Chapter 3: First Encounter
Asbel opened his eyes to an orange-tinted landscape.
For a moment, he only blinked in confusion, trying to recall where he was. Sitting against a tree, not far from the road, the sun setting on the horizon. By his side, Richard slept, his head resting on Asbel's shoulder.
Asbel remembered; they had left the village, and paused for lunch. Asbel had only meant to nap for a few minutes, but… well, he had lost a lot of blood the night before. Maybe he was still recovering. Maybe.
Trying not to dwell on it, he shifted, touching Richard's cheek gently. Asbel was sure Richard hadn't been leaning on him when he went to sleep, and it was surprising that the weight on his shoulder didn't wake him up. While Asbel hadn't been born a light sleeper, his training was supposed to have fixed that. Hunters couldn't afford to sleep heavily.
Richard mumbled, half-asleep, shifting against Asbel's shoulder before finally opening his eyes. He blinked slowly, lids heavy, before looking through long yellow lashes to meet Asbel's gaze.
"Hey," Asbel whispered, unable to hold back his smile.
Richard's cheeks colored, and he sat up at once. "I'm sorry. I must've fallen while I slept."
"It's fine," Asbel replied, smile widening. "I don't mind. It's not like I was awake myself."
"You were asleep?"
"Yeah," he scratched his cheek, smile turning sheepish. "I guess I'm still a little tired after yesterday."
Richard's gaze fell, and Asbel regretted his words instantly. Way to make Richard feel even more guilty about drinking his blood.
"It's no big deal," he blurted, trying to amend the situation, "The presence I felt earlier is still moving towards here. It must not have detected me yet." It was surprising, in fact; the presence was awfully close. Most vampires would've sensed him by then. "We should get ready and move towards it."
Richard blinked. "Won't it just run in the opposite direction?"
"A vampire's ability to detect hunters isn't as accurate as our ability to detect them. They don't train as we do, so they are unable to pinpoint a direction. They only have a general sense that a hunter is nearby." He paused. "Wait, are you able to sense exactly where I am?"
Richard shook his head. "I'm not. But I assumed I was simply defective, and other vampires could do it."
His tone made Asbel's chest tighten. "Don't worry about it. You're normal." At least in that one aspect; Richard was unlike any other vampire when it came to everything else. "But this means that if we get separated, you should wait for me to find you rather than looking for me, okay?"
"You think we might get separated today?"
"Maybe. I'll be running full speed towards the target to make sure it doesn't escape, and you might not be able to keep up." Running was something hunters did very, very well.
Richard seemed uncomfortable at the idea, but he nodded. "Then we should go before they detect us."
They gathered their bags, and once they were ready, the running began. Asbel increased his pace progressively, and to his surprise, Richard was able to keep up with him most of the time. Only when he was almost at full speed did Richard begin lagging behind; Asbel decided to slow down just enough for Richard to catch up. The difference was minor, and it was better not to risk losing him.
Tracking the presence took them into a forest, and Asbel found himself dodging tree trunks, roots and bushes on his way. The sun finished setting and night fell, bathing them in darkness; the stars and the crescent moon's pale glow did little to illuminate through the trees' thick canopies. Asbel's eyes adapted quickly. Richard's must have done so almost instantly.
The presence was no longer moving. Finally sensed me, Asbel thought. From the way it froze in place, the creature must've become terrified, unable to choose which direction to run. It would make Asbel's job easier.
The forest became denser, branches tugging on their clothes as they ran. They were getting close. In a minute, no, less, they would reach their target. The presence shifted, wavered. By the time it decided to run, it would be too late.
Up ahead, the dark forest opened into a moonlit clearing. Asbel rushed towards it, not thinking twice; his target was beyond it, only a few paces away. So close. He stepped out of the forest and into the clearing, almost there—
The presence flickered.
And disappeared.
Asbel gasped, eyes widening, stopping so suddenly that Richard almost ran into him. He froze, heart racing, desperately looking around, trying to process what could have happened. Where had it gone? How could it just disappear?
"Asbel, why—"
Richard's voice faded. They heard muffled footsteps. Approaching slowly, taking their time. Asbel threw his backpack to the ground, heart in his throat as he took a defensive stance. Richard did the same. They waited.
Figures emerged from the dense forest. They stepped into the clearing, seven people in total, forming a circle around Asbel and Richard. All of them had bright red eyes.
And Asbel couldn't detect a single vampiric aura.
Hand hovering over the hilt of his sword, Asbel didn't dare moving an inch. His skin was clammy with cold sweat. He could only stare in dismay as one of them stepped forward; a man with silver hair, eyes so narrow they seemed only slits, lips curled into a cruel smirk.
The man chuckled, baring his sharp canines. "My, my, my. Who would've thought that the little hunter wouldn't be alone." His voice was soft, his tone mocking. His smirk widened into a grin. "And, of all people, he's brought the one we have been looking everywhere for. Your uncle will be pleased, Richard!"
"Bryce," Richard murmured, eyes wide with horror.
Asbel was taught to never look away from a foe, but his shock was so great he couldn't keep himself from turning to Richard. "You know him?" he blurted, voice wavering with surprise. "Who are these people? Are they vampires?"
The silver-haired man - Bryce - threw his head back and laughed. It was a piercing, terrifying sound. "Hunters are so narrow-minded. Every single one we've encountered asked the same questions. Maybe if they weren't so easily impressed, they would have lasted longer in battle."
A chill ran down Asbel's spine, his blood growing cold. "You've been luring hunters and killing them."
"Very perceptive, aren't we?" Bryce sneered, drawing a pair of claw-like weapons. He pointed one of them towards Asbel in an offensive battle stance. "But now we've talked enough." Addressing his companions, he spoke, "Lyra, you and me will handle the hunter. The rest of you, take Richard."
And then, without a moment of respite, the vampires sprang into attack.
No time to plan; battle instincts kicking in, Asbel sidestepped to place his back towards Richard's. "Focus on defense!" was all he could yell before the enemies were upon them.
The first attack came from Bryce, claw slashing straight towards Asbel's neck. He raised his sword just in time to parry it, pushing Bryce back - but right as Asbel moved for a counter-attack, a dark-haired woman lunged at him. Like Bryce, her face wore a smirk, her sword a blur aiming for Asbel's heart. Asbel used his sheathe to deflect her attack, swinging his sword to counter, but his blown was interrupted by Bryce's claw. Bryce sneered as he advanced, forcing Asbel to backstep, increasing the distance between him and Richard.
Asbel had no time to think, or even worry about how Richard was doing. Bryce and the woman - Lyra? - attacked relentlessly, forcing him to always stay on the defensive. Asbel had never seen vampires so skilled with weapons in his life; they were supposed to be feral creatures, relying on sheer strength and speed to overpower their foes and subdue them with a bite. Vampires didn't need weapons to fight humans - blades only caused a waste of blood.
And yet Lyra and Bryce were masters. They attacked in perfect unison, timing their advances in a way that Asbel was left with no opportunities to counterattack. They had training, excellent training. Even though Asbel had dispatched far larger groups of vampires before, no fight had ever been as challenging as this.
Asbel gritted his teeth, parrying and sidestepping more blows, wondering when he would have a chance to counterattack. He could hear the sound of swords clashing a few paces to his right, punctuated by grunts and gasps. How was Richard doing? Asbel couldn't look away from his own battle even for a second, but he had to check. When Lyra sprang at him again, he blocked her attack with a wide swing of his sword, pushing both her and Bryce back; at the same time, Asbel backstepped as far as he could, putting a good amount of distance between him and his foes. And, for a moment, he dared to shoot a glance towards Richard's direction.
Richard was struggling to hold his ground against five foes. He was skilled with the rapier, more than Asbel had expected, but his enemies also knew how to wield their weapons. Four of them carried swords, and the fifth, a large half-moon axe. During the few seconds Asbel had his eyes on him, Richard suffered multiple wounds, but all of them healed too fast for him to even bleed. That was good. If Richard could keep those five busy while Asbel dispatched Bryce and Lyra…
Bryce lunged at him once more, and this time Asbel moved a second too late, sharp claws grazing his arm as he sidestepped at the last moment. He felt warm blood dripping from the wound as he lifted his sword to block Lyra's following slash. When their blades met, she grinned at him, licking her lips. Her eyes were wide with bloodlust.
It couldn't go on like this forever. Their attacks must have a pattern; Asbel had to figure it out and find a way to exploit it. Bryce charged again, his claws a blur— Asbel dodged him, and then parried Lyra. Still stuck on the defensive. Again and again, Bryce and Lyra attacked. Asbel felt sweat trickle down his brow, his chest heaving with effort. His foes showed no sign of exertion - well-fed vampires had more stamina than hunters.
That was bad.
Asbel gritted his teeth as they dove for him once more, dodging, parrying, his patience and energy dwindling. It had only been a day since Richard drank his blood, so he was not at the peak of his strength. His muscles were already aching. Dodge, parry, and he managed to step back far enough to glance at Richard once again.
What Asbel saw was alarming.
Two of the vampires were holding Richard's arms, forcing him to drop his rapier. Two more reached for his legs, and no amount of kicking and trashing on Richard's part could stop them. In a moment, Richard was completely immobilized by the four vampires, while the fifth, the bulky axe user, sneered at him.
Asbel had to avert his eyes and focus on his own fight, but he heard what came next.
"End of the line for you, Richard." The bulky vampire's voice was a deep rumble, cold as steel. "You should have listened to your uncle. He won't let you run away again. He won't let you run at all." The man laughed, loud and terrifying. "You know, as impressive as our kind's regeneration is, one thing we can't do is regrow limbs."
Asbel dared another glance. The vampire was raising his axe with both hands. Beneath him, his companions were forcing Richard's right leg to remain stretched. Richard thrashed wildly, screaming, but he was powerless to escape.
No… No, no, NO!
Asbel had no time. Bryce was lunging at him. No time. Asbel feinted a sidestep to his left; Bryce grinned, eyes widening, as if he could taste victory. No time, no time, he had no time. At the last moment, Asbel moved to the right. Bryce's claws dug deep into his left shoulder.
And Asbel buried his sword in Bryce's stomach.
Bryce screamed, shrieked, the adamantine blade burning his flesh with a hissing sound. Next to him, Lyra froze in horror, staring wide-eyed at her dying companion. Asbel ignored the piercing sound of Bryce's cries, using the opportunity to swing his sword to the side, cutting through Bryce's body and into Lyra's waist. His blade cleaved her in a single slash, killing her before she had the chance to make a sound.
Asbel did not pause. Gritting his teeth against the agonizing pain in his shoulder, he dashed towards Richard. Bryce's scream had claimed everyone's attention, leaving the axe wielder with his weapon frozen in midair. He was too stunned to react as Asbel's sword sliced his head clean off his shoulders, sending his body tumbling to one side.
The four remaining vampires dropped Richard to the ground instantly, but they were too late. Asbel's blade cut through the first two before they could even reach for their swords, moving on to slash the third right as he unsheathed his own. The last enemy standing managed to parry his blow, but Asbel whirled his blade and hacked at her legs, finishing her off before her body could fall to the ground.
It was over.
Asbel dropped down to his knees, sword clattering to his side. The pain in his shoulder was excruciating. Tears welled in his eyes as he took in mouthfuls of air, trying to will it down. He had never taken such a grave injury before. How could anything hurt so much? But at least Richard was safe. At least…
Where was he?
Adrenaline pumped through his body once more, making him forget the pain. He found Richard kneeling not far from him, looking at the ground, trembling.
Asbel scuttled towards him, dropping down by his side. "Richard, are you okay?"
Richard stopped shaking after hearing Asbel's voice, but his breath still came in pants. "I'm fine," he muttered, gaze still locked on the ground. He began trembling again.
Asbel tried to embrace him, but attempting to move his left arm increased the pain tenfold. He settled for placing his right arm around Richard's shoulders. "It's okay," he murmured, "They're all dead."
Richard lifted his head, but as soon as his gaze fell upon one of the corpses, he dropped it again. He looked very sick.
Asbel spoke without thinking, "You shouldn't feel bad for them. They were monsters."
Richard winced, shoulders sagging further, and only then did Asbel realize how thoughtless he had been.
"I— I didn't mean— You're different from them. You're different, Richard," he blurted, pulling him close.
Richard didn't reply.
Not knowing what else to do, Asbel only held him. There were so many questions he wanted to ask, but he couldn't do it while Richard was in this state. Everything about this encounter had defied all Asbel knew about vampires. His shoulder throbbed, like a reminder. His head felt light; he had lost a lot of blood.
I need to treat the wound.
Finally letting go of Richard, Asbel stumbled towards his bag. He retrieved one of his best gels, removed his coat and shirt, and began spreading the medicine over the gashes in his shoulder. They were larger than he expected; if Asbel had been a regular human, he would have passed out by now. Even as a hunter, it was surprising he was still conscious.
Next came bandages. Asbel struggled to wrap them around his shoulder with a single hand; after half a dozen tries, all he accomplished was soaking them in blood. He puffed in annoyance, his head spinning from blood loss as he attempted to secure them one more time. Again, he was failing, until a pair of gloved hands took the bandages from him.
It was Richard. He knelt by Asbel's side, and began wrapping his shoulder. Richard's hands trembled as he worked, but he was able to bind the wound tightly. It would be enough to staunch the bleeding. When Richard was done, he looked at Asbel's face, and forced a smile. His eyes, however, remained bleak.
"Thank you," Asbel managed to say, knowing his own expression must have been the same.
Richard's smile softened a little, and he whispered a barely audible 'You're welcome' in return. Then, he stood, and offered Asbel his hand, helping him up.
"There should be another village a day's walk from here," Asbel said, flinging his bag over his good shoulder. "We should head there."
Richard blinked, and then quietly spoke, "Wouldn't it be better to go back to the village we came from? It's closer."
"It's closer to us, but farther from the Order. From now on, we'll be making our way there."
Richard's voice dropped to a murmur. "I thought you said you had to finish patrolling this area before we returned."
"I know," Asbel muttered, eyes drifting towards the corpses scattered on the clearing. "But things have changed."
The village they aimed for was supposed to be a day's walk away, but it took them far longer to arrive. Thanks to his wound, Asbel was forced to stop and rest every couple hours, and his pace could never be too brisk. Even so, despite his permanent exhaustion, he seemed unable to sleep at night. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could think about were vampires with hidden auras stalking them. What little sleep he got was plagued by nightmares.
Richard didn't seem to be doing much better. He was almost as gloomy as when Asbel first met him, his gaze always locked somewhere far away. All of his actions seemed hesitant, afraid. He spoke little, and smiled less. Asbel, in his current state, did not even have the energy to try and cheer him up. His shoulder was healing far slower than he expected, and it throbbed with pain every second. All he wanted to do was to lie still until it healed, but they had to keep moving forward.
Richard treated his wound and changed his bandages twice a day, much to Asbel's chagrin. The last thing he wanted was to burden Richard with such an unpleasant task, especially after subjecting him to such a horrible experience at the hands of those vampires. But Richard was insistent on helping.
And so, going at their slow pace, they arrived at their destination after three days.
It was early morning, but the village was already bustling with activity. It was far larger than the previous one, almost a town by this region's standards; Asbel knew this was one of the larger settlements on this part of the kingdom. While he and Richard received a few stares, none paid much mind to them. Asbel was thankful for it.
The village had three inns, and Asbel picked the one that seemed most empty. They were greeted by a pale man with greasy brown hair, who immediately narrowed his eyes at Richard's hood. Rather than showing his hunter's badge, Asbel opted to pay and conceal his identity. A few extra coins made the innkeeper forget about whatever suspicions he might have had.
This time, they were given a room with two single beds. Upon seeing the mattress and pillows, Asbel had to resist the urge to plop on them and forget everything else. Keeping his self-control, he sat down on the edge of the bed and removed his boots, already treasuring the comfort of even sitting on such a soft surface.
In a moment, Richard sat by his side, gel and bandages in hand. "We're almost running out," he murmured as he waited for Asbel to remove his shirt.
"We can restock before moving on from this village," Asbel replied, pulling his shirt over his head, too tired to undo the buttons. "I might need to rest here for a few days, though. How much do we have?"
"Enough for now and tonight," Richard said quietly, applying the medicine to Asbel's wound. "And maybe for tomorrow morning, though I am unsure."
"Oh." Their stock had dwindled more than Asbel expected. "Well, I guess I can rest a bit for now and we'll go buy it in the afternoon."
Richard's gaze fell, his hands pausing at his task. "I'm sorry. I wish I could go alone while you rested, but I do not think it would be prudent."
Asbel sighed. He also wished Richard could go alone, but it wasn't prudent indeed. If anyone figured out what he was…
On that subject, Asbel had another worry on his mind. "Can I have a look at your eyes?"
Richard blinked, lifting his gaze to meet Asbel's. Pale red irises looked at him from under long yellow lashes; gazing into Richard's eyes so closely, Asbel's heart skipped a beat.
"They're not very red," Asbel blurted, struggling to keep his voice steady. His face was likely redder than Richard's eyes. "It's been a few days since you've fed, and…"
His voice faded. He didn't want to mention that event. But it was a fact that Richard had taken many wounds during that battle, and the healing process must have sapped at his strength. Given how pale his eyes were…
Asbel swallowed. "Richard, how hungry are you?"
Richard hesitated before answering. "I will wait until you are fully healed."
Asbel's gaze fell. Richard must have been in pain, but he couldn't offer him his blood in his current state. "It will be three or four day at most, I promise."
"Please take your time healing, Asbel," Richard replied, mustering a smile. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine."
Asbel opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say a word, Richard cut in:
"Do you think my eyes are pale enough that I can go shopping in your stead?"
Asbel furrowed his brows; the deliberate attempt to change the subject was obvious. "Well, I don't think people would suspect anyone of being a vampire if they were out in the morning. But the sun—"
"It's cloudy today," Richard cut in again, "I will need my hood, but I can see well enough. If anyone inquires, I will say I have a skin condition that prevents me from being under direct sunlight."
Given how un-vampire-like Richard looked, people would easily believe that. However… "It's too dangerous, Richard. What if the sky clears up while you're outside? Then it will be too bright for you to see. You shouldn't go alone."
Richard's gaze fell. For a moment, he was silent, but then he looked up at Asbel again. "Please, Asbel. Let me do this for you."
Asbel hesitated. Richard's eyes were locked on his own, his expression both resolute and pleading. In the end, Asbel couldn't find it in himself to deny him. "Okay. But promise me you'll be careful."
Richard's lips widened into a smile. "I will. Thank you, Asbel."
He resumed treating Asbel's shoulder, the smile not leaving his face. It made Asbel think the risk would be worth it.
Once Richard finished wrapping the bandages, Asbel didn't wait a moment before dropping down on the pillow and closing his eyes. Exhausted as he was, he immediately fell into a deep, dreamless slumber, not even hearing the sound of Richard leaving.
Barely a second seemed to have passed when he woke to knocking at his door. His hunter's senses bristled, the need for alertness fighting the bone-deep tiredness that wanted to keep his eyes locked shut. Forcing them to open was a battle, and when he won, Asbel was surprised at seeing the sun's position from his window; given how much it had shifted, he must have slept for around two hours.
The knocking came again, accompanied by a soft voice, "Asbel?"
"Come in, Richard," he replied, sitting up on the bed.
The door opened, and Richard stepped inside; his expression was content, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He closed the door behind him and walked towards Asbel's bed, sitting on its edge and placing his bag on his lap.
"I bought what we needed," he said, opening the bag and revealing a good amount of bandages and gel. "And a little something for you, as well." He fished out a small package, handing it to Asbel.
Still half-asleep, Asbel took it from Richard's hand. It was about the size of his fist, and surprisingly warm, giving off a familiar smell. After unwrapping it, Asbel found it was an appetizing pastry.
"It's apple-filled," Richard said, smiling. "I thought you might enjoy it. It's likely not as delicious as Lhant's apples, but hopefully it will be tasty enough."
"You… brought it just for me?"
Richard tilted his head to one side, slightly confused. "Well, yes. There would be no point in getting one for myself, given that I cannot taste it." His voice took on a melancholic tone. "I'm sorry. Do you not like pastries?"
"No! I love them. I'm just… surprised." And happy. Very happy. "Thank you, Richard."
Richard's smile returned, even brighter than before. "You're welcome, Asbel. It's the least I can do after all you've done for me."
Asbel didn't feel like he deserved anything from Richard, not after the way he had failed him in that forest, but he couldn't help but smile back and bite into the pastry. It was delicious, the crust light and buttery, the filling sweet and warm. He couldn't remember ever eating something that tasted as good. Maybe it was because Richard had been the one who bought it for him.
"Is it good?" Richard asked expectantly.
"It's great," Asbel replied through a mouthful, sending a few small bits of flaky crust flying. He blushed in embarrassment, but Richard only laughed.
Asbel finished chewing and swallowed before speaking again, "How was shopping? Did everything go well?"
"Yes," Richard replied, smiling. "I'm happy I could interact with people after so long. And everyone was so kind. The pharmacist offered me a discount, and the pastry sellers wanted to give me a second pastry for free."
Asbel raised his eyebrows. "What, really? You should've taken it. This is so good, I could go for seconds." He took another bite, grinning.
Richard chuckled. "I will buy you more tomorrow." He paused, thinking. "In fact, there is something I would like to ask you."
"What is it?"
"I'm not very familiar with slangs," Richard said, touching his chin with a slender finger, "And I was… puzzled by a few things the pastry sellers said. They were a pair of siblings, a young man and a young woman, likely around our age."
Asbel blinked. "Well?"
Richard hesitated, blushing slightly. "Is 'dreamboat' supposed to be a compliment?"
Asbel nearly choked on the pastry.
"Is it something improper, then?" Richard frowned. "I should've known. They were smirking when they said it."
"It's… not improper," Asbel stuttered, blushing. "It's a compliment, Richard."
"Really? That's a curious expression. Dreamboat," he muttered under his breath, looking deep in thought. "Do you happen to know its origin?"
"N-Not really." Asbel shifted. "…What else did they say?"
Richard hesitated. "I wasn't sure what they meant back then, but now, I believe they were referring to certain intimate acts through pastry metaphors."
Asbel nearly dropped his half-eaten snack. "What?"
Richard blushed. "They asked me if I enjoyed filling pastries, or if I preferred to have my pastry filled instead."
Asbel's eyes widened, and before he could hold himself back, he blurted, "What did you answer?"
To that, Richard only reddened further. "I didn't know what they were referring to, so I told them I had never baked. They giggled and said they would be happy to teach me."
"They're… pretty forward." Hopefully Richard hadn't said yes to that last proposition.
Richard flashed an embarrassed smile, and then moved the conversation to the rest of his trip. He told Asbel about the people he encountered on the streets, the vendors he walked by, even the trees and flowers he saw along his way. Every detail was mundane, but they seemed to mean the world to Richard.
"Everything was so vibrant, so full of life," Richard said, a dreamy look on his face, "And the people seemed so content. Even though every night is fraught with danger, they spend their days cheerfully. It must be wonderful, to be so… so free."
Richard's words perplexed Asbel. Why did he sound so fascinated about this? There was nothing free about the way the people in the border villages had to live.
"I'm not sure about that, Richard," Asbel muttered, frowning. "They look happy now, but their life is rough. At night, they have to bar their doors and windows, and huddle in their beds, afraid they won't live to see the next morning."
"I know, Asbel. But during the day, they have the freedom to go anywhere they want, to do anything they want. The fear is gone when the sun rises, and they are able to… to feel happiness. Even if just for a while."
"That's the bare minimum, though. Everyone has at least that bit."
Richard's gaze fell. "I suppose most people do."
Asbel bit his lip. He couldn't understand why Richard was so hung up on this, but the last thing Asbel wanted was to see him so disheartened. "I'm sorry, Richard. You were so happy, and I… I'm sorry."
Richard looked up, mustering one of those smiles that seemed more sorrowful than anything. "It's fine, Asbel," he muttered, "It's all in the past."
Asbel did little other than sleeping for the next two days. Per his request, the innkeeper brought meals to their room, often giving them curious glances from the door, likely wondering how this pair of battered travelers had so much gald. Richard did not go out again; he slept during daytime, and spent his nights looking at the stars from their window. Even though he slept much and moved little, Richard seemed to be constantly exhausted. He was becoming more and more quiet, his eyes sunken and his gaze hazy.
Seeing Richard grow so weak from hunger pained Asbel. But he knew the very reason he was taking so long to heal was due to Richard drinking his blood the night before their battle; if Asbel allowed him to feed now, his recovery would become even slower, and they would be stuck in this village for weeks.
Above all, the one thing Asbel knew was that he needed to return to the Order as fast as he could.
He ached to ask Richard about the vampires they had met, but at the same time, he feared the effect it might have on him. Richard was always reticent about his past, especially the circumstances involved in his Turning, and the degree of shock he had experienced after the battle only made Asbel more hesitant to inquire. For now, he decided to wait.
On the afternoon of their third day at the inn, Asbel began to feel stiff from lying down most of the time, and decided that a walk through the village would be good for his recovery. Since the weather was still cloudy, he invited Richard along; the suggestion seemed to cheer him up considerably, and he accepted in a heartbeat.
They left close to sunset. Due to the hour, the streets weren't anywhere near as lively as when they had arrived. Even so, Richard's expression lightened as they walked, his eyes shining as he took in everything around him. For someone from the capital, Richard was very easily impressed; Asbel was sure that the streets of Barona completely overshadowed this entire village. But Richard still smiled and pointed at everything like an excited child.
They passed by the pastry stand Richard had been to before, and the sellers immediately recognized him, calling for him to come look at their tarts. Asbel couldn't resist the sweet smell of boiled apples, so despite Richard's embarrassed protests, he dragged him towards the stand. The sellers smirked at them, commenting on how 'the dreamboat brought such a hunk', and launched a barrage of innuendos that had them both speechless. They left the stand with their faces bright pink, but with two half-price apple tarts to make up for it.
Richard led Asbel to a small hill on the edge of the village, which he had spotted on his previous trip two days before. It wasn't high enough to make the view too impressive, especially on such a cloudy day, but that didn't stop Richard from raving about how beautiful it was.
"We can see so much farther from up here," he said, staring longingly at the horizon, "It reminds me of a place I used to go to as a child."
"Really? Lhant also has a hill with a nice view." Far better than this one, Asbel thought to himself. "Where is it that you used to go?"
"It was to the north of Barona. But I haven't been there in almost ten years."
Asbel wondered how long it had been since Richard became a vampire, but he doubted it had been more than a year or so. "Why did you stop going there? Did it become dangerous?"
"You could say that," he muttered.
They both sat on the grass, and Asbel took out one of the tarts they had bought. It was delicious, and he couldn't help but eat the second one right after. Richard chuckled at how fast Asbel gobbled them up, and the way he hungrily licked his fingers when he was done. Asbel couldn't help but grin in return.
Smiling, they both sat back and looked at the horizon. The sun was setting, tinting the cloudy sky with soft shades of orange and pink. Asbel had to admit that the view was better than he first thought. In fact… with Richard by his side, it was quite beautiful.
However, watching the night fall reminded him of something else. Something dreadful. And, finally, the question Asbel had been holding back tumbled out of his mouth—
"What do you know about the vampires we encountered?"
Richard flinched. The smile that had been on his lips disappeared. His gaze dropped from the horizon to the grass by his feet.
"I'm sorry to bring this up," Asbel muttered, "I don't want to prod on your past. But… I need to know more about them. I've never seen vampires able to conceal their auras. Even us hunters can't hide ours. Please, do you know anything about how they might be doing it?"
For a moment, Richard was silent. Then, he shook his head, and murmured, "I did not even know they could do it. I'm not able to feel other vampires' auras."
Asbel bit his lip. Well, that made sense; hunters couldn't detect other hunters' auras, as well. "Do you know how many are there? Or if they have some sort of headquarters?"
Richard shook his head again. "I don't know."
Asbel sighed, frowning. "They were so organized. Practiced. I had never seen vampires with such good weapons. And they knew how to use them as well as most hunters." A chill ran down his spine. "Please, Richard. Tell me whatever you know about them. How did you first come across them? Why do they want to capture you?"
Richard hesitated, shifting nervously. "I don't think the way I met them will provide any useful information. And I can only guess as to why they want to capture me." He paused, considering. "That man, Bryce, was a knight. So was Lyra. I don't know anything else about them or the others."
Knights? That explained why they were so skilled. But learning that two knights - if not more - had deserted to become vampires was shocking. "Bryce mentioned your uncle. Is he part of their group?"
Richard nodded weakly.
"Is he a knight, as well? Is he one of the leaders?"
"He isn't a knight," Richard muttered, and spoke no further.
Asbel felt a tightness in his chest. "I'm sorry for insisting, Richard. You don't need to tell me anything if it makes you uncomfortable. I only want to get you to the Order safely." He paused, wondering how to phrase the rest. "The thing is… when we arrive, the Council will want to hear everything you know. They won't let you withhold anything. I just… I just want you to be ready to tell them your story."
Richard's gaze fell. "I understand."
After that, they were silent, watching the landscape become dark as the sun finished setting.
"We should go," Asbel said, standing. "The innkeeper will be barring his door soon."
Richard nodded, and they made their way back without a word.
The exercise turned out to be good for Asbel's healing, and for the next few days, he often took walks around the village. Richard could not accompany him, however, for he was growing too weak to stand being out during the day; even when it was cloudy, and even around dusk, the sun was too much for him to bear.
It was becoming harder and harder for Asbel to resist offering Richard his blood, but he forced himself to wait. Just a bit longer. He was almost fully healed.
As Asbel's wounds closed up, Richard began changing his bandages only once a day. On their seventh night at the inn, as Richard removed the old bandages, what was beneath was smooth scar tissue.
"I don't think I need it wrapped up anymore," Asbel said, tentatively moving his shoulder. It felt a bit tender, but there was no chance of the wound reopening. "Thank you, Richard."
Richard gave him a small smile. "You're welcome, Asbel. I'm sorry for the scar."
"Oh, this? It's nothing. I'm a hunter, after all. Scars are part of the job."
Richard's eyes flickered to Asbel's bare chest. "You don't seem to have many of them, though."
"It's because I haven't been a hunter for that long," he sputtered, trying not to blush under Richard's gaze. "But really, it's fine. I don't care about scars."
Richard flashed another small smile, and stood to dispose of the bandages in a container by the door. Asbel shifted, glancing at his shirt. For a moment, he considered.
And then, he made a decision.
"You can drink my blood now."
Richard froze. The bandages fell from his hands, tumbling to the floor. He turned to Asbel, lips half-parted, canines growing longer. For a moment, he was silent, gaze locked on Asbel's bare neck. "Are you… are you sure it's not too early? Your wounds…"
"It's fine. I'm well enough. You'll just have to bite into my right side this time," Asbel said, smiling awkwardly. His heart was beating too fast.
Richard licked his lips, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. After a moment, he walked towards Asbel and sat on the bed by his side. He glanced into Asbel's eyes, then at his own knees, then into Asbel's eyes again. "Are you really sure?"
Asbel hesitated. Was he, after all? Maybe it would be better if he gave it one more day. His shoulder wasn't completely healed yet. But…
He couldn't wait any longer.
"I'm sure, Richard. Go ahead."
Richard's gaze went from Asbel's eyes to his neck. He leaned in slowly, too slowly, so slowly that Asbel wanted to yell for him to just go ahead and do it. Asbel's stomach was tied into a knot, his heart thundering in his chest. He wished he could say he was afraid. But he knew it was something else.
Richard's lips finally touched his skin, soft, so soft. Somehow, they seemed even softer than last time. They quivered against his neck— was Richard hesitating? Now? Asbel's breath caught in his throat. Go on, Richard. Please.
A moment later, Richard's lips parted, brushing over Asbel's skin. Asbel exhaled, making a sound dangerously close to a moan. He felt Richard's teeth pressing down on his neck, slowly, too slowly— until, finally, they pierced his skin.
Asbel barely had time to register the hint of pain before an overpowering wave of pleasure crashed upon him. His surroundings faded, the room, the bed, everything, everything but the two of them. Richard's arms slid around his waist, pulling him close, pressing their bodies together as his fangs buried deep into Asbel's neck.
Asbel gasped, heart racing, faster and faster, until its deafening sound drowned all else. He felt light, heavy, warm, cold, all at once, and Richard… he was ice, a blizzard, freezing, and then suddenly— a furnace, the sun, searing heat biting into his neck. And Asbel was at the mercy of this storm, powerless as Richard claimed his blood for himself.
He should have been terrified, but fear was the last thing he felt, because this was Richard. Strange, how easy it was for Asbel to yield himself to someone he had known for so brief a time, but he trusted Richard, trusted him completely. He surrendered without hesitation, to Richard, and to the ecstasy he offered. His mind went blank, all his senses overloading.
And finally, his consciousness drifted away.
When Asbel came to himself, he struggled to recall where he was. Everything around him seemed fuzzy. He was lying on something soft and comfortable— a bed, he assumed. He was cold, very cold, but something warm was against his chest.
It all came back to Asbel. They must have fallen against the mattress while Richard drank his blood. He had no idea how long they had spent lying there - seconds? Minutes? Hours? It was still night outside, so it couldn't have been too long.
Richard was draped over Asbel's chest, head resting against his shoulder. Asbel could feel Richard's breath on his neck, warm, so warm. Given how cold Asbel felt, he was glad to have Richard so close. Unconsciously, he wrapped his arms around Richard's waist, embracing him. To Asbel's surprise, Richard shifted slightly, but instead of pulling away he only made himself more comfortable in Asbel's arms. A long, pleased sigh left Richard's lips, warm on Asbel's skin.
It was so, so strange. Hunger gnawed on Asbel's stomach, his throat was parched from thirst, and without a shirt he was almost shivering with cold— but even so, he couldn't remember the last time he had felt so content.
Richard shifted again, but this time it was to pull away from Asbel's arms. For a moment, Asbel had the urge to tighten his embrace around him, keeping him against his chest, but he forced himself to let go. Richard sat on the edge of the bed, head tilted forward, face covered by his long hair.
"Richard?" Asbel asked, reaching for his shirt. With Richard's warmth gone, he was cold. "Are you okay?"
Richard nodded, standing. He swayed for a moment, almost losing his balance. Then, he turned towards Asbel, smiling shyly. His cheeks were very red. "Are you hungry, Asbel? Would you like me to ask the innkeeper to send a meal?"
"I'm pretty hungry, but I don't think the innkeeper will serve a meal at this time." He would make an exception if he knew Asbel was a hunter, but he was trying not to reveal himself.
"Oh. Of course," Richard muttered, cheeks growing redder. "I will fetch you something from our stock, then."
"And water, please."
Once Asbel's stomach was full and his thirst sated, he felt a bit better, though not as good as when Richard had been in his arms. If only they could share a bed again. Sleeping by Richard's side would be even more pleasant now that Richard was so warm. Asbel could hold him close, feel Richard's breath on his neck, his cheek, his lips—
Asbel interrupted that chain of thought before it could too far. It was silly of him to think of Richard as anything beyond a companion in his travels. Yes, it was true that the act of drinking blood seemed very intimate, but it was simply a way for Richard to survive. That, and nothing more.
Asbel kept that in mind as they took to their separate beds. They were only acquaintances working together, who, one day, would have to part ways. He repeated that inside his head, over and over, as he rested against his pillow and closed his eyes.
Even though he knew, deep down, that it was very far from the truth.