyes without a doubt in my mind. "Let's go to Kaname."