While looking at her, his confusion became bigger; the Sanem that he knew would never act like this with anyone. She would obey the rules but also break them. She was wild and happy; now, she is just… settled for whatever life brings her. And he can’t pin down the reason for what is going on. But he knows that she is not talking because of something. “One day.” he softly said, repeating her words. “One day, you’ll tell me?” She smiled and nodded softly.
“Yes, one day.” She repeated after him, but her words sounded so far away. It felt like they didn’t have any meaning, but they did. And they both knew it.
***
“You knew?” Ozan softly asks Leila, not looking at Leila since he was keeping his vampire eyes on the dark horizon, looking out for any unwanted personnel nearby.
“I found out about a month after they separated,” she answered, also looking out for anyone who wasn’t human. “You?”
“I’ve known since the beginning.” He responded.
“It doens’t suprimed me.” She smiles vaguely, and he sees it.
“It must have been hard for you?”
“It was, but I understood it,” she said, meaning her words, and he smiled at her. “And have been her side every since, no matter what.” He looked at her proudly.
“I’m glad you and Emre finally got together,” he said. Her eyes opened wide, and he smiled quietly. “Just because Can and I left 16 years ago doesn’t mean I haven't found out things.”
“Shh” Can doens’t know.
“Oh Can knows,” Ozan assured him. But, because both he and his brother are too proud, they won't talk about that. “But, he knows. And he is very happy for the 2 of you.” She turned her head to look back at Can, seeing Sanem and Can are now by the end of the pier, sitting down and talking.
“I’ll tell Emre.” She said loud enough for Can to hear, Can smiles at what he is hearing and nods. Then she looks back at Ozan. “Thank you.” Ozan gently closes his eyes and opens them again with a soft nod.
**
Sanem looked down at Can’s hands as they rested on his lap. “What happened to your ring?” she asked, horrified that she did not see it on any of his fingers.
He looked at his hands and back at her. “Oh, that. I don’t need it,” he responded without emotion.
“You do.” She was still concerned.
“No. Sanem. I don’t.” He told her, still without any emotion. “I used to need it, but now I don’t.” And she knew why he said that. Even though, thanks to those rings, vampires are able to go out during the day, most still like to go out at night. So, that’s when Can and Sanem would take advantage and go and meet. It wouldn’t matter where, either at their cabin or in the middle of the woods with the excuse they were hunting, but both would always wear their rings on.
But now, him not wearing it scares Sanem; not only do those rings protect them not only from the sun but also from slayers. From helping them identify who is a vampire to who is not. Because during the day, their eyes would turn brown, blue, green, or hazel depending on their skin color. But at night, it was their actual eye color. Gold is for the ones who hunt animals, and red is for everyone who hunts humans.
“But Can, that protects us from the sun and from-.”
“No, Sanem. I don’t need it.” He told her one last time, and she did a head nod. He noticed he was a bit… harsh with his response. “I see you're wearing yours.” He spoke in a softer tone, and she looked at her hands, seeing the ring her parents had given her when she had just turned 16.
