Chapter 28

Liam was silent for a long time, hearing Ethan's words increasingly cornering him. No matter how hard the man with the shortcut tried to be honest, in reality, events in the past could not make him a good person. Liam couldn't blame Ethan, nor could he curse his clan. It just took a little longer for the werewolves to understand who the greedy vampire was trying to extinguish the flames burning for hundreds of years.

"It's up to you," said Liam. "It's very childish if you get angry just by looking at someone's physical appearance."

"Physique?" Ethan repeated, widening his eyes.

"Never mind, you guys—"

Before Federica could continue her sentence, Ethan attacked Liam again. The bespectacled man's emotions could no longer be controlled. Liam repelled Ethan's attack, who was lunging at him with a series of punches. It didn't matter if those around them were devastated by the fight. The tree trunk that was their silent witness was affected, leaving a gaping hole due to the blow from the bodies of the two unstable teenagers. But unexpectedly, Ethan managed to stab Liam in the chest and squeeze his heart until the man felt short of breath.

"Physical? You think I don't know your rottenness, huh? You and Blake are the same! You're greedy and usually take advantage of other people's weaknesses!" Ethan snapped. “Do you know who Fed is?”

Liam tried to say no, but the pain in his heart made him only shake his head. With all his might, he reached for Ethan's right hand, which penetrated his chest, which was so painful that his oval face turned red.

"P-please, E-Ethan," Liam groaned as if the oxygen around him was running low. "Argh!"

"Ethan, let him go," pleaded Federica. "I know he doesn't know anything about me. The secret hasn't leaked yet, Ethan! Please!"

Liam's eyes were dim; looking at Federica's figure felt like seeing a black shadow. In the next second, Ethan released his grip on Liam's heart, making the man scream in pain and cough again from the pain in his chest cavity. He panted, taking in as much air as possible to clear his thoughts and blood flow, which had been blocked.

"I-I..." Liam said in short breaths, "I don't know anything. I was scouting to ensure Blake didn't attack Fed."

"Why? It's none of your business!" Ethan is still in denial.

"Blake... he's interested in your blood, Fed! If he's like that, I'm sure one day he'll find what he's looking for," Liam answered with a quick intonation, holding his chest, which was now starting to recover.

Federica and Ethan looked at each other.

"If he finds it, what will he do?" Federica asked hesitantly.

Liam looked at Federica. "He'll wake up the Grim Ripper."

"Don't mess with me, Liam!" Ethan grumbled, feeling emotional again.

"I'm not kidding, Harrison!" Liam emphasized. "He will resurrect the Grim Ripper because only he knows where his body is!"

Everyone who heard that gaped in disbelief. The story passed down from Ethan as a child was that the Grim Ripper was burned to death until nothing remained. How could it be a corpse when Uncle Aaron always said that the Grim Ripper had become ashes?

"And... I want to join you," Liam said, looking at Federica.

Ethan raised a thick eyebrow. "Are you crazy? How can we believe you if Blake is still the same blood as you?"

Federica looked at Ethan. "I know this is crazy. But what if we give it a chance, Ethan?"

"You're just as crazy. You've been brainwashed, Fed. Vampires can never be trusted."

"But he has helped William. If he tries--"

"That's for something else, you know! Jeez, Fed! How long will you be like this?"

"I'll spy on Blake's movements!" Liam's suggestion made Federica and Ethan quiet for a moment.

"How about you spy on that bastard where he's hiding the Grim Ripper?" suggested Ethan. "If found out, I'm willing to have you die in his hands."

Liam nodded. "Agreed. I don't mind if I end up dying because this is the only thing you can believe in, right?"

Ethan was silent and did not answer Liam's words. He felt Liam couldn't be trusted even if the man became an ally; it would only kill Federica slowly.

"Up to you."

Ethan left Liam and Federica to join his brothers on the terrace. Liam smiled faintly, then left without saying anything. Federica tried to chase Liam among the forest trees that rustled in the wind blowing from the south. She saw the man climbing a pine tree, jumping one tree branch after another in Whakarewarewa. Federica followed Liam's movements silently.

"Liam."

Liam turned to stand on the tree trunk while looking at the light of the queen of the night. Her face glistening slightly in the moonlight made Federica approach the man slowly.

Their eyes locked together. Only the rhythm of breathing could be heard among the sound of the leaves.

Federica looked at Liam's face with dried blood on the corners of his lips and bloodstains on his white t-shirt. Her right hand reached out to caress the man's cheek. They were so close that Federica could feel Liam's warm breath.

"Liam."

The man with red beads just nodded when his name was called Federica.

"Do you know?"

"What?" Liam asked, feeling hypnotized by Federica's beauty. He liked the shape of those big almond eyes. The look in her eyes and voice can fascinate a man. Maybe this sounds wild, but Liam is already lost in Federica's charm. Unfortunately, he had to keep his distance from the girl; Ethan always protected Federica no matter what.

"I... like the color of your eyes," said Federica softly but so clearly in Liam's ears that the man froze.