threat. Our elders have placed quite a high reward on your capture. And yours too,” he addressed Logan, “kin-slayer.”
“What did you call me?”
Rafael shrugged. “Do you not have the blood of vampires on your hands? Or, perhaps more accurately, the blood of a vampire running through your veins? We are all a family, bound by a bond deeper than that of siblings. And you have killed two, have you not?”
“If you know all this,” Logan said harshly, “why have you not acted? What I have done is an abomination of our creed. No vampire alive would look upon me without planning my death.”
“No vampire you know of, perhaps,” Rafael replied, “but I doubt you knew of me before today.” He took another step forward, and this time Logan didn’t protest. “Ah. I am free to walk in my own home? Yes.” He started pacing in a circle, around both Logan and Laura. “The Vassiz have not killed one another for hundreds of years, Logan. Not since the rise of the elders has there been bloodshed amongst our kind. You change this, I know it. I believe your friend Laura knows it too. But why has this happened? Why have you broken the peace?
“Is it for the girl? As much as I would believe in happy endings, that is much too simple explanation for what has happened. And what has happened to you in the past week alone might rattle our kind right to the essence of our very core. But… I am simply an impartial observer. The politics of the elder councils do not intrigue me. I much prefer my quiet. Perhaps that answers your question. I do not look to get involved in the happenings of the upper world. Killing you, abducting your friend… it would draw too much attention to myself. That is why I pose no threat to you.”
“How can I trust you?” Logan asked.
Rafael laughed again. “Oh, but you already do. From the moment you released your grip, you have ceded your trust in me.” And before Logan could even react, Rafael was at Laura’s side, holding a fistful of her hair and tracing a fingernail along her neck. Before Laura could form a scream, Logan roared, and charged at him, but Rafael moved impossibly fast, coming to the spot where Logan was before. He laughed.
“You see? You do not know a tenth of the power your body possesses. I have lived long years, and have learned many secrets. But I am of my word; I did her no harm.”
Logan looked down at Laura with worry plain on his face. She met his eyes and nodded. “He didn’t hurt me.” She shivered as she remembered his touch, though.
“You will not do that again,” Logan growled.
Rafael laughed again. “Or what? You’ll catch me with your quick foot speed? Hah! You move so slow it’s like you’re running in quicksand.” He was taunting Logan; taunting both of them. “You have no choice but to trust me. You are in my domain.”
Logan looked at Laura. And sighed dejectedly. “What he says is true. I do not like to admit it, but… he is truthfully faster than me.”
“Boy, I am not only faster, but stronger, and more intelligent, too. I have seen more in my years in this cave than you have your whole life. But hear this: if you and your girl behave yourselves, I may be willing to help you.”
“Help us?” Laura spoke this time. “Help us how?”
“…you let her speak freely,” Rafael said to himself, “it is not like the old days…” Then he turned his attention back to them. “If you listen well, heed what I say, you may yet get out of this cavern alive. But you have to put your absolute faith in me.”
“Why would we do that?” Logan spat. “You have done nothing but taunt us with your riddles and mixed words. What benefit is it to you, if we survive or not?”
“Son, you have much to learn yet. Seek the truth behind my words, and you will understand everything. What I say… it is of no consequence.” He waved a hand dismissively. “But what I mean – that is important.”
“And what do you mean, Rafael? Why seek us out and engage in conversation if you could have skewered us both like pigs?”
“Perhaps I grow lonely,” Rafael said, “or, more likely, perhaps I do not appreciate my dreams being interrupted by these so-called elders.” He scoffed. “They are generations younger than me.”
This time,