The Ryder struggles not as Nicklaus digs his elongated canine — or fangs as should be called — inside his neck and suck deeply, causing him to strain. Helpless, his survival instinct kicks in, unable to withstand the continuous pain— seen in his eyes and the way his body reverberate— and tried to escape Nicklaus' grip. But it's impossible. A snarl, which I don't understand, leaves Nicklaus' throat when the man's body falls down before him. He gazes at me, smiling cockily and says in a tone unlike him.
"My...my...I bet you didn't expect this." He looks down to his hand and licks the blood off it. "It's such an intoxicating scent. You know, we've been wondering how yours—" he's shunned by bender-Nicklaus coming out, his eyes returning to its usual blue colour, with an hint of creamy yellow.
"I'm so sorry, Rayne. Apologies for my other side." He smiles and walks over to me. I feel myself calm.
"What does it feel like?" I ask, referring to that part of him.
"Uh, like another being in the same body. I have no human part before so I only have two beings in me."
"What about Lydia? She'd have three creatures inside her one body?" I am beyond stunned.
"Wrong. Well, at first she'd have three beings — the human part, the Vampire part, and lastly the hybrid part. The human part will be fading once the victim starts to accept the immortality powers. It's just like a holy water to try to make the person not become a sinner — Vampires are, hybrid or not — so once that part is dead. It remains the hybrid part and the Vampire or barbaric part." He explains as calmly and collected as he can. Every now and then, I'd focus on that stream of blood at one side of his mouth.
"So technically, the vampire part is the most sinned part, while the hybrid part can still be, you know, neutral?" I wasn't sure, so I question him.
"Exactly. That's why I use my hybrid part on the outside most of the time." He explains more, and I nod.
Brief silence.
"Are you okay?"
"Sure. The Ryders is no match. Well, his dragon did a number." He tells me. "What about you?"
"I'm completely unharmed. Thank you."
He nods.
"He came here for a reason, Rayne. Those humans too are sent by Lydia. She's looking for all ways to get you killed—"
"But why?" I take the word from him.
"We think it's because she wishes she's my mate instead. Mother has seen the Ryder's memories. We can use this to know things. You have to come with me." He stops when I interject.
"Sure."
"No, I mean, you have to stay with me, with us, the Originals. Only we can ensure your safety and loved ones." When he's seen the face I'm now wearing, he puts in more effort to make me get him. "If you're to stay home with your parents, they'd be attacked by Lydia or her mercenaries. I can promise only to keep you safe, not them because I might not be able to save them along with you when fight comes."
I frown. I can't do this. I can't leave. Even if I'm to, what do I tell them. "What do I tell my parents? A lie?"
"Yeah." He's not sure, which surprises me since he's always one step ahead of me, but now we are on the same step, where the stairs are even unstable.
"You're kidding me. What lie? Um, there's the camp vacation I want to go and it's tonight, sorry I didn't tell you before?" I pause. "It's ridiculous."
"I have an alternative."
"What?" I snap. I know I shouldn't take out my anger on me, but I can't help it.
"I make them accept whatever you tell them, like the camp vacation stuff." He offers.
"Are you crazy? That's the worst-est thing? How do you expect to do such to my parents?"
"We have. It's just like when I made your father forget the wound, and your mother, the thinking of he shouldn't have healed." He counter.
"That's harmless."
"This is too. We lied then, why can't we now?"
"It's not we...it's just you." I say back with more harsh tone.
"Don't blame me on this. Didn't I ask for your consent?"
"You only asked for my mother's."
"Whatever. Big lies, small lies, they are the same. Lie is a lie. You choose." He snaps back, causing me to startle and calm. I don't want him to get angry at me.
"Can I at least think about it?"
"Sure. But I'm afraid you can't go home, or you'd put them in danger." He tells me, making me look down.
"They can't even be at home, they'd still be in the hospital." My voice is very low, but not shaking.
"When will they arrive?"
"Tommorow morning."
"Then decide before then. Let me take you to my place." He offers.