Love, Light and Blood (Owari No Seraph)

Chapter 7: The Virgin

I leaned on the rooftop and looked over the edge. The dim moonlight gave everything down below a weird and creepy look. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze that blew past my skin. My silence and relaxation was only short lived when I heard footsteps coming closer to me from behind.

"I thought I might find you here." The person said. I didn't even bother turning around. I knew this person all too well.

"What do you want, Ferid?" I asked, with slight annoyance in my voice.

"Now, now, Siri. You don't have to be so cold." He said, oblivious to the fact that I didn't want him around. "An attitude like that is no good for you."

"What are you going on about now, Ferid?"

"I mean, come on. Being up here all alone is no way to get rid of it, you know."

I gritted my teeth in anger and turned my head.

"Seriously, a virgin vampire! That's unheard of! Just imagine it, the touch of your sweet, sweet Mikaela. His voice whispering in your ear. You scream his name, repeatedly! Mika! Mika! Mika!" He spun around fantasizing perverted scenes and I felt my face grow warm. I opened my mouth to retort but quickly decided against that.

"Shut the hell up!" I yelled. "How dare you use his name in such a disgusting way?! He's dead! Do it again and I'll kill you!"

"How can you do that? You're not even a full vampire."

"I would never violate Mika in such a way!"

"You say that now..."

I crossed my arms and relaxed. "What did you even come here for?"

"Krul is asking for you."

"What does she need now?"

"Go and see." He smiled mischievously, and pointed to the door.

I walked past him and stepped back inside. I continued down the hall and noticed someone step inside of a room. I turned my head and I could have sworn that I had seen blonde hair in that half second before the door shut.

"Mi--" I stopped myself before I could finish. That's impossible. Although, I had always walked past the door without wondering what was inside. And I didn't plan on ever finding out. "My eyes must be playing tricks on me."

I moved along and made my way to where Krul was. That same old grand hall I found myself in when I first came to as inhuman. "You called me, Krul?" I spoke as I shut the door behind me.

"Yes, here you go. I just finished restocking the blood for you."

"I didn't ask for any."

"I know. It's been a little over a week since that last time I gave you a refill."

"R-right. Thanks." I took the small tubes from her hand and placed them in my side pouch.

"Just how long do you plan on keeping this facade up?" She asked as she crossed her legs and stared intently at me. "You're in pain. I can see it in your eyes."

"For as long as I can."

"And how long do you think that would be for?"

"I don't know, forever, I guess." I said as I got ready to leave.

"You're so stubborn. You two are exactly the same."

"And who is it that you're comparing me with?" I stopped walking.

"Mikaela, of course."

I shot myself in Krul's direction and pulled out my sword. I readied myself to at least scratch her when she held out her hand as flat as table and stopped me.

"Don't go around being reckless. You aren't a full vampire, you can't fight me. You will get yourself killed that way.

"Then don't ever say his name again." I said as I put my sword back.

"Fine. I apologize. Do you really think that's true?"

"I'm done here." I said as I turned away and left.

I stood behind the door with my back leaning up against it and gritted my teeth. "Dammit. I'm such an idiot." I covered my face with my hand and breathed heavily. I stood up straight and walked myself back to my room.

On the way there, I stopped for a moment in front of the door where I saw someone go in. I stood in front of it and forced myself not to do whatever I was going to do. It probably wasn't him. Maybe someone that looked similar.

I turned around and continued back to my room.

The next morning started out the same as all the others did, with barely half a good night's sleep. They were haunting, the scared faces. The cries of pain. The blood. Most of all, the guilt. Each night replaced yesterday's burden with a newer and heavier batch. I would wake up in the middle of the night breathing heavily as if someone was pushing their entire body weight on my chest. It was horrible. Along with that, there was that empty sadness of not being able to see Mika again. I missed him. More than I could bare with. He was the only person that actually made me look forward to the next day, because I knew he'd be there when I woke up. But now, he's not.

So, I don't know if I can look forward to tomorrow, anymore. But, I'm being stupid. I shouldn't think like that. Not while I still have time left.

I sat up in bed and wiped away the sweat on my forehead. I sighed heavily and leaned back so I looked at the ceiling. Then I felt a pain in my chest. My breathing quickened and my body tightened. "Not...again!" I barely managed to say. I struggled out of bed and reached for my pouch. My shaking hands reached out and gripped the bag tightly.

I opened it and fell to the floor. I pulled out a tube and popped out the cork. I hesitantly put it to my lips and then threw my head back and poured the blood in my mouth.

Gradually, my breathing slowed down and so did my heart beat. "It's happening more frequently now.." I muttered. "I know..I-- don't have much longer."

I bit my lip and shut my eyes. "Just how exactly?" I said obviously to no one. "Just how exactly am I supposed to live with this?!" I fell to the floor and balled my hands into a fist.

"It's.. too much..! I can't bare it! It hurts.. It hurts so much.."

"Then do what your body has been yearning for all these years." A voice said.

My eyes shot open and I looked up. "Krul..?" I whispered. The pink-haired vampire stood in the doorway of my room. Her hands behind her back.

"What...are you doing here?"

"If you're that much pain, then drink."

"Stop! Stop!"

"Why? It's what you must do."

"I will never! For as long as I live I will never drink the blood of a human."

"But you aren't 'living'."

"Don't tempt me.."

"Take this.." She held out a hand and in was a cup, filled with blood. I opened my mouth slightly and my throat went dry. Muscles tightened and I swallowed. Why? Why am I acting like this? What is so different..? No! It's--human blood!

Krul stuck her hand closer to me and I stared intently at the blood. It's thick and rich texture. It's smell...was enough to make drool. I involuntarily reached out to grab the cup and I realized what I was doing. Tears formed in my eyes and I slapped it out of her hand.

"I dare you..to try this even one more time!" I yelled. "I won't! I won't give in!"

"You say that now but you eventually will. The pain will be far greater than what you can imagine." Krul gently placed a hand on my face.

"There is nothing you can do to prevent this. You will have to face the grim truth, Siri. You are a vampire."