Crimson Bonds

Chapter 5: The Calm Before the Storm

Babe hadn't slept.

The moon had long set, the city bathed in the pre-dawn glow of muted streetlights and the soft hum of life waking up again. But the heavy feeling in his chest made it impossible to rest. Every time he closed his eyes, Billy's words echoed in his mind. Things are going to get interesting.

Interesting. Sure. That was one way to describe being hunted by rogue witches and the looming threat of the Blood Moon's arrival.

Babe sat up on his bed, running a hand through his tousled hair. The apartment was still, almost too quiet, as if the very air was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. And Babe hated that feeling—the anticipation, the uncertainty.

A sharp knock at the door cut through the silence, making him flinch.

For a split second, his heart raced, his mind flashing to all the worst possibilities—rogue witches, maybe even the Council. But then a familiar voice called from the other side.

"Yo, Babe! Open up! I've got breakfast!"

Babe groaned but couldn't help the faint smile tugging at his lips. Krit. Of course.

He dragged himself out of bed, feeling the exhaustion in his bones as he shuffled to the door. When he opened it, he was greeted by Krit's grinning face, his best friend holding up a bag of takeout like it was a peace offering.

"You look like death," Krit said cheerfully, brushing past Babe and making himself at home in the kitchen. "Which is ironic, considering who you were hanging out with last night."

Babe blinked, still not fully awake. "What are you talking about?"

Krit raised an eyebrow, unpacking containers of food onto the counter. "Billy, duh. You guys were really close at the club last night. I saw that little moment you two had before everything went sideways with the witches."

Babe flushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It wasn't like that."

"Uh-huh," Krit said, clearly unconvinced as he shoved a container of noodles into Babe's hands. "Look, I'm just saying, if there's anyone who can handle your witchy drama and not freak out, it's probably him. Not that I'm endorsing vampire boyfriends or anything."

Babe sighed, plopping down on the couch as he poked at the noodles. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Yet," Krit added with a wink, sitting down next to him. "But for real, what's going on with you two? I thought you hated vampires."

"I don't hate vampires," Babe muttered defensively. "I just... don't trust them."

"Except Billy," Krit pointed out.

Babe hesitated, chewing on his bottom lip as his thoughts drifted back to the night before. There was something about Billy that felt different—something he couldn't quite put into words. It wasn't just the way Billy seemed to understand his magic, or the fact that he kept showing up at the worst possible moments. It was the way Babe's guard slipped around him, how the walls he usually kept up didn't feel so necessary when Billy was near.

"It's complicated," Babe finally said, his voice quieter now. "He wants to help. But I don't know if I can trust him."

Krit leaned back, studying Babe with an uncharacteristically serious expression. "Maybe you should give him a chance. I mean, we both know you can handle yourself, but it doesn't hurt to have someone else watching your back. Especially with those witches still after you."

Babe frowned, his thoughts once again turning to the rogue witches and their cryptic threats. "Speaking of which, any word on them?"

Krit shook his head. "Not much. They've gone quiet since last night, but that just means they're planning something. They won't stay quiet for long."