Strings of Fate

8th String: Hard-headed

"I can't let you go in there with me, Leonel. I can't let you get yourself hurt. This is like war. The only differences are that this is between vampires, and this is smaller than world wars. The people in there are predators. They're brutal, Leon. They can kill you just by breaking your neck."

I took a deep breath and looked at his eyes. "I'm sorry but you can't. I don't need your help. I won't risk your life for this. Besides, this is between the Lithieum and the Varvakeion. You shouldn't jump in." I might regret this decision later, but this is the right thing to do. A Hunter, a single Hunter getting involved with clan affairs doesn't sound too great.

There had been a case like this once, and that case didn't end up good. Despite their efforts, the Hunters died. They still died. If Leonel dies...I don't know. He was my first friend, and admittedly, my first crush. Plus, I felt a connection with him. A connection that was all too important for me to cut.

His eyes widened. And then he narrowed them. "I don't give a damn if my life will be put at risk. You're my friend. What do you think Alex and Armand would feel if you got severely injured? Natalie, two is always better than one. At least we have better chance of winning this battle. At least--at least the 40% chance of winning could be increased to 50%. You wouldn't win this alone. You need an ally, who will watch your back. That way, nobody would die! Why can't you just--just give me a chance!?

"I'm not as weak as you think, Natalie. If you don't want to watch my back then fine. Don't! I can hold my own. All I'm asking for is for you to let me help! I won't die! How do you even know that I will? Vampires can't see the future, can they? No one knows when they will die. And I'm Hunter for goodness' sake! I have weapons! I'm trained! No one needs to watch out for me!"

I bit my lip. He's right.. he may be right... but just the thought of losing someone because of me... it wasn't nice. It was horrible. Terrifying. Unbearable, even. I'd rather bury myself six feet under instead of letting someone die in my place.

"No." I looked at him again. "No. You would not do this. You can't. You shouldn't. I will go alone and that's final!" I said in a stern voice that clearly stated that I would not leave any room for arguments.

He would've followed me again, since it didn't look like the stern tone I used worked on him. He would've defied my command, but I've already entered the barrier and closed it.

He slammed his head on the invisible wall. Ouch. That must have hurt. God knows how much I resented leaving him there, but I hated the fact that he might get killed more.

I turned around and walked towards the mansion, ignoring his pleas.

"Natalie, no! Don't do this! Please!"

I heard banging sounds which was undoubtedly coming from him. Kath was pleading me to let him in, but I know better. I once lost someone important to me, and that incident was not going to be repeated anytime soon.

Not if I can help it.

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×Leonel's POV×

What the heck? She left! She left without even letting me enter!

"Damn, all that speech for nothing! I came up with it on the spot, you know!" I yelled. Hah. Like she would hear that. Or maybe she will. She has vampiric hearing after all.

I plopped on the grass, rubbing my hand across my face. What now? What would I do next? She shut me off, recast the barrier, and (kind of) disappeared! I can't think of anything to do with that barrier in my way! Besides, there's no way a Ninja-type Hunter can go through that. It's a Lightning barrier. Plus, its three layers. No type of Hunter can.

Wait...there's one... Mages were always known to rival vampires when it comes to barriers. Although they specialize in Healing...

Wait, Mage? Isn't Alex a Mage?

Got it. I've got an idea. This would surely work.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Alex's number.

Calling....

Alexandria Joshen

After a few rings, she picked up.

"Oh my God, Leonel Cipher! You have to find Natalie! She's in danger! I can feel it! Wait, why are you calling? Do know where she is?! Tell us! Have you found her already?! Hol--!?"

"Sheesh, tone down, woman!" I said, moving the phone away from my ears. "I'm not deaf! And to answer one of your questions, yes, I have found her, but--!"

"What?! Where is she? Is she safe?! Where are you?! Tell me! I'm gonna send a rescue team! Oh my gosh, do I need to dial the police, too?!"

I rolled my eyes. These are vamp matters, and police? Before they could even raise their guns, their heads would probably already be chopped off, or they already died of blood loss. Stupid sick vampires move even faster than lightning. It's like they're using teleportation already, even though they aren't. "We're at her clan house."

"What the hell?! Why--?!"

"Oops. Before you say anything, just send a rescue team. Vampire wars and she plans on taking them all down by herself."

"What? Can I ask for details?"

"Nope. I'll tell you when you get here."

"Damn, all right, fine. How many Hunters will I bring with me?"

"As many as you can. I'll be waiting in front of the back gates. Be sure to bring the strongest ones. We need a lot of Mages."

"Huh? Why--"

"Details will be said when you get here. Bye."

And with those words, I ended the call, sighing in relief as I looked at the house where vampires were most likely killing one another already.

Geez, man, why do vampires always have to be sadistic war freaks? Well, maybe not all, but really? The Varvakeions? They're the worst clan to ever make enemies with. They're brutal. Violent. Merciless, heartless, ruthless and probably all the other words with less suffix out there.

Even if they haven't really been a clan that long, they've already made quite the reputation in the supernatural world. A bad reputation, apparently.

Why? Because whenever they start wars with a clan, they always win. There are two facts about their victories too.

The sad and surprising fact, is that they always win within 24 hours of starting the war. Yep, the other clan would be wiped out a little bit later after they read the war letter. (Apparently, in the vamp world, they send letters before going to war.)

The terrifying fact, is that they always burn the remains of the clan. So they're just... you know, wiped out of existence. It was like they ever existed at all. Well, except that their clan names were written and recorded in the libraries. Not the human libraries, but the supernatural libraries, of course.

So you see, this was why I wanted to help Natalie. I know, and she probably knows too, that she has only a tiny chance of winning this stupid fight. That was why I wanted to help. It wasn't like I would die. I know for a fact that I won't. I know everything there is to know about vampires. I'm a Hunter, for goodness' sake! I didn't study martial arts and the supernatural world for nothing! But, there actually is another reason. I don't know why... but a part of me wanted to fight beside her... to protect her...

Well, I know that she's strong and all but wouldn't it be better if another person was to fight alongside her?

After all, two is always better than one. But she shouldn't have gone back here by herself. Sheesh, would it hurt to take someone else with her? What if she died? I bet she doesnt even have a plan. God, for a Princess, that girl sometimes doesn't think like one.