DIABOLIK LOVERS: The Blacker the Better

06. The Enemy of My Enemy

(Natsuka POV)

"Thank you."

I study the fresh fruit on the table. There's a wide array from grapes to delectable mandarins, as well as some fruit we don't have in the Demon Realm. Plucking a glossy, red apple from the basket, I take a tentative bite, chew and swallow.

"You have taste." The new vampire is, unlike the other two, in height and build. He's tall and bulky, towering over both of his friends. His mouth appears to be set in a permanent scowl, and that doesn't lift even as he compliments me.

"Yuma-kun grows all our fruit and vegetables. His specialty are those apples—oh, and the roses." Kou fans a hand in the direction of the ornate vase on the table, pushed to the side for the food, the roses it holds are breathtaking in their own right.

"You grew this?" I study the apple.

"I did." He says.

I meet his eyes, the golden brown capable of holding human warmth, which would make sense as he smells mortal tinged with vampire.

"You have talent. I don't know of many vampire farmers. Most of the arable land is owned by the Snake Clan, but vampires have always been...power-hungry. Simple farming wouldn't satisfy them."

This Yuma scoffs. "Don't know what you're babbling about."

I squeeze the apple in my hold, lowering my hand. "At least those vampires are wary of how they talk and act—I don't think I've ever met more rowdy a group: is this how all vampires are trained in the Mortal Realm?"

Yuma slaps his hands down on his knees and he leans forward, the action quick and forcing me to narrow my eyes.

"You talk to much," he tells me.

"Not nearly enough to scold you into—"

I don't expect the table flip, but when it comes, when Yuma grabs the ends and dumps the contents around, I endure Yui's short scream. I pluck one of his precious apples out of my lap, tossing it to the floor.

"Careful," I warn, glaring.

"Or you'll what?" He takes a step, all of his stature hovering over me. My neck starts to crick just to keep my eye contact square on his.

He plucks the apple from my hand, moving too quick for me.

Yui squeaks when his hand crushes the fruit, the juices bursting, flecks of the sweet apple sprinkling the small space separating us. A piece lands on my cheek, and I leave it there, my hand grasping air moving to fall over my knee.

"Ah, Yuma-kun," the sunshine-haired vampire, Kou, comes to stand behind his friend. He sounds exasperated, and I get the sense that Yuma has done this before, use his height and strength as intimidation tactics.

It won't work on me.

Steeling myself, I return his heated glare.

"Don't kill her." Kou is saying.

Yuma bares his fangs, and I'm reminded of Subaru Sakamaki. "Depends on her, don't it? Here that, sow two, you got your life in your hands. Careful you don't make me crush it."

I laugh, the sound bitter with both my anger and fear. As human as they smelled, they were still very much vampires, and they demonstrated some power. "I've fought stronger foes. You're not a worthy opponent."

Yuma reared forward and even I gasp, startling back into the couch. His hand, wet from the apple's juices, is squeezing the air where my head occupied a moment ago. Kou's hands on his forearm are keeping me safe.