I'm Being Stalked By A Ghost & Hunted By A Vampire

Part Forty-Two

You turn sharply, finding Rumor standing in the doorway.

"Oh, I thought it was just the basement..." He shrugs, walking into the room.

You notice he's wearing a loose white button up shirt, along with dark pants.

His hair is brushed up awkwardly, as if he's been pushing it up out of stress.

"I guess you have special privileges, but this whole area is off limits."

"Why are you here then?" he shrugs, not giving you an answer.

You turn back to the painting staring up at the girl "Who is she? She looks like-" "Hasten?" Rumor interrupts, "It's his sister. Before you ask any other questions, no she died a long time ago." He says it so casually, as if it's been discussed many times before.

You make the O shape with your mouth, "What happened?" He shrugs his shoulders, "You'll have to ask him, I don't think it's my place." You nod hesitantly, knowing you may not get Hasten to crack, considering he has never brought her up before.

"I guess I'll never know." Rumor laughs, "You have him figured out already." You head towards the door, telling Rumor you should probably leave when he grabs your arm.

"Have you thought about my offer?" You stop in your tracks, "Are you talking about what you said at the club?" he nods his head, his regular breezy attitude now replaced with a serious demeanour.

"I assumed you were joking." He smirks, you feel like you are with someone completely different, his behaviour is reminding you of Avents.

"Oh but I'm not. I fully intend on making you into one of us." A chill runs up your back, you wish you never wandered so far away without mentioning it to anyone. Is anyone even home?

"R-Rumor, you can't be serious, me part of the Tchort clan? That's preposterous!" He steps closer, the gleam in his eyes reminding you of the one Hasten has when he is about to do something you won't like.

"I chew with my mouth open, I can barely walk straight, let alone with a book on my head, I have poor social etiquette! I seriously can't be part of your clan, let alone a vampire." You list off reasons why being in the royal clan wouldn't work.

Before you know it, your back is pressed against the large footboard of the bed. Rumor has officially closed the gap between you two.

"None of that matters. I'll make the council see my way; I don't care about the punishment." You feel your face contort with exasperation, "Punishment?!"

He smiles, giving you a piece of his old self, "I'm 36% sure that they won't punish you!"

That is a low percentage, -_-.

"Rumor," You place a firm hand on his chest, pushing him back. He steps back, by his will more than your strength.