Elemental Reverse Harem Quartet (part 1: Earth)

Chapter 19

The essence of humanity

Malka Selby

I stopped dead in my tracks just a few feet from Varu's safe room.

Dead wasn't the right word in this context. Abrupt halt would be more apt. I came to an abrupt halt when I saw the monsters.

Their eyes were yellow, their hair blue, their skin pale, and several shades of gray. Their hungry mouths hung open. My eyes fixed on their sharp canines. Kyle and his sister looked more like ravenous frightening animals than humans, in complete contrast to Varu.

He'd said something about staying in the safe room, and he'd protect me. I wished I was still back there. I should've listened to him then.

Remembering he'd also said I was powerful and the silver box in my hand would protect me, I attempted to hide my fear behind it as I took another hesitant step forward. "You sounded sincere about my blood helping your friend. How does that work?" I asked.

Varu kept his back to me but raised his hands on either side of him in a way that seemed to signal me to not come closer, or else it was to keep the monsters on the other side of him.

"Elemental blood is known to possess powerful magic in its own right. It might combat the poison that coated Fire's blades and is now killing the vampire he slashed in the cemetery earlier. Only might. However, it is not a certainty," Varu explained.

Already that incident had become a distant memory. It seemed like it happened days ago because so much had happened to me since then. Varu must have known all along that my blood might have been an antidote to whatever harmed the fallen vampires. At that time, I had no idea about the undead, magical silver knives, or witches.

"I really meant how do we get my blood to her? Do I have to go with you and let her feed on me?"

"That won't happen," Varu snapped.

Part of me resented being told what to do. Another part of me wanted protection from vampires as terrifying as the two in front of Varu. After all he'd said earlier, I knew why he didn't want it to happen. It might turn me on like it had Beck, and the vampire might not stop drinking in time. I might die.

Varu had made it quite clear—beware of vampires, they might kill me.

The guy, Kyle, who appeared to be in his late teens, winked and pulled out a hand full of syringes. "She doesn't need much. Just one syringe of blood should be enough."

"Then why bring more?" Varu was composed, earnest, and in command of this situation I'd just blundered into. I noticed he glanced at the stairs several times as if checking whether more vampires were on their way up.

I stepped back toward the safe room and wondered if its magic would hold strong if my enemies saw me disappear into it.

"Just in case one broke." It seemed difficult for him to speak clearly with too many big teeth in his mouth.

"I don't want anyone to die if I can save them," I said.

Without turning to speak to me, Varu answered, "You can't save everyone. And this cousin of theirs is already dead—undead." It wasn't so much that Varu had his back to me as he kept me behind him and the vampire intruders in his sight.

They snarled at him with displeasure at his lack of support.

I didn't like his callous attitude either. "They might be vampires, but if I can easily help them prevent death and suffering, then I will. It's not up to you to decide what I do with my blood any more than it is up to Haydn. Helping people is a human instinct; perhaps you don't understand it."

Inching as close as I dared to the three vampires but staying behind Varu, I held out my hand to take a syringe.

"Be careful." Varu growled. I'm not sure whether that warning was intended for the blue-haired vampires or me. "You are not exactly human."

After staring at my hand in a way that made me most uncomfortable, Kyle dropped a few into my palm.

I folded my fingers around them and snatched it back.

"Miss Earth, if you hand over your blood in that container, it might never reach the intended vampire. Your blood is too powerful to allow it to leave in the hands of vampires for persons unknown. Your blood is special."

The two blue-haired vampires bowed their heads at this.

"Then what do you suggest, Varu? How do I help?"

"You mustn't draw blood in front of vampires. If you insist on this, you will fill the receptacle in private after these children have left. And then I will deliver it to the victim of Fire's blades and ensure it goes to her and her alone."

Incredibly, the blue-haired siblings didn't argue. They showed their teeth and narrowed their eyes, but didn't speak.

"We have no time to lose, as I must make sure the witch is safe before I leave and be back here before sunrise. Where will I find Ceyhan?"

"She is in an apartment next to the Rio Cinema. If you come to the Rio, we will wait for you there," Kyle replied.

The female stared defiantly at Varu. "Can we trust you'll turn up?"

"What is your name?" Whatever expression was on his face, I have no idea, but she backed away and lowered her gaze.

"Asya," she replied. "We'll wait for you."

Under Varu's watch, Kyle and Asya slinked away, retreating down the stairs, back the way they'd come.

I stayed close behind Varu, wishing I were braver. It was starting to sink in; if he wasn't with me, I might have stepped out into the path of those two scary monsters. I wouldn't have stood a chance. And although they said they wanted me to cure their cousin, they looked as if they'd devour me.