「 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 」

Ch. III [3] ♡

"her name is Ran Mao," said Lucio.

"she's known for serial turning and leaving her newborns to struggle for themselves, not knowing anything about what they are or how to handle it. you, for example. it... isn't out of malice, though. Eastern vampires are quite different from Western ones. they are the 'survival of the fittest' type, so to speak."

"I have some lessons for you, Cedric. 1) masquerade yourself away around the humans as much as possible. they they're liable to cause a hunt. 2), when you drink from others, try your hardest not to kill them. drink but in moderation. if you kill, the beast inside you will become stronger and stronger. you need to keep it together."

Cedric listened to as much as he could. all of this that Lucio was telling him was deathly important. as much turmoil as he was being put under, he didn't need people running after him, yelling "Witch hunt!"

that's not what he wanted in his life.

they stopped in front of a conspicuous building, littered with shady characters. it was the tavern that Ran was known to frequent.

"this is as far as I will take you," said Lucio. "I wish you luck in finding her."

he melted into the shadows as quickly as he arrived.

Cedric tried to avoid eye contact with the other presumed vampires outside. their glowing eyes burned into him, and he could feel it. his heart was beating out of his chest.

...or not. his heart didn't beat. he'd completely forgotten about that. but that didn't mean he wasn't anxious.

the inside of the tavern was no better - it was too quiet for a tavern. one filled with humans would be filled with boisterous laughter and loud talking. many vampires remained in cliques, with other vampires they felt comfortable with. women and men sat comfortably on others' laps. the bartender's eyes were a milky white, devoid of pupils. he was seemingly blind.

Cedric felt like the other vampires were playing mind games with him. he felt them looking, but whenever he returned the gaze (or tried to), they continued talking with whoever or doing whatever.

he carefully made his way to the bar, where the tender stood.

"...what would you like, newborn?"

"I... I would like-"

"just get him what I'm having," said a blonde man next to Cedric.

the man turned to look at Cedric, sitting his glass down.

"now... why are you here without a sire, newborn?" his voice was so low that he was almost purring.

"how does everyone know that?" Cedric asked, growing irritated.

"well, first of all, I heard the bartender call you that."

suddenly Cedric was embarrassed. of course he'd heard the bartender say it; he was sitting right there.

"second, even if I didn't hear him, I would've known from your eyes," he replied. "they're bright red. no vampire has bright red eyes in their resting state except those who've recently been turned. see? it isn't difficult to tell. your own body betrays you..."

his fingers grazed Cedric's ear, and Cedric flinched away from him.

the vampire smirked and turned back to his glass.

"answer this," demanded Cedric. "why does it feel like they're all ... looking at me?"

"because they are."

Cedric grew more irritated. "why can't I ever see them when I look back?? it makes me look foolish."

the man didn't answer right away. he sat down his empty glass before laughing.

"you really know nothing. you are a newborn coming in a vampire den without your sire. immediately, everyone's eyes are on you. they let you sense them and they play mind games. if you were in here with-"

"I'm looking for her," said Cedric.

the vampire raised a brow.

"I'm looking for my sire. I have her name - Ran."

"oh! Ms. Ran Mao. she frequents this place quite often. she isn't here tonight, however."

Cedric sighed, drinking the "alcohol" that was put in front of him. it smelled strongly metallic. it was most definitely blood mixed with some shots of alcohol.

"is there anywhere else I could find her?"

the senior vampire shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know of any other places. Ran is her own supervisor. not... what's your name, newborn?"

"..."

"it's okay. you can tell me. I'm offering you a deal. I will graciously become your surrogate sire, offer you much needed protection. and in return, you will become mine. and mine alone. very simple."

Cedric didn't like what he was implying.

"... no." Cedric stood up, dignity intact and threw money on the counter. he walked out of the tavern.

as soon as Cedric walked out, he found himself being cornered by three vampires, all bigger than him. Cedric's eyes darted from one to the other.

"Oh, newborn," said one, with a strong Russian accent, "I'd like to take you home with me." he reached out to touch Cedric, and Cedric swatted his hand away before it could happen. the vampire snarled.

"I have a sire," he said quickly.

"oh, do you?" asked another - a woman. "I don't see them. also, I don't see a mark of ownership. you're fair game, love~"

"he's mine," said a voice as a figure steps in between Cedric and the marauders.

"... Drake. I hadn't realized you claimed one."

"I have. this one's mine. now stop intimidating my boy."

Cedric's eyes were wide in surprise, but he played along. Drake couldn't have come at a better time.

"sorry. we will go now," said the first vampire.

the vampire, apparently named Drake, turned to Cedric.

"I told you you'd need protection." Cedric narrowed his eyes at this.

"what do you say? do you want to take my deal~?"