An Old Friend

I raised my eyebrows, still not trusting this stupid vampire. “You are not going to fool me, Bloodsucking mosquito.”

He gasped, “Mosquito? How dare you call my elegant appearance a mosquito?”

He’s too carefree.

“Why? Isn’t it real?” I retorted, and he just pouted.

“If I’m not mistaken, you are Kamilah?”

I blinked, he knows me. Part of my heart feels nervous about it but I feigned courage.

“Yes. How'd you know?”

His smile turned into a little devious smile, “I heard a lot about you. You’re living like a ghost. You’re dead but here you are..alive and kicking.”

My nose caught a whiff of his pungent rotten smell, and I scrunch my nose in disgust, “You smell rotten.”

This is the first time I encountered a vampire all my life, and this smell is strange, putting me in a haze.

He held his chest as if offended, “You keep insulting me when I come in peace.” He then cleared his throat, “I was there when it happened.”

I abruptly stopped, “What did you just say?”

“Someone was following you when that incident happened. Looks like it was sudden, but it was planned.” He started to explain, his tone now serious that I would believe it.

Part of me tells me that he was lying and just baiting me..while something inside wanted to know more, “Tell me more. don't leave any details.” I urged.

His eyes narrowed, “You're curious, hmm.. so you really want to catch the killer?”

“Yes,” I admitted, finding out how I don't lie about that. I am desperate to know that it irks me so much…so much that I wanted to kill someone...”

“Well, you should be careful who you trust… that’s all I can warn you from now…. Actually, I just want to enjoy your company now.”

I scoffed at him, “What? You know the killer, and you won’t tell me about it? How can I be sure that you’re telling the truth?”

“I am risking my life here, Kamilah. Who in their right mind would go to a powerful Alpha’s territory, and most of all, a vampire?”

I was silent, he has a point though. But he still didn’t answer why he traveled all the way here just to drop this mystery for me to solve. He’s making it hard for me to believe him.

“Trace back to what happened before Tyra was killed. You’ll find the truth.”

I sighed, “Leave. If you have nothing anymore to say, then leave this territory.”

He chuckled, “You mistaken me, Kamilah. I kind of went there not just to approach you…I came here for you Alpha.” He suddenly said, “Tell your alpha I’m here with some valuable information. He would be pleased.”

I mind link Alpha Magnus. “There’s a vampire looking for you. He says he holds some valuable information for you.”

There was a pause before Alpha Magnus replied,  “Let him in our territory.”

I sighed and motioned for the vampire to follow me, “Let’s go.”

“Awe, my best friend still remembers me! That last time I saw him he was just a shy little kid.” He exclaimed happily and I glanced at him.

“I’m your responsibility now, I hope you take care of me.”

“Oh we both perfectly know that you have no need of caring, you can handle yourself.”

He just smiled and walked quietly behind me. It took us a few more minutes of silent walking before nearing the packhouse.

Suddenly, we were stopped with a shriek, “Ew, why are you letting a vampire enter here?”

I didn’t have to turn around to know it was Stacy who stopped as we passed by her.

“He’s Alpha Magnus' old friend,” I replied shortly, not in the mood to deal with her right now.

Just then, Gusev took a step closer to her, raising his eyebrows, “You’ve always been such a rude girl ever since you were a child.”

Stacy gasped, “Excuse me? Do I know you?”

“You were just a little kid the last time I came here so you might not remember.” The vampire said, “But you need to know some good manners and have some respect, kid. Your high shrill voice irritates my ears.”

Stacy was too stunned to think of a comeback and she stormed off, mouthing a curse.

As we walked to Alpha Magnus’s study, I asked again the thing that bothered me, “Just tell me who the killer is.

“Awe we're the fun in that? The humans are at war now because of their stupidity in fighting over land territory while we supernaturals chose to hide in the dark. I just went here to pass the time.”

I gritted my teeth, he takes this topic so lightly.

“How old are you anyway?” I changed the topic.

“Is this an investigation?” He responded, “You keep on asking me questions. You seem so interested in my life.”

“Why are you befriending our kind? And our alpha? Isn't this an act of treachery for your own kind?” I kept throwing him the questions in my mind. “Come on, answer.”

“It seems I have to drop the mysterious act.” He sighed, “Fine, I’ll answer just to gain your trust. Honestly, I don’t side with anyone. I could be at my own clan’s side, but it doesn't mean I won’t help the werewolves' side.”

I blinked, somehow confused. “So, what side are you really on?”

“No one actually, it depends on my mood. I could side with both or either. But I am on my own side. I do whatever I want.” He replied with a lopsided grin, his fangs showing.

I shook my head, “You're crazy. So there will be a time that you’ll betray us.”

“Depends on the trust you’ll put in me.” As he answered that, we finally reached Alpha Magnus’s study.

I didn’t have to knock as they probably heard our footsteps, well, my footsteps since the vampire moves like air and doesn’t even make a sound. Dimitri opened the door and motioned for Gusev to enter.

I was about to enter too when Dimitri blocked my way.

“What about me? I want to hear what they’ll discuss.”

Dimitri shook his head, “It’s an important and private matter.”

I sighed, not wanting to argue more, and left them.

I ended up waiting outside the door. I tried to put my ears on the wood but I couldn’t even hear what they were talking to. It felt like they were not even having a conversation.

After an hour, the door opened and I pretended to wipe some of the artifacts.

“You’re still here? Did you wait for me?” Gusev asked, his hand was about to grab mine when a pair of strong arms stopped him.

“Stop teasing her, don’t touch her, Gusev.” Alpha Magnus ordered firmly and Gusev’s eyes sparked with interest.

He stared at me, “Oh…this is going to be much more interesting than I thought.”

“Dimitri, lead him to his tower.”

Dimitri nodded and Gusev commented, “I really love how you prepared a special place for me, I always know I am welcomed here.”

“You’re not special. I just made that tower in case this happens. I don’t want my pack members to get bothered by you.”