Always Hate Me

9. Bite Me

Devi stepped forward and eased down the vampire's gag – freeing his mouth.

"Wynoś się stąd," the vampire whispered urgently. Devi shook her head.

"English?"

"Get out of here," he had a thick accent but Devi understood. Her hands trembled. "You need to get help. It's slavers – they are-"

"Inside the walls," she finished for him, her voice soft. "I know. But how? How did they...?" Her question faltered – she was at a loss.

The vampire looked a mess. His skin was chalky and thin, he barely had the strength to raise his head. The redness in his eyes looked painful.

"They are working..." his words were weak and Devi had to step closer to catch them. "With a group of humans." Devi nodded. Melchior. He must have been involved in letting the slavers inside – but she still didn't understand why.

The vampire hissed. "Run." He'd heard something. Devi's heart beat frantically. She darted for the door – but then she heard it too – the sounds of multiple footsteps coming up the stairs. She was trapped. Scared, she looked around the room – hoping for somewhere to hide. But there was nothing. As a last resort, she hid behind the door. It was a hopeless move. She heard the clicking before the slavers stepped into the room and her heart sank like lead in her stomach. They'd be able to smell her.

Sure enough, one of the slavers immediately pulled her out from her hiding place – its creepy fingers gripping her tightly. Its pincers clicked together excitedly and Devi recoiled.

"Devi," Melchior greeted – his tone wary. The slaver shoved Devi into the centre of the room. She was out of its grasp but still completely trapped.

Melchior was frowning at her. It was bizarre, to see him standing perfectly calmly with two slavers flanking him.

"Why are you doing this?" Devi addressed Melchior. "Why are you helping them?"

Melchior crossed his arms.

"We have a deal."

"A deal? With the enemy!?"

"It turns out vampire slaves suit them better than human ones."

Devi's face scrunched up in confusion.

"But the vampires are on our side!"

Melchior laughed, though the humour didn't meet his cold eyes.

"The vampire's rule over us. There are many people that agree with me – about the vampire threat. I belong to an organisation that wants to stamp them out. Before they turn on us."

Devi clenched her hands into fists.

"We're working with a small tribe of slavers that have agreed to freedom for humans." Melchior explained.

"But vampires are humans. They're just not mortal but they are still human. They still think and feel and care!"

"It's an act!" Melchior was shouting now. "They're monsters. They don't feel anything!"

"We'd be dead if it hadn't been for them!"

"So, what!? We should humbly bow at their feet in gratitude?!" Spit sprayed from Melchior's mouth. "You need to open your eyes to what they are doing to us!"