Hi. I'll publish a couple chapters at a time. This is my first time posting this sort of stuff, so it's all weird and new! Please be kind if you choose to leave a review.

PS: Yes, I cut Kanato and Subaru, sorry! And no, I'm not sticking with the plot. I start taking it in my own direction in Chapter 5, really.

EDIT: It's 2023 and I wrote some more and changed some (small) things.

EDIT: Thank you for the messages and reviews! I'm updating a bit slower, but I've still got a lot of plans with this story!

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Eighteen years ago, an infant wailed at the steps of a church. The tiny thing had tufts of golden locks. She clenched a small silver locket with a single red rose etched on its face. Eighteen years ago, a kind man of the church took pity on this abandoned girl. He raised her to be kind and gentle. As he was. He never lied to this girl. As soon as she was old enough to understand he informed her of that night. But she wasn't upset. This man had raised a decent, well tempered young lady. Her blonde hair grew long and fell across her shoulders in waves. Her skin was bright and hardly touched by the sun. And kindness bloomed in her heart.

The church taught this girl everything there was to know. She studied hard, because it was expected of her. And she ignored the snickers and hushed rumors spread by her peers, because it was expected of her.

One year ago, her father took her to the side after service. He told her she would move out soon. It was time to see the world. Yui, The world could be a beautiful place. But, he warned her, the world could also destroy you. You're the only one who can decide your destiny.

It was a gloomy day. Grey clouds cried down, their tears pattering against the cab's windows. The driver hadn't spoken one word to me. And the radio was silent. Pit pat, pit pat and the squeaking of the windshield wipers were all I heard. I closed my eyes.

Do not cry. Those were the words my father left me with. After we had hugged goodbye. Before he lifted my suitcase into the cab's trunk. He had whispered something to the driver, most likely the destination. But that was a mystery to me.

Pit pat, pit pat. The cab was humid. I never thought this day would come. I let it escape my thoughts for so long. A year went by too quickly. And I already missed my father. My hand fiddled with the locket placed around my neck. I rested my head against the cool window.

"Miss. We've arrived." At some point, I had fallen asleep. I jolted awake. I could feel where a mark had formed on the side of my forehead. How long had the drive been? It had stopped raining. "Miss," he repeated. His head was turned back to me. His voice was deeper than I thought it'd be.

"Thank you, sir," I replied. I flattened my dress, worried it had wrinkled. "How long was I asleep?" I asked. But the driver turned back to the wheel, waiting for me to depart. "Well, thank you again." I opened the door, stepping out of the cab. I hurriedly opened the trunk to retrieve my bag. Walking to the driver's window, I reached into the bag to pay him.

"It's already been taken care of, miss," he assured me.

"Oh, by my father?"

He looked up at me. An expression of worry crossed over his face, but was quickly replaced by a somber one. He rolled up the window without answering me and he drove off.

I had been dropped off in front of, what I could only imagine was, a castle. It was right out of a fantasy picture book. I stood in the middle of a rounded driveway. In front of me was a steel black gate leading to a courtyard filled with red rose bushes. A fountain, a magnificent stone one, sat in the middle of the courtyard. And just beyond that were two massive dark wooden doors. The building loomed over me, casting a shadow. It was beautiful, but intimidating. How could I possibly live in such an unknown place?

Knocking on the wooden doors did not incite an answer. Though I couldn't imagine it being heard anyway. I hit the door with my bag, hoping that would be a little more noticeable. "Hello?" I shouted. Nothing in response. I placed my hand on the door knob. Entering uninvited would be rude. The knob turned easily. But I was invited, right? I pushed the doors open with ease. I stepped in, dragging my bag with me. The doors immediately shut behind me, startling me.

It took some time for my eyes to adjust. Although it was stormy outside, it was even darker inside. I could just make out the shape of the walls and two long, winding staircases on either side of the grand room. Above me, the ceiling seemed to reach the heavens. The ceiling's walls were adorned with beautiful glass work. But as I looked around, I realized there wasn't a person in sight.

"Hello?" I asked. I cautiously made my way through the room. It was custom to greet your guests on arrival. I was a guest, wasn't I? And just who exactly lived here? My father, and really the whole church, had been so cryptic about this arrangement. But of course, I had to put my trust in them. They were my only family. They were everything to me.

I walked through a dim hallway. All of the doors were closed except one. I peered inside. It was a small room with just a table and a chaise. Some paintings hung on the wall. As I stepped through the door frame, I could see a shape on the chaise. "H- hello?" I felt like a parrot. "Excuse me, um, I was dropped off a minute ago. My name is Yui." The shape didn't move. I walked closer. "Do… do you live here?"

I approached the chaise, now seeing that it was a man sprawled across it. His eyes were closed. His one arm laid across his stomach, the other hung limp over the side of the cushion. I brought my face closer. His skin was very pale which contrasted brilliantly with his deep red hair. "Um, excuse me," I repeated, tugging at his shirt. "Please wake up," I whispered. I kneeled down next to him. "I just need to know where to go. And," I gripped my arm, "who I'm going to live with. And, and where I am, exactly." Do not cry, my father's voice warned me. "This is all too much," I sighed.

"Tch," the man's eyes opened. "You're too noisy." He reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me onto the chaise and onto him.

"E- ehh? Let me go!" I flailed my arms, but his grip was tight.

"Shut it," he hissed. "Ya' broke into a real dangerous place. You an idiot?"

"I didn't break in! It was unlocked and I tried knocking," I trailed off. "But I'm supposed to be here! My name is Yui, Yui!" I kicked his leg. He loosened his grip for a second and I started fumbling off of the chaise.

"Oi, where d'you think you're goin'?" He grasped at my dress and pulled me again, this time lifting himself so that I fell under him. He easily pinned my wrists down using one hand.

"Let go, let go!" I yelled. I lifted my head, trying to at least head butt him.

He dodged and chuckled. "What the hell, just stay still. What's wrong with ya'." He grabbed my neck. His smile turned serious. "Hey, do you know how sweet you smell?" He lifted my chin, exposing my neck fully.

"Sweet?" I repeated.

His head lowered. I felt his tongue scrape against my skin. "Yeah," he whispered. "I think I'll make you mine."

"Ayato, that's quite enough." A calm voice appeared next to us. "Release her."

The man paused, then decidedly pushed me off of the chaise. I immediately stood and rushed over to my savior. "It was just aboutta get good, Reiji. I was gonna thoroughly punish a criminal. Isn't that right, pancake? Wasn't it fun? You broke in wantin' to get punished, huh?"

"I- I didn't break in! I was sent by the church!" My voice echoed in this small room.

"Do not yell. It is indecent for a young lady." Reiji looked down at me. His hands pushed up his glasses and brushed away a lock of his stormy colored hair.

"I'm… very sorry," I bowed my head. He reminded me of the teachers from my church. I always had to be taught how to behave. I was never polite enough, quiet enough, well mannered enough. "I just don't," I glanced at Ayato, who was now sitting up on the chaise and stretching, "I don't understand what's happening, really."

"You mentioned a church just now. Are you referring to the Holy Night church? That's quite a ways away."

"Yes!" I nodded enthusiastically. Finally someone understood. "I arrived just now by cab."

"Well," he continued, "this is no place to talk of such matters. We should gather everyone up in the drawing room." Reiji, without a moment of hesitation, glided out of the sitting room. I began to follow, but my wrist was suddenly caught.

"Oi, pancake," Ayato was now standing next to me. "Don't think it's always gonna be like that," his face drew closer to mine. "I'm almighty 'round here. There'll be hell to pay next time."

I jerked my hand away and hurried to follow Reiji, not bothering to look back.

We moved on to a spacious room. I had followed Reiji's back through the dark the entire time. I wondered if I'd ever fully understand the layout of this massive building. This 'home.'

Ayato stretched out sideways onto a large chair. He rested one leg over the armrest, the other was bent at the knee in front of him. "This sucks," he complained.

I sat on a couch, as far away from Ayato as I could. I pondered how difficult it would be to avoid him. Maybe if I stuck by Reiji? Ayato talked all high and mighty, but it was clear that he at least listened to Reiji.

"We must wait until Laito arrives," Reiji responded. "And for someone to awaken." He stood in front of Ayato and me, his arms crossed. His eyes cast daggers behind me at a man laying down on a couch. I had noticed him when we walked in, but he didn't move once. Even as Ayato and Reiji talked, the man didn't stir. It was possible he didn't realize we were around, since he had earbuds in. His arms were gently folded together. His hair was blonde, almost orange.

"Ohhhh, so this explains the sudden pleasant atmosphere, hm?" A slick sounding voice was heard from above us. I looked up. He was standing at the top of the staircase, just behind Ayato, whose only reaction was a yawn, not even bothering to look. "What's a cute lil' kitten doing in a big bad place like this?" The man, who I assumed was Laito, continued. He had bright red hair, almost matching Ayato's, but his was long and almost came down to his shoulders. Whereas Ayato's was choppy and cut short.

"It's got nothin' to do with ya'," Ayato sneered.

"Now now," Laito sighed, he stepped down the stairs and made his way towards me. "Don't be so stingy, Ayato." He sat at my side and leaned into me, "You don't want to scare her off, do you?"

"I- I'm not-" I began.

Laito brushed his lips against my cheek. Not quite kissing me. "We have to treat our guests kindly, no?" My hand went up to my cheek and my face flushed red. "Innnnteresting," Laito grinned. He pulled me in closer and licked my fingers.

"Wha- Hey!"

"Keep your voice down," Reiji warned, completely ignoring the situation.

"So sorry, kitten," Laito teased, "I wouldn't want to make you angry. Thouuuugh," he placed one hand softly onto my thigh, "I wouldn't be terribly opposed to a few scratches." He brushed my thigh lightly with his nails.

"Ughh. This's bullshit!" Ayato sat up, "She belongs to Yours Truly. I already claimed 'er!"

"Really, Ayato. You need to learn how to share." Laito leaned away from me, but continued tracing shapes into my thigh. I tried to slide my leg away, but he gleefully scratched harder as I did.

"It's important we discuss this matter thoroughly," Reiji began. Ayato grumbled and settled back into his chair. "The Holy Night church sent her," Reiji flicked his hand in my direction, "Supposedly."

Did he not believe me? Surely they must have known. I knew of this for a whole year!

"Have either of you been told anything? Ayato, Laito?"

"Beats me," Ayato shrugged.

"As if I'd talk to those bores. Honestly," Laito answered.

"And as for you? Shu?" Reiji looked over at the man behind us. For the first time, I heard emotion in his voice. It was dripping with disgust.

I looked back. Shu's arm dropped down. His eyes opened lazily. "Yeah. I guess." He talked slowly, like it was too much effort. "Ahh, right. That guy did say something. About some girl." He waved his hand in my direction. "But I forgot. It was... bothersome. And it happened centuries ago."

"A year ago," I piped in. "That's when I was told by the church."

"Hmm," Reiji paused. "So this is his doing."

"Right. I'm not a criminal," I added, glancing at Ayato. He only grinned in response.

"No, kitten, but you are likely a sacrifice." Laito looked over to me. His hand lifted and cupped my cheek. "Poor poor lil' kitty. Thrown away to be devoured by some nasty boys." He cooed lovingly. But his words made no sense.

"Tch, back off, Laito! I said it, didn't I?" Ayato jumped off of the chair. "She's," he grabbed my arm, yanking me off of the couch, "mine!"

"No, let go!" I yelped.

"He did say something or other," Shu mumbled, "About keeping her alive."

"Such preposterous manners, all of you," Reiji sighed.

"Yours Truly'll be the only one to take 'er blood," Ayato claimed happily, wrapping me in his arms.

Blood?

"Ayato, don't be so childish. We all want a bite out of our new lil' pet. Besides, you're much too rough. She'd never be satisfied with that."

Bite?

"I'll train 'er to like it," Ayato laughed, holding me tight against him with one hand and brushing my hair from my neck with the other. "Ain't that right, pancake? I can already tell that the pain'll turn you on."

"I- I don't under-" I began. And then I saw. Ayato opened his mouth, his tongue licked his lips. And there were fangs. I gasped.

Fangs?

"Hmmm, be a good kitten and stand still juuuust like that," a hand flitted over the small of my back. "Ayato always makes it hurt. Isn't he too cruel?"

Everything went black.

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Do not cry. My father had looked so sad saying those words. I thought his face was that way because he'd miss me. Did he know what sort of monsters awaited me at this castle?

My eyes opened wide. I sat up. I had been brought to a bedroom. My bedroom? I looked around. Nobody else was in the room. The bed was large and had a satin sheet that was placed over me. I was in my same dress. I put my hand to my neck. No blood. No bites. Had I imagined it?

Maybe I was still in the cab, just having a nightmare.

The room was not decorated, though the bed was extravagant with billows of lace flowing from a canopy above me. The rest was dull in comparison. A wooden desk. A wooden wardrobe. My bag sat on the desk.

"You're finally awake." I flinched. Reiji stood at the side of my bed. "You fainted. Have you not eaten?" I hadn't, but that was not why I fainted.

"Um," I hesitated, "Why am I here?"

"You stated it yourself, Yui. The church sent you. It was all according to their wishes."

"But, why?"

Reiji looked down at me. "Ladies should not talk so carelessly. Asking unimportant questions is unbecoming. Being raised by the church, I would have assumed you'd have better etiquette. But I suppose throughout the years they've gotten weak." He leaned his hands onto the bed. "But, in this house, I demand obedience in all things. Manners especially. And you will learn even if I have to teach you, myself."

I inched away from him. How could I have previously thought he was my savior?

"I will make one thing clear, Yui. You are here for good. That is what the church intended. You cannot escape. This is our home and you will be our guest. If you behave and do as you are told, you may live." He leaned back, adjusting his clothes. "Get yourself together and come down for dinner. If you are not downstairs within ten minutes, I will come fetch you and there will be dire consequences." He turned and left, not waiting for a response.

My body shook in fear. I had to find a way to escape. Or to at least contact my father. Surely he would come save me if I told him everything that had happened. I stood up, brushing my hands through my hair and straightening my dress. For now, I'd have to follow along. At least until I found a way out.

It took some searching, but I was able to find my way to the dining room within ten minutes. Everyone was already sitting at the large table. Reiji, Ayato and Shu on one end. Laito on the other. I cautiously sat in the empty chair next to Laito, refusing to make eye contact with any of them.

My plate was already full of food. An assortment of veggies and spinach, slices of steak and roasted potatoes cut into wedges. A glass was also set up in front of me. The liquid poured inside was red. It couldn't be...

"Cranberry juice," Reiji stated, as if reading my mind. "It helps with anemia."

"Oh, thank you." I lifted the glass.

"You'll drink at least one serving per day. Blood loss can cause anemia fairly quickly if you are not diligent."

I gulped and set the glass back down without touching the juice.

"Hmm, kitten, aren't you hungry?" Laito leaned over to me. "Do you need help? I'll feed you. But only if you feed me, too," he snickered.

"Enough," Reiji ordered.

Nobody talked. I shuffled my food around on my plate.

A chair screeched against the tile. Shu had pushed it away from the table. "This is pointless," he muttered, walking away from the group. His plate hadn't been touched.

"What a spoiled child," Reiji complained, while Shu was still in hearing distance. "We go through all the trouble of setting this dinner up. The least he could do is grace us with his presence." Nobody responded. "Yui," Reiji turned to me, "There is a uniform in your wardrobe. You will attend classes tonight."

"Classes? But… isn't it a little late in the day?"

"You will be attending our school. A night school. While staying in this home you will not let your mind rot. Anything less than the best marks will be… disappointing."

"Ah, right," I pushed a wedge of potato from one side of my plate to the other. My father had at least mentioned that I would continue my studies. I wondered what school, even a night school, was like. I had only ever been taught by the church.

Back in my room, I investigated the uniform. It matched what everyone else had been wearing. Though each had his own style. Ayato's uniform was a wrinkled mess, one pant leg pushed up above his knee. Reiji's was pressed and neat. Laito accented his with a fur trimmed coat and Shu ditched the blazer, opting for a white sweater over his dress shirt.

I lifted my dress up over my chest and heard a step behind me. "Wha-?"

"Well, I came at a good time, hm, kitten?" I started pulling the dress back down, but Laito grasped it and pulled it off over my head.

"Wait, Laito, I-" My face flushed red. I crossed my arms in front of me, covering my bra.

"Kitten, do you have a crush on me? Your flustered face is just too cute," Laito smiled. He hugged me close to his chest. "It makes me want to eat you right up."

His grip tightened as I tried pulling away. "I, of course I'm… just embarrassed," I stammered.

"Aww, you're shy! I can feel your pulse, you know. You're excited, too. Hmm, do I excite you?" Laito chuckled. He breathed deeply against my hair. "You knoooow," he held my wrists up and pushed me away from him. "Seeing you like this makes me a little…" his eyes scanned my body, "I know Ayato reaaally wanted your first time, but that isn't what you want, huh?"

I quickly shook my head no and moved my wrists, trying to shake them out of being bound.

Laito gasped, "So you want me to take you, then? Wow, that's so bold of you! How could you be so forward, kitten?" His cheeks reddened.

"No! I don't want either of you!" I corrected. I couldn't keep up with his pace.

"Tsk tsk, no taking it back now. But don't worry, I'll make you purr." Laito brushed his fingers against my bare back leading down to my panties. "I think you and I are going to have a lot of fun together," he whispered.

"You have five minutes or we will leave without you, Yui," Reiji's voice boomed from outside of my door.

"Hmm," Laito sighed. "Oh well, maybe later." He kissed my hands before letting go of my wrists and walking back to the door. "We have all the time in the world, right, kitten?"

The school was bigger than the castle. It stretched on for miles and was made up of multiple leveled buildings. We all arrived at the entrance together, but everyone went their separate ways as soon as they could. The ride had been uncomfortably quiet.

Reiji had me stay behind with him once we arrived. "You and Ayato will be in the same classes. Remember, just because we are not at the house does not mean you are free to do as you wish. I will be keeping an eye on you. And so will he. When the day is over, meet us back here and we will all return together. Is that understood?"

"Yes," I answered. He walked off, handing me some paperwork that detailed my classes and directions. There were only a handful of other students as far as I could tell. Were they vampires as well? I gulped. Vampires… Astonishing how easily I could think that word, now.

My first class was home ec. When I arrived, Ayato was already sitting at a desk. He had his head pressed against it. There were two other students that sat spread out, but no teacher yet. I took a seat at the opposite end of the classroom from Ayato.

"Food prep," I whispered, reading the scribbles on the chalkboard. Under today's date: Fried Rice. Under tomorrow's date read "Squid... Takoyaki?"

Ayato lifted his head suddenly, as if just waking up. He glanced over at me. "Oi, c'mere," he beckoned.

"No way," I hissed.

"Tch," he stood up and stomped over to me, bumping against desks, and he grabbed my arm. He pulled me out of my chair and dragged me out of the room, down the hall.

"Ayato! Where are we going? Class is about to start!"

"We're ditchin'! C'mon c'mon, this way." Ayato was beaming. "Just follow me, pancake." He led me to another room. It had a kitchen and a small table with chairs. A break room? "Takoyaki. Make it."

"W- what?" I looked at him. He couldn't be serious.

His eyes glistened with anticipation. "Yours Truly just gave you an order."

"But. I can't! I don't even have anything to use and. And we have to go back to class or-"

"Ughhhh, yap yap yap." He rushed over to the fridge and started shuffling through ingredients. I couldn't help but chuckle. He was acting so impatient. Like a little kid. Had he really just heard me reading the board and started craving it immediately? Did he have no impulse control whatsoever?

"So what else do ya' wanna whine about? It's all here. No excuses, pancake," he huffed. "Be grateful that Yours Truly even wants to eat your cooking."

He did manage to get all the basic necessities. I sighed. He obviously wouldn't let me leave until he ate. And I didn't want to miss more than one class. "Fine, fine."

"Delicious!" He exclaimed, popping a ball of dough in his mouth."Yeah, yeah, good, so good," he went on, eating a second and a third. "Try, pancake! You did a great job!" He held one to my mouth. "Say 'ahhhhh.'"

They did look tasty. "Ahhhh," I mimicked. He plopped it into my mouth. "Good," I agreed, swallowing and nodding.

After eating them all, Ayato had most of them, I began washing the dishes. Ayato sat behind me, leaning back and forth on his chair. "We have to hurry up and clean all of this. I can't miss the next class because of you. Reiji said I have to keep my grades up…" I trailed off, thinking about how weird this all sounded. "Ayato, you have to hel-"

"Still hungry," Ayato mumbled, now behind me. He placed his arms on either side of me, trapping me against the counter.

"There's no time to make more," I snapped, glancing back at him.

He grinned. "Didn't I say somethin' about next time...?"

My blood rushed through my body. How could I forget the danger so easily? Going to school, sneaking out for snacks, worrying about grades. None of that mattered. I had to escape. "You can't-"

"Yours Truly can do whatever he wants," he brushed my hair off of my neck. "Don't worry, pancake, I'll make sure it stings. That's what ya' like, right?" Before I could respond, his lips were at my neck. I felt his tongue press against my skin. And then the slight pressure of his teeth.

I opened my mouth to shout, but no voice came out. And then like a knife, his fangs pierced me. It did sting, just like he promised. I could feel the pain shoot down my entire shoulder. And he kept his fangs buried beneath my skin's surface for far too long. No blood was coming out yet, stopped by the invasion. But he sucked at my skin and I could feel the blood gathering there, inflaming the area. He released the pressure and I could hear more sucking noises. He slurped up the blood that spilled out, not letting any drip.

"Holy shit, pancake," Ayato exclaimed. "Ahhhh," he breathed out and gathered me in his arms, squeezing me tightly. He panted against my ear. "Your blood… I feel so awake! It's amazing." He licked at my neck, catching the blood that was escaping. "Yeah, I could get used to this."

"Stop… please," I begged. My shoulder and neck were on fire. My legs grew weak.

"Tch, humans really are pathetic, huh? Just a lil' bit of pain and you're already like this." Ayato lifted me up and threw me over his shoulder. "But I'm not done, pancake. There's no way I'm even close to done." He sat me down on one of the chairs. I felt numb. Like my life had been sucked out of me along with my blood. "D'you wanna taste, too?" Ayato kneeled on the floor in front of me. His eyes showed genuine curiosity. "I can feed ya' again," he grinned, satisfied by his own generosity.

"Don't," I whispered.

"No?" He grabbed the back of my head, pulling me down to his face and he licked my neck again, right over the wound. I flinched in discomfort. His mouth met mine. His tongue pressed open my lips. And I tasted iron. It covered my lips and overtook my senses. It wasn't sweet. It was bitter and burned. His tongue pressed against the soft insides of my cheeks, spreading my blood fully inside of my mouth.

"Un," I gasped, unsure of what that sound meant. Ayato only pressed his tongue deeper, now playing chase with mine. Fog filled up my brain.

Ayato's hands gripped my hair. He pulled my head back so that I could see him. His eyes were wide and his breathing was heavy. "Your face..." he muttered, "Ya' really love it, huh?"

"So this is where you two were." Reiji stood at the door frame, his arms crossed. Ayato let go of my hair and looked over to him. "I didn't think you would do such a thing on school property, Ayato. How vulgar."

"Yeah, yeah. Pancake and I were just bondin' a little." Ayato looked back to me, his finger brushed over the wound on my neck. My eyelids fell closed and I felt myself slip off of the chair.

"You obviously went too far. Take responsibility and bring her home."

I woke up on a cold tiled floor. "Ayato?" I groaned. My head was pounding. In front of me was a large pool.

"We really gotta build up your tolerance, pancake. Or else I'm gonna have to do it while ya' sleep. 'Cuz there's no way in hell I'm gonna be able to stop after just one bite."

"Tolerance?" I could hardly hear him. Like he was miles away. But he was hovering just over me and he lifted me into his arms. He held me sideways by the back of my shoulders and legs. "Ay- Ayato let me down!"

"C'mon, let's play a game." He stood at the edge of the pool, holding me over the water.

"Why… why are you doing this?" An overwhelming dread coursed through my body. I was sore and exhausted and the world spun around me in a blur.

"You still don't understand?" Ayato peered across the pool. "You are at the complete mercy of Yours Truly… So stop yammering and worrying about every little thing I do!" His voice bounced against the tiles. And I was thrown into the pool. The water slapped across my back and sides. I sank quickly to the bottom, flailing my arms and legs. I opened my mouth to scream, but my voice was drowned out by my coughing and gagging. Water quickly seeped into my throat.

"Tell me I'm the greatest," Ayato shouted. "Tell me that I'm better than anyone else and that you belong to only me." His words were lost in the depth of the water. My eyes stung from the chlorine. All I could see were splashes of blue around me.

"Oi, pancake! It's no fun if ya' just give up and die!" Ayato yelled.

I kicked my legs, but it was no use. I lost all of my strength. This was how it was going to end.

Do not cry.

I was suddenly tugged upwards back towards the air. Ayato pulled me back to the side of the pool. "Ya' can't even swim?" He laughed, like this was just a fun prank. "Useless! How would you even survive without me? As a reward for saving 'ya," he leaned into my neck and pierced through my skin again. I could hardly breathe. I could only hear the sound of my blood being taken. I felt it rush out of my body. It felt cold.

"Fuck," he shouted, leaning back. "Your blood's coursin' through my veins, pancake. Do you understand how powerful that feels? Didn't you feel it, too?"

"Please," I whimpered. I could only beg for this to end. Ayato pulled us both out of the pool. He set me back down on the tiles and crouched down next to me. "Please, make it stop."

He chuckled and kissed my neck gently. "Yeah, I guess ya' really can't take much more."