Before we knew it, we were caught in the act as Alijah growled at our new intruder.
"Well, you were putting on a public show. I'll gladly watch you follow it through." A man holding a black umbrella announced from the top of the building.
"You aren't from here. I can smell the scent of blood on you." My wolf seemed uneasy, slowly setting me down.
He jumped off the building with a soft chuckle, landing in front of us, allowing us to see how nimble he was.
"Well, it's where I get my power from. So, it's natural for you to smell it on me, mutt." He informed, closing the umbrella after being blessed by the shade the alley offered.
My jaw almost dropped from this close, noticing this vampire's beauty. His icy blue eyes made it appear like there was an endless sky in them as his fair skin made him seem almost snow-white, too. It made me wonder if the slightest touch would bruise his skin.
His black hair seemed so silky smooth that it could have competed with Alijah's. Even though my wolf seemed hostile towards him, he had a gentle expression, paying little mind to the wolf beside him.
"I should kill you for interrupting us," Alijah warned, gripping me by my hips.
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, even you would be careful against a royal in this proximity, mad lycan. Though... I only came here for my student. You see, I need her to learn too much in a short amount of time."
I widened my eyes, unable to process what he had declared.
This man... is...
"You're Asher's son?" I asked, gasping too.
You're nothing like Asher!
Alijah sighed, knowing he couldn't get away with harming the person who would teach me how to use the sword. Not only that, if he were Asher's son, it meant he was next in line for the throne of Celnaer.
Even though vampires were dangerous because of their ability to control blood, royals were the worst since they could control blood in a certain radius. This also included living blood, even though that aspect was illegal anywhere.
However, that didn't change how deadly these beings were up close. They could even be hazardous to Lycans, who slightly resisted their manipulation. They also had almost equal strength and speed as the wolves. The only difference was that their abilities were severely weakened during the day.
It's the only reason wolves are the apex predators, but these beings were even worse at night.
"Yes, my name's Leonard Arzaqian. It's a pleasure to meet you, Rem Silver Fang. Though the rude mutt I could do without." The Vampire introduced himself with a slight bow.
Alijah grumbled under his breath and rolled his eyes.
They won't play nicely, will they?
Then again, something about the vampire before me reminded me of an aspect of my lover, leaving me feeling hopeful that they could become friends.
"Bloodsuckers are still full of themselves in this era, too." My wolf clicked his tongue, not liking his tone.
Even though his father probably warned him about how dangerous my other half was, he showed little to no fear.
"What was that mutt? I couldn't hear much aside from your pride." Leonard muttered, narrowing his eyes.
My wolf smirked as I could see lightning come out of their eyes before clashing.
These two… Ah… Now you're just teasing the poor vampire.
"I can already tell we'll get along just fine." Alijah snickered as Leonard shrugged, rolling his eyes.
"Now, shall we be off? I left my newborn son to teach you, so I would like to use my time wisely and without waste." He announced, turning around to head towards the manor and opening his umbrella in one swift movement.
He had grace; I would give him that, yet…
"Wait... then, shouldn't someone else come to teach me? I mean, your son is more important, no?" I asked, prompting him to turn back toward me as Alijah grabbed my hand.
"My child is the reason I have to teach you. After all, what good does it do if you fail? I already have low expectations of you, hybrid. Please, surprise me." Leonard answered, showing little to no emotion on his face.
I felt off by it. I already knew people had low expectations of me, but...
"I don't think I'll surprise you." I sighed, shifting my gaze toward my wolf, who frowned.
"Don't say that, Rem," Alijah breathed, touching my cheek as I slightly pulled away.
I… I'm not sure about that.
Leonard narrowed his eyes, shaking his head soon after.
"Well, I'm a fuckup, but I'll try." I simpered towards my lover, who shook his head.
"Oi, you aren't a fuckup just inexperienced," He argued.
His words caused me to scratch my head, and I couldn't answer him. During the week I had been training with him, I had made little advancement in my strengths.
I doubt I'll become a master swordsman in my short time. It takes years to learn and master anything, but I don't have that.
At best, I would be an amateur by the time Edna attacked, which could be at any moment. Though Midnight seemed sure it wouldn't be before the blood moon.
Does that witch need that too for something? Or will she use that moment when I'm at my weakest? Damn… We don't know anything about her.
"That's disheartening to hear. What will be the point of teaching you if you aren't willing even to try?" Leonard huffed, crossing his arms.
"I…" I trailed off, tail tucked between my legs.
"Well, here's the thing, Rem. If you don't surpass our expectations, we're doomed. Now let's go. Your training begins now." Leonard declared, turning away and walking towards the manor with the umbrella blocking the daylight.
Even though I was unsure of how anything would go, I had no choice but to follow along with Alijah, who would impede nothing that would prepare me for what was coming. If anything, he probably would kill Leonard if he didn't train me enough.
The vampire moved quickly, as if he knew where he was headed, yet he was silent the entire way. When we finally got to the stadium, my brothers were waiting for my wolf while Vera was still missing. She was probably still in her room, as it was routine for her always to be late for our training routines.
"Oh, you're back." Aiden gazed at Leonard, who ignored my brother and headed towards where the practice swords were already set up.
Crap… Did you prepare everything before the meeting was done?
He had dedication, which was scaring me.
This vampire knows I'm an utter beginner to swords, right? Right? I mean, you said you had little to no expectations of me. So, you have to know. Right?
"Every day and night, you'll train until you learn to swing a sword. I won't care if you cry, bitch, or get painful blisters since they'll heal quickly either way. You're the daughter of the blood moon Lycan; your restorative abilities are no joke." Leonard glanced at me with a wooden sword in his hands.
Is it getting hard to breathe? Or is it me?!
His eyes were stern, and I could tell he wasn't joking around as he meant every word he said.
A soft chuckle left his lips, tapping the practice sword into his hand. "There are even rumors that you may have a god's soul in you. Honestly, I don't care either way. If my son has a future, it will be because you allow it."
He threw me a wooden sword that I barely caught in time. Somehow, it appeared that what happened at the dinner table was already spreading around.
Everything you're saying is…
Alijah, who had been next to me, patted my head before kissing me lightly.
"Good luck, love, I know you'll be fine," he simpered, going towards my brothers, leaving me alone with this new monster I had.
Good luck, you say… I need more than just luck! I'm going to get screwed here!
"I'm impressed. You've got that fabled wolf tamed in the palm of your hand," Leonard noted, snickering.
Alijah shrugged at his comment. "So, what if she has?" he turned back towards us with a sharp frown.
"Well, it's nothing bad, just impressive. After all, you're the terrifying red moon Lycan that wanted to destroy the world, right?" The vampire questioned, gazing at him.
My wolf huffed, "Don't provoke me, bloodsucker."
However, his eyes shifted toward me, which caused me to smile at him, triggering him to sigh before turning back to my brothers. They were ready to start their usual beatings. However, they had gotten better at moving against him.
"Yes, wild one, I'll behave somewhat." Leonard continued to cackle, enjoying his teasing of my beloved, who only got more flared up in return.
Turning back towards me, the vampire smiled, "Tania, my lovely aunt from my mother's side, told me much about you, Rem. So, let me inform you about something important." He paused before grabbing onto a wooden stick. "It isn't because I hate you that I'll be merciless to you, but because I want you to succeed in your coming endeavors."
Huh?! Why do I feel like I'm about to…
Turning back to me, he continued, "My son already lost his mother. He can lose me, too, if needed, but not this world."
Oi... this is too much. Like way too much! I…
It suddenly felt like the world's weight was on my hands and shoulders.
"It's getting cumbersome here." I grabbed onto my face, feeling the mountain of responsibility on me.
Alijah never placed it that way to avoid disturbing me, but this vampire was intent on hammering it in without care.
Your child... an innocent baby. How can I fail him? And not just your child, but everyone who is being born and is innocent to…
For some reason, when it came to adults, it could miss or hit, but children were always a subject that made me uneasy. After all, they couldn't defend themselves like us.
I… don't know if any children were in that raider camp, but… Damn it… It's all this witch's fault! If it weren't for you… I'd… be a normal…
Edna's curse had broken me, leaving me unable to control myself like a normal person.
Why… don't I feel bad for the people I killed? Is it because I don't remember well, or…
"What exactly?" Leonard asked.
My brothers sparred with Alijah behind us, and even though he entertained them, he never let me out of sight. Knowing he was watching me made me feel safe, no matter who I was facing.
"The weight of the world," I breathed, feeling hollow because of it.
I had always tried to concentrate on my family and wanted their safety, but it never hit me that the other randoms who live in this world also deserved the same.
Children… or not, they don't deserve to suffer because of a wicked witch.
"Ah… well, too bad. Get used to it since it's your duty now." The Vampire shrugged, using the stick to tap my legs.
Damn it, you're right. You're merciless.