Chapter 60

I couldn't tear my gaze away from Jade as she ate, her movements quick and restless. Elena urged her to eat up, her eyes avoiding mine as she subtly signaled for us to talk privately. With a nod, I rose from my seat and retreated to my room, Elena following closely behind. She locked the door behind us, and I turned to her expectantly.

"What is it?" I asked, curiosity tinged with apprehension in my voice.

Elena wasted no time in voicing her concerns. "Are you going to let Annabelle Keys stay here?" she questioned, her tone laced with disbelief.

"For now, yes. Black Soul is still after her," I explained, hoping to justify my decision.

Elena's surprise was palpable as she exclaimed, "What? You're going to let your former wife and her killer stay here together? This is unbelievable. Did she agree to this despite knowing your plans?"

I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on me. "She must hate Black Soul more than she hates me," I admitted, a sense of resignation settling over me.

Elena shook her head in disbelief. "She's really something. She decided to stay in a lion's den so she could kill her enemy?" she mused incredulously.

Back in the dining area, Annabelle placed meat on Jade's plate, encouraging her to eat. But Jade pushed the meat back towards Annabelle, urging her to stop cooking and eat instead. Annabelle chuckled softly, accepting Jade's refusal.

"I am eating, but I don't crave meat at this hour," Annabelle explained calmly.

David, who had been chewing his food, interjected with a question. "Why not? I do," he remarked with a mouthful.

Annabelle smiled at him warmly. "Okay, what's your real age? You said you were thirty while wearing a school uniform," she teased gently.

David hesitated, then admitted, "I had no choice but to lie in that situation."

Jade scoffed at his response. "Thirty? He's obviously a kid," she remarked dismissively.

David paused, his expression serious as he countered, "A kid? I've been through all the highs and lows of life. I've experienced everything."

Jade met his gaze squarely. "So? Is that why you're not at school right now?" she challenged.

"School's on break," David defended himself.

"Liar!" Jade accused, her frustration evident.

David felt his temper rising. "School is boring since I have no friends," he confessed, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his voice.

Jade shook her head in disbelief. "You don't go to school for fun. You should at least graduate," she retorted.

Annabelle intervened before their argument could escalate further. "All right, that's enough," she said firmly, handing Jade some meat. "Here, eat again," she encouraged David, gesturing towards the food. "You too," she added, her tone gentle yet authoritative.

"Give me more," David said, his focus on the food as he continued eating. Suddenly, someone banged on the door, startling them all. Jade anxiously asked, "Who could that be?" They exchanged worried glances as the banging persisted. David swiftly rose to his feet, declaring, "We're not expecting anyone." He slipped on his shoes, prepared to confront the unexpected visitor. Jade, frightened, sought refuge behind Annabelle.

Opening the door, David was surprised to find Mr. Thomas standing there. "You again? What is it this time?" David questioned, his tone wary. Mr. Thomas brushed past him without explanation, entering the room confidently. "Where is he?" he demanded, scanning the room until his eyes landed on Annabelle and Jade. They exchanged respectful bows as I emerged from the room, accompanied by Elena.

Mr. Thomas directed his attention to me, noting, "It seemed like you were dying, but you're fine now." I remained silent as he requested, "Can I talk with you in private?" I gestured towards my room, leading him inside.

Once inside, Mr. Thomas wasted no time in stating his intentions. "Whatever you're doing, I want in," he declared firmly. Confused, I asked, "What? What do you mean?" Mr. Thomas explained, "Catching Imoogi Vampire. Annabelle told me that you could catch him."

I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his words. "Why all of a sudden?" I questioned, seeking clarification. Mr. Thomas revealed his personal stake in the matter. "I'm helping you catch a killer. He killed her mother and sister fifteen years ago, and he's covering up all the incidents related to Imoogi Vampire. I need to catch him," he explained earnestly.

"I thought you were no longer a cop. This has nothing to do with you now," I pointed out, puzzled by his sudden involvement.

Mr. Thomas disagreed, insisting, "It does." His determination was evident as he continued, "I have something to ask him."

Curiosity piqued, I inquired, "What is it? Did he do something to you?" The air in the room was tense with anticipation as we awaited Mr. Thomas's response.

Mr. Thomas seemed lost in the memory of his sister's dying words, "Imoogi Vampire is here." I watched his expression shift as he returned to the present, his gaze fixed on me. "You don't need to know," he stated firmly. "A monster like him who murders people needs to be caught."

I bristled slightly at his insinuation. "To be honest... I thought you were Imoogi Vampire at first," Mr. Thomas admitted. His words hung in the air, adding to the tension in the room. "But since Annabelle Keys is here with you, that's probably not the case. But still, you seem suspicious."

"Why?" I asked, taken aback by his accusation.

Mr. Thomas met my gaze squarely. "The police couldn't identify you. It was as if you didn't exist. And you also found that serial killer who was one of the vampires in the past." He leaned in closer, his eyes boring into mine. "Tell me, who exactly are you? What is your name?"

His question echoed in my mind, stirring memories of King Vale's decree. "From this moment on, your name shall be Morgan," he had declared. "It means rebirth."

Gathering my resolve, I replied, "My name is Morgan. Morgan Vale's." Mr. Thomas's surprise was palpable as he repeated, "Morgan? What a peculiar name. Do you mean Morgan as in bow?"

I remained silent, prompting him to press further. "Am I wrong?" he inquired. But before I could respond, Elena burst into the room, accompanied by David.

"Hey, you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with indignation as she addressed Mr. Thomas. "You've totally crossed the line. Why would you barge in here and pester him? Who are you?"

David interjected, providing an explanation. "He was a detective. A former detective."

Elena's frustration was evident as she retorted, "Former? You're not a detective now, so why would you interrogate him?"

Mr. Thomas glanced at Elena, sizing her up before responding curtly, "Then who are you to interrupt our conversation like this?"

Elena turned to me, her expression softening as she explained, "He's my son. So?"

Surprised by her revelation, I looked at Elena for confirmation. Mr. Thomas's confusion was apparent as Elena continued, "His dad wasn't around when I gave birth, so I couldn't register him. Happy?"

Mr. Thomas seemed taken aback by the revelation, but before he could gather his thoughts, David intervened, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Sir, have you eaten yet? The meat is scrumptious. Come have some."

Mr. Thomas declined the invitation with a curt "No," his focus still lingering on the revelations that had just unfolded.