Crimson Bonds

Chapter 12: Beneath the Surface

Babe tapped his foot impatiently, his back pressed against the brick wall of the alley as he waited for Billy to arrive. The quiet hum of the city at night did nothing to ease the tension that gnawed at him, the weight of Elara's warnings still fresh in his mind. The Council was watching him more closely than ever, and he could feel the pressure mounting with every passing day. The Blood Moon was drawing nearer, and with it, a storm that he wasn't sure he was ready to face.

He heard the soft rush of air before Billy appeared in front of him, moving with that quiet, vampiric grace that always caught Babe off guard. For someone who could move like a shadow, Billy had a way of filling the space around him, his presence impossible to ignore.

"Still brooding?" Billy asked with a teasing grin as he approached.

Babe rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips despite himself. "I'm not brooding. I'm thinking."

"There's a difference?" Billy quirked an eyebrow, stepping closer until they were just inches apart. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like classic brooding."

"Yeah, well, maybe I've got a lot on my mind," Babe shot back, shoving his hands into his pockets. He tilted his head up to meet Billy's gaze, the teasing smirk still playing on Billy's lips. "Elara says the Blood Moon is coming faster than we thought. And the Council's practically breathing down my neck."

"I know," Billy's expression softened slightly, the light banter giving way to something more serious. "But that's why we're here-to get you ready."

Babe sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I know. It's just..."

"Just what?" Billy prompted, leaning against the wall beside Babe.

Babe hesitated, the words caught in his throat. He didn't want to admit it, didn't want to say that despite all the power surging through his veins, he wasn't sure he could control it. The thought of losing control-of hurting the people he cared about-was terrifying. And with the Council watching his every move, one slip-up could be catastrophic.

"It's nothing," Babe muttered, shaking his head. "Let's just get this over with."

Billy's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he could sense the weight of what Babe wasn't saying, but he didn't push. Instead, he stepped back, gesturing for Babe to follow him deeper into the alley, where they wouldn't be seen. It wasn't the ideal training ground, but they couldn't risk being caught practicing blood magic in the open, not with the Council watching.

As they began, Babe tried to focus on the task at hand-channeling his blood magic with precision, controlling the flow of energy that pulsed through him like a second heartbeat. But no matter how hard he concentrated, there was always that gnawing sense of instability, like a crack running through the foundation of his power.

"Focus, Babe," Billy's voice cut through the haze of his thoughts, sharp and commanding. "You've got this. Just breathe."

Babe clenched his fists, drawing the magic inward, willing it to obey. His blood felt like it was burning beneath his skin, a surge of energy ready to burst free. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to keep it contained.

"Good," Billy murmured, stepping closer. "Now control it. You're in charge here, not the magic."

Babe gritted his teeth, feeling the power ripple through him. For a moment, it felt like he had it-like he was finally mastering the chaotic energy inside him. But then, with a sharp crack, the control slipped. A surge of blood magic erupted from him, sending a gust of wind swirling through the alley and knocking Billy off balance.

"Shit!" Babe gasped, staggering backward as the energy recoiled through his body, leaving him breathless and shaken.

Billy, who had caught himself just in time, was at his side in an instant, his hands gripping Babe's shoulders. "Hey, hey-it's okay. You're fine."