Vampire Wishes [BounPrem]

9❣️

"Um..." Ramil stammered out. Biting his tongue and hoping the boy believed the lie.

Things were getting more complicated than he anticipated.

Ramil was aware of the cold in the air, though his understanding of it is purely observational — his body neither generates nor requires heat, and so no temperature leaves him feeling uncomfortable. Except for Punn. Been close to the boy somehow raised the temperature to the warmth in the room.

The bracelet was known as the Lunar crest. In the early 1800s, the Lunar crest was given to the human brides brought in the family for protection and a symbol that they were chosen. It was believed that the bracelet scared off any opposing or rival vampire predators. And the tradition was passed down generation to generation.

After the attack on Ramil's family by a stronger rival family who wanted power, most of the bracelets were stolen and lost.

Whoever gave Punn the lunar crest must have known something about the vampire family. Now he had a duty to protect Punn, like he would protect a bride.

Wait. What?

The young man was attractive, above and beyond the alluring vitality that Ramil was never drawn to humans. He'd always loved camouflaging his essence in paintings and images.

Until Punn showed up. Now he can barely keep up with the facade.

He wiped his forehead and sighed. Well, if Punn already mysteriously had access to the family's lunar crest, he might as well show him around like he would, a bride.

He turned to Punn. "Follow me."

Ramil led him down a different hallway to an underground chamber called Vamp cave. It had five caskets that were well designed in different shades of purple suede. Dour of the caskets was open except one.

"This is the Vamp cave. A place where vampires retire to rest or recover. Here lies the secret to their evergreen youthfulness."

"Vamp cave huh?" Punn said as he looked around the hideous cave. There were vines of ancient trees growing from the ground up to the open ceiling, which was wide enough to let in moonlight.

Ramil walked to the only casket that was a closed and opened it. He gestured to Punn to look inside.

Once Punn took a glance he jerked back. A motionless Ciar laid in the white interior of the casket. Up close, he looked dead, skin as white and snow, with dark circles under his eyes.

"Is he dead?" Punn asked.

"No. He's hibernating. Until the next full moon which will be in a fortnight."

"Oh," Punn stepped back.

"When he wakes," Ramil said. "we complete the ritual."

"So your friends are vampires too."

"Yes."

"How long can you go without waking up?"

"A few months," Ramil said in a strained voice. If he didn't watch his words, he might end up spilling more about the extent of his regenerative abilities. "That’s the longest I’ve bothered to try."

"How old are you?"

"Older than this country, maybe older than Asia."

"How old, Ramil?" Punn pressed the stake in deeper.

"I lost track after eleven hundred..." Ramil muttered.

He paused, like he was trying to decide if he was lying, or simply trying to wrap his head around the reality of his life span. He had never been under pressure to prove his age to some human.