38. One word- Kieran.

**Ocean**

The only thing I wanted was to lie down and let my mind process the information. My life changed from zero to fuck me in a matter of hours. 

First, it was Kieran's sudden disappearance after the Elite sent him on another mission, then the woman I murdered, and as a cherry on top of that cake of insanity- I turned out to be something I've hated and the partial reason for my suffering is the man who claimed me as his.

How more messed up can someone's life get than this? And how am I supposed to casually think about these facts, process them, and come to terms with what my life has become?

It'd be so much easier if Vladimir still were my owner. Yes, I hated the abuse and that he kept treating me like a piece of shit, but life was what it was for me; nothing really changed. 

Back then, I didn't think of myself as special or unique; I was just me, Ocean, the enslaved human. All I had to do was follow the orders and complete the tasks Vladimir gave me. 

But today, I'm not even a human anymore. I'm some kind of a sick vampire hybrid who apparently feeds on humans and can walk under the sunlight. 

While these thoughts were running through my mind, I didn't think much about what was happening around me until I closed my eyes, and a loud explosion shook the windows of the mansion. 

I opened my eyes, but the light in the room had disappeared and the seconds it took my eyes to adjust to the darkness were enough for me to notice two huge figures hovering above me. 

They grabbed me, pressed a hand over my mouth to silence me, and the last thing I could remember was a horrible stench of chemicals and a blow to my head. 

And that's how I ended up where I did, whatever this place was. A basement-looking room with no windows and a cold concrete floor. 

"Fuck my life," I mutter under my breath as I register that I'm sitting barefoot on a chair and chained to the metal furniture. 

The room is too dark for my liking, and it appears to be quite spacious, which is a detail that doesn't exactly calm my nerves. There are a lot of monsters lurking in rooms this big, and it's not like I can try to get out unharmed with all the chains holding me down. 

A deep chuckle sounds from the far corner of the room: "Ah, you're awake. It took you a while, but we're glad to see you're fine. Welcome to our humble abode. I hope you'll enjoy your stay for as long as it lasts."

I assume that, whatever it is, it has to be the monster lurking in the shadows. Actually, I should be afraid of the unknown. I've always been wary of what comes my way, but for some reason, I'm calm. It's hard to explain the feeling, but it's as if I'm sure someone's out there looking for me.

"Fuck you," I bark and spit on the concrete floor. I wish the thing were closer to me; I'd take the opportunity to spit in its face. 

Judging by the sound of the chair screeching, I assume he's gotten up, and maybe I'll get a chance to fulfil my wish after all. 

"No wonder Kieran chose you, feisty just like our friend likes them," the masculine voice mocks me. 

Alright, so far, I know my life is messed up. I'm locked up; God knows where, chained to a chair, and a creep is in the same room as me. 

I should've known that sooner or later, someone would try to use me to control Kieran, but regardless of the crap I found out, there's no way I'm letting anyone hurt that man. 

I take a deep breath, close my eyes and laugh. I might look like a crazy person to whoever is facing me, but that's for the better. "Where am I?" I change the subject rather than allow this freak to bring up Kieran. 

It's stupid, I know, but even if I try to focus on the things Octavius told me, the whole deal about selling me and so on, I still can't hate Kieran. He had a reason to do what he did. So instead of freaking out ahead of time, I'll wait until I get out of here, find him, and try to talk. 

Maybe I'm just a little dysfunctional, perhaps emotional, but I don't want to lose Kieran over this. 

"You're in no position to ask questions, it's us who asks them, and you give us answers. Now, tell us, where is Kieran?" After the voice, I can finally see the face of its owner. 

A tall, lean man stands before me. He looks no older than twenty-five, but his ashen hair makes him look like he's been around for a while. There's blood in the corners of his mouth, but even despite that, he's disgustingly handsome. Judging by the high-end clothing, I'll be bold enough to assume he's one of the Elite vampires. Ha, even if I knew, I wouldn't tell them where Kieran is. 

"Fuck, if I'd know!" I laugh at his face.

The vampire brings his hand to his chin and hums, "That's just it- you do know where he is. Our dear, precious Ocean, ever since our friend claimed you as his, you two are connected, and you can tell us where he is. I doubt you're trying to hide information from us; that's why I made sure no vampire would harm you. You see, I even secured you a front-row seat with all the extras included." Hell, I didn't know vampires could be delusional. 

A front-row seat with all the extras included doesn't sound like a metal chair with chains to me, but what do I know? To him, I'm a feeding tube, not a living thing. 

"I don't know," I shrug and decide it's for the best if I don't speak my mind. Whoever this man is, I'm sure he could get away with murder, and I don't plan on dying today or anytime soon. 

He tilts his head and watches me for a few seconds. Then, he walks back into the shadows and pulls out a chair, which, by the way, looks more like the extras he claims I have. 

His eyes dart back and forth between me and the chair, but once he's made up his mind, the vampire grins and places the chair directly in front of me, sitting down only after he's made sure we face each other. "I see. Okay, let's let this little lie of yours slide for a moment and move on to the next question. Tell me, is Kieran alive?" The smirk doesn't disappear from his lips, but the ancient vampire still has some emotions visible in his eyes. Fear. 

I focus my gaze on the shadows, past him, pretending he's an empty space as I answer another of his stupid questions, "How am I supposed to know if he's alive or not? In case you haven't noticed, this thing is very new to me, and just like you, I, too, wonder where he is." If he doesn't catch on to the mockery in my tone, I don't know if I'll ever dare to assume that vampires are intelligent. 

At least this one has obviously forgotten that he's supposed to be learning new things since he has so much free time. How a being that has lived for more than hundreds of years can still be so stupid is beyond me. 

Judging by the scowl on his face, he didn't get it. The poor guy jumps up, kicks the chair and grabs onto his hair. "Of all the possibilities, he had to break every law and choose a stupid one," he hisses, pacing around like a lost puppy. 

"Hey, who are you calling stupid, you old fart?" I shout at him. 

Stupid? Ha, I guess he can read my mind because he's the stupid one. Honestly, at this point, I'd rather die an agonising death than continue talking to Mr Peanut Brain. 

Maybe I learned how to be brave living with vampire brothers, perhaps it's Kieran rubbing on me, but regardless of which one it is, I love this new side of me. 

"You, I'm calling you stupid, human." The vampire points his finger at me and snarls, "Close your fucking eyes and think about that traitor; if you feel a void, he's dead. If not, well, it won't take long before you feel that very void. That is if we decide to let you live. I heard you're not a virgin anymore; very irresponsible of you, but it is what it is. Though it's disgusting even to think that man had his hands on you, we still appreciate the taste of premium blood," his face twists to resemble something close to disgust.

Wow, now these vampires evolved from keeping track of my blood to my virginity. Who told them that any of them was entitled to it? To my body. Fuck them, even to my blood. 

I won't stoop so low as to acknowledge his words. Sure, some of them sting because how dare he? But still, he can keep talking himself into a rage for all I care, but from now on, I'm alone in this room. 

I watch his mouth move, but I don't hear a single word leave his lips. It doesn't matter what he says- this man has lost every bit of attention I was willing to give him. 

Another minute or so passes while this fool mumbles something to himself until another man joins the party. His gaze scans my body, and the moment the corner of his lips twitches, a cold shiver runs down my spine. He's up to no good, I'm sure of it. 

"Claudius, this one is all yours, have fun," the stupid vampire waves us off, turns his back on us and slowly steps back into the shadows. 

I have no idea how big this room really is, but I'm sure there's a door somewhere; that's how these two can walk back and forth unnoticed. 

Or not, because I can't hear it open or close. 

In a blink of an eye, Claudius is behind me, grabs a handful of my hair and yanks my head back to stare into my eyes. I don't know how I know this, but the poor dude looks like he's been starving for decades. 

His eyes take in every detail of my face until they drop to my neck, and he gulps. "I don't like the way you stink," he states, a little confused. 

A wide grin spreads across my lips because, hell, I know why he's so uncomfortable about my scent. "It's because he claimed me," I whisper.

His grip on my hair loosens, and I can see an emotion flash in his eyes, but Claudius pushes it away as he leans to my neck. "They're watching me. I need to feed, I'm starving, but I can't touch what isn't mine. I knew Kieran, he saved my life, and I owe him even if I die, so please, scream as loud as you can as soon as you feel it, okay? I won't feed, I promise. I just need to draw a little blood," Claudius sounds like a frightened child. 

Do vampires bully lesser vampires into doing their dirty work for them? If so, that's low for someone who claims to be the highest being that has ever existed. Maybe they are an ultimate evolutionary step, but deep down, they are the same old, corrupt, evil people who don't deserve to be where they once were. 

His cold breath hits my skin, and my body instantly freezes. I wait for the pain, but it doesn't come. Instead, he inhales my scent: "You're not a human; you're something else. If I feed on you now that another vampire has claimed you, I'll die. We can feed on claimed humans, not claimed creatures, so keep that to yourself in case one of the others decides to attack you. Let them taste your blood; they'll never take enough to harm you before they drop dead, all of them combined. Remember what I said and scream when you feel it."

I gulp and slightly nod. Something about Claudius is so innocent and pure that I can't force myself to doubt him. 

As soon as his fangs pierce my skin, I start screaming as loud as I can, even forcing myself to let a few tears run down my cheeks. He keeps a tight grip on me, so I fake attempts to fight against him. 

My blood is covering Claudius' lips by the time he finishes his mission, but I see nothing in his mouth or even on his teeth as the vampire grins at me. 

"Look at this, such a beautiful blood bag. You know, we sent Kieran on this mission because he knew too much. I wonder if it'd hurt your feelings if you were to find out he's out there and possibly dying. But don't worry, if the wolves don't kill him, we'll finish the job." The stupid emerges from the shadows as if he were an actor in those old fantasy movies. 

A stunning woman appears beside him, another vampire, and winks at me. "It was my idea to send him there. The wolves don't like us; they kill off every vampire in their sight. Smart, right?" As she brags details about her perfect part, I look around, wondering where Claudius is and why he disappeared from the view. 

"We shouldn't tell her too much, love. Octavius could be out there looking for her. Imagine the trouble we could get into if she told one of the highest Elite members that we sent his brother away to die," the fool speaks up, but I don't pay him much attention. 

It's not only because I don't want to, but also because of the tugging feeling in my heart. It's hard to describe, but it's as if there's a string tied to my heart, and someone's holding onto it, using it to get closer. After a few more thugs like that, my heart starts hammering against my chest, and I finally understand what's happening. 

"No one will believe a human. Besides, her disappearance didn't look like a kidnapping. I'm sure our friend thinks she ran away," the woman laughs at the top of her lungs. God, she may be pretty, but she sounds like a hyena. The ugliest laugh I've ever heard. 

I turn my attention back to the two vampires before me and tilt my head, "You two deserve each other..." 

I don't get a chance to finish the sentence when she cuts me off and grins, taking a step closer to me. "Thank you. So it turns out that some humans can be intelligent."

An ugly, bitter chuckle escapes me, "I already knew vampires were too self-centred to listen, but I didn't think you'd go that far. I didn't finish. You two deserve each other, and what's coming your way," once I get to speak my mind, it's my turn to grin like a maniac. 

The woman's eyes widen, and the next moment, her cold palm collides with my cheek, "You piece of shit think I'll stand here and let you humiliate me?"

I shrug my shoulders unapologetically, "No, but I suggest you do what you were going to do, sweetheart, because he's close." I smile and turn my gaze to stupid, "Remember how you mentioned he can sense me, and I can feel him?" 

"What the hell are you talking about?" The woman cries out. 

I'm sure she wants to attack me because no other emotion could hide the rage in her eyes. I've never wished to be bitten by a vampire, so badly do I want it to happen now. 

"Irene, don't," the fool shouts, but it's too late. 

The woman's fangs are digging into my neck, but I won't give them the satisfaction of hearing me scream again. Claudius was right. It only takes a mere gulp of my blood for the woman to choke and release me. 

She backs away and holds onto her neck as if lava is flowing down her throat. The look of horror on her face is the most beautiful sight I've seen, and I'll cherish this moment in my memory for as long as I live. 

"N-not human," she chokes out before blood flows from her mouth, and a moment later, she's lying on the concrete floor. Or is it her lifeless body? Who cares? 

I can't hide the smile on my lips as stupid looks at me like I'm his worst enemy. His lower lip trembles, "You just killed the ancient one," he mutters as if I'd ever care that one less vampire is walking the face of the earth. 

"I didn't do anything; she committed suicide," I laugh.

My carefree attitude sets the vampire on edge. He distances himself but raises his voice anyway, "What the fuck are you laughing at? I should fucking kill you!" 

I chuckle and whisper, "One word- Kieran."