Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Avid stumbled over his own feet as he ran, dirt staining his clothes, throat raw from yelling. The town came into view, or what was left of it at least.

Oakhurst.

The last place Elle had visited before she had come back… wrong, twisted, a monster.

"Hello?" he called out desperately "Is anyone here?". Surely there was someone, anyone. He had to find the creature that had done this to her. He had to avenge his sister.

He had to cure himself.

There are people in town. None of them were locals, which wasn't helpful to Avid, but they seemed nice enough, if skeptical of his (very warranted!) warnings. He's in the middle of a conversation with the (honestly kind of rude) doctor when a brown haired woman taps him on the shoulder. Her smile is bright, for a moment Avid is reminded of Elle, and suddenly he can't meet her eyes.

"Hi", she says, voice like honey "Can I talk to you for a second?". She pulls him aside gently when he nods, smiling at him. Her hand is on his arm, leading him a little ways away from the group. "Sorry if this is weird to say to a stranger; but it feels like I should know you" she said, searching his face.

It would be a little weird, if it weren't for the fact that Avid felt the exact same the moment he had seen her. Like remembering a classmate from your childhood, a stranger you keep seeing at the market, a face that feels like it can mean home though you've never seen it before. For a fleeting moment, Avid considered that she might be his soulmate.

Soulmates weren't common, two people who supposedly had been entwined by fate itself, sharing a mind so intimately it was hard to discern where one began and the other ended. A connection forming the moment they lock eyes. That was how it had been described to him, anyway. There were few soulmate pairs in his old town, they were intriguing, always having telepathic conversations no one was privy to.

Purple eyes met hazel properly, and Avid tries not to feel disappointed that he doesn't feel the fabled click between pairs. The disappointment in the woman's eyes tells him he may not have been alone in the feeling. But, of course, if Elle wasn't his soulmate, who could be? He can't imagine being any closer to a person than he had been with her.

The woman brushes it off, offering her hand in greeting "Hi, I'm Drift" she says "What's your name?".

"Avid" he introduces, accepting the handshake a tad awkwardly. He looks away again, eye contact has never been his strong suit, gaze jumping around, landing in shadowed corners, always alert. Drift doesn't seem to mind, carrying on the conversation casually "What are you in Oakhurst for?" she asks politely.

Avid flinches, he doesn't mean to, but he thinks Drift might notice. "Oh, you know" he says, forcefully keeping his tone level "Vampires?". He winces when it comes out as almost a question.

"Vampires?" Drift repeats "Like, blood-sucking-mythical-creature vampires?". She tilts her head, amber eyes searching. Avid vaguely feels like he's being dissected under her gaze.

"Yeah" he admits, looking away again "I'm a monster hunter, heard about vampires in the area, so…" he trailed off. Not technically a lie, just nowhere near a whole truth.

Drift looked like she was about to say something when a loud voice interrupted the conversation. "Hey!" someone called, bushy red hair popping up between them "What are you two doing here alone?". Bright amber eyes met Avid's startled purple.

"Uh- just- talking about vampires" he said awkwardly. The girl's eyes lit up.

"Vampires?" she asked excitedly "I'm looking for werewolves! And bigfoot! I'm Shelby by the way!" they prattle off, sticking out her hand to shake.

Avid accepts it, a little less clumsily this time, laughing quietly at her energy and enthusiasm, it reminds him weirdly of himself "Avid" he introduces "And this is Drift".

Shelby turns to where Avid is pointing, beaming smile at full force towards the detective "Hi! Nice to meet you!".

Drift nods, awkwardly meeting their eyes "Yeah" she says "Nice to-".

The two of them suddenly go quiet, eyes wide as they silently stare at each other. Avid is about to ask what's wrong when Shelby gasps, hands clapping over their mouth "Oh my gosh" she yelps "We're soulmates!".

Avid's eyes shot wide open, an unconscious smile pulling at his lips. Soulmates in your early twenties were rare, they were lucky to find each other so fast. He couldn't help but feel just a little disappointed, after the connection he had felt to Drift himself, but the discovery of soulmate pairs was always something to congratulate.

"No way, you too?" a voice calls, the source being a woman with long brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. She turns to the person beside her with fiery orange hair and a fierce expression "Those two are soulmates too!" the woman says excitedly.

"How many soulmate pairs are in this town?" a man yells incredulously, his blonde hair flops in front of confused blue eyes. Avid thinks his name might be Martyn?

"You two, and you two" he says, gesturing to Shelby and Drift and the unnamed women and the orange haired one "And then me and Specs" he finishes, pointing at himself and then the man with the confusing accent.

"Ohhh" the man named M suddenly said teasingly, elbowing Martyn in the side "So you like em older, eh?".

The nobleman frowned, red flushing to his blonde roots "No one said we were romantic soulmates" he said through gritted teeth.

"Can everyone gather here?" an authoritative voice calls, it's the doctor "I'm assuming all of us are here to stay in town for some reason or another, can we please gather around and get some introductions underway?".

Mumbled agreements go around, Shelby and Drift had started conversing, so Avid tries to help by calling out to someone with brown hair hanging around out of earshot, it looked like they were talking to a rat? As long as it doesn't bite he doesn't particularly mind. He had actually tried to keep a pet mouse once, it was a lovely little white one.

He had woken up one day to it covered in blood and Elle's pitying expression.

Introductions go as well they can. Avid fumbles his terribly (he's still hitting himself over 'vampire-murdering tree' what does that even mean??) but at least now he knows - and hopefully won't forget - the names of all the townsfolk he's unofficially protecting.

"We'll need to manage food" the orange haired one - Cleo - was saying "I'm a farmer, if you can all help me collect some seeds I can get something started. Not much, but it should sustain us".

Some townsfolk, including Avid, offered the few supplies they had picked up. Cleo wrinkled their nose at his garlic seeds but didn't comment. At the very least, he could convince people to use it as seasoning to keep away the vampires.

Martyn had sat down, leaning over the odd glass box in centre of the dilapidated room. His soulmate Ren had settled beside him, the two occasionally glancing at each other in a way that suggested they were conversing through thoughts. It was sweet, seeing a new soulmate pair get along, but Avid can't help but feel a slight ache in his chest as he thinks of his sister again, of the closest thing he had had to his own soulmate.

The doctor was talking again when Avid suddenly felt a pressure in his chest. It reminded him of the heavy blanket he had left behind back home, the one he and Elle would crawl under together when the winters were cold or when his brain got too loud. Like the grounding presence of a hug wrapping around his very soul.

The other's seemed to notice too, everyone looking around for the source. Martyn let out a yelp, watching in a mix of wonder and caution as the box he had been leaning against started to emit a warm, golden glow.

'A beacon' Avid thought in awe, not realising he had said it aloud until Drift turned to him with a curious stare. "What's a beacon?" she asked.

"It's a holy relic- I've read about these!" he explained, flapping his hands excitedly. A few of the other's turned at the sound of his voice "We can- we should be able to consecrate it, I think that's what Martyn's doing, it's supposed to be a protective ward".

The doctor raised an eyebrow at him "'Protective ward'?" he scoffed, disbelieving "That's hardly logical Avid".

Pearl shrugged, sharp blue eyes trained on the beacon "I dunno doc" she mused "Kinda hard to ignore when we can all feel the effects of that, huh?".

Despite the doctor's protests, half the town moves forward to surround the beacon. Avid feels the warmth flare up further, comfortable and serene, both from the beacon's effect and the empowering feeling of people listening to him. He's an expert here. He can help!

He won't fail anyone again.

Shelby turns to someone on the edges of the crowd, amber eyes shining brighter in the holy light "Come over here Scott!" they call to someone "Join us in consecrating!".

Avid turns to the person she's talking to; an absolutely gorgeous man stands there. He had introduced himself earlier - Scott Goldsmith, he remembers, silken tones wrapping around the name with a pleasing accent that Avid would like to hear again. He looked up at Shelby's words, bright blue eyes shining with a quiet amusement, a smirk pulling at his lips.

The nobleman walked forward, and almost immediately the light was snuffed out, warm gold dulling down to it's previous blank slate. Avid feels his heart go cold with it. He looked up, startled, the man had interrupted a consecration, he wasn't human.

"You-!" He yelled out, making eye contact with the other for the first time. Blue met purple, and something inside Avid's head snapped.

It was like the familiar click of a crossbow bolt falling into place, like the satisfying thump of pages when you close a heavy book. Like the empty space in his head was finally, finally filled, embracing him completely and wholly. Like a bear trap closing around it's victim.

It felt right. It felt terrifying.

"You're-"

"You're my soulmate?" the other demanded.

'What the hell is happening' Avid thought hysterically, hearing the same thought come through the other end of the new bond, laced with disdain.

Shelby looked between the two of them excitedly, a near manic gleam forming in her eyes "There's another soulmate pair!?" they squealed "This is just like in the fanfics!".

Drift looked at her a little weirdly but Avid didn't pay attention to them.

The universe was a damn comedian, and Avid was it's favourite joke.

His soulmate was a vampire.

Chapter Text

Drift was a detective. She introduced herself like that to everyone, she had worked hard to hone her skill to the level it was now. Drift was a detective.

And as a detective it was unofficially her job to figure out what freak coincidence was going on in Oakhurst.

To have not one, not two, but four soulmate pairs (one being her own!) just happen to stumble across an abandoned town and get trapped inside seemed like the wildest twist of fate.

No one else seemed overly concerned about it, her new roommate Avid had been mumbling to himself about vampires and didn't seem to even hear her when she brought it up, so Drift took it upon herself to tackle this new case. Even if she had never closed her last one.

Her newly discovered soulmate Shelby was really helpful, happily joining her in making an ideas board for her case up on her office wall, they brought red yarn and everything! Apparently Shelby was a knitter. Or crochet? Drift doesn't really know the difference.

Shelby looks up at her, playfully offended "I do knitting Drift" they confirmed, laughter lacing her tone "It's very different from crochet, I have needles, not a hook" she explained, holding up the two metal rods.

Drift blushed, looking away "Sorry, didn't notice you were close enough to hear me" she said awkwardly. The soulmate bond had taken some time to adjust to, it had only been a little over a day and Drift kept stumbling, thinking things without realising someone else could hear now.

"That's okay!" Shelby chirped "I like hearing your thoughts".

Drift smiled helplessly. Having a soulmate was a lot nicer than she had expected. It didn't feel like an invasion of privacy, surprisingly. In fact, having Shelby so close felt like the most natural thing in the world. Their thoughts were fascinating, the theories she had for why they had all ended up in Oakhurst alone were numerous and frankly intriguing, from concepts of Fate, to the supernatural, to an elaborate setup.

Shelby suddenly lit up, clearly hearing her thoughts "You believe my theories?" they asked excitedly, leaning into her personal space.

Drift laughed nervously, backing away a little "I mean, I believe something happened to get us all here" she said awkwardly, feeling some heat rush to her face "But it's literally my job to look into everything thoroughly before I believe anything".

'Gosh, she's so cute when she blushes' the foreign thought flashed through her mind.

Drift looked up, eyes wide and cheeks flushed to meet Shelby's matching expression.

"Sorry!" They said quickly "Forgot you can hear that!".

"See! It's easy to forget!" Drift laughed, patting away the red in her face.

Shelby smiled easily "Okay, okay, back to research!" she announced, picking up the notebook they had scribbled their questions into.

"What if I'm imagining scenes in a book" she read off "Would you be able to see those thoughts too?".

Drift cocked an eyebrow "Do images pass through the bond at all?" she asked curiously.

Shelby grinned, pulling out the other book she had bought with her "Let's test it out" they declared.

Drift laughed, agreeing with her easily, Shelby's enthusiasm was infectious "I'm gonna make us some lunch while we do this, okay? I'm on meal duty today" she told them, making her way from her office to the cramped kitchen.

Shelby tilted her head, quickly following her out "You guys split chores like that?" they asked curiously.

Drift nodded "Yeah, we're going to switch off every other day. Avid's actually a decent cook, if you ignore the horrendous amount of garlic he stuffs into everything". She paused, "Don't tell him I said that, he takes his garlic very seriously".

Shelby settled onto the couch with her book while Drift set the stove on a simmer, content to cook some of their potatoes with a side of beef as their lunch. She could hear the occasional comment flit through her head from Shelby, like an 'Ooh I love this scene' or 'I wonder if Drift saw that?' but they were so spaced out they were definitely not all of Shelby's thoughts, they were normally much more all over the place in her head. She didn't seem to be reacting much to Drift's input either, too absorbed in the book probably.

Something interesting Drift noticed was that only full thoughts seemed to come through as well, some continuing ideas getting muffled and muted, like she was hearing them through a tunnel. She could feel the phantom presence of unfinished thoughts if she focused on it, but not really what they were about.

"Food's done" Drift called, interrupting Shelby's reading. The redhead smiled at her, delicately placing a ribbon between the pages to mark her spot.

They bounded over happily, sitting down in Avid's vacant chair as Drift placed the steaming plate before her.

"Ooh this looks so good Drift!" Shelby praised, clapping her hands together.

"Thank you" Drift laughed, internally preening at the praise "Let me just set some aside for Avid and I'll join you".

Her roommate had disappeared for the day, she thinks he might have been spending time with Renhardt. Either way, she's glad for the alone time with her soulmate.

Shelby had started scarfing down the food "Did you get any of my thoughts while I was reading?" she asked through a mouthful of potato "I didn't want to disturb you while cooking".

"I know" Drift laughed "And yeah, I could hear a few of the thoughts you had".

"What about pictures? Did you get anything?" they asked.

Drift shook her head "Nope, seems like it's only words that get transferred, and fully formed thoughts".

Shelby pouted adorably "Aw, and after I put so much effort into imagining them perfectly and everything!".

"Sorry" Drift said lightly, sitting down across from her "I did notice something interesting though". She explained the half-formed thoughts, Shelby listening with rapt attention.

"That's so cool…" they muttered idly when she was done, adjusting her glasses "I wonder what else you can sense through the bond then..?".

She picked up their notebook again, eyebrows furrowed as she read through the list.

'Oh this one is interesting' she thought, Drift wasn't privy to the contents, but Shelby looked up with a bright grin that she unconsciously mirrored.

"I'm gonna try something" they announced, scrunching up her face in thought. Something flashed through Drift's mind, too quick to process, like the presence of a thought had existed for a moment before being ripped away. Shelby was grinning again "Did you hear that?" they asked.

"Kind of? I can feel that you thought of something, I just don't know what" Drift responded.

Shelby's eyes lit up, intrigued "So we can block thoughts from each other" she mumbled, quickly scribbling something down in their book.

Drift's eyes widened "How did you do that?" she asked, shocked. She had never learned too much about soulmates, no one she knew back in the city had had one, so this was all new to her.

Shelby shrugged, still focused on making a note of it "I dunno" she answered "Just thought 'I don't want Drift to hear this part', and then you didn't!".

"Interesting…" Drift mused "Mind if I try?".

Shelby nodded enthusiastically, quiet conversation filled the small kitchen, punctuated by laughter and smiles.

Drift quietly smiled to herself as she put away their plates, having a soulmate was so nice.

Chapter Text

As soon as their house was finished, Avid had locked himself in a cupboard to panic. Drift was in her newly furnished office, taking notes in a journal she had gotten from M. Scott was out of town, way out of range, and all the thoughts Avid had been keeping locked up over the past three days were beating into his skull.

"Certainties and Uncertainties" he reminded himself, taking a deep breath of the musty air.

Certainty - he missed Elle.

Certainty - he had gotten stuck in Oakhurst and met his soulmate.

Certainty - his soulmate was a vampire.

He had been hearing Scott's thoughts now and then when they got close enough over the last few days, not much, since neither made an effort to deepen the bond past it's beginning stages, but it was enough to set Avid on edge, constantly worried the vampire was going to hear him.

Certainty - Scott had gone mining with Shelby so he can't hear Avid right now.

Certainty - …Scott was definitely not doing any work on that mining trip.

Avid couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped him, quickly covering his mouth to muffle it. God he almost sounded fond for a moment.

He shook his head, getting back to his task. Those were the certainties, what were the uncertainties?

Uncertainty - what was Scott's plan?

Uncertainty - what do the mysterious beacons do?

Sure it had felt good, but that's how the darkness gets to you… lures you in with good feelings and charming words and bright blue eyes-

Red. Red eyes. He meant red. Like vampires.

Uncertainty - how do I get people to listen to me?

He may have come in too strong with the garlic and the yelling, at least Drift told him so. He could acknowledge that he had a healthy amount of paranoia, but everything had been going haywire lately, and now not even his own brain was safe. He needed to calm down. Scott could hear his thoughts when they were close enough, he needs to monitor himself more closely from now on.

Uncertainty - was Scott really that bad-?

"Okay, that's enough" Avid announced out loud, clapping his hands together in a satisfying snap to cut off that thought before it could form. Soulmates meant nothing, in the end. He had chosen his soulmate on his own a long time ago, in kind eyes and a bright laugh and a stake in her chest. He didn't need a filthy vampire filling any space in his life.

He exited the cupboard, internally glad that Drift hadn't seen him come out, he didn't really want to explain his need for a panic corner. She thought he was brave, he couldn't ruin that. He walked outside, deciding he needed some fresh air. The bitter scent of garlic hit him in a comforting wave as he stepped out.

Cleo hadn't wanted to grow nearly enough garlic to protect them all, so Avid had taken it upon himself to start a little garden in a small patch outside of merp manor. His crops were thriving, he noted with delight, leaning over the sprouts. Garlic usually needed proper sunlight to grow, rather than Oakhurst's dreary weather, so he was a bit confused that they were doing so well. Still, he wasn't complaining.

"Hello, hunter" a voice called out behind him, making him jump. He whirled around, meeting blue eyes like an afternoon sky outside of this cursed town.

For a hysterical moment, Avid wondered if he had thought about Scott too much and accidentally summoned him. The vampire grinned, eyes glinting dangerously "You were thinking about me?" he crooned, lips pulling up in a teasing smirk.

Avid felt heat rush to his face, quickly looking away, eyes only snapping back when he realised he couldn't turn his back on a threat like that "No" he denied hotly "You're hearing things".

Scott laughed under his breath, a sound like the gentle clacking of the wind chime Elle used to have in her office. Avid hated that wind chime.

"Still on your little delusion?" Scott asked, gesturing the crops behind Avid "When are you going to give that up, Avid? I think the others are two moments away from locking you up as a madman".

"They're not delusions" he insisted "I'm right, they just don't believe me yet".

Scott raised a delicate eyebrow at him "Are you now?" he asked, sounding uninterested.

Avid crossed his arms, "You're a vampire" he said stubbornly "You're a vampire and I'm going to prove it".

"And you're supposedly my soulmate" Scott drawled, deadpan. All pretense of fondness and levity gone from his voice "Does the universe hate us? I wait all these years only to be saddled with you?" he groaned.

"How many years?" Avid challenged "A hundred? More?".

Scott shot him an unimpressed glare, "How old exactly do you think I am?" He sneered.

Avid looked the man up and down, considering "I don't know like, early twenties?" he guessed "You stop ageing when you turn".

Scott lit up, ignoring his second statement completely (rude) "Oh, why thank you!" He crowed, placing a hand on his cheek "Flattery will get you everywhere with me you know".

Avid growled, ignoring the heat touching his cheeks, he refused to find the other man endearing of all things.

Scott sighed, clearly hearing the thought, letting his hand fall back against his side "I don't understand why we can't just get along" he said.

"You're a vampire" Avid hissed.

Scott's eyes narrowed, the levity in his gaze vanishing again, replaced by cold indifference "And what if I am?" he challenged suddenly "How can you prove it?".

Avid's eyes widened, mind drawing a blank. He hadn't expected him to nearly admit it like that. "I- you-" he stuttered, words refusing to form in his head "you interrupted the consecration- and then you-".

Scott rolled his eyes, cutting him off "I'm messing with you Avid, Gods, apparently my supposed soulmate can't even take a joke" he grumbled. The way he switched between emotions so fast was going to kill Avid, it was unsettling. One moment he's warm, almost fond, the next it's like conversing with a wall of ice.

"It comes with being a noble" Scott said, answering a question he didn't ask "We need to monitor our expression a lot, social games are cruel, you know?".

Scott's eyes suddenly lit up, making him look almost human in the expression. "I almost forgot, the reason I came to see you" he said brightly, the faux warmth returning to his voice. He pulled something out of his coat. "I found something on my trip" he announced, holding it up to his face "Do you like it?".

A skull. hollow eye sockets obscuring azure blue, chipped teeth barely covering up a teasing smirk.

Avid frowned, ignoring the horrified shiver tickling his spine "Don't disrespect the dead like that" he retorted.

Scott pulled the mask away, blue eyes rolling in an exasperated motion "Oh please, what are they going to do? Haunt me? Are ghosts real now too, Avid?" he taunted. Jokes on him, spirits were very much real, Elle had hunted down plenty of vengeful ghosts for their job.

Scott raised an eyebrow at him, still close enough to hear the thought "I'll believe that when I see one" he said dryly, placing the skull back onto his face, hiding his features. That's fine, Avid doesn't want to see his face anyway.

Avid turned back to the house defiantly, absolutely done with the conversation. He didn't bother saying goodbye. He had just wanted to check on his garlic, for gods sake.

'Your garlic is growing well' a thought answered from outside. Avid slammed the door closed.

+ Bonus scene that didn't end up making it to the chapter :>

'Boo' a voice suddenly called out, echoing through his head. Avid jumped, looking around wildly, spotting the noble peering at him from behind a nearby house, the stupid skull still covering his face.

"Scott!" Avid hissed, turning the other's attention to his hiding spot "Stop doing that!".

"I don't think I will" Scott said elegantly, striding forward to join them "You look so cute when scared" he teased, tapping the hunter on the nose playfully, making sure his painfully long nails (claws) brushed skin.

M laughed, watching them "Ah, young love" he lamented "Mind if I use this as inspiration for my novella?".

"Please don't" Avid grumbled, cheeks red. From embarrassment, he promised, he wasn't flustered.

'It's not good to lie' Scott thought at him, tone alight with amusement. His lips were pulled up in a smirk, Avid had no doubt his eyes would be twinkling with mirth behind that mask.

Avid crossed his arms, glaring "When are you going to take that off?" he demanded.

Scott smirked wider, barely visible under the skull "When is it going to stop bothering you?" he retorted. God, he was good at keeping up appearances in front of townsfolk, it almost sounded like he was flirting with him.

Scott shot him a glance, but with his features obscured, Avid has no idea what he's thinking.

'Are you stupid?' Scott thinks at him. Never mind, Avid actually doesn't care what he's thinking after all.

Chapter Text

Drift was at her new office setup, scribbling notes about Oakhurst into her journal, when she noticed an odd silence in her thoughts.

She didn't realise how accustomed she'd gotten to Shelby's presence until her soulmate wasn't projecting their thoughts anymore. Drift thought back to earlier in the afternoon, Shelby had mentioned something about going fishing with Scott; they must have gone to far away for Drift to hear.

'Shelby?' She thought, trying to reach her soulmate 'everything okay?'.

It was fine, probably. She had no idea how far the range was for sharing thoughts anyhow, especially in a new bond. Maybe she and Shelby would test it. Knowing them, Shelby would probably make written notes and everything on how much you could hear from what distance. Drift feels a small, unintentional smile grace her lips at the thought. Her soulmate was nice.

Still, she can't help feeling like something is wrong.

Maybe it's just a part of new soulmate bonds, but better safe than sorry, right? Drift closed her journal, she wasn't about to go into the woods alone.

Avid was seated at their dining table, peeling some of the garlic he had grown. Something about his posture was… off. Taut, like a bowstring ready to snap. He looked up when she entered, purple eyes a tad sharper than usual, like chipped shards of amethyst.

"Hey Drift" he greeted, gaze startlingly perceptive "What's wrong?".

"I think something happened to Shelby" she said, desperately trying to keep her voice level "I want to go look for her".

Avid, to his credit, didn't freak out; eyes hardening. "Is she with Scott?" He asked urgently "I was getting weird input from him a second ago". The hunter stands up immediately, tugging on his harness, patting it down to check for his weapons.

"Weird input?" Drift asked, grabbing some food from their chests just in case.

"Just a feeling" the two of them walked through the door, Avid leading them somewhere with a confidence she didn't know he had "Scott was feeling… satisfied? But it felt, I don't know, darker. I think he did something".

The two of them trekked through the forest, Drift trusting Avid to know where he was going. Avid suddenly cursed, coughing loudly. "Just a warning, I feel a bit weird right now, if I disappear somewhere I'm just having an episode and need a minute, don't look for me" he said, teeth gritted.

"An episode?" She asked, concerned.

"Medical. You don't have to worry about it" he said bluntly, tone allowing no room for questioning. Drift felt curiosity burning under her skin but she forced herself to focus on the task at hand. It wasn't surprising that Avid didn't want to divulge personal information like that, despite feeling like she had known him all her life, they had just met.

"Where are we going?" she asks instead. She trusted him to tell her if it was serious, maybe he just had asthma or something. She had to admit, his uncharacteristic competence was freaking her out a little.

"To Scott" Avid answered shortly "Isn't Shelby this way too?".

Drift shrugged "I don't know, I don't know where she went" she said helplessly, worry bleeding into her tone again at the thought of her soulmate.

Avid shot her a confused look, nearly tripping over a bramble, that was more like him. Some of the light returned to his eyes when they met hers "You can't feel where they are?" he asked genuinely.

Drift shook her head "Nope, we never tried, all we've managed to do is increase our range a little" she revealed. "Maybe your bond is just deeper than ours?" she suggested, seeing the intrigued furrow between his brow.

Avid's eyes darkened again "Hardly" he snapped. He was being really weird, none of his usual manic energy was leaking out today, instead he almost seemed… sharper. Like a predator on a hunt, so unlike how he typically acted. Drift filed it away for later. Maybe it was related to the episode he had mentioned earlier, Drift doesn't really know much about medical conditions.

The trees cleared to reveal a winding river. Two figures stood at the banks, fishing rods in hand, a small bucket with fresh catches beside them. Newly familiar blue and red hair ruffled as they turned to look at Drift and Avid.

Drift sighed, tension leaking out of her shoulders at the sight of them alive and well. "Shelby!" She called out, relief clear in her tone. Her soulmate flinched slightly but didn't protest the tight hug Drift suddenly trapped them in.

Drift quickly pulled away, muttering an apology. That was embarrassing, she hadn't even asked, and now Shelby looked slightly uncomfortable. "Sorry" she said again "I was just really worried, you've been gone a while".

Beside them, Avid had stomped up right into Scott's personal space, jabbing a finger at him. "What did you do?" he demanded "Did you turn her?".

Drift sighed, pinching her nose. Never mind, maybe Avid was fine. He was screaming about vampires again. "Turn her what?" Scott asked, looking so confused - the poor guy "We were fishing".

"Don't lie to me" Avid hissed, purple eyes almost feral "Your eyes have gone red, you've been feeding".

Scott scoffed "My eyes were always red" he responded. Were they? Drift hadn't really paid attention if she was being honest.

"No they weren't" Avid interjected, eyebrows furrowed.

Scott rolled his eyes "Okay, you know what? We're going to play a game. I'm going to say a name, and you tell me what colour their eyes are, okay?". He had an air of authority to him, Drift noted, leaving no room for questions. Maybe it comes with being a noble? Whatever it is, the sudden shift in conversation is enough to give Drift whiplash.

Avid looked like he was about to protest, but Scott quickly cut him off "Pearl? What colour are her eyes?".

Avid scoffed "Brown" he answered quickly. Drift nodded, that sounded right.

Scott grinned, almost teasing "Wrong, blue. Apo?".

"Hazel?" Drift guessed, trying to help. Truthfully, the only eye colours she really remembered were Shelby's gold and Avid's memorable purple.

Scott shook his head "Maroon, honestly Avid why aren't you accusing her of being a vampire, hm?".

"Because their eyes didn't change colour" Avid said hotly "Because their eyes don't look like blood".

Scott sighed, looking haggard. He shook his head lightly "Avid, again, my eyes were always red" he insisted "We've only been here a couple of days, I don't blame you for forgetting, eye colour is a fickle thing to remember".

"I don't care about the others - but I know that your eyes were blue" Avid insisted "I'm not going to forget them so easily".

Okay, Drift still has no idea what's happening but that sounded incredibly gay.

"Avid" she said gently "Everyone's safe, and it's getting pretty late, we should go back to town". She laid her hand on him comfortingly, gesturing to the sun sinking lower in the sky, hoping the threat of being out past sundown would convince him to back home.

He shrugged her hand off his shoulder "I need a minute" he muttered, eyes darting to the thicket. Drift thought she saw a pig disappear into the forest. "I'll be back in a bit" Avid said shorty, darting off before anyone could stop him.

Shelby made to follow him but Drift pulled her back, shaking her head.

'Avid needs a moment, I'll explain later' she conveyed, waiting until Shelby nodded hesitantly before she let go of their arm. She didn't know if that was the best move, but Avid had asked her to leave him alone if he disappeared; she would respect that.

"Charming, isn't he?" Scott said dryly, startling Drift. She didn't realise he was right behind her.

"He's a special one" Drift agreed, laughing awkwardly. She pulled out some of the peeled garlic Avid had given her, popping a clove in her mouth. She grimaced at the taste, but waved it away as just having a quick snack when Shelby looked at her oddly.

She didn't really believe in vampires or anything but… better safe than sorry, right? She misses Shelby's expression twitching. She doesn't notice how silent their bond is, like the other side was hiding from her. She doesn't notice that Shelby had said nothing since she saw them again.

"Is Avid still convinced I'm a vampire?" Scott asked, eyeing the remaining garlic in her hand with disdain.

"Yeah, but don't worry, I'm pretty sure deep down under all that paranoia he does genuinely like you" she assured him, noticing something guarded in his gaze. Poor guy must feel dejected by his soulmate being so… insistent on the vampire thing.

Scott raised an eyebrow "Is that so?" he asked, tone neutral.

Drift nodded confidently "He doesn't shut up about you" she laughed "It would be endearing if it weren't literally non-stop".

Scott smiled. It wasn't like Shelby's smile when Drift did something silly, more like the morbid amusement she had seen in stray cats back in the city. The glint in their eyes as they released unruly mice only to clamp their jaws around them a moment later.

It was probably fine, she told herself, all people expressed themselves differently. Maybe Scott just wasn't a very expressive person. She would know if something was actually wrong.

She's a detective after all.

Chapter Text

There was a girl Avid had loved once. He remembered her bright laugh and the twinkle in her blue eyes. His soulmate did end up having blue eyes, he learns, even bluer than hers, and then he had ruined them; staining them a bright crimson.

For a moment Avid wonders if they could have been better as humans together. If they were born in the same time, whenever that was; if he could have stopped him from turning into a monster in the first place, he wonders if he could have fallen in love with blue eyes once more.

He doesn't like the answer to that thought.

It's so stupid; he had decided on his soulmate a long time ago. In fiery energy and warm hugs, in the one person who had made him feel safe. Protected from both the dangers of the night and the threats in his own head. She had been everything to him, his sister, his friend, his guardian and his whole world.

He shook his head, he can't think about Elle, he can't. Scott could hear his every thought, and apparently their range was even stronger than Drift and Shelby, maybe because Scott was a vampire. He can't risk thinking about Elle, not when it was a weakness to exploit.

Not when it always leads to that stake in her heart.

He took a deep breath, pushing down the emotion welling up inside. She had hated when he did that, called it unhealthy to suppress himself like that. She's not here to scold him for it now.

His neck itched.

He put down the stake he had been carving, laying it beside his usual one for reference. The grip would need to be adjusted a bit. His wound had been acting up often, too often. There was only so many times Cleo would believe him when he conveniently 'ran out of food' and killed her cows. Not when he had that garden of garlic. He didn't even like steak.

Avid disappeared into the woods, yelling a quick goodbye to Martyn when he was spotted over the wall. Hopefully his episode wouldn't be long, he couldn't risk being out past sundown.

No such luck.

When he came to, the moon was low in the sky. Red light spilled through the canopy like blood. He couldn't see the stars.

Avid had no idea where he was, and he was exhausted. Whatever he was doing, whatever he had hunted, had clearly given him- not him, the monster - had clearly given the monster a challenge. He scans himself quickly for blood, not spotting any obvious stains, sleeves already bathed red in the moonlight.

He looks around, not recognising where he is. He doesn't know how to get back to town; doesn't know if anyone has noticed his absence. He doesn't have the energy to panic. He's exhausted and hungry from running around all night.

He feels a pull somewhere deeper in the forest. Too tired to resist, he follows it. It's better than the fear and uncertainty. It feels like he's coming home.

It leads him to a clearing. Dewy grass bathed in bloody moonlight. A figure stands in the middle, hair washed almost white under the light. They are holding onto something. A deer, he realises slowly, thoughts like molasses, a deer carcass.

The figure looks up, removing their mouth from the poor animals neck. Blood drips steadily from fangs, startled red eyes meet his.

"Avid?" Scott asked, shocked "How did you- I didn't even hear you, when did you get here?".

Avid can't think. Can't breathe. His head is a cacophony of sound and memory and blood and red eyes and fear; drowned out by overwhelming confusion and furious deliberation from the cursed soul he was bound to. Already planning how to get out of this situation alive.

Avid won't let him.

"I knew it" he whispered, voice trembling "I knew you were a vampire".

Scott stands up to his full height, wiping blood from his mouth in a practiced motion, all traces of surprise gone. His thoughts go silent.

"So I am" he said. Bored almost, unbothered "What are you going to do about it hunter?".

Avid's fingers reached for his stake, hands shaking. He wasn't the best at close combat, but Scott was clearly still relatively low on blood, level two at best, it was fine. He had combat training. He could do this.

His hands met empty air, he cursed, realising he had left the stake back home, beside the new one he had been carving. All he had was his crossbow, which he clumsily unholstered, silver bolt loaded. Not ideal, especially in close quarters, but if Scott tried to flee at least he would have a clear shot.

This was fine.

Scott laughed lightly across from him, an amused thought flashing through his head 'His heart is pumping so fast'. Avid flinched. Filthy vampire, listening to his heartbeat like some kind of… some kind of-

"Some kind of what?" Scott demanded, velvety voice undercut by steel.

"You know what, you monster" Avid hissed, grip tightening around his weapon, finger shaking on the trigger. He should shoot.

Scott hummed noncommittally, looking him up and down leisurely. Like he's not actively in danger. He eyed the thicket Avid had emerged from, noting the steady trail of footsteps left behind. Like someone had arrived with a purpose, destination in mind. Assured in the way one might walk a familiar path back home. Not tracks of a hunter seeking prey.

He raised an eyebrow "How did you know I was hunting here tonight?" he asked, curiosity lacing his silken tone.

There is an unnatural stillness to him now that he's dropped the act, now that the curtains have closed and his performance as human has come to an end. Scott doesn't breathe. His undead lungs have no need to. His fangs glint as he smiles, cocking his head to the side in a mockingly innocent gesture.

"Enjoying the view?" he teased "You didn’t answer my question dear".

"I don't know" Avid growled, stupid violent instincts rising up again, he thought a night of hunting would be enough for it to leave him alone "I can just feel where you are, sensing the bond or something" he lied. He hoped so, at least.

Red eyes flashed with a glint of curiosity "Interesting…" the vampire muttered "And yet, I can't do the same for you".

Avid feels his heart skip a beat. That's what he was afraid of. If his constant awareness of Scott wasn't from their soulmate bond, then it was an unfortunately helpful side effect of the darkness spreading in his veins. He desperately focused on not letting Scott hear those thoughts, blocking the bond the way the vampire had done to him, trying to remember the way Drift had explained it. He couldn't afford to be found out, not now. 

Scott was still watching him. 'He's so peculiar…' the vampire mused 'he reminds me of-'.

The thought stopped abruptly, like it had been suppressed, pushed down and shredded so violently without an acknowledgement.

He feels rather than hears the way Scott refuses to think about it, like a flimsy bandage over a gaping wound. It's vulnerable, jaded, hurt.

Avid's eyes widened, feeling the painful memories buried just under the surface of apathy. Scott has hidden it well, painting a mask of indifference over his broken pieces, but he was just like Avid. Running from his past.

There was only so much they could hide from each other with the bond in place. Someone was bound to slip up eventually. For a moment, Avid considers using it against him. Bad memories could easily become a weapon to be exploit-

'No' the hunter decided firmly, cutting off the thought before it could continue. They would need every advantage they could get to protect themselves, but he wasn't about to stoop so low for it. If the vampire was hiding a past he refused to think about, that's not Avid's business.

He knows what it's like to be haunted by memories. He won't use that against someone else, not even a monster.

Scott was watching him with an unreadable expression, red eyes sharp.

'Thank you'. It was short, clipped. Avid tries to deny the relief he feels anyway.

"Avid? Is that you?" A voice calls from behind him, startling them both "Mate, seriously, where have you-?".

Martyn stumbles through the foliage, blue eyes widening as he catches sight of the other figure in the clearing "You-!" He yells, brandishing his silver sword "You're actually a vampire?" he demands.

Scott grins, all fangs and blood. It's hauntingly beautiful. "Well, I suppose the jig is up" he says casually, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeve. Red eyes meet Avid's again, filled with a sadistic kind of mirth.

'I'll see you later, Avid' he thinks, and in a flurry of bats he's gone, vanishing into the night.

Avid's hand lets go of the trigger.

Chapter Text

Drift shuffled around in bed, blankets rustling as she tossed and turned. It was impossible to get to sleep after the day she'd just had. Mumbled thoughts across the bond let her know her soulmate was awake too.

Avid had come running into town barely past sunrise, screaming about vampires again, but this time he claimed to have seen it - seen Scott - draining a deer in the forest. Coming back covered in blood had helped make his claim convincing, along with Martyn backing him up. Add in the fact that Scott wasn't home? It was suspicious, at the very least.

She knows Ren believes them both, Sausage might too. Cleo seemed convinced of something, but it was hard to tell if it was the vampires thing or if she had decided the two of them had officially gone crazy.

Shelby had looked uncomfortable, probably because that was their roommate that was being accused. Legundo had broken down the commotion pretty quickly, demanding that Avid and Martyn both get checked for injuries before they organised a town meeting.

A head count revealed that Owen had also gone missing, Avid immediately started suspecting him of vampirism as well; people surprisingly paid him more attention to his claims for once.

Pretty much the whole day was spent like that; discussing vampirism, assessing Scott and Owen. Half the town was convinced vampires were real and needed to die, the other half didn't believe they existed or were open to hearing them out first. Drift was firmly in the other half, but did her best to support Avid through the meeting, he looked like he needed it.

It was an exhausting day. As soon as they got home, Avid had taken another bath (Drift was beginning to suspect it was some kind of coping mechanism for the guy) before passing out, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

She sighed, getting out of bed. She just had to accept that she wasn't going to get much sleep for the night. Drift opened out the window, letting the night air settle comfortably in her lungs. She pulled a coat over her pyjamas, grateful she had packed a warmer pair for Oakhurst when a chilly breeze suddenly swept through the room.

The town was so quiet at this time, all the bustling of the others silenced by the blanket of night. She spotted Abolish and Apo patrolling, they had volunteered to formally keep watch overnight just in case, apparently they were both trained professionals. Nothing like the unofficial watch Martyn had been operating the last couple of days. Abolish walked past the window, lantern in hand. He offered her a curt nod when he noticed her, but didn't say a word.

Drift appreciated that, she didn't think she could hold a conversation with how cluttered her mind was. She pulled her coat tighter around herself, leaning against the sill. Sleepy eyes tracked the constellations glimmering in the night sky. She never had luxury of leisurely staring at the stars back in the city, the lights blocked out the sky too much; The threat of thieves and murderers tainted the streets past sundown. Now, the sky was blood red and full of stars, nothing like what it had been like back home.

'Hey Shelby?' she thought across the bond, feeling a responsive hum from her soulmate 'Do you want to go stargazing with me?'.

Fifteen minutes later, she and her soulmate were sneaking outside the walls of Oakhurst, walking hand in hand through the flower field. Drift smiled over at Shelby, adjusting the things in her other hand. The stopped near the middle of the field, out of view from the town gates, but still relatively close by.

"We'll stay right here" Drift said decidedly, laying the blanket on the dewy grass "Far enough away from the lights, but close enough to run back to town if there's danger".

"Smart" Shelby praised, sitting down cross-legged on the blanket, gold eyes turned up to the sky, glasses reflecting the stars. Drift settled down beside them, laying her head on her hands. The sky really was hauntingly beautiful. Her eyes slid over to the figure beside her, the sky wasn't the only beautiful thing tonight.

Shelby giggled, turning over to lean closer to Drift's face. Her amber eyes were stained red in the moonlight, alight with mirth. Curtains of bushy hair tickled Drift's cheeks as her soulmate smiled down at her. "You're such a sap" they whispered.

Drift just grinned "Only for you" she joked, delighting in the flustered smile she got in return. Her grin softened into something fond "Thanks for coming out with me, today's been a lot" she mumbled, feeling the tension slowly seeping out of her shoulders for the first time in hours.

"Yeah" Shelby agreed, blowing out a slow exhale. "What do you think about that?" they asked cautiously "Martyn and Avid saying Scott's a vampire?".

Drift shrugged "I mean, vampire, human, whatever, y'know? As long as they're not hurting anybody I think even vampires can just be chill" she answered, nonchalant. If Scott really was a vampire, he hadn't really done anything to deserve mistrust yet.

Shelby lit up, eyes twinkling "That's what I've been saying!" she cheered "Honestly, people only fear the supernatural because they don't understand it, I think we can all be friends!".

"Exactly" Drift agreed easily.

Shelby bit her lip, teeth strangely pointed, looking away "I'm… actually really glad you think that Drift, because there's something I need to tell you". They looked oddly serious, it sent a shiver down Drift's spine.

"Please don't tell me you found Bigfoot and you're hiding him in your basement" she joked weakly. Shelby shot her a shaky smile "Not exactly".

They sighed softly "Drift I'm… I'm a vampire. Scott turned me". The words hung in the air between them for several moments. Drift's brain processing at a snail's pace. "Oh… oh" she gasped finally "Wait, Avid was right?" she yelped.

"Yes but please don't tell him, I don't know how he'll react" Shelby begged frantically, grabbing Drift's hand in a desperate gesture.

"Shelby of course I won't", Drift said quickly, trying to keep her voice soothing despite her sluggish thoughts "it's not my secret to tell, about you or Scott" she assured firmly.

"Thank you" Shelby sighed "It means a lot".

Drift nodded "Of course" she said "And if you ever need anything- blood, an alibi, whatever, I've got your back, okay? I don't know much about vampires, but Avid's been teaching me, just let me know if there's anything I-" her words got cut off by a mortifyingly loud yawn. She slapped a hand over her mouth, cheeks flushing "Oh my gosh, sorry- I'm fully serious I promise I'm just really tired-".

Her rambling was interrupted by Shelby's sudden laughter, melodious snickers and giggles filling the space between them "Drift- Drift oh my gosh that was adorable" they laughed, covering their mouth to muffle the sound "You- oh my gosh, I believe you. Thank you. You need to go to bed".

Drift couldn't muster the energy to be embarrassed, flashing a helpless smile. "I want to stay out here a little longer, but I'll sleep, I promise". She covered up another yawn building in her chest, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes.

Shelby smiled fondly "Are you gonna be able to stay awake?" she teased. Becoming a vampire really hadn't changed them at all.

Drift shrugged "Probably" she muttered, eyelids threatening to fall shut.

"I'll take you home if you fall asleep" Shelby promised "I don't need to sleep anymore, perks of being a vampire". She tilted her head to the side, considering. "I think you need to give me permission to enter your house though" they noted.

"Of course" Drift mumbled "You're always welcome".

She could feel the pull of sleep slowly pulling her deeper, but she wasn't quite ready to succumb just yet. Images flashed behind her eyelids, panicked townsfolk and accusations of murderers hitting just a little too close to deserted cases and a blue orchid at her door.

"D'you think" she said slowly, desperately pushing away those thoughts "Dreams come through the bond?".

Shelby hummed contemplatively, giving no indication she had heard Drift's earlier thoughts. Good. "Probably not" they decided "Since it's mostly scenes in your head". They grinned "I'll let you know if you end up thinking of anything silly in your sleep though".

Shelby laid a hand in Drift's hair, carding through brown strands "Do you feel better now?" she asked gently. Drift had already told them a few details of her case, she knew about the blue orchids, about the threats. Not much else. She wasn't ready to talk about anything else.

Drift shrugged loosely as a response, not sure how to explain how it felt like she had been running from too many bad thoughts lately, she's not sure how long she has until they catch up to her. Her eyes roam over the flower fields. Whites and purples and yellows washed red in the moonlight. Blue Orchid's don't grow in this valley; of course they don't, they're not exactly a common flower.

They're all over the dark forest, she wants to rip them out of the ground.

Shelby leaned over her again "Hey, look at me" she instructed sternly "I'm right here, no one's gonna hurt you. You can sleep, we'll deal with our problems tomorrow". Their voice was comforting, softer than any blanket, warmer than any fire. Drift smiled, trying to communicate how grateful she was through both expression and thought. Shelby smiled back.

Drift dozed off quietly, mind blessedly quiet; cold fingers softly threading through her hair as they lay together amidst the flowers, the moon shining down on them.

Chapter Text

Avid came to in the middle the the forest. He grumbled to himself, knees creaking in protest as he slowly stood up, assessing. He was getting sick of waking up in these woods, couldn't the monster go hunt somewhere else? Change it up sometimes? Maybe go to the pale forest, there wasn't anything to get hurt in there.

The thicket rustled beside him, making Avid jump. He prayed that it was just an animal, he didn't get to check himself for blood yet.

Good news, it wasn't anyone from town.

Bad news, it was Scott.

The vampire stopped in front of him, red eyes meeting his. His hair had gone stark white, all pretense of humanity abandoned. "There you are" he sighs, if Avid didn't know any better he would think he sounded concerned "What happened to you? Why are you covered in blood?".

Avid growled, disgusting instincts still rising up within him "None of your business" he snapped. He looked down, grimacing at the crimson coating his sleeves. The monster had had a messy hunt.

The vampire's gaze didn't waver, determination glinting in red eyes "It is my business because you just suddenly went quiet. You never go quiet, not even when you sleep; what happened?" Scott demanded, getting so close Avid could smell his perfume. Where the hell did he even get perfume when they were all stuck here?

"I borrowed Shelby's" the vampire said shortly "stop ignoring the question".

Avid scowled "I had an… episode" he said vaguely "It's fine, I'm handling it. Leave me alone".

Scott's brow furrowed, Avid dismissed the ridiculous urge to poke it with his finger "An episode?" he asked, skeptical "What kind of…?". He trailed off, scanning Avid up and down in a way that made the hunter suppress a shiver.

"Before it went quiet, you were thinking something about… hunger?" he mused, eyes narrowing when Avid flinched "What was that about?".

"Nothing" Avid hissed, but he knows the floodgates have opened in his head, that Scott is privy to every guilty thought consuming his brain. He was too disoriented from his episode to suppress or hide it.

You got hungry again. You're running out of time. You're going to hurt someone. You're a monster.

Avid looked away, not wanting to see Scott's expression. The vampire was quiet for a moment, the only sound between them Avid's shallow breaths.

Scott's thoughts flit through his head, undercut with bitterness 'Of course the universe gives me a soulmate like him'.

The sentiment doesn't feel intentionally harmful, but Avid still bristles, flinching away.

"Well sorry I'm defective" he spits "Why don't you just get it over with and kill me then? You've been without a soulmate for centuries, haven't you? Why keep me around?".

Across him, Scott freezes, eyes wide "Oh, you heard that" he says, tone neutral.

Avid rolled his eyes "I hear all your thoughts you asshole" he muttered.

"Yes but I- never mind" he sighed. Scott's smile is wry, a twisted thing.

"All I meant was that the universe gave me a soulmate just like me" he said softly "Another broken monster".

Monster.

Avid immediately protests "I'm not a-".

"You said it yourself" Scott countered "You're a monster. Just like me".

Avid shook his head, trying to dislodge the mess of thoughts in he head "I'm nothing like you" he snarled insistently "I'm just- I'm just sick. I can get better".

"What kind of sickness makes you bloodthirsty?" Scott asked, tone incredulous with a hint of curiosity.

Avid growled "A supernatural one" he said shortly. He didn't owe him an explanation, soulmate or not.

Scott just nodded, like that made total sense. "You know, vampirism cures all sickness" he said, absently scrutinising his claws in faux nonchalance "Just something to consider". To an outsider he might seem to be the picture of grace, but Avid can hear the thoughts racing through his head that he can't quite tamp down.

He glimpses the loneliness that vampirism can bring. He sees people in the past, sick, gaining pale skin and white hair as a cure. He sees how Scott views his immortality as a gift. He knows the vampire wants to see the end of time like this. He wants Avid to be there with him.

"I'm not interested".

"You can't lie to me Avid" Scott said sharply "Not when we're so close". The clashing of thoughts gets more chaotic, crashing against each other as opposing sides.

The bond wasn't supposed to be this intense. It's overstimulating in it's intensity, pressing the chaotic thoughts of two beings into one mind.

"It's because I'm a vampire" Scott says, hearing him, as always "We have enhanced senses, and enhanced bonds. Typically humans don't get to experience this level of connection".

"Lucky me then" Avid said dryly, trying not to wince at the onslaught of information. Hadn't Shelby said visuals don't pass through the bond?

"Once a bond deepens it enhances" Scott explained, once again answering the unasked questions "As soulmates get closer they can pass more things through the bond, emotions, pictures… did you never learn about soulmates growing up?".

Avid scowled "Not really" he muttered, "And we're not exactly getting closer, I don't know what you're talking about".

Scott smiled wryly "Bonds have to work both ways darling" he said lightly. His smile softened into something almost fond "Deny it all you want, but the connection doesn't lie".

Avid frowned "Seriously, we've done nothing but be hostile to each other. Unless attempted murder is a love language now".

Scott continued to smile "I don't know, it's rather endearing" he laughed "You know, I thought you were nothing more than amusing at first, but perhaps we're a better match than I thought" he mused, red eyes twinkling "I look forward to eternity with you. Get back to town safe".

Before Avid could even think to respond, the vampire vanished, turning invisible, or teleporting. Leaving only a trace of silvery hair and a soft voice as proof he was even there.

Avid sighed, scrubbing at the blood staining his arms, he had to get back to town.

Drift was waiting for him when he got back, standing with Pearl. Worry clung to her frame, loosening with her shoulders when she spotted him walk through the gates. "Avid!" she called, relief filling her voice "Where have you been bud?".

He stomped down on the fear rising up in his throat, the urge to tell her the truth shaking him to the core with an intensity that made his knees weak. I might be dying. I'm sorry. I think something's wrong with me.

"Hey Drift" he said instead "Sorry, was hunting in the forest and accidentally fell in the river" he lied.

Pearl sighed from beside his roommate, looking him up and down "You're a clumsy one aren't you?" she teased "Come on, let's see if we can get you some clean clothes while those dry, don't want you catching a cold".

He let himself be lead away, hands on his arms warm and comforting and human. His neck itched.

He tried not to think about it.

Chapter Text

Shelby squinted, eyebrows scrunched up adorably as her golden eyes glinted in concentration. Flecks of red dancing along their pupils."Anything?" she asked after a moment of silence.

Drift shook her head, smiling despite her soulmate's disappointment "Nope, didn't see anything" she said apologetically.

"Aw man" Shelby pouted, slumping down in their seat "I thought for sure we could send pictures by now".

Drift leaned forward, patting her hand comfortingly "We'll get there" she assured them "Let's just let the bond develop on it's own, yeah?".

Shelby stuck out her lower lip further in an exaggerated pout, Drift noticed fangs poking through the expression "But I wanted to show you my Bigfoot sighting!" they groaned "You'll agree with me, it's gotta be Bigfoot".

The two of them were crowded around Drift's office table again, the evening light streaming in through the window bounced off of Shelby's glasses in mesmerizing flashes. Shelby had heard from Scott (who, Drift learns, is very well-versed in soulmate knowledge, being a centuries old vampire) that they could in fact send images, feelings, or even sensations through a soulmate bond; provided they were within a certain physical proximity and the bond was deep enough.

Shelby sighed "Sorry, guess the bond didn't develop as much as I thought. Must be a disappointing date, huh?" she said sadly.

Drift tilted her head quizzically "Disappointing? Why? I thought we were having fun…" she trailed off, unable to hide the hint of hurt in her voice. Maybe a stay at home date wasn't the most novel thing but there wasn't much else she could put together…

Shelby's eyes widened "We are having fun!" she said quickly, arms waving in a placating gesture "I just thought, y'know, I didn't have anything new to tell you, so maybe I let you down a little…?" they trailed off, wincing slightly. Drift hears Shelby's thoughts fly into turmoil as she rambles, hands flapping wildly "Soulmates are just… the only thing we really have in common? So I've been trying to, I dunno, make sure I've got something to tell you about them every time" she said.

Drift frowned, feeling an overload of self-doubt and insecurity leak through the bond "Shelby… you know I like you for you, right?" she said slowly "You don't have to try to match our interests like that, yes, we're soulmates, and we don't have too much in common outside of that… but I like hearing about anything you have to say". She tries to push her feelings through the bond, the sincerity and genuine care that she wishes Shelby could understand.

The vampire's eyes sparkled, shining like gemstones "Really?" they asked shyly.

Drift nodded confidently "Really" she replied, reaching forward to lay her hand atop her soulmate's.

Shelby looked away, cheeks slightly pink "No one's ever wanted to just… listen to me before" she murmured.

"Well, I do" Drift promises, squeezing their hand "And I can guarantee a lot of people here would agree with me".

Shelby smiled softly, conveying to Drift in vague thoughts what they couldn't put into words just yet. Her expression turned slightly rueful "Guess I learned all this soulmate stuff for nothing" they joked.

"Not nothing" Drift assured quickly "It's interesting, plus, there's plenty of other soulmate pairs we could pass on the info to". She smiled slightly "Maybe we should start something for soulmate awareness" she laughed "Like couple's counseling".

Shelby giggled, tilting their head slightly "I think most of the others are doing okay too, aren't they? I heard Apo's so close to their soulmate she can hear her from beyond the border sometimes" she asked genuinely, mirth still lacing her tone.

Drift rolled her eyes "Not everyone; Avid needs it" she answered dryly "His range with Scott increased and he keeps complaining to me about it, says he can't sleep because he keeps hearing his thoughts".

Shelby giggled again, covering it with her hands "those two are just hopeless" they snickered, laughter spilling out between her fingers. Drift wished she wouldn't cover up their beautiful laugh like that. Shelby's cheeks reddened, eyes narrowing "You know I heard that" she accused.

Drift just shrugged, not denying it "It's true" she said simply. Shelby huffed, not looking truly upset, cheeks pink. Drift felt a helpless smile paint her face, her soulmate was adorable.

An image suddenly showed up in Drift's head, making her eyes widen. It was.. herself? But not like she had ever seen herself. She didn't think she was ugly, really, in fact she could confidently say she was average looking, pretty even. But the image she saw was… beautiful.

Brown hair. Hazel eyes. Soft smile. All mundane things, somehow cast in a new light, painted with a brush of softness and affection; coming alive in a way that spoke of an impossible fondness. Like the work of a skilled artist, turning an ordinary scene into a stunning painting.

Was this… how Shelby saw her?

The vampire's eyes widened at her thought, mouth agape "No way!" they screamed "Did you just see something from me through the bond Drift!?".

Drift nodded, face feeling uncomfortably warm "Y-yeah!" she stuttered, trying to match her soulmate's enthusiasm without letting her flustered state taint her voice "I- uh, I saw- I mean-" she stumbled over her words, looking away from Shelby's vibrant expression. She couldn't meet their eyes.

"I saw myself" she mumbled, before Shelby could get the wrong idea "Like- how you see me. It was… um… a little overwhelming" she confessed.

"Oh" Shelby said, tone soft "Is that… bad?" she asked meekly.

"No!" Drift said quickly, turning back to meet her soulmate's wide eyes "No- of course not!".

Shelby didn't look so sure, uncertainty lining her expression. Drift pushed past her nerves, leaning closer, near enough to see the red colouring her soulmate's eyes "Shelby, I promise" she emphasised "You didn't make me uncomfortable, I'm honestly so happy you see me like that. I'm just not used to knowing someone thinks about me so… um, nicely" she finished lamely. Shelby didn't seem to care that her soulmate lacked a way with words, staring back at her with flushed cheeks, eyes alight with what looked like wonder.

Drift suddenly noticed how close the two had gotten with her impromptu speech, close enough to see the small freckles dotting Shelby's nose. Sprinkled along pale skin like constellations. She glanced down without thinking, pink lips huffed out unneeded breaths; tantalisingly close. Drift was leaning in before she could even consider it.

She was stopped, suddenly, by a hand on her mouth.

"Wait!" Shelby yelped, pulling away abruptly, leaning their whole body away from Drift "Sorry-um- wait-" they stuttered, pulling away her hand.

Drift felt her face flush, mortification creeping up her spine "No, no I'm sorry!" she stammered, beyond embarrassed "I shouldn't have tried to-".

"No! No it's not your fault!" Shelby insisted, grabbing both of Drift's hands in theirs "I just- oh gosh, how do I explain this?" they muttered, trailing off.

Drift cautiously turned her hands over, adjusting their grip to be more comfortable "You don't have to explain" she said slowly "I crossed a line-".

"No" Shelby interrupted "No, really, Drift. I stopped you, and you respected that. You didn't do anything wrong". She inhaled deeply, curling her fingers in a nervous motion. Drift squeezed their intertwined hands in what she hoped was a soothing gesture. Shelby smiled gratefully at her. "I don't really like kissing" they admitted shyly, after a moment "I'm sorry, I like you a lot, but I don't think I want to kiss you".

"That's- that's okay!" Drift hurried to say "Is all kissing off the table or just on, um, on the mouth?" she stammered. It was in her nature to ask for specifics, but she mentally kicked herself when Shelby looked shocked again.

"Oh" they said shortly. She tilted her head, considering for a long moment; long enough for Drift to get nervous again "I guess just on the mouth? My forehead or cheek would be fine I think…" they said finally.

Shelby nodded, sounding more sure of herself "Yeah. You can kiss me on the cheek if you want to" they said confidently.

Drift huffed out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding "Okay, okay. I'll keep that in mind" she promised. She released their intertwined hands, silently respecting the boundary for space. She still wanted to kiss them, but she didn't want to do it if Shelby was just indulging her. Drift inhaled deeply, making sure not to let them hear her thoughts; she didn't want to make her more uncomfortable.

Shelby's side of the bond was quiet too. They didn't meet her eyes.

They sat in silence for an awkward moment. "Do you have plans after this?" Drift asked finally, wincing at how her voice cracked.

Shelby nodded woodenly, staring down at the table "Yeah, I'm gonna help Scott and Owen with the castle renovations, we're hoping to have it as a kind of vampire hangout" they answered.

"That's cool".

"Yep".

A thought flashes through the bond, 'I guess she doesn't want to kiss me after all'. Shelby gave no indication that she had passed that through consciously. Oh. Oh.

Drift is so stupid.

She looked away, making sure to block her thoughts from leaking through the bond. Shelby wanted her to kiss them, just, not on the mouth. She wasn't comfortable with that. Drift should kiss her, probably.

"I guess I'll… start heading off then" Shelby said suddenly.

Drift jolted up "Oh- yeah, sure" she stammered, "Let's go". She internally cursed, when was a good time to kiss someone!?

They made their way downstairs, embarrassment slowly dissolving between quiet breaths. The golden light of the setting sun pooled in through the living room window, spilling over piles of books and scattered equipment.

Shelby stalled at the door, turning behind them "What are you doing after this?" they asked; breaking the silence.

Drift hummed "I'm meeting Avid at the tavern, Ren's hosting some kind of party?" she answered, holding open the door for her soulmate before stepping out herself.

Shelby nodded, eyes lighting up in recognition "Oh yeah, I had to turn him down, can't drink alcohol anymore" she said. They looked down at their skirt, picking at the fabric a little."Well, um, hope you have fun" she mumbled.

Drift nodded a bit awkwardly "Yep" she said, clasping her hands together. Making up her mind had done nothing for the butterflies rioting in her stomach.

Shelby smiled shyly "Thanks for the date, I had a lot of fun" they said. That was it, that was as good a signal as any to kiss her goodnight; just like they did in the books.

Drift smiled back "Yeah, me too" she replied warmly.

Before she could lose her nerve, Drift darted forward, pressing her lips to pale cheeks in a quick kiss, grinning at her soulmate's flustered expression "I'll see you later Shelby!". She called as she ran off to the tavern, laughing aloud at Shelby's flustered and happy thoughts flooding the bond. Drift turned around just in time to see a flock of bats emerge from behind a house, one breaking away to head towards the castle.

Worth it.

The tavern was bathed in soft candlelight, flickering gently in the setting sun. The door creaked open when she pushed it, thankfully wooden. She loved Avid, but the silver door was a bit of a nightmare sometimes. Speaking of… she spotted her roommate waiting at one of the tables, idly tracing patterns over the grainy surface. Drift felt a frown form at his appearance; he kept looking worse and worse. Purple eye bags were inlaid so deep it made his face look sunken. His gaze was distant, detached, like he wasn't really there. Drift knew he hadn't been getting much sleep either, randomly showing up in the house most mornings. It worried her.

"Hey bud" she greeted cautiously, taking the seat next to him "Everything okay?".

Avid looked up, smiling wearily "Just tired" he muttered.

"Were you with Shelby?" he asks, his smile melting into something fond at whatever expression she must be making at the reminder of her soulmate.

She groaned, burying her face in her hands "Yes" she mumbled "Is it that obvious?".

"Maybe a little" he teased, voice light "Tell them hi for me?".

'Avid says hi'.

Drift laughed softly at the enthusiastic response filling her head "She says hi back" she informed. Shelby goes quiet after that, likely having reached the castle and officially going out of range for the bond; Drift tries not to miss them too much, instead turning to Avid again.

Quiet conversation filled the space between them; between all the talk of vampires and murderers and house renovation, they never had time to talk about hobbies or mundane interests, so it was a welcome change. Drift tells him about her obsession with finishing the morning crossword with breakfast and how she misses it now, Avid talks about the guitar he had back home that he was learning to play.

Other townsfolk flitted around them, gathering in their own tables and occasionally laughing or yelling out comments at each other; the tavern filling up as the night ripened. Drift noted that the self-proclaimed Militia was absent, probably romping around the woods somewhere again.

Ren was still in though, a content smile painting his face; surveying the building as he wiped down a glass.

A sudden shiver ran through her, Avid's frown telling her he must have felt the same thing. It felt like an ice cube was being pressed into her chest. She turned, realising the door was open; must have just been a draft then. Cleo came in with a slight smile, her soulmate following behind. Pearl stopped by their table when she walked by, squeezing Drift's shoulder in a gentle greeting, making a warmth swell in her heart.

It was nice, soft. The feeling of safety and community wrapped around them in a way that whispered of home.

The door slammed open suddenly, and M came barrelling in with a frantic scream.

"Vampires are real!" He yelled, holding up Martyn who was nearly doubled over with how heavily he was breathing "We saw them- Scott, Shelby and Owen are vampires and they just desecrated the castle beacon!".

Oh. Shit.

Chapter Text

Avid stood in the centre of a crowd; for once not as an object of ridicule. He was no longer some paranoid child yelling about the horrors of the Night, he was a hunter now. A trusted source, the go-to informant on anything vampire-related. They believed him.

"Is it bloody, when they drain someone?" Apo demanded "I need to be prepared before I can look at too much blood".

Avid answered immediately, quickly consulting the notes he had scribbled down in Drift's extra journal to double check "It's not usually bloody" he replied "The draining process doesn't typically involve an actual bite, they drain blood using their fangs. At most you'll get two puncture wounds unless it's a deliberate attack".

Apo nodded, shuffling to the side to make space for Cleo. "What are you planning on doing to the vampires?" the farmer demanded "Kill them all?".

Avid instinctively wanted to answer 'Yes, obviously'; but then he thought of Shelby. Of Drift, who had been visibly missing her soulmate the entire morning. "No" he decided "My job is to hunt monsters, I won't kill them unless they pose a threat".

He refused to think about whether he was counting Scott in that or not.

Cleo nodded, something almost like approval in her eyes. Pearl was smiling from behind them, flashing a quick thumbs up. Legundo was beside them, watching Avid with something inscrutable in his gaze. He still seemed skeptical. Well, Avid didn't care.

Some of the others came forward with question, Martyn wanted to know about how vampires fought, M asked questions that honestly could have been either a desperate plea to get turned or reference for his next book. Even Avid's silent neighbour, Abolish, came forward; asking about any effects he had observed from placing silver around.

He handed around garlic, helped strap on silver armour, taught them how to carve stakes, he was useful.

Someone pulled him aside at one point, a quiet scholar who Avid vaguely recalled as being Apo's roommate. "Hey" Avid greeted cautiously, arm tensing beneath the other's tight grip "Can I help you?". They were in the middle of town, it wasn't like they could attack him in broad daylight, but he felt his senses sharpen regardless.

"Ah- um, yeah, sorry" they said quickly, releasing his hand "I don't think we've spoken before, I'm Pyro. I just, had a question about vampires, if you don't mind".

Avid nodded, crossing his arms in subtle defence "What do you want to know?".

Pyro glanced around nervously "Is it true that vampires can suck out your soul in a fate worse than death?".

Avid frowned, eyebrows scrunching together "No? They- what? Vampires drink blood. Who told you all that?".

"Apo told me, I think she heard it from Ren?" Pyro sighed "That's a relief though… if we're able to get away in time, blood loss is something we can deal with".

Avid nodded slowly "Yeah, um, if we can find some witch hazel it would be helpful with the external bleeding; but if you get drained make sure to eat some meat, you'll need the iron".

Pyro cocked his head "Witch- what? I thought you did alchemy, not witchcraft".

Avid resisted the urge to roll his eyes "It's an herb" he said dryly. He was sick and tired of his craft being reduced to 'dark magic'. It was science for crying out loud.

He felt the tension seep out of his shoulders; he didn't realise physical touch from a stranger would set him off so much, but something about the way Pyro gripped his arm just rubbed him the wrong way.

The fear.

Avid froze, breath hitching. Pyro was scared, he could smell it. The fear tainted the air with a bitter tinge that stung as he breathed in. It smelled like prey.

"Hey, I've got to go out for a bit" Avid said, forcing his voice to remain stable "If anyone comes looking for me can you let them know?".

He didn't wait for an answer, setting off into the forest.

He needed to hunt.

◢✿◣

Drift sighed as she stared out the window, gaze listless. She had lost count of how many times she had done that in the last hour.

The town had flown into a frenzy after last night; everyone rallying up against a supernatural force they deemed a threat. No one even mentioned that her soulmate was one of the ones they were trying to kill. She didn't dare tell them she already knew about the vampires.

Pearl had seemed worried, so had Avid. Neither had approached her.

Avid had offered her breakfast, which was nice enough. But he didn't bring up the vampires at all. He had made eggs. There was garlic on the side of the plate; of course there was.

Drift sighed again, pushing away from the window. The bond was silent, Shelby was too far away, and now that the town was out to get them, neither of them could get close enough to hear each other.

It was so lonely.

She wandered out of the house, ignoring the sudden influx of silver gleaming under the sun and the nauseating overload of garlic permeating the air.

No one noticed as she slipped into the forest, weaving between the trees with stealth that she thought she would leave behind with her detective career. The castle slowly came into view, towering dark stone looming over the entire forest. They had done a good job with it.

'Shelby?' she thought desperately. The bond flooded in response, confusion, joy, sadness, all culminating into one heartbreaking thought 'Drift? Is that you?'.

Drift honestly felt like crying. The stress and exhaustion weighing her down suddenly lightened, the worries she was carrying all night chipped away with her soulmate's gentle voice.

'I'm here' she promised 'I'm outside the castle'.

'I'm coming to you!' came the enthusiastic response.

Drift's eyes widened 'Wait, don't!' she thought quickly. She sighed at the hurt and confusion echoing through the bond 'I'm sorry, I really want to see you too; but things are really hectic right now, we can't be caught together'.

Drift settled down against a nearby tree, closing her eyes as she leaned against the trunk with a sigh. 'We can talk like this' she thought quietly 'I'll be here a while'.

Chapter Text

Avid laid his hand atop the glass surface of the beacon, holy energy thrumming through his fingertips. Martyn and M were crouched beside him, talking in low voices about something or the other. Avid wasn't paying attention, the monster had needed to hunt for a whole night again and the lack of sleep was starting to get to him.

The obelisk was quiet, the low whispers of the dead wood hardly filled the unnerving silence; the air filled with the rustling leaves and quiet hisses emitted from the decayed roses. So when a sudden snap of a tree branch echoed through the forest, they all heard it.

Martyn straightened, eyes alert "Did you see that?" he barked, gaze set on something through the trees. Avid automatically tensed, scanning the perimeter. There was nothing there.

"That was a vampire, I saw white hair" Martyn declared, already descending the stairs, sword in hand "I'm gonna catch them".

M jumped to his feet, making to follow "Ooh- let me come too! I wanna see them!".

"Wha- but what about the beacon?" Avid spluttered, starting to stand up.

M gestured at him to stay still "Keep consecrating!" he yelled back "Cleo will kill us if we don't get it done!", they darted off before Avid could respond, running across the river and disappearing into the thicket. So much for sticking together.

Avid sighed, sinking back down near the beacon. At least he could consecrate it; then he could go back to town successful, and Cleo would yell at Martyn and M for splitting off from the group.

The adrenaline of the moment faded, exhaustion seeping into his bones in it's absence. Martyn was too impulsive to hunt vampires, he should be more cautious. Not that Avid could judge, really. There was a reason Elle was the hunter between them both.

Elle…

What would she say, if she saw him now? He thinks she would approve of him trying to help the town. He hopes she would be proud of what he's managed to corral the townsfolk into, creating a defence against the vampires.

Even if one of them was connected to him in ways Avid hadn't expected.

He wonders what she would think, if she knew he had found his soulmate. That he turned out to be one of the disgusting creatures that had taken her away from him.

She hadn't liked vampires, not really. She joked that she was too attached to food and sleep to ever consider vampirism a benefit. And yet…

Avid shifted uncomfortably "I don't know… I'm not really comfortable with the idea of some stranger draining all my blood, and isn't there a whole bond to worry about if they sire me?".

"What if…" Elle said slowly "I got turned? And then turned you?".

"It could work, no no Avid think about it! Then we would be sire and fledgling which is enough for a coven bond to be stable, and we don't have to involve anyone else past the initial turning! It's foolproof!".

"You would really do that for me?".

"Of course, I told you, whatever it takes".

Avid blinked, shaking his head to dismiss the memory. He couldn't think about that. He wasn't ready.

He didn't want to see the blood-

Stop.

A sudden shimmer in the air caught his attention, snapping his thoughts towards the figure flickering into existence beside him, balanced precariously on the ruined wall.

Scott smiled, fangs glinting "Hiya" he greeted casually. His hair glittered in the dreary sunlight, making him looking even paler than usual. A quiet hiss accompanied every moment. "We need to stop meeting like this" he teased, landing on the platform gracefully. The beacon light fizzled out, softening back to a neutral white.

Avid cursed, glaring at the beacon as he mourned the last hour he'd wasted sitting around it. Scott just smiled at him, amused. He leaned away when the vampire got closer, movements just a tad too slow, weighed down by constant exhaustion. "The town knows about you now" Avid said warningly, hand resting on his sheathed crossbow.

Scott rolled his eyes "So I've heard" he muttered dryly "I'm surprised it took this long, did you not tell them about our little moonlit tryst in the woods?".

Avid wrinkled his nose "Don't call it that" he protested, furiously hoping his cheeks weren't visibly red "And I did, no one believed me".

"Shocker" Scott deadpanned, sitting beside the hunter despite his resulting flinch. The vampire was close enough that if they both reached out their hands their fingers would brush. Avid could have easily moved away. He didn't.

"Why did you lure Martyn and Sausage away?" he asked instead.

Scott raised an eyebrow, gaze set on the pale forest around them "I don't know what you're talking about" he said lightly.

Avid rolled his eyes, a habit he was unfortunately picking up from the vampire beside him "Oh please" he mumbled "We both know you're not so clumsy as to accidentally step on a branch like that".

"Hmm" Scott hummed, finally meeting his eyes. Red meeting purple. "Maybe I just missed you" he said with a smile.

Avid scoffed "Yeah, right" he grumbled, looking away. His gaze strayed back to the vampire near immediately; because he needed to keep an eye on a threat, he told himself. It had nothing to do with strangely alluring eyes the colour of fresh blood.

Scott stared right back, expression contemplative. "I can't hear you as often anymore" the vampire said suddenly, like an accusation.

Avid bristled at his tone, mentally checking his barriers again "Because I'm learning to keep you out" he said shortly. Drift had taught him how, and strangely enough Abolish had offered him several pointers after the town finally believed him about the vampires. They understood the importance of keeping information from the enemy.

Scott frowned at him, looking almost disappointed. Good. Avid wouldn't back down. No matter how much he looked like a kicked puppy. A thought hits him faster than he can stop it.

'He's cute like this'.

Scott immediately grinned, fangs and all, as smug as can be "What was that about keeping me out?" he teased.

Avid felt his face flush "Shut up" he retorted.

Scott's expression didn't waver "I've never really been called cute before" he mused, tapping his finger against his lips in a graceful motion "Handsome? Gorgeous? Of course; there's something endearing about 'cute' though".

"Stop it" Avid insisted "You didn't hear that".

Scott smiled condescendingly, eyebrows raised "Sure dear" he said "I'll forget eventually".

Avid frowned, eyebrows furrowing "Vampires have perfect memory, you literally can't forget" he pointed out.

The vampire raised an eyebrow, not denying it "You're surprisingly knowledgeable about vampires" he noted.

"I hunted them" Avid hissed.

The vampire shook his head "Liar" he said smoothly "You looked into them as a cure". Avid's blood went cold; Scott wasn't supposed to know that. That was- that was something he only ever discussed with her. He hadn't considered it once since coming to Oakhurst.

Scott's next words were casual, as though they didn't turn Avid's world upside down "Whatever happened to that girl? Why did she not sire you?".

Something in Avid's head snapped.

Blood rushed through his head, roaring in his ears. Blood like-

No no he can't think about it he can't think about-

The stake. Her eyes. Red. Blood.

Blood on his hands. Seeping into his skin. Scarring him. Marking him. Murderer. Monster. Monster.

Her corpse lays there. He couldn't bury her. Couldn't even close her eyes. Couldn't grant her that last mercy, a final rest after it all.

There's so much blood.

He can't breathe. He can't breathe he can't-

There is a pressure on his chest, something unnaturally cold cups his face. The sudden chill crashing into his senses. A voice. Familiar. "-vid. Avid. Are you back with me?".

That voice. Home. Soulbound. Scott. Monster.

Avid flinched away from the cold hands with a gasp. "Get away from me" he hissed.

Scott rolled his eyes "You're welcome" he snarked "You want to tell me what that whole display was about? You can just tell me you killed her, no need for theatrics".

Theatrics? What kind of person calls a panic attack theatrics? He- He feels a swell of concern well up in his chest, in his disoriented state it takes him a moment to realise it's not his own.

Scott is worried. Scott is concerned. About him. His words were callous but Avid feels the bond straining under the weight of what his soulmate was actually feeling.

The vampire frowned "Why are you making that face?" he asked bluntly. His expression revealed nothing, if Avid couldn't feel their bond he would think he was bored.

Avid blinked "I thought you didn't care" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Scott's expression twisted further, leaning closer to the human just slightly "You're my soulmate" he said simply "Of course I care". As if he hadn't just reprimanded him for having a panic attack.

"Do you only care about me because I'm your soulmate?". Avid can't help how shaky and almost petulant his tone is. He's tired. He's upset. His soulmate is so confusing.

Scott sighed "When you've lived as long as I have, you learn not to feel unless it matters" he said shortly.

"And I matter?" Avid asked, incredulous. The vampire's eyes almost seemed to soften for a moment "You're my soulmate".

The hunter shook his head "That doesn't mean anything" he insisted.

Scott smiled at him, it almost looked fond "It does to me".

Avid stared at the vampire across from him. Red eyes looked right back. Red like blood. Wrong. Twisted. "It doesn't matter" he said decidedly "You're a monster".

The vampire frowned "So are you. You said so yourself" he accused.

"That's not the same" Avid retorted "You've killed people" he hissed. He can't care about him. He won't.

Red eyes sharpened "So have you".

Avid looked away "That's different".

"Is it?" Scott hissed. Avid looked back at him, the fondness in his gaze was gone. His pupils had turned to slits. "What if you lose control again? What if it's not an innocent animal you run into next time you have one of your episodes?" he spat "You're just as bad as I am, Avid".

'He's right' a voice whispers in his head, soft and poisonous 'You wanted to kill Pyro, remember?'.

His breathing hitches, and immediately Scott was in front of him again "Avid- Avid. Calm down" his soulmate commanded, cold hands cupped around his face. Concern and affection welling up in the bond. It's wrong it's so wrong but Avid can't help but lean into his hold just slightly, a pathetic keening noise escaping before he could stop it.

Scott's grip on him tightened, claws digging into his cheek "Let me turn you" the vampire demanded "Let me fix this".

Avid shook his head "I don't need to be fixed" he retorted with as much vitriol as he could manage through his exhaustion. He leaned away from cold hands, already missing the comfort of them "Leave me alone Scott" he muttered "Please".

The vampire scoffed, hands falling away "Fine. Do what you will. You'll accept the gift eventually". He studied Avid for a moment longer, gaze unreadable; before teleporting away.

Avid sighed, collapsing against the ruined stone walls. Confusion, anger, and horrible, vulnerable, relief escaped him in a shaky sigh.

Scott's presence felt like the world's worst drug. He was horrible and dangerous. But one nice word or pet name slips past him lips and all Avid wanted to do was drown in it. He wanted Scott to come back. He never wanted to see him again.

Avid buried his face in his hands and groaned.

Martyn and M hadn't come back.

Maybe they had forgotten him. He had already told the town everything he knew about vampires. Maybe he wasn't useful anymore.

Maybe they had never cared about Avid at all.

He knows he's going to die. Vampirism just wasn't an option for him. Maybe the bond shock of it would render Scott weak enough to be defeated, that would be helpful. One last service to the world before he goes.

He doesn't want to die. He doesn't want Scott to die. He has no choice.

Avid sighed, the beacon pulsed warmly beside him. It would take too long to turn holy. His neck itched. He didn't want to be here anymore.

He could just tell them that Scott interrupted a consecration and he got too scared to stick around. Yeah, that made sense. He ignored the thought that Scott's presence didn't fill him with as much fear as it used to, resolutely making his way down the ruined staircase.

Avid noticed an empty spot above the entrance of the Obelisk, where Shelby had taken that weird looking skull from. Shelby… Drift's soulmate. His friend. One of the other known vampires.

Maybe… there was a way for him to survive after all.

Chapter Text

Drift groaned, opening her eyes blearily to her wooden ceiling. Through the bond, she could feel Shelby's sheepish apologies spilling through. Shelby was in the castle. Drift feels a helpless smile cross her face; their connection had finally deepened enough for them to hear each other over the longer distance.

Another wave of pain hit her and she squeezed her eyes shut, sinking into her pillows again. Maybe they had gotten a little too excited about the bond deepening; staying up all night to talk to each other may not have been the best idea.

At least Shelby was okay, she didn't need sleep. The idea of becoming a vampire was becoming more and more appealing.

She wouldn't, not yet. Not when Avid was still so scared of them, not when the town was convinced they all needed to die. She didn't want to lose her friends. Maybe she's also just a coward who doesn't want to put herself in danger.

No point dwelling on it.

Drift forced herself to stumble out of bed, clumsily getting dressed. She opted to omit her monocle, the added clarity it provided just made her eyes sting. She trudged over to her office, catching a lingering smell of what was probably breakfast wafting up from downstairs. She could grab some later.

Her head throbbed, even Shelby's thoughts coming across as disjointed and messy. The lack of clarity between her thoughts and her soulmate's was dizzying. At least Drift was far enough from them that it wasn't too intense.

She sighed, releasing her hand that was clenched around the doorknob; no research work today, she would just help out around town or something.

Avid wasn't downstairs, but there was a neatly packed box of food on the dining table. It looked like some sort of salad, plain, but still delicious. Drift wondered if Avid was a vegetarian or something, he never seemed to cook any meat.

With nothing to do, and half the day wasted rotting in bed, Drift figured she would get some housework done. Between her and Avid, neither was particularly good at cleaning up after themselves. There were books strewn around, wood shavings along the floor, and random scraps of silver littering the rug.

The tedious work did nothing to improve the pain in her head, but at least it didn't get any worse. Before she knew it, it was late in the day, and her cleaning was interrupted by a knock on the door. Not sure who to expect (Avid didn't need to knock, he lived with her), she was surprised to be greeted by several townsfolk.

"Hey Drift. We're going to go get the obelisk beacon" Martyn told her, raising up his shield, the logo of the militia shining in the evening light "You coming with?".

"Sure" she said readily, ignoring how her headache protested the notion "Let's go".

Organising the house had helped a lot; she was able to grab some equipment fast. Gearing up with a sword and shield just in case. She contemplatively picked up one of the wooden stakes Avid had carved, but quickly put it back down. The only vampire to be even mildly problematic was Owen, with his habit of sneaking up on people, but that wasn't deserving of murder. Scott was a mystery, but he had been nice enough around town. And Shelby… well clearly she wasn't going to stake Shelby.

The ragtag group of humans made their way through the forest, the trees slowly changing from green to the pale grey of the dead woods. She found herself tagging along with Apo's roommate, someone she hadn't talked to much before.

"How's your thesis going?" She asked, trying to make casual conversation "You came here to work on it right?". Someone had mentioned that to her before.

Pyro shook his head "Yeah, but with all the vampires and constant danger I'm not exactly itching to write" they muttered. He looked off into the forest, eyes sharp "You know, Scott actually invited me to go turning beacons with him and Owen the first night, now that I think about it… He was definitely trying turn me".

"That's horrible" Drift sympathised. Being a vampire didn't sound bad at all, but by the sound of it Pyro was expecting to be turned without consent. That would be horrible.

"Yeah" he shivered "Lucky for me Truffle started acting up and Apo needed help with him, I owe my life to that pig".

They make it to the obelisk beacon. Shelby had gone quiet, but Drift didn't worry about it too much. Maybe they were too far, or she was bathing or something. Drift didn't feel any negative feelings leak through the bond so she figured everything was probably fine.

They marched up the spiral staircase, shields drawn. The beacon was shining a vibrant red. It felt off, compared to holy beacons. Like wearing a coat two sizes too big, just a little uncomfortable and wrong, but it shone the same colour as Shelby's eyes did, so maybe it wasn't so bad.

They all crouched around the platform, the red quickly dimming down to a neutral white with little fanfare. Almost immediately, as if they had teleported (which, Drift realises, they could) Owen and Scott materialised along the stone walls. Their hair was white, eyes blood red. Scott grinned, fangs glinting in the evening light "Well" he purred "Isn't this a little lovely group. That wasn't very nice of you, was it?".

Before anyone could blink, Martyn charged forward with a yell. Claws clashed against silver. Owen darted towards Apo in a blur of white. Drift was pushed and shoved, her shield held up uselessly. Someone bumped into her, and the next thing she knew she was stumbling and tripping down the stairs; landing in a painful tangle of limbs.

Someone grabs her roughly, pulling her up to her feet. It's Apo, they're gone before she can thank them. It's overwhelming - half of them run out of the building, chasing after someone - Owen. She hears voices above her - Pearl and Pyro. The beacon was still being consecrated.

That was all the townsfolk. And one vampire. Where was-

A sudden pain in her neck made her gasp, a white clawed hand quickly coming up to cover her mouth. "Shh" a voice whispers near her ear "I'll make this quick". Searing pain pulses from the junction between her shoulder and neck, her head and heart throbbing sluggishly along with it. She struggled against the grip around her, desperately trying to break free. Scott didn't relent. Gone was the courteous yet snarky nobleman she thought she had known. This was a predator.

And Drift had been chosen as prey.

It takes an eternity. It takes barely a minute. Scott pulls away, blood dripping down his fangs. Her blood.

Her hand rapidly clamps down on the wound, blood staining her fingers. Her own touch felt cold against the warm liquid.

Drift looked up at him "How could you?" she whispered, voice shaky and horrified.

Scott just shrugged, unbothered "Quite easily. You were going to turn regardless, for Shelby. I'm just speeding it along". Drift inhaled sharply, her lungs filling with air and yet not feeling full. Like she didn't need to breathe anymore. She doesn't.

"You're welcome in the castle, of course. Shelby misses you dearly" Scott was saying, casually gesturing with one hand, the other coming up to daintily dab at the blood trailing down his chin "Maybe convince Avid to come with you" he added, almost as an afterthought.

He was a good actor; she'll give him that. But Drift was a detective. She noticed the hope in his expression. The softening of his words around that name.

Drift felt an unfamiliar anger rise up in her, her fading heartbeat roaring in her ears "Are you serious?" she asked, deadly quiet "You did this to me- you forced this on me, for- what? Avid to like you more? You think he's going to be happy you turned his best friend into the thing he hates?".

"He doesn't hate vampires" Scott argued, ignoring everything else she said, not denying it "he'll come around, now that everyone he cares about is on the same side".

"Speak for yourself" she spat "I'm not on any side that you're leading".

Scott's eyes sharpened "No, you're on Shelby's side" he said coldly "Unlucky for you, that happens to be with me".

Drift feels an unfamiliar hiss build up in her throat, but it's quickly snuffed out by an odd sensation in her chest. 'New blood' something whispers at her. It pulls her further through the pale forest, towards the lake.

Scott seems to feel it too. His eyes darted somewhere over the hills, gaze searching. "Well, would you look at that" he said slowly, a grin slowly forming on his face "Looks like Shelby's gotten ahead of us".

Drift's eyes widened, reaching for her soulmate in a blind panic. The barriers came down. Disjoined thoughts flashed through her mind, distress and concern clouding their senses. Drift. Worry. Scott. Claws. Blood. Avid.

Oh, Avid.

Scott turned to her, fangs glinting through a cruel smile "I'll see you both soon" he said. A promise. A threat. He turned invisible, slipping in the shadows.

Like a switch being flipped, her senses sharpened. Everything felt dialed up to a hundred. The militia members outside, celebrating their victory in the fight. The dying sunlight creeping through the door, itching at her skin. She walked up the stairs silently, the usually empowering feeling from the beacon now curling around her unbeating heart like a vice.

"Pearl?" She said quietly, catching the attention of the woman "I don't feel well" she confessed, seeing the hunter's expression change when she realised what had happened to Drift.

Her headache was gone. She wishes she could be happy about it.

Chapter Text

Avid was getting worse.

His episodes had gotten so bad even Scott had noticed; checking in every time he woke up covered in blood. That wasn't good.

He didn't have any access to his usual potion ingredients, his supply had run out within the first couple of weeks. He hadn't exactly planned to camp out in Oakhurst, where none of his herbs could even grow. Except garlic.

Garlic was for vampires though. Not for him. He doesn't eat so much garlic anymore.

Avid stared at his reflection in the mirror, fingers brushing over the open wound. Blood, dark and viscous, slid down his throat; seeping into the bandages pooling around his neck.

If his plan works, he would never have to see it again. He met the gaze of his reflection, purple eyes set into a sunken visage. He would never see any of this again.

He was never attached to his own appearance. And it's not like he can ever forget when he has a perfect memory. Mirrors were just a reminder that he was running out of time. He had gotten used to wrapping his bandages without having to even look at them.

He wonders if he'll miss it one day. He knows Scott does, he's caught the vampire thinking about how inconvenient it is to fix up his appearance when you can't see it.

A part of him wonders if Scott would let Avid fix his hair, if he'd stand still, smiling fondly at him while he adjusts the clasps on his cloak, tucking his cravat for him. He wants to.

He wonders if he's allowed to think that now; when he might be a vampire too, soon.

Drift was asleep, she looked exhausted, so he didn't bother her. In a way, it's better. He doesn't know if he can admit his plan to her face. He writes it out instead, in the nicest handwriting he can. The one he used when sending for orders of ingredients to the apothecaries who never understood Elle's messy chicken-scratch lettering.

He left the letter in her office, smack in the middle of her desk. Drift always worked in the evenings, he usually had to pull her away to eat dinner. There was no way her keen eye would miss the note.

Then came the hard part, contacting Shelby.

Or at least, he thought it would be hard. The last thing he was expecting was a shoddily hidden hole in a tree, holding a book that quite literally had Shelby written all over it.

He scrawled a quick note in the back, hoping Shelby wouldn't be too mad about him using their book. He made his way to the pale woods, waiting by the lake. He had asked her to meet at sundown, so he knew they wouldn't be there for a while. It didn't hurt to wait. He was used to waiting.

He unwrapped his bandages, letting the wound breathe for once. It wouldn't be a problem for much longer. The pale woods wasn't the most entertaining place to spend one's last day as a human, but he made do.

He had packed his favourite food, something Elle used to make after long days. It didn't taste quite the same, but since he would likely never eat it again, it would have to do. Time was harder to parse in the pale woods, the world awash in a constant grey, but the darkening of the evening sky was unmistakable.

He spotted Shelby before she saw him, quickly calling out their name. She jumped, whirling around to face him. Her hair had gone white like Scott's, just tinged slightly pink compared to his undertone of blue. Their eyes were the same red. Avid's might match that too.

"Avid!" Shelby yelped, shocked "You scared me!".

"Sorry" he said quickly "I- Shelby, I really want to you talk about something, but could you maybe block Drift off, just for a bit? I don't want her to hear this just yet".

Shelby frowned, lips pursed "How do I know you're not just trying to stake me?" they asked cautiously. Her claws were bared.

Avid held his hands up, palms open "I'm not armed" he promised "I just want to talk. You and Drift are my closest friends, I wouldn't do that to you".

Shelby tilted her head, contemplating. "Alright" she said finally "I trusted you enough to come here, I guess I'll trust you some more".

Avid nodded "Okay, good… good… thank you" he breathed, exhaling shakily "Shelby I'm about to tell you something really important, and I'll- I'll tell Drift tonight too so you won't have to hide it from her but just- just listen, okay?".

"I'm sick. I've been sick, for a long time".

He tells her everything. More than he had ever told anyone before. He tells her about that night in the woods, him and Elle emerging covered in blood, something wrong festering under his skin. He tells her about the episodes, how they're getting worse. Shelby's eyes widen, her hand over her mouth.

Avid was running out of time. "Shelby, please, I can't ask Scott, not after what I've done, but if I don't turn now I'm going to become something worse than a vampire" he begged. He doesn't know if Scott will forgive him fast enough to turn him. He can't look Scott in the eye after how he's treated him. After calling him a monster.

Shelby shook her head, eyes darting around nervously "I can't- Scott will be upset-" they stammered.

"He won't" Avid promised "He's been asking me to join you all this time. He wants me to be a vampire. I- I just can't ask that of him after how I've treated him" he admitted quietly.

Scott may be a monster. But maybe Avid was one too. Maybe he always had been. Maybe that wasn't as unpleasant a thought as it used to be.

"I can't ask Scott to turn me" he said softly "But I want to be a vampire; please".

To be cured. To live. To deserve his soulmate.

Shelby sighed shakily, raising her extended claws. "I don't know how to do this" she warned "And I'm not drinking human blood. This is going to hurt".

Avid squeezed his eyes shut, nodding "Just make it quick, please".

Sharp, stinging pain pierced his flesh. Rows and rows of cuts tearing into his clothes, spilling blood. Pained noises escaped him, drowned out by Shelby's frantic apologies. Red tears were streaming down her face.

It happened in a snap, venom flowing through his veins. The night sky was suddenly brighter, Shelby was fully visible across from him. Her face was stained with blood, but she was smiling. "There you go" she said softly "Welcome to the coven".

He feels a bond snap in place, something deeper than blood, closer than family. Coven.

Avid feels tears streaming down his face, he wonders if they're red. "Thank you" he whispers.

A sudden tug catches his attention, a feeling his chest leading further into the dead woods. It feels the same as the coven bond. Shelby looks up, expression startled.

"New blood…" she whispered under her breath, eyes widening a moment later, turning to the direction where Avid kept feeling the pull "…Drift?" She whispered.

An influx of emotions hit him. Not his. Triumph. Hope. Something twisted and fond that curls in his chest like affection and hisses like possession. It nearly buries his own overwhelming feelings of confusion.

Scott had been right, vampiric senses enhanced the bond. It was so much more prominent, more present, he could feel it so clearly Scott may as well have been across them on the shore.

He sees his best friend through his soulmate's eyes. He knows what had happened.

"Scott turned her" he realised, voice hollow, dimly registering Shelby's pained expression "Scott just turned Drift".

Chapter Text

Merp manor was silent that night. Both inhabitants stood in the living room, facing each other.

Drift took in a deep breath, her dead lungs filling with air she no longer needed "I know you asked Shelby to turn you" she said, slow, measured, like she was approaching a scared animal.

Avid just sighed, eyes carrying a weariness that had never been so prominent before "And I know Scott turned you" he told her.

The silence crept in again. An unnatural stillness between them, the absence of movement prominent. Not fidgeting. Not breathing. Not human, not anymore.

Avid watched her. For once, Drift had no clue what he was thinking. He had asked Shelby to turn him. She's not judging, of course not. But she's curious. She's hurt.

What had made the supposed vampire-hater want to turn into the very creature he despised? Why had he asked Shelby, instead of Scott? Why-

"Why didn't you tell me?" she voiced aloud, no louder than a whisper. Avid would hear her, of course he would. Their hearing was better now.

Her roommate frowned slightly, brows furrowed in confusion rather than guilt "I did" he said "I left you a letter, on your desk, did you…not read it?" his voice trailed off, eyes widening in realisation at her expression.

Drift bit her lip, fangs digging in uncomfortably. She shook her head "No I… I didn't go to my office today" she told him quietly. He had tried to tell her. She just hadn't paid enough attention; like always.

"Oh", Avid muttered, face falling "That's… unfortunate".

All Drift could do was nod "Yeah…" she mumbled pathetically. He didn't apologise. Neither did she. There's nothing to apologise for. They had just missed each other.

Drift took in a deep breath, mourning the lack of sensation from it. Her lungs didn't need them anymore, ribs expanding uselessly. She missed breathing. "Do you want… blood?" she asked, extending an olive branch she didn't want to hold onto.

Avid made a face, wrinkling his nose "No" he said shortly. Quick. Certain. Everything Drift couldn't be. He had asked for this life.

She sighed. "Yeah… me neither" she admitted.

Uncertainty blooms in her chest like the petals of an orchid. Shelby was quiet. Town was quiet. At this moment it's just them; just Avid and Drift. No longer human. Not wrong, just different. One by choice, one through force. A stepping stone.

Drift studied her friend across from her. She was turned because of him, she knows. She's sure he's figured it out too. She can't blame him. The way he looks at her tells her he blames himself.

The bandages on his neck are gone. The skin is blistered and uneven, like a badly healed scar. Her own neck throbs in sympathy; two pin pricks of pain poisoning her veins. His clothes are torn in places, claw marks from her own soulmate littering his arms, blood splattered along his sleeves.

She meets his eyes; tired purple meeting uncertain hazel. Would they both be red, she wonders. Red like blood, like the beacon she had tried to turn. Like the gaze of a predator as he wiped her blood off his mouth.

Avid sighs eventually, looking away "Does anyone know?".

Drift winced before she could stop herself ."Just Pearl" she told him "I needed to tell someone" she adds quietly. Avid just nods, understanding. He seemed… calmer wasn't the right word. More subdued.

Drift feels concern well up inside again, since turning it felt like all her feelings had been multiplied, she's so worried about everything it hurts. She ignores it. "Are you okay?" she whispered, gaze set on tired purple eyes.

Avid sighed "Honestly?" he muttered "Yes and No". He raised his arms, starting to gesture animatedly "I'm finally not in pain, I'm not turning into some kind of monster. But the soulmate I was just starting to like went behind my back and killed my best friend".

Drift blinked. Pain? Monster? His… soulmate, Scott? He actually-

Drift shook away the thought. 'Later' she told herself; her friend needed her right now. She attempted a reassuring smile, focusing on the only part of his rant she could help with "I'm not dead" she said, laying a hand on his arm. It's so cold. "Just a vampire. We're just vampires".

Avid looked at her sadly, his eyes flash red. "But you didn't want to be" he pointed out quietly.

"And you did" she adds. It's not an accusation; he still flinches.

She's not mad at him. Not really.

She can't be. He chose this. She respects that choice. It was just… she wishes she could have chosen too.

She doesn't know how to tell him that. She doesn't try. Drift has always been a coward.

Avid takes a deep breath. He doesn't look disappointed at how empty it is. "We need to decide what we want to do" he tells her "Do we tell the rest of the town? Or do we leave?".

Drift shakes her head quickly. This isn't fair. He had time to think. To make options. She had been thrown into this life. "We could explain ourselves" she replied "Most of the vampire hatred came from you. If you tell them we're not so bad, maybe they'll be willing to make peace?". It's a desperate plea. It's useless, she knows this.

Still, she feels her heart sink when he shakes his head "I started it, true, but the town started hating vampires on their own. All I did was warn them. Against Scott, against Owen. They're the ones who decided to raise their weapons against an entire species".

She knows he's right. If the town hadn't been swayed by Shelby, why would the two of them make any difference? The town maniac and a coward. They would easily be thrown out. Best case scenario, some of the humans would be cordial to them.

They would never be treated the same again.

It wasn't fair.

"So then what?" Drift asked, unable to hide the bitterness coating her tone "We just hide this forever?". As if that was even an option, hiding would only make it worse in the long run.

Avid knows it too. "That… or we could go find the rest of the coven" he suggested quietly. It's not timid, the way it used to be. Just tired.

Drift feels a hiss build up in her throat for the second time that night, she lets it out, a violent noise that startles the vampire across from her "I don't want to be anywhere near Scott" she spat out, voice holding more anger than she knew she had.

Avid meets her gaze dead on "Me neither" he says steadily. It would almost be a good lie. If it weren't for the uncertainty in his eyes. The small gulp he takes before he answers. The confession from before, that he had actually grown fond of that monster.

People seem to forget that Drift was a detective.

Then Avid continues, and the anger drains out of her quicker than the heartbeat stolen from her. "But they might be the only ones who won't kill us on sight right now" he says.

Cold, hard fear grips her. Squeezes out her rage. Dampens what she thought could be a moment of bravery. They could die.

They could die.

The town wasn't hunting vampires to restrain. There hadn't been enough progress on the cure. They had been hunting them to kill.

She doesn't want to die.

"Okay, yeah" Drift agreed shakily, furiously pushing aside the thought of blue petals "Let's go to the castle".

It seemed that orchid never stopped following her. Always ending up right at her doorstep.

She never stopped running from it.

Chapter Text

The castle loomed over them. The moon hung in the sky, bathing the scene in bloody light. Drift shuffled beside him, adjusting the bag strapped across her chest. She was nervous, he can tell.

He hates that she was forced to come with him. That his soulmate would willingly drag her into this just to get Avid's attention. He had felt Scott's smug satisfaction, the way he genuinely believed he had done nothing wrong in turning her. That he was doing her a favour. It makes him sick. He hates that it's come to this. He hates that it worked.

They can't risk being in town. Not when Abolish was too perceptive for his own good. Not when the doctor was preaching about a cure, fully willing to dispose of the eldest vampires so that they could 'save' the rest; making his actions out to be heroic to save his own fragile ego. Not when the Militia was geared up with silver - Avid's fault - when they polished their wooden stakes to kill.

"Are you ready?" Drift asked from his side. Avid inhaled deeply, feeling relief when the breath doesn't snag, when it fills his lungs without pain. "No" he answered honestly "Let's go".

Shelby was waiting for them at the gate, wringing her hands nervously. She must have known they were here, their connection with Drift was still strong. Avid tries not to feel jealous. The vampire startles when she spots them, running forward immediately, pulling them both into a hug.

Avid melted into the touch with little thought, the familiar smell of books and flowers filling his nose, undercut by the rich tang of blood. "I'm so sorry it's come to this" Shelby whispered tearfully, red eyes pitying. Drift squeezed her tighter, probably communicating telepathically, judging by Shelby's expression. Avid slowly separated from the two, giving them space.

They had a silent conversation; Avid studying the castle in the meantime. It looked imposing, no one would guess it had been just a pile of rubble barely two months prior. Drift finally pulled away, wiping her eyes lightly. "Okay" she whispered, voice thick "I'm okay. Let's go".

The doors creaked open as they entered, catching the attention of another vampire.

Avid's heart clenched. Scott stared back.

Seeing his face hurt. He imagined this was what getting staked would feel like. Avid had thought they had been getting closer, maybe. His defences worn down by sweet words and cold touches and a look in red eyes that could be called fond.

And then Scott had turned Drift, had gone behind Avid's back to hurt him.

A foolish part of him had hoped that becoming a vampire meant that they could be together. He sees now how wrong he was.

"Avid?" that soothing voice calls. Scott reaches for him, pale fingers outstretched. He's smiling. He's beautiful.

"Stay away from me" Avid snarled, taking a step back from the elder vampire. Feeling a twisted sense of vindication in the brief pain he feels through the bond. He ignores how that makes his unbeating heart hurt too.

"We're only here because of Shelby" he growled "The townsfolk are getting too volatile, we can't risk staying there right now". He doesn't know why he's explaining himself. Maybe a part of him still wants his soulmate to know what's going on in his head. Maybe he just wants Scott to understand how much he's hurt him.

The vampire frowns, he has the nerve to look almost confused. As if he doesn't know what he's done. "You're upset with me" he states, it's not a question.

Avid hisses, the sound dangerous and foreign, like what his best friend had done hours ago. "You turned Drift" he snapped.

Shelby quickly stepped between them, arms held out in front of her. "Let's all calm down" they said sharply "It's been a long night. How about we get you two some rooms to settle down in?". Drift's bag was in her hands, she held it up with a strained smile, desperately trying to keep the peace.

Avid pursed his lips, he would avoid arguing, at least for Shelby's sake. Both because she was one of his best friends, and because he feels his new instincts protest anything that would upset her. Urging him to listen to his sire. This was exactly why he couldn't have asked Scott to turn him.

He couldn't have handled a direct coven bond along with their soulmate connection. Avid only had so much self control.

"Where's Owen?" he asks. Avid would prefer if he knew where any immediate threats might be lurking. Shelby blinked at the sudden change in conversation, but dutifully pointed to a couch tucked away in the corner.

Sure enough, the elder vampire was laid out as though he was asleep. Only, it looked… wrong. He hadn't responded to their voices despite the sensitive hearing, and without breathing or moving he looked, well, dead.

"What's wrong with him?" Drift asked worriedly. Neither of them had been particularly close to Owen, but seeing the man nearly comatose was concerning. Hadn't Drift said he was there for the siege of the lake beacon? Had something happened?

Scott just shrugged, unbothered "Bond shock" he said shortly "His soulmate's dead". He said it so casually, like commenting on the weather. Avid feels a pit in his stomach. It's not the same, not really, but he know what it's like to lose someone like that.

He still doesn't like Owen. Nowhere close. The elder vampire was terrifying; but Avid might understand him just a little better now.

"Is bond shock always like that?" he asks before he could consider who exactly he was talking to, concern bleeding into his tone.

Thankfully, Shelby answered him instead "Not always" she said "My mom was mostly okay after my dad died".

"It's worse for vampires" Scott explained, eyes flitting to Avid for a moment "Losing a soulmate is often debilitating". Avid ignored the careful concern leaking through the bond.

Drift frowned, a familiar expression crossing her face, the one she always had on when given a puzzle to solve. "How come he was fine in town?" she asked curiously.

"It's not consistent, just hits him sometimes. Like now". Avid felt an unexpected flicker of concern for the other vampire through the bond. Scott really wasn't as nonchalant as he liked to pretend.

"Can we help?" Drift asked, ever the bleeding heart.

"He's fine" Scott waved off "Wakes up every now and then to drink blood and talk to us. He'll be back up tomorrow, probably".

Shelby's eyes softened, grabbing Drift's hand gently "He's really okay" she assured her "This just happens sometimes. We make sure he stays fed and safe".

Avid laid a hand on Drift's shoulder, letting it rest there in silent comfort. "You said something about rooms?" he prompted carefully, trying to redirect her attention. Shelby nodded, starting to lead Drift away by the wrist "Yeah, come on, you guys can make your rooms across from mine!".

Scott suddenly grabbed his arm, grip tight but not uncomfortable "Not you. You come with me" he commanded "You'll stay in my chamber".

Avid snarled warningly "You say you care about me then you turn around and betray the little trust I had in you. You do not get to demand anything of me" he hissed "I'm staying with Drift". He wrenched his arm away, silently mourning the touch. He hates that he misses it. That he wanted it in the first place.

Drift was eyeing him warily. She can see through him, he knows. She reads him better than his own soulmate. It's just like Elle all over again. Only, Drift already has someone. She doesn't need Avid.

"Let's go" he says decidedly, continuing in the direction Shelby had shown them. He feels offended hurt and confusion through the bond, his soulmate was upset with him. Avid didn't turn around.

Chapter Text

There weren't many claimable rooms in the crypt. Shelby had carved open several spaces for other bedrooms, none of them furnished. Avid selected the one just across from Drift, disappearing into it for the night. Vampires didn't need to sleep; she figured he just needed some alone time.

Drift, meanwhile, had temporarily settled in Shelby's room. The steady presence of her soulmate a comfort after being separated for so long. Shelby was wringing her hands anxiously, absently adjusting the sheets on their bed for the fifth time in two minutes.

"I'm so sorry about Scott", they said "I would have stopped him if I knew he was planning to do something like that". Her voice was weak, a desperate attempt at being casual despite the strain in their tone.

Drift frowned, pausing in her task of emptying out her bag. "Shelby… it's not your responsibility to keep him in check" she said slowly.

Shelby shook her head, not looking at her "No, Drift you don't get it. He's… he's completely blocked off all his emotions, the fact that he cares about me at all is a big deal. He's told me some stories of his past, and he's genuinely given up on caring about people. He doesn't know what he's doing is wrong. I want to help him, Drift. He's not a bad person, deep down".

They had clearly thought about this a lot; they sounded more sure, when explaining it. Analysing someone. Something she and Drift had in common.

Still, an explanation wasn't justification.

"Even if that's true, I don't think that's fair to you" Drift protested "He's a grown adult - several centuries more than that, actually. He can be held accountable for his actions".

For red eyes gleaming with satisfaction. For blood dripping down his fangs. For the new bond between both of them that demanded she submit to her superior when she refused.

"Scott's really not so bad" Shelby said lightly "He taught me how to take animal blood without killing them; and he's been really nice about all the vampire things with me".

The reminder of blood caused a pang of hunger in Drift's stomach, like a vice clenching around the organ. Shelby noticed, of course they did. "Are you hungry?" she asked worriedly "Have you had any blood since you turned?".

Drift shook her head, she wasn't sure how to drain an animal. She thought she had more time to learn. Shelby pulled out a bottle, crimson liquid shining like melted rubies in the torch light.

"Here" they said gently, pushing it into Drift's hands "It's chicken blood".

Drift held the glass gingerly, turning it over in her hands. She had tasted blood before, from accidentally biting her tongue, from meat that hadn't been cooked quite enough. It had never tasted very good; more like an imprint of iron, a sharp tang rather than a flavour. She hoped it might taste better as a vampire.

Shelby laughed lightly, hearing her thoughts. "Don't worry" they assured, smiling more freely than they had all night "Blood tastes a lot better as a vampire".

Drift tried to match her smile, weakly holding up the bottle "Bottoms up" she cheered shakily, downing the contents in one go.

It was very different to how it was when she was human. It was so warm, for one. She feels it thrumming through her dead veins, pumping in a pleasant rhythm that made her feel more human than she had all night.

It still didn't taste like much, per se. More like a comfortable sensation. The bruises and scrapes from the tower fade away. She feels the bite mark on her shoulder close up, skin knitting together. Like there was nothing there in the first place. She wonders if there's a scar.

Shelby was watching her, trying to gauge a reaction. Drift hummed. "It's not bad" she decided "How much of this do I need to drink?". Just because it was sort of nice in small doses didn't mean she particularly wanted to drink gallons of it.

Shelby smiled, relieved. Drift feels it through their bond so potently from this close. "Just enough that you're not hungry" they assured her "Drinking more blood also makes you more powerful, makes you heal faster too".

She took the empty bottle from Drift's hands, fingers brushing hers; temporary warmth from the blood made Shelby's hand seem much colder. "Your appearance will change the more blood you have in your system, it's small at first, but gets pretty noticeable if you have too much" her soulmate explained.

Drift nodded, making a mental note of the information "Is that why your hair changed?" she asked.

Shelby lit up "Yeah! I'm level three, doesn't it look cool?" she asked excitedly, hands trailing through bushy white curls.

Drift hummed in agreement, silently observing her soulmate. She reached forward, gently twirling a pale strand around her finger "I didn't get to say anything with how chaotic it's all been" she said lowly "but you look beautiful".

'I want to kiss them'.

Drift jolted away at the thought, cheeks flushing with borrowed blood "Sorry!" she yelped "I didn't mean to- I, sorry, you weren't supposed to hear that" she finished weakly.

Shelby's face was similarly red, almost matching the shade her hair used to be "It's okay!" they said quickly "I don't- it doesn't bother me! I promise!".

"Are you sure?" Drift frowned "I just want to make sure you're comfortable".

Shelby nodded "It's okay, really" she assured "It… makes me feel happy, that you think of me like that" they confessed.

Her shy smile and fading blush weren't making it any easier for Drift. The detective sighed, forcefully stopping her thoughts from wandering again. She pinched her nose, shutting her eyes tightly. "Still, this isn't the time for stuff like that" she said sternly "The town is getting more anti-vampire by the day, it won't be long till actual fights start breaking out. Especially with more volatile forces like Martyn and Owen causing conflicts".

Shelby nodded, face falling into a more serious expression. "The Militia's already tried to take our beacon" she relayed. Drift felt an unintentional shudder run through her. She had seen how some, like Martyn or Pearl or Abolish, fought. Had trained beside them only a week or so ago. She wasn't looking forward to being on the other side of their blades.

Shelby frowned sympathetically, gently reaching forward to take Drift's hand in her own. The warmth of the blood had faded, they're both cold. "The sun's coming up soon" her soulmate pointed out softly "Let's just rest for now. We're safe here".

Drift didn't protest as she was lead to Shelby's bed, taking off her boots before laying down. It was comfortable, for a vampire who didn't need sleep.

Shelby giggled from beside her. 'I just like laying in bed' she confessed, grinning wildly, her thought full of mirth. Drift laughed too.

The two gravitated towards each other, Drift's hands wrapping around their torso, trying to calm down the flush in her cheeks. If she had a heartbeat it would be racing. Shelby's chin settled snugly in Drift's hair, arms coming up to cradle her head gently. Cold lips pressed a kiss to her forehead, and Drift feels herself melt into the embrace a little more. Drift couldn't recall a time she had ever been held like this. They had hugged, sure, but cuddling was something else entirely.

"It's gonna be okay" Shelby whispered, hands trailing through brown hair "It's not what we wanted but… I can still teach you how to do vampire stuff? You want to turn into a bat?".

Drift smiled tiredly, pressing closer to her soulmate "I'd love to".

At least they had each other.

Chapter Text

Avid and Drift had officially been vampires for over a week and it had taken the town barely a day to figure it out.

He's not sure what tipped them off, maybe the empty house, maybe someone saw them leave. Within two days the Militia had already attempted to raid the castle. It took barely any time for everyone to turn on them.

Avid was right. He wished he wasn't.

He wasn't exactly close to many people in town, but seeing hateful expressions on faces that used to be friendly, silver swords clashing before he was allowed to even utter a word - it hurt.

More than just emotionally. The amount of cuts and scrapes he had accumulated made him very grateful for the enhanced healing vampirism granted.

Avid had done his best to adapt to becoming a vampire. He had chosen this life, after all. Better the monster you know than the one you don't.

He learned to turn into a bat even if it was kind of gross; flying was freeing. He learned to hunt, dormant instincts from the monster he had been turning into mixing with his new vampiric nature, making him a quick study.

Drift was still getting the hang of it, they were learning together. All under Shelby's careful guidance.

Another sheep fell to the ground with a swing of his axe. He didn't have claws; he wasn't ready ready to have those again, not yet. The control he had over his own autonomy was exhilarating.

He gently guided the sheep towards the ground, one last act of kindness before it passed. He held an empty bottle beneath the gaping wound, blood trickling inside in a steady stream. The sharp tang of iron filled his lungs with a familiar scent that was quickly becoming more welcome.

A sound catches his notice, ears flicking in attention. A weapon being unsheathed. Avid darted to the side, the blade swinging through the air right where he had been mere moments prior. If it weren't for his inhuman speed he would have been badly injured.

His attacker watched him like a hawk, maroon eyes gleaming almost red, heeled boots planted firmly in the grass. A face that was once almost protective of him now stared him down in defiance.

"Apo" he greeted warily, hands raised in cautious surrender as he got to his feet "It's not like you to start swinging before you speak".

The human huffed, lifting her sword, silver shining in the afternoon light; pointed at his throat. "It's not like you to murder innocents in cold blood" they said bluntly, eyes flitting over the carcass beside him.

If only she knew.

Still, this was Apo. She was reasonable, usually. Definitely one of the more level-headed of the Militia.

"I don't want to fight" he said slowly, gaze flickering to the axe he had dropped in the grass.

Apo noticed. "I think we're past that, vampire" she sneered "You were the one who warned us. I can't trust a word you tell me now".

"I'm still me" Avid promised "Becoming a vampire didn't change who I am".

Apo shook her head "You're as good as dead" they said "No pulse. No soul. They took the real you from us". She doesn't really believe it, he can tell. Her eyes track his every move, caution lacing her form. They are acting out of duty, not belief.

"I asked for this" he insisted "I'm still me".

Apo's eyes flickered for a moment, concern and worry clouding her expression. They shook their head, raising her sword again "I'm sorry" she said coldly "But I can't take that chance".

She charged forward, blade drawn. Avid yelped, quickly ducking out of the way. He was still a stage one vampire, his senses weren't that much better than a human.

The two danced around each other, one attacking, the other doing nothing but dodging. He could bat soon, in about a minute or two, he just needed to hold on. All the sparring with Elle was finally coming in handy.

Apo had the advantage, they moved with a grace only someone with professional training could manage, wielding their sword like an extension of herself. Despite all their griping about the military, she was a good fighter.

"It's a shame, Avid" they panted, darting across him "You were just starting to be a part of town; and then they got to you". She landed a hit on his arm, causing him to let out a startled hiss. It wasn't too deep, but he feels blood welling up under his torn sleeve.

The scent of iron fills the air.

The animals have all left, scared away by the death of one of their own. There is no one here to help, no one here to witness their fight.

A sudden presence makes them both freeze, a figure landing softly in the trees above them.

The air itself stilled, as though recognising a predator no other could hope to match.

Scott was standing there, fangs bared and hissing. The sun framing his white hair and red eyes like the most twisted avenging angel.

"Stay away from him!" he snarled, darting forwards, claws extended.

Apo didn't stand a chance. The human backed away quickly, shield coming up hastily in defence, the Militia logo gleaming under the sun. Scott snarled as she started to run. Rather than giving chase, he turned around; cape flying at the movement.

He grabbed Avid, holding his arm, sharp eyes watching skin slowly knit itself back together around the wound, hindered by silver. His eyebrows were furrowed, a low growl emitting from his chest.

"Did she hurt you?" he demanded, turning over his hand "I'm sorry I couldn't get here earlier".

Avid frowned, lips pursed. "I'm fine" he said shortly "Let me go".

Scott's eyes hardened "No" he said resolutely "We're going back to the castle".

It's not a request. It's a command. His tone is final, like he's scolding a misbehaving pet.

Avid feels anger and hurt well up in him in equal measure. He yanked his wrist away, glaring at the elder vampire "You think just because you saved me it makes anything okay?" he snapped.

"Avid you almost got staked" Scott retorted hotly "Can you put aside your drama for five minutes and let me make sure you're okay?".

"My drama?" Avid snarled "Is that what we're calling it now? Me almost dying and hating you for turning my best friend were just me being dramatic?".

Scott rolled his eyes, reaching for his arm again "You're blowing it out of proportion, it wasn't that big of an issue".

Avid stumbled backwards before he could touch him, wincing at the slight hurt he feels from Scott. The elder vampire snarls lightly, closing the distance between them. Crowding his space. "Look. I just need to make sure nothing was fatal", he said hotly "I can't have you dying and causing me bond shock; One incapacitated elder vampire is bad enough".

He's lying. He's lying. Avid can feel his concern leaking through the bond, too encompassing to be hidden by flimsy excuses.

He's lying. He cares.

It still hurts. Avid can almost feel a physical pain in his chest in response.

No, wait. He does feel pain. It hurts.

Scott's eyes are suddenly blown wide, pupils slitted, consumed by red. All traces of nonchalance and flippancy are gone. He looks horrified. Why does he look so scared? Scott was never scared.

Avid's thoughts feel sluggish, following Scott's gaze to his own chest; dimly noting the tip of something wooden and bloody sticking through it. That wasn't supposed to be there.

Awareness came in waves. He heard Scott yell… something. He heard someone else. Apo? When did she come back? He's vaguely aware of falling, dirt sticking to his arms in an uncomfortable way.

The world is going dark. It's not supposed to do that anymore, right? He has night vision now. The edges of his sight are filled with tendrils of black, seeping in and erasing the dreary sky above him.

He's glad he can see the sky one last time. It's a nice way to go. Go. Where is he going? Is he dying?

Scott is there again. He's saying something, maybe. Avid hears his thoughts crowd in his head, rumbling like storm clouds. He doesn't understand what they say.

The black creeps closer and Scott looks scared. There is something red leaking from his eyes.

God, even so dishevelled he was still gorgeous.

Scott's eyes somehow widen ever further. He's saying something again. Avid can't hear him. That's a shame, he has a really nice voice.

The darkness surrounded him, encompassing his vision. Avid closed his eyes.

He woke up in a forest.

Chapter Text

They were in the crypt when it happened.

Shelby gasped suddenly, placing a hand on her chest. A sharp pain stabs through Drift's heart, it feels like grief.

"What's was that?" the detective asked worriedly, turning to her soulmate.

Shelby's hand clenched into a fist, lips pursed. "I think…" they trailed off. Her eyes snapped up suddenly, gaze sharp "Where's Avid?".

"Out hunting, he needed blood" Drift answered immediately "Why?".

Shelby turned around, lunging towards the stairs of the crypt; Drift hurrying to follow. "I think something's wrong".

They reached the main hall, dashing through the unfinished ballroom and making it to the castle entrance.

The sight before them stopping them in their tracks.

Scott was standing in the doorway, a figure, limp and unmoving, held in his arms. His green vest was gone, blood staining his white shirt. Avid.

"He's not dead" Scott said quickly, noticing their expressions "He's supposed to be. But he somehow survived".

"What do you mean he's 'supposed to be?'" Drift asked shrilly, uncaring of the hysteria tinging her voice. That was her best friend.

"Apo staked him" Scott growled, holding Avid closer, almost protectively. "I don't know how he survived that; but he's not dead. Vampires don't leave corpses".

Drift can feel Shelby's panic through their bond, hell, she can feel her own panic so strongly it feels like it's choking her. But someone needed to be level-headed. Avid needed them.

"Lay him down on the couch" she instructed, stern but not unkind "We need to check his injuries". Her own voice sounded foreign to her own ears, reminding her of her superiors back in the city. Calm and collected in an emergency.

Scott obeyed with no objections, surprisingly. Perhaps even he could feel the seriousness of the situation. He walked over to the couch, carefully placing Avid down without jostling him too much, rearranging cushions around him with a gentleness Drift didn't think he had.

Shelby was there immediately, carefully peeling fabric away from his wounds, pulling out bottles of blood that Avid was too out of it to benefit from. Drift helped where she could, holding Avid's hand in a silent comfort.

Scott simply stood there; watching them. "I removed the stake" he said bluntly, eyes flitting to the gaping hole still sluggishly bleeding "I'll leave the rest of his treatment to you two".

Shelby didn't bother looking up, hands still fluttering around her fledgling. She had torn a scrap off her own skirt, attempting to staunch the flow of blood. Drift frowned, turning to the elder vampire "You aren't staying to help?" she asked coldly.

Scott looked at her, eyes betraying nothing. His soulmate had nearly died. Had died, and somehow came back - and it looked like he wasn't feeling anything at all. "He won't want to see me when he wakes up" he said simply.

Drift snarled, fangs bared "Can you blame him?" she retorted tersely. Scott didn't respond, barely sparing any of them a glance before heading towards the crypt.

Shelby had moved to watch them with a melancholic expression, not releasing their hold on Avid. "He cares" she said softly "I promise he does".

Drift doesn't believe her. Shelby's shoulder's tighten at the thought, but they don't try to defend him more.

There wasn't much else to do for Avid. The bleeding had slowed to a stop eventually. At some point Shelby had leaned closer to Drift, resting their head on her shoulder. Avid didn't move, didn't breathe. There was no sign he was even awake.

Scott had said vampires didn't leave corpses. As much as she hated him, Drift let his words wash over her as a comfort, repeating in her head like a mantra. Avid wasn't dead.

It could have been minutes or hours that they sat there together, silently conversing, occasionally sipping the numerous bottles of blood that Shelby had laid out in a neat line.

At some point, Avid had started to twitch, sending them both into high alert. The hand under Drift's shuddered.

Avid came to with a gasp, eyes widening as he shot upwards, Drift releasing his hand in shock. He started to cough, something black and viscous staining his lips. Drift laid a hand on his back, trying to help him through the worst of it.

His eyes opened tiredly, vivid purple glazed over, staring right through her "Elle…?" he muttered, strained.

"Afraid not bud" Drift sniffled, voice thick with relief "Hey".

Avid met her gaze sluggishly "Drift..? You- what happened?" he murmured.

"You got staked" Shelby whispered, the words hovering between them, laced with dread. "You- Apo staked you, you were level one". She gently took his hands in her own, pale claws meeting tanned skin. "How are you alive?" they asked softly.

Avid blinked, awareness slowly creeping into his gaze. He looked down at his hands. No claws. Still appearing human. Just like Drift's.

"I don't know" he whispered "I don't- there was… there was a voice? And, and I don't-". He was getting progressively more distressed, Drift could felt him shaking beneath her hand.

Shelby noticed, of course she did. They were his sire. "Shh" she said gently, running claws through his hair, Drift can feel their grief flooding through the bond "Let's figure it out later, okay? What matters is you're here, we'll keep you safe".

Avid curled forward, a soft whine escaping him; like the cry of a injured animal. He buried himself in Shelby's hold, pale hands clutching at her dress in a desperate grip.

"I want to go home" he sobbed. Shelby pulled him closer, Drift hears the words they don't want to say aloud.

I know.

Me too.

Chapter Text

Getting staked may have been the worst thing to ever happen to Avid.

The worst part wasn't even dying. Dying was quick and easy. It felt like karma, for what he had done to his sister.

No, the worst part was what came after.

He was level two now, the girls had insisted on it. If only to protect him from dying again. He knows his eyes are probably red; Drift told him he had streaks of white in his hair.

His neck had started itching again.

The wound wasn't back; still scarred over messily. But the hunger was. The ache. The need to cause pain. Nothing else had come back with it.

Drift suspected it might be a mental thing, that he was imagining his curse coming back after a traumatic event. Avid wasn't so sure.

He had met the one that made him like this. Had heard their voice in an empty space he intrinsically recognised as Limbo.

He doesn't know if it would give him up so easily.

Blood helped. It quenched the hunger for violence stirring up in him. He just wondered how long it would actually keep it at bay.

"Are you okay?" a concerned voice asks, disrupting his musings. Drift came into view, eyebrows scrunched in worry "Avid? Are you having an episode again?".

"I'm fine" he answered habitually, the lie tasting like ash on his tongue.

Drift didn't believe him, she knows him too well; still she nods anyway. "Okay, just let me know if you need anything, okay?" she says gently, careful. Like Avid is fragile.

He doesn't want to be fragile.

Another vampire walks into the hall. Scott freezes, taking in Drift's irritated expression and Avid's conflicted one. The elder vampire nods, acknowledging them, before walking off.

Neither of them had spoken to Scott since the incident.

'He's looking better'. The thought is laced with something fond, carrying both worry and affection. Avid almost can't believe it's coming from his soulmate.

He doesn't remember exactly what happened when he died, but whatever it was had caused a noticeable shift in how Scott was treating him.

The only thing he can vaguely remember is genuinely complimenting the vampire before everything got blurry; and if that was the reason Scott was suddenly nicer to him, then he was appalled at how shallow his soulmate was.

Not that he could check. He refused to remove blocks on the bond. And he wasn't going to ask.

The silence was suffocating.

Avid turned and walked away. Always running.

He didn't tell the others where he was going. No doubt Shelby and Drift would try to follow him. As much as he adored them, he seriously needed some time alone.

No coven. No soulmates. No vampires. No humans.

Just Avid.

He found himself in the middle of the woods; barely any recollection of how he got there. It was grotesquely nostalgic. Only this time he knew where the blood on him had come from. He knew who wielded the trembling claws at his fingertips.

This time he had no one else to blame.

The brush rustled beside him, instinct had him baring his claws at the intrusion. Blue eyes looked back at him, wide eyed and startled. The human held a sword in hand, blood dripping from it. Avid could smell the aroma of fresh meat wafting off of them.

A hunting trip then.

The human blinked, brushing brown hair away from their face, voice incredulous as they called his name "Avid?".

The vampire straightened, posture shifting from threatening to guarded instantly "Pearl?".

Pearl wiped the blood off her blade with her skirt, sheathing the weapon. A sign of trust. "What are you doing here?" she asked casually. He knows she could still hold her own, that being disarmed hardly made her vulnerable, but Avid retracts his claws anyway. They had been friends, when he lived in town. When they both resembled humans.

"Just… taking a walk" he says weakly. It's a terrible lie. He can't stop shaking.

The human watched him closely, head tilted to the side with a scrutinising expression. Her eyebrows furrowed. He probably looked pathetic, trembling in place alone in the woods.

Finally, she sighed "Come with me" Pearl instructed, grabbing his wrist as she started pulling him away, uncaring of how cold he must feel in her warm grip.

"W-what?" Avid stuttered, stumbling behind her. Where was she taking him? Was he about to get staked again? Was he being dragged back to town? How was her grip so strong he couldn't shake it?

"I can hear you thinking" Pearl said sternly, not looking back at him, she misses his resulting flinch. "Calm down. I'm trying to help". Her voice was calm, steady. She walked with the confidence of a hunter.

Like Elle.

Without meaning to, Avid felt his shoulders unconsciously relax. "Can you tell me where we're going at least?" he asked, adjusting his steps to follow her better. It was fine, if anything happened he could always bat away. Pearl wasn't usually unnecessarily violent towards their coven; she probably wouldn't hurt him.

He could always open the bond if he needed saving again.

Pearl grinned, turning to meet his eyes. Her teeth glinted sharply, canines unusually pointed. "Just trust me" she said "Nothing bad happens around Pearl, remember?".

They walked silently, crossing through the forest, eventually emerging where the trees thinned and the dirt was clear of footsteps, the earth overgrown and wild. There was a shimmer in the air, something that he felt more in-tune to now with his vampiric instinct.

"Are we… at the border?" he asked cautiously.

Pearl nodded "Yep" she confirmed, releasing his hand. Her head tilted back, almost like she was listening to something. "I can't hear Cleo" she said finally "Can you hear Scott?".

Avid blinked, focusing closer on his thoughts. There was always a space in the back of his mind where he could feel Scott; his presence still filled in. Avid realised there were no thoughts coming through. He couldn't hear him. For the first time in a long while his mind was blessedly empty and silent. Not from him blocking out his soulmate; but from genuine distance he hadn't had in a long while.

There was no Scott to hear him. No Drift to scrutinise him. No Shelby to smother him.

It was just him. Just Avid.

He feels a tear trace it's way down his face.

It was from relief, he realised. He hadn't realised how overwhelming everything had been the entire time. He staked Elle. His curse had gotten so bad. He got turned. He failed to save his best friend from being turned again. He had died.

Everything was confusing and loud and everywhere and it felt so much worse as a vampire.

Once the tears started he couldn't stop them; he rubbed at his eyes fruitlessly. "S-sorry" he sniffed, realising Pearl was still beside him "I didn't mean to-".

"It's okay" she interrupted, gentle yet stern "Cry all you need. I won't tell".

Tears continued to fall, red tracing it's way down his face. For Elle. For Drift. For Shelby. For Scott. For himself.

He hadn't let himself feel for so long; too scared of being seen. Too scared of breaking when someone could hear it.

Avid had always been someone who preferred to cry alone. Elle would call him a silent sufferer, until she broke down his walls brick by brick and allowed herself in to help.

For the longest time he had held it in. He couldn't cry. Couldn't afford to be vulnerable unless he risked his mental barriers coming undone.

Now those tears streamed down his face. His mind a chaotic jumble of overwhelming feelings rushing through in a haze. If he had to breath he would have started hyperventilating.

Pearl said nothing, just standing there while he cried. A singular anchor against the storm in his head. He sat down eventually against a large rock. The cool moss coating cushioned his weight as he leaned into it heavily, wiping his already red sleeves with more blood dripping sluggishly from his eyes.

Pearl sat beside him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked carefully, blue eyes sharp.

Avid gulped, looking away "Why did you help me?" he asked, avoiding the question.

The huntress shrugged, the movement far too casual and unbothered "You looked like you needed it" she said. Like the humans and vampires weren't slowly but surely careening towards a war. Like they weren't on opposite sides. Like it was that simple; to help someone.

Maybe it was. For her.

"Trouble in paradise?" she asked after a moment of silence. Her tone was joking, light; her eyes were sharp. "I can't imagine Scott is the easiest soulmate to have".

Avid sighed, scrubbing away the last of his tears "He cares about me" he said, voice softer than a whisper "He cares about me, he's my soulmate and he obviously cares about me, shouldn't that be enough?".

Pearl shook her head "Nah" she answered easily "You don't owe him anything just because he's your soulmate".

Avid looked away, uncertain. It wasn't that he felt for Scott just because of the bond, but it certainly didn't help. Always reminding him of red eyes and sweet words and fangs and blood.

Pearl laid a careful hand on his knee, startling him. "It's not your job to fix him" she said gently, removing her hand. "But if you're ready to stay beside while he makes himself better, that, I think, is enough".

Avid huffed "I don't know if he wants to be better" he whined, uncaring of how pathetic he sounded "Just- is it bad if I kind of don't care if he's bad?". He looked to Pearl "Is it bad that even if he's a monster he feels like home?" he asked quietly.

It was the first time he had admitted it aloud. That Scott, despite everything, felt like an anchor tethering him to stability amidst a raging storm. That even eyes the colour of blood could look so warm and worried it melted the cold front he put up.

That despite everything, Scott really did feel like his other half.

Pearl's head was tilted, considering. Avid can't help but be reminded of a dog. "I think" she said slowly "What I have to say about your relationship doesn't matter".

The human looked to the trees, expression contemplative. "I heard about what happened from Apo" she said slowly. Avid stilled. His chest hurt. Pearl leaned toward him just slightly, continuing "You're right, he does care about you. Maybe he cares about enough to be better. Maybe he won't change. Either way, you get to decide if you want him in your life or not".

She really did make everything sound so simple when it wasn't.

Avid sighed. "It doesn't matter anyway" he grumbled "There's not much we can do while we're all stuck here; unless we just let him kill or turn all of you".

Pearl winced slightly, looking away. It was a minute change, but Avid noticed. "Maybe… there's a way we can leave like this" she said uncertainly, "Peacefully" she tacked on.

A peaceful solution… how optimistic. The beacons wouldn't let either side leave until all of them were the same. Until darkness spread across the land or was cleared out completely. And yet, there were some who still believed that no blood needed to be shed.

How unrealistic. How hopeful.

He had wanted to protect them all once. He just doesn't know if it's possible anymore.  

"Yeah, maybe" he said noncommittally.

Pearl grinned "Just don't forget, I'm a hunter too" she joked, nudging him with a playful shove "Monster or not, any of you cause problems I'm taking action". Her tone was light, but Avid hears the underlying threat in her words.

He nods. She smiles. For a moment she looks like Elle. Blue eyes flash amber.

"Thank you" he tells her. He's not sure who he's talking to.

"No problem".

Pearl stood up, brushing off her skirt "I'm heading back to town" she said decidedly "You comin'?".

He shook his head. He wasn't ready to go back to town anytime soon. Pearl being cordial didn't mean the other humans would be. He doesn't want to be staked again. "I think I'll stay here for a bit" he told her.

Pearl nodded "Gotcha" she said easily, unsheathing her sword as she turned and left without so much of a goodbye.

The forest breathed around him, silent and still in all the ways that mattered. Peaceful.

He scratched at his neck out of habit, it wasn't itching anymore.

Avis sighed, leaning back against stone. The space beside him suddenly felt so empty.

He missed Elle. He wondered what she would make of the situation. Neither of them had particularly cared about soulmates.

They had chosen each other.

'If we ever find our soulmates that changes nothing' she had said 'You and me against the world, buddy'.

She had elbowed him in the side, grinning wildly 'buuuut if I happen to have a hot girlfriend and you get a girlfriend/boyfriend/whatever… they can come along for the ride'.

He wonders if she would like Scott. Vampirism aside, they almost had a similar sense of humour. Definitely matched each other's snark.

Avid thinks they might have joined forces to tease him. The thought makes him feel warm. He wishes they could meet.

He misses Elle.

… he misses Scott.

Loving someone was always a choice. Soulmate bonds and vampires and magic didn't change that. He had chosen Elle. He had chosen Drift and Shelby.

He had chosen Scott. Despite everything, he keeps choosing Scott.

Avid took a deep breath, lungs filling with air. Painless. Free.

He walks back to the castle. He's tired of running.

Chapter Text

Soulmates had always been an extravagant thing to vampires. They had eternity to find them, after all. Their better half. The person who would fill in the empty space in one's heart.

Scott had seen countless pairs of soulmates over the decades. Friends. Siblings. Lovers.

Scott had no friends, only those who stayed close to him for power. He had no siblings not anymore. He never was interested in finding a lover, content with flings that lasted hardly a week.

That all changed with the hunter. With mesmerising purple eyes and fear clouding his veins.

His Avid was special. Scott hadn't thought much of their first interaction, of the anxious man who offered him garlic with a shaky smile, refusing to make eye contact.

Now he thinks back on it with the closest thing he can feel to fondness. He wishes Avid would smile at him again.

That sweet, innocent smile.

Avid had only killed once, compared to the millions whose blood fell on Scott's hands; and yet he held onto a guilt so crushing it would give Scott a headache if he was capable of still getting those.

That kind of naivety could get you killed. It almost did.

They had tried to take him away. That good for nothing human had tried to stake him. Avid. Scott's soulmate. He should rip out Apo's throat for even attempting it.

But it wasn't just an attempt, was it? They had succeeded, he saw it. Felt it. Avid had died.

For a moment, there was pain. More immense than just a coven member being ripped away. Some part of him had gone quiet; not like when Avid was blocking him away, no. Scott couldn't even feel his presence this time. He was gone.

It had rattled him far more than he had expected it to. After centuries of feeling nothing, the intensity of bond shock was… unpleasant.

He had cried. He hadn't shown such weakness in centuries.

As much as he had wanted to stay with his soulmate, he had needed to walk away from it to recover.

"He won't want to see me when he wakes up"

"Can you blame him?"

Scott cursed, kicking at the grass despite the dirt staining his boot. Good for nothing fledgling; being so disrespectful towards him. Saying such scathing words. If she wasn't Shelby's soulmate he wouldn't hesitate to cut off her tongue for such an insult.

How dare she imply that it was his fault? That Scott was somehow responsible for Avid's aversion towards him? Scott didn't kill his partner. Scott didn't turn him into a vampire.

In fact, he had been downright forgiving with the man. He hadn't even complained when Avid blocked off their bond! Him! The most prestigious and powerful person in their miserable little bubble!

But no, he had forgiven it. In his prime he would have killed someone over such treatment, soulmate or not. And how did Avid respond to such generosity? He ignored him.

Even now, with Scott being so careful it was sickening, his soulmate refused to even look at him.

A worthless coven. Honestly. First Shelby invading his personal space. Then Owen bothering him by being so sad. Then Avid treating him as though he was some kind of commoner. Then Drift showing such disrespectful insolence.

If it weren't for the odd squirming sensation in his chest when he considered it he would have killed them all by now.

"Scott?" A voice called from behind him, interrupting his musings.

A human approached him. Were it anyone else, Scott might have considered it a foolish act. However, the way the human held himself made it clear it was anything but. It was calm. Calculated.

If it weren't for the butler attire Scott might have contemplated the man being a noble himself. Of course, no self-respecting noble would lower themselves to such a level, even in disguise.

"Abolish" he greeted, cordial but guarded "To what do I owe the pleasure?". His eyes flickered behind him quickly; the castle bridge was still in view. He still had the advantage of territory.

Abolish simply watched him, dark eyes betraying nothing. He stood a few feet away, not close enough for Scott to lunge at him without telegraphing the movement. "I heard from Apo what happened with Avid" he said bluntly.

Scott stilled, suppressing a sharp inhale. He discretely pressed his claws into his palms; not overtly enough for the average person to notice. Abolish's gaze flickered down to his fist.

"What about it?" the elder vampire asked coolly, forcefully releasing the tension from his form. He was a Goldsmith, he couldn't let something as vulnerable as emotions come through so easily.

"You didn't kill her" the human pointed out.

Scott growled, a low sound escaping before he could reign it in. Abolish didn't look surprised. "I should have" the vampire retorted "She killed one of our own". He breathed in like he had seen Shelby do, forcing himself to remain calm.

Abolish tilted his head just slightly "And yet, he's not dead" he said, infuriatingly steady.

The elder vampire nodded "Yes" he agreed simply. Abolish was looking for information. Well, Scott wouldn't grant it.

"Are you going to target Apo for what they did?" the human inquired, like he was commenting on the weather.

Scott tipped his head back, a teasing smirk making it's way to his face "I don't see why I should tell you" he quipped. Two could play at this game.

Abolish studied his expression, lips pursing just slightly. A crack in his facade. The smallest sign of irritation. Good.

The human finally sighed, looking away; conceding. Scott could hardly revel in his victory before he was continuing. "I work for an organisation" Abolish said shortly "Our job is to deal with more… problematic cases. Vampire, human, werewolf, whatever. If they're going to cause trouble, we take them out. You, Goldsmith, have yet to give me a reason to prove you're not dangerous".

Well; that was certainly unexpected. It did explain the human's stoicism and professional attitude. The way he held himself in a stance that spoke of experience. Scott didn't detect a hint of deception; honesty was more dangerous.

Scott's eyes narrowed "Are you threatening me, Abolish?" he asked lowly, a growl building in his chest. This was no longer prey speaking out against it's betters. This was a fellow predator willing to get his hands dirty.

The human casually adjusted his gloves, not unnerved in the slightest "It's a request" he corrected "Get better, for Avid's sake. He's clearly been through a lot already, I don't want him to have to go through losing a soulmate too".

Scott remembered the aching pain in his chest, the hole in his mind that for a moment felt like it could never be filled again. He didn't want Avid to go through that either.

"If you kill me, the bond shock will kill him anyway" he said shortly. If he, an elder vampire, could hardly handle the feeling of losing a soulmate, there was no way a mere fledgling would be able to bear it.

He ignored the fact that the thought of causing Avid such pain would be worse than dying itself. He could unpack that later.

Abolish shook his head "Bond shock is treatable; I myself have several methods of dealing with it, should he need help. But losing a soulmate is unpleasant regardless" he said, a hint of emotion leaking through his facade again.

Scott hummed contemplatively, eyebrows just barely furrowed "You're speaking like you've lost your soulmate already" he prodded.

"I haven't" Abolish replied quickly - too fast, a sensitive topic. "But my soulmate is a lot older than me, they're my guardian. I needed to be prepared to lose him at a moment's notice".

The smallest hint of distress appeared on the human's face. Scott was surprised by how vulnerable and honest Abolish was being with him. He didn't owe him that information, would gain nothing from Scott knowing - in fact it could have easily been used against him.

And yet, he was sharing it so casually. Because- what? He was concerned? About two people he had no obligation to?

Shelby kept preaching to him about humanity. About an inherent kindness towards others, a form of altruism he himself had never experienced. He knew Shelby offered it freely, giving away compassion and consideration without batting an eye.

He didn't believe any of the others were capable of it. Even his darling Avid wasn't above the unfair nature of exchange.

And yet; to have kindness without expectation offered from someone like Abolish, someone he had considered potentially as apathetic as he himself was… it was odd. Uncomfortable. Something unpleasant rolled over in his gut.

Scott shook his head, concentrating instead on dismantling everything Abolish had said. Shifting his focus to something familiar, understandable - information.

Scott narrowed his eyes, replaying the human's words in his head. "That's how you knew how to establish mental barriers" he realised "Avid mentioned that you were the one who taught him".

Abolish shrugged "There's a lot of things an adult and a child want to hide from each other" he said simply "My guardian and I learned to only let the barriers slip when we want to communicate, otherwise there's no input from him whatsoever".

"It sounds lonely" Scott said, the thought slipping out before he could catch it.

Abolish smiled slightly "Hardly" he muttered "I can always feel him there, and it's a comforting presence. Isn't that what Avid is to you?".

A comforting presence. That was one way to put it. The slight space at the back of his mind was an assurance. A promise that his soulmate was still there, still alive.

His gut sinks with a feeling he think might be dread, thoughts wandering.

Was he that for Avid? Did his presence offer the fledgling comfort and assurance? Or was he just a constant reminder of a threat? An ever present danger that he was doing his best to block out.

"Can you blame him?"

He feels his face contort. He's not sure what the unpleasant sensation rising in his chest is, but whatever it is seems to have a visible effect on his expression.

Abolish nodded, like he had confirmed something. "I believe we're done here" he said with a note of finality "Think on what I've said, Scott. Change your ways, or I may not let you leave Oakhurst alive".

Scott hissed, a downright predatory noise that made lesser men tremble "Or I could drain you right now, maybe turn you if I feel generous enough" he growled, claws extending towards the other, lunging with inhuman speed.

Abolish casually stepped out of the way "Please don't" he droned, sounding almost bored "I'd hate to do that paperwork when I get back".

The human turned and walked away without a second glace. Scott snarled, fangs bared. Insolent human. Walking away from an elder like that. He should rip out his throat for the disrespect. Digs his claws in his skin and-

"Scott?" a voice called, immediately dispelling the tension in his posture. Seriously, what was with people and interrupting him today?

He found that he couldn't hold onto his anger when he turned around, his fledgling's wide red eyes and innocent expression washing away his rage like a gentle stream. Shelby peered past him, trying to spot what he was growling at. Abolish had long since disappeared.

"Everything okay?" she asked cautiously.

Scott sighed, putting away his claws "Yes" he said woodenly.

Shelby nodded, but he could tell she didn't fully believe him. When did they get so perceptive she could see through him?

He brushed nonexistent dirt off his cloak, beginning the trek back to his castle. He needed blood after that conversation. Shelby immediately fell into step beside him.

His fledgling began to speak, filling the space between them with mindless chatter. Something about how the new rooms were coming along; Scott wasn't really listening, mind ruminating what Abolish had said to him.

The human had the gall to threaten him. The worst part was that Scott believed him - there was something behind those dark eyes that spoke of a power and control that could very well match his own. A hunter that may pose a genuine threat to his survival.

If there was one thing Scott was good at, it was surviving.

If he had to rein in the murder until they got out of Oakhurst, so be it. He only killed people when they got boring anyway.

His eyes drifted to the girl beside him. Shelby wasn't boring. He quite liked her, actually. He would like to listen to their senseless rambling until the end of time. It was free entertainment. It was… pleasant.

Only, with Shelby came Drift. If she had to choose between them, Scott knows who she would pick.

He doesn't want to lose Shelby. That means he had to get on better terms with Drift.

He stopped in his tracks, his fledgling didn't notice.

Why was Drift even upset with him, anyway? Just because he was her sire and not Shelby? Was that really why she had made such a fuss?

"Can you blame him?"

What did she mean by that? Had he truly done something to cause distress to them? But what? He didn't know.

Scott hated not knowing.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. Stupid Abolish. Stupid fledglings. He couldn't believe what he was about to do. "Shelby?" he called out, catching her attention. She turned around, seemingly only just noticing that he wasn't beside her.

Scott's next words were clumsy and uncoordinated. Something he had not said in decades, the words scraping his throat raw as he forced them out "I need some help".

Chapter Text

Drift sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. Papers were strewn across the stone table in front of her, messy scribbles of battle plans and fortifications for the castle. Most of them were unrealistic, and the few that seemed like feasible options for traps or defences were either too resource-intensive to create or could potentially harm the humans too much.

The town was getting bolder; Martyn had killed all except one of their cows - Shelby and Avid had gone out to find another to replenish their food supply. She didn't want to hurt the humans too bad, they didn't heal like the vampires could, and a lot of them were still really nice, but revenge was starting to sound far too tempting.

Waves of soothing calm gently prodded at her irritation through the bond; Drift unintentionally letting a small smile slip through in response.

'Everything okay?' her soulmate asked, their bond letting in the gentle sounds of birds chirping and the crunch of leaves as Shelby walked through the forest in search of new livestock.

'Just tired' she replied honestly.

Shelby sent a wave of concern back at her. 'Maybe take a break?' they suggested gently 'The new garden I made is a nice place to relax'.

Drift laughed despite herself. Even in the midst of a brewing war, Shelby managed to add a spot of colour into all of their lives. Her newly planted garden was lovely, sitting on the hill right outside the castle. A small and quaint space carved out amongst the trees, blossoms of white and blue and purple cheerily swaying at the slightest breeze.

A break sounded nice.

Drift lunged up the crypt staircase, only stumbling slightly this time. She nearly bumped into Owen on the way out. The elder vampire just scowled, side-stepping her without a word. Despite apparently being 'coven', the guy didn't talk much. He was still scary.

Shelby send sheepish agreement through the bond; honestly no one really knew him very well. Drift knows Shelby had tried to call him family once, near the beginning, and he had looked so conflicted they never brought it up again.

The garden was a few feet away when Drift spotted something, a flash of white that didn't belong in the picturesque scene.

Drift froze, not moving. A spike of concern came through the bond; Drift sent back what she was seeing with no explanation. She didn't need one.

Scott was standing in the middle of the garden.

He looked up at her presence, fingers stilling from where they were idling tracing the stem of an allium. "Drift" he greeted shortly.

There was something off in his voice, something unfamiliar and stilted. She doesn't care to find out what it is; turning to leave.

"Drift, wait". The almost upset nature of his tone makes her pause.

She stopped in her tracks, not facing him. "What do you want?" she muttered.

There was an unexpected intake of breath behind her; that voice uttering words she never thought she'd hear him say "I'm sorry".

Drift's felt a flicker of surprise - quickly snuffed out by mistrust. "Are you? Or are you just saying that because Avid made you?" she demanded, turning her head towards him just slightly.

A noise of protest sounded from behind her "Avid can't make me do anything" he said, affronted.

"Liar" Drift retorted "You're soft on him. You'll do whatever it takes to keep him happy with you".

"That's not-!" he started to protest; cutting himself off. Drift finally turned to face him, spotting a rare trace of genuine fluster in his expression before it smoothed out into the familiar mask of calm. Scott coughed "For your information it was actually Shelby who pushed me to apologise" he said tersely.

Well, that would explain why Shelby coincidentally suggested that Drift go to the gardens while Scott just happened to be there. She feels an apology from her soulmate come through the bond and sighs, she can't stay mad at them.

"Okay, go for it then" she said tiredly "Not like anything can make me more annoyed right now".

Scott lit up, barely enough to be noticeable, only indicated by a slight shift in his posture and the glint in his eye. He coughed again before starting. "I'm sorry" he said primly "For turning you without your permission and not treating you as a sire should treat their fledgling. That was… wrong of me". His tone was calm, concise; like the detached way her supervisors used to relay case information to her.

Drift frowned "Is that it?" she asked, feeling genuine disappointment well up inside. She wasn't expecting a heartfelt speech or anything, but he could have at least said it like he wasn't reading off a script.

Scott scowled "Excuse me?" he snarled "I apologised. What more do you want?".

Drift crossed her arms, not backing down "That was barely an apology" she argued "You don't sound sincere at all".

He looked ready to snap another retort, but Drift was done listening to him "Do you even feel bad about what you did?" she frowned "Or are you just saying that so I stop being mad at you?".

Scott's eyes shifted, just slightly. Hardly a noteworthy movement, but Drift had been trained to read expressions. That was not guilt. That was irritation at being caught in a lie.

Drift sighed, letting her arms fall away. "Look" she said tersely "You upset me, and I'm going to be mad for a while. Shelby says you have difficulty understanding emotions and things - but frankly that's not my problem".

Scott was always slightly taller than her. It feels like authority. Like a threat.

Normally Drift was slouched over just slightly, curling into herself in a protective posture. Now she straightens her spine, lifts her chin up. She meets Scott at eye level, they're essentially the same height. She's done cowering under him.

Sire or not, she's done letting him push her around.

"Even if you're genuinely trying to apologise, how do I know you're really going to change?" she demanded.

Scott's irritation melted away, revealing surprise that looked more human that anything she had ever seen directed at her. He tilted his head, considering. It seemed genuine. "I suppose you don't" he said eventually, shockingly honest.

He looked down at his claws, eyes slightly wide. "I'm not really interested in being a good person. Just prioritising survival" he said slowly, thinking out loud.

"And your own wants" Drift added tersely, she's not blind, she can clearly see how the elder vampire treasures them "You want Shelby and Avid safe and happy. That has nothing to do with your survival".

Scott nodded, still surprisingly compliant. "That's true" he agreed easily "But our wants there are the same, yes? I hardly think you can complain".

Drift frowned, not satisfied. "And if your wants change?" she challenged "If you decide a peaceful life isn't cutting it for you? If you want carnage and violence more than you want their happiness?".

She didn't want to believe that he had really changed so easily. Not without her noticing.

Scott hummed "I've been told I will be put down, should I ever spill another's blood by my hand" he said casually.

Drift blinked. "What?" she blurted, thought process completely derailing. Someone had threatened Scott?

Her confusion must have been clear on her face; Scott smiled wryly. "Turns out Abolish is a lot more impressive than a mere butler" he said, explaining nothing.

He waved his hand, like he was trying to physically clear their conversation from the air "Anyway, if that's over with" he drawled "I already told Shelby all of this. She said she wants to try making a peaceful solution with the humans. You're welcome to go with her".

Drift didn't believe her ears, vampiric hearing or not.

There was… no way Scott was so willing to accept peace like that. Only… it unfortunately added up. Scott had done but prioritise his own selfish desires the entire time, if that had shifted to ensuring his own survival, of course he would go along with anything.

So long as he didn't die. Not like Avid had.

Drift raised an eyebrow incredulously "Are you sure?" she asked, not asking for permission, just checking for intent.

Scott nodded "Honestly I couldn't care less what happens to all of them; so long as I get to leave. A thousand years in this dreadful place has been enough for me".

"Okay" she said slowly, wrapping her head around it all "Okay… I'll talk to Shelby and Avid when they get back".

Scott spread his arms, for a moment Drift thought ridiculously that he looked like he wanted a hug. "What about my apology?" he asked "Was all that good enough for you?".

Drift pursed her lip. It was more honest, she would give him that. But it hardly made up for all the pain he had caused her, directly or not.

"I don't forgive you" she decided "You're just going to have to live with that".

Scott shrugged nonchalantly "so long as we can co-exist" he conceded.

"Are you going to apologise to Avid now?" Drift checked.

Scott coughed slightly, looking away. His cheeks had the barest hints of pink brushing them. "I will need to… confer with Shelby first, but, yes" he said.

"Okay. Good" Drift nodded "Do a better job with him than with me. Try to be honest".

"And, Scott?" she added, waiting till he met her gaze before she continued.

"If you break his heart, I'll stake you myself".

Scott grinned, there was no levity in the expression. All sharp fangs and scarlet eyes. "My my, fledgling", he purred condescendingly "if I didn't know better I'd think that was a threat".

Drift stood up taller, fear buried deep. Pride echoed through her soulmate bond and from her own head. "It's a promise" she declared.

And Scott… laughed?

Drift blinked. That wasn't a patronising laugh. No, not even twisted amusement. He was… genuinely laughing?

He caught sight of her face and only laughed harder, bringing up a hand to daintily cover the motion. "Oh, Drift you are a riot" he chuckled, grinning wildly.

Drift was confused. Was he making fun of her? Was this some form of manipulation? This wasn't a reaction she had ever expected.

Scott smirked, expression softening just slightly "You know, for all you think you can read me, you're startling oblivious to some obvious things" he said casually "I'm impressed with you Drift, it's not so hard. Seems you had a backbone after all".

He turned around, "As expected of a fledgling of mine" he commented flippantly, lunging towards the castle path before she could respond.

He was… that was… what?

Shelby's incoherent and frantic rambling in her head wasn't helping.

Drift pushed aside her monocle, pinching the bridge of her nose as she sighed.

She was so glad vampires couldn't get headaches.

Chapter Text

Avid felt lighter.

It wasn't just the acceptance of his soulmate - though that definitely played a part- it was the absence of his curse. Despite the occasional itching in his neck, becoming a vampire had cured him.

No more days spent in bed feeling so much pain he couldn't find the strength to stand. No more coughing fits that felt like his throat was being shredded. There were no more blackouts, no more insatiable cravings; now his hunger could be dulled with a singular bottle of blood, and his claws only hurt when he wanted them to.

He had spent so much time hunting before, when the monster took over and he spent hours on end combing through the forest in search of prey.

Now he has almost too much time on his hands.

He made his own room; it was simple, but nice. Just a pile of pillows and blankets he had managed to scrounge up (Shelby called it a 'nest' - apparently it was a vampire thing), a few chests littered around, and an old cape he had repurposed as a carpet.

It was no Merp Manor, but it would do.

The castle was slowly becoming home. Everyone he loved lived there with him. Even with Owen occasionally prowling the halls and the townsfolk ambushing them to take their beacon every now and then - it was nice.

He just wished they could all learn to get along.

He still didn't know how to face Scott. He was willing to forgive him, but a part of him still wished the elder vampire would maybe apologise first. Like he had done for Drift nearly a week prior.

Avid could have opened up their bond, an easy sign that he was willing to talk, but he was scared. And a little petty. He wanted Scott to reach out first.

Maybe it was a little unfair, but his soulmate had always been the one to approach him, never the other way around.

Avid sighed, pushing open the door to his room. His eyes caught on something inside and he stopped. He blinked. Checked that his mental barriers were still up. Blinked again.

Scott was standing there.

How did he somehow manage to just… appear, whenever Avid was thinking about him?

Maybe he just thought about him too much and it was a coincidence.

His soulmate coughed, cutting through his musings. "Shelby said I need to talk to you" Scott said, stilted and stiff, "And that I owe you an apology".

Avid studied his expression, saying nothing. This was what he wanted, wasn't it? Scott's side of the bond was as open as ever, but there was something off about it.

"Okay." he said finally "talk".

Scott drummed in fingers along his sleeve in what Avid knew was a nervous habit. "I am… sorry" he said awkwardly, Avid could feel genuine uncharacteristic nervousness through their bond. Scott was… afraid of messing this up.

"I'm sorry for how I've treated you, Shelby said I made you feel pressured and uncomfortable; and that was never my intention. I should I have checked on you after we nearly lost you forever, they told me I haven't been.. considerate towards you as of late".

The words were practiced, precise. There was an undercurrent of concern in his voice. Careful worry pouring through the bond. Avid stayed quiet, he could tell Scott had more to say, but he was struggling to verbalise it. His feelings were genuine but his word still weren't.

Scott sigh cut through the silence "Shelby said-".

"Are we going to have a conversation?" Avid interrupted finally "Or are you just going to keep quoting Shelby at me?".

Scott gritted his teeth, looking away "I don't know how" he hissed out "I've not had to talk about… feelings in centuries". His posture was taut, fists clenched. For someone who kept any and all emotions protected by carefully constructed walls, he was strangely open around Avid.

Maybe that wasn't really strange at all.

Avid let out a shaky breath. He had wanted Scott to approach him. To make the first move. Now that he had, it was only fair for Avid to meet him in the middle.

His soulmate was being vulnerable in the only way he knew how. Avid wanted Scott to know that he valued that.

Carefully, with a precision he had honed through potion making, Avid dismantled the mental barriers he had placed on their bond. It stung just a little, like poking at a wound that had scabbed over.

Scott didn't seem to notice, still looking down at his claws.

Avid gulped, sending through his first purposeful thought using their bond. 'We can talk like this'

Scott's eyes snapped up- finally meeting his- wide with surprise, mouth agape. Shock flitted through their connection.

Avid smiled faintly, trying to swallow back his nerves at being so exposed. He could feel Scott's presence in his head, more present than before. Whether that came from him accepting their soulmate connection, or the enhanced bond shared by vampires, he didn't know.

Scott's thoughts were so loud. From this close, he could pick out every individual feeling, every minute change in his soulmate's head. He could feel what Scott felt, so potent they might as well have been his own emotions.

There was apathy. Bleeding in from his time as a human. Perfected through centuries of practice. A genuine indifference for millions of faces over the years. Avid recognised the townsfolk, some painted with light strokes of irritation or amusement; but all insignificant in the grand scheme of things, washed away with the passage of time.

It was so lonely.

But then there was something lighter, something warm and bright. Two faces he doesn't recognise, a radiant smile and a teasing lilt to a gruff voice.

A familiar visage - Drift. Outlined in exasperation and grudging respect.

There was Shelby, lovingly coated in fond affection and curiosity and intrigue. Her laughter filled in spaces between the void of apathy, colouring it with warmth.

And then there was-

"Ow, ow ow ow-" Avid hissed, holding his head, overwhelmed by the constant input through the bond after being blocked for so long "Bit too much Scott, tone it down a little".

Immediately, the feelings receded. Like sea water ebbing away from the shore. His soulmate muttered a breathless apology, but Avid could barely hear it.

The thoughts were gone, but the remnants of it were burned into his memory, enough to make his face flush so warm he could be mistaken for a human again.

Scott's view of Avid was downright possessive. The image of him wrapped in a covetous whisper of 'Mine'. Avid had felt snippets of it before, had tried to rationalise it; to give himself a reason to reject it. He had told himself he was not an object to be owned, that he was his own person.

He sees now that Scott had never viewed him as such in the first place. Feels it in the vast depth of feelings he had never allowed himself to explore before. Scott wanted him in a way that transcended ownership. He wanted to cherish him, to be the one closest to him, to be so connected you couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.

It was a mighty tree growing it's roots into dirt, digging so deep you could not remove one without tearing chunks out of the other.

Scott wanted his awkward laughter, his loud words, his nervous habits, his gangly limbs and his bitten nails and his calloused hands.

He wanted him so truly and deeply to complete him and to stand by him just because he was Avid.

It was overwhelming.

It was exhilarating.

It was everything.

Scott was eyeing him warily. Avid made a conscious effort to not block off their bond from the vulnerability of the moment. His soulmate pursed his lips. "Drift told me to be honest with you" he said simply.

Honest was an understatement. It was an entire glimpse into Scott's mind. The inner workings of a cunning, twisted monster. A protective and wary companion. Avid's soulmate.

Scott smiled just slightly, shaky and uncertain "I'm not a good person" he said softly "I'm not going to be a good person". It should have deterred Avid. If he was a better person maybe he would have been disappointed. Avid didn't care.

Scott seemed surprised by the lack of negative reaction, quickly continuing "Even so, I want to try to be good enough that you would accept me".

That… Avid would accept him?

That… couldn't be right.

Scott was everything. The powerful elder vampire. The monster who had complete control over his fangs. He was the closest thing to perfection.

Avid was just… Avid.

Not someone to change yourself for. Not a standard to look up to.

He had been ready to embrace their soulmate bond, monster and all.

So why, now, was Scott changing his ways?

The elder vampire was still talking, seemingly ignorant to Avid's thoughts. "I can't promise it'll work, I don't know the first thing about being good, and there's only so much I'm willing to change" he said, an air of flippancy in his words.

Scott met his gaze, smiling wryly "However, I've literally been threatened that if I don't change my ways I won't be allowed to leave Oakhurst, so…" he drawled, idly flexing his claws "I value survival over everything. If it means I need to leave behind the thrill of killing, so be it".

Avid doesn't ask what he's talking about, he can sense it through the bond, can see his conversation with Abolish as if he were there, can feel Scott's satisfaction at his reaction.

'This was what a soulmate bond should be' his thoughts whisper in Avid's head 'Two people so connected they acted as extensions of each other'.

Avid can't help but agree. Sending soft pulses of empathy through the bond.

So that was why.

Scott chose to change, not for Avid, but for himself. That made more sense. That was understandable.

Scott frowned, seemingly paying attention to Avid's thoughts again. A wave of annoyed concern filled his head.

"Avid" he said aloud bluntly "I am changing for you just as much as I am prioritising my survival".

He found that hard to believe. His soulmate could tell.

Without warning, the bond opened up fully again, a staggering flood of emotions following.

Care. Affection. Possessiveness. Lust. Protectiveness.

'Can't you feel it?' it whispered 'How I want you?'.

Avid blushed, feeling heat all the way to his ears. He tried to respond - only to accidentally let out an embarrassingly loud squeak instead; quickly clapping his hands over his mouth, mortified.

The bond didn't relent, somehow feeling impossibly fonder in response to his blunder.

Scott laughed, a small, loving sound. Red eyes softened as they watched him. He walked closer, the distance between them suddenly too far. He came to a stop right in front of Avid.

Avid didn't move, his feet had been rooted in place since the conversation began. He didn't dare breathe, Scott was so close he might feel it if Avid exhaled. If they were human the space between them would surely be unbearably warm.

The elder vampire raised a hand carefully, gently resting it against his cheek. Claws pressed into skin. Grounding, not painful. Red eyes met.

"I want this" Scott whispered, a secret only they were meant to hear "I want you. I want you to want this too".

'Please' the bond echoed. It was so lonely.

He wanted Avid to fill in the cracks between the apathy and the warmth. To hold him together when Scott couldn't. To take his place as his other half.

Avid gulped quietly, the depth of Scott's gaze pinning him in place.

He reached up a hand, slowly placing it atop Scott's. Grounding and daunting in equal measure. "And what if I still want nothing to do with you?" he asked softly, testing the waters "What then?".

Scott choked, shock washed through the bond. "Why would-" he paused, gritting his teeth. Avid could feel his reluctance to accept that possibility. Scott looked away, eyebrows furrowed. "I mean, that would be- fine" he hissed "And I will… respect your choice".

Avid smiled slightly "You sound like you're being threatened to say this" he laughed, voice light, nearly dislodging the hand cradling his face.

Scott growled, "Avid for gods' sakes I'm doing my best-" he started.

"I know" Avid interrupted, letting Scott's genuine emotions wash over him like ripples in water "I know. I believe you". Possessiveness. Affection. Honesty. It was refreshingly sincere. There were no walls between them now. Avid closed his eyes, a content sigh escaping him as he leaned into Scott's hand.

It was cold. It was comfortable.

He loved it.

Avid nuzzled into his hold, whispering a question to the space between them "Why pretend not to care? If you really did all along, why hurt me like that?". He lets his distress come through his voice and their bond, craving an explanation that would make it better. 

Scott exhaled quietly, undercut by a soothing trill that calmed something in Avid's vampire instincts. "I didn't want you to hurt me" the elder admitted "It's easier to be distant. I was… closer with you than I've been to anyone in centuries, and hurt isn't something I like to feel".

Avid shook his head "No one likes to feel hurt" he retorted "So why did you let me get hurt like that?."

Scott's grip tightened just slightly on his face. Not painful. Not this time. "Will you hate me if I say I cared more about not hurting myself than I did for you?" he asked.

"No" Avid answered genuinely "I'm not going to hate you for being honest. I did the same". He sighed shakily, pressing Scott's hand closer with his own "I avoided you because I didn't want to get hurt, I snapped and I hurt you right back. I'm sorry about that".

"I'm sorry for everything" he whispered.

For antagonising him. For never accepting his care. For not bothering to understand.

He wasn't fully in the wrong, he knows. They're both to blame.

The air between them feels lighter now. Avid opened his eyes slowly; looking up to meet matching blood red already gazing right back.

They were both to blame. They both apologised. They were both forgiven.

He's not sure what happens now.

Scott smiled, teasing and fond. "You never answered me before, if you wanted us to be… involved in the way I want" he said. Answering the questions Avid never needed to ask.

Avid smiled back "And if I said no?" he pushed.

Scott hummed contemplatively, it's all for show, Avid knows. He could surely feel just how badly Avid wants him too. His response was surprising "I suppose I couldn't blame you" Scott said honestly.

He looked down, oddly serious "I don't know how to care, really" he admitted quietly "This - even this conversation makes me want to rip something to pieces. I don't do… vulnerable. Weak. Exposed. But if it's what you want, I'm willing to try, at least".

Avid moved closer, mustering the courage to bring his free hand around Scott's waist.

"That means a lot" he said quietly, letting his appreciation flow through their bond. Scott's answering smile was fond, if a little sad. Avid squeezed just slightly, offering a small comfort.

His soulmate clicked his tongue suddenly, retracting his hand. Avid blinked at the abrupt shift, until he felt the discomfort through their bond. Maybe that was enough vulnerability for one day.

Scott recovered quickly, teasing smirk settling in place with a practiced familiarity "Besides" he said flippantly "I'm sure I could always win you over eventually. We have eternity, after all. I mean, look at me, there's only so long one can resist".

Avid let out a startled laugh, letting his arm fall away "What?" he snickered.

Scott grinned, amusement flashing through their bond. "Really darling, you don't have to hold yourself back from me like this" he purred, eyes bright.

"Scott" Avid deadpanned, still smiling "Shut up".

The elder vampire's expression turned playfully offended, looking ready to protest, but Avid had had enough of those silken words. He grabbed the lapels of Scott's cloak, pulling him close and shutting him up with a fierce kiss.

He hears Scott's shocked thoughts flit through their bond, confusion and affection swirling in a messy spiral before the other vampire melts. Thoughts quieting for the first time that evening as clawed hands settle on Avid's waist, pulling him impossibly closer.

Avid moved his hands to cradle Scott's face, relishing in the redundancy of breathing - he could kiss Scott uninterrupted for as long as he wanted.

He had never done this before - between monster hunting and actively dying he didn't really have time. Lips moved against each other in a clumsy rhythm, it was awkward and the angle was wrong and fangs clacked against each other more often than not but it was everything.

Avid finally pulled away with a breathless gasp, grinning wildly at Scott's expression.

"How's that for an answer?" he teased.

Scott blinked at him, looking almost dazed. "I don't know" he mumbled "You might need to do that again".

Avid laughed, clear and bright, in a way he hadn't in months. Like water rushing over a riverbed that had long dried up. He laughed in a way he hadn't since Elle, releasing his hold on Scott to wrap his arms around himself instead.

Wonder and awe flowed through the bond; Scott was staring at him with unguarded admiration, red eyes wide.

"You're so cute" Avid trilled, leaning forward to kiss him again.

Chapter Text

"Do you have extra blood bottles?" Drift checked, patting her pockets.

"Yep" Shelby answered, pulling the crimson liquid out of their bag as proof.

"No weapons; but we're both on tier three to that should be fine…" Drift muttered, tugging at a strand of her newly white hair.

"Drift, we'll be fine" Shelby soothed, laying a comforting hand on her arm "Legundo and Cleo agreed to meet us peacefully, I don't think they'd try to trick us or anything".

Drift bit her lip nervously, she knows Shelby can feel her doubts through their bond. She knows Legundo and Cleo probably wouldn't lay a trap but what if someone else did? What if Martyn or Apo found out and tried to stake them? What if they ran into someone on the way and got ambushed?

Shelby moved her hand down to intertwine their fingers, squeezing gently. "Hey" she started softly "Would it help if we went with someone else? I'm getting pretty good at fighting, but we can take Scott or Owen along if it makes you feel safer".

Drift sighed, nodding. She didn't really want to ask Scott, as much as her sire made her feel oddly protected. She didn't feel safe taking Avid after they had nearly lost him so recently. So that left…

Owen crossed his arms, glaring at the two. Drift gulped, forcing her voice not to shake "So, that's the plan, can you come with us as backup?" she asked.

The elder vampire frowned "backup?" he muttered "what for?".

Shelby came forward, she had let Drift explain most of the plan herself. "In case there's a fight. Drift and I can handle a few townsfolk but if they all gang up on us we'll need someone stronger to protect us" they explained.

"I suppose" he agreed listlessly "when do we leave?".

Drift sighed in relief, shoulders loosening "Right now if you're up for it" she said steadily.

Owen nodded "Give me a moment, I'll meet you outside" he announced, turning away and disappearing down the hallway silently.

Shelby grabbed her hand excitedly "Drift! That was great!" she cheered.

Drift sagged against her soulmate, groaning "Was it?" she mumbled.

Shelby giggled, adjusting their hold to properly support her "It was" she confirmed quietly "You were so brave". Drift felt soft assurance and pride come through their bond and sighed, leaning closer to her soulmate for a moment.

Shelby pulled away eventually "Come on, let's go wait outside for Owen".

"No need" a voice said from behind them suddenly. Both girls jumped, turning around frantically to see the elder vampire standing right there.

"Owen!" Shelby yelled, voice strangled "I didn't hear you!".

"I know" he said shortly, brushing past them both "Let's go" he called, both girls hastening to follow.

Shelby gently released their intertwined hands. Drift turned to her with a questioning look and they shook their head, pointedly gesturing at Owen ahead of them.

'I don't want to bring up any painful memories for him' they explained kindly. Drift nodded, letting her hand fall back to her side.

Soulmates were probably a touchy subject. Drift couldn't imagine how much it would hurt to lose Shelby

The walk to the forest was completely silent, only interrupted by the occasional rustle of wildlife and foliage. They stopped in a clearing, Drift could see the lake beacon faintly through the trees.

Owen looked around, frowning "Where are the humans?" he asked.

"This is where they told us to meet" Shelby said, glancing up at the sun directly above them "And it's noon…".

"They'll be here" Drift assured with confidence she didn't feel, sensing her soulmate's nerves through their bond "Let's just wait a bit".

The humans arrived soon to their relief, both cautiously making their way through the thicket.

Drift studied the two ahead of them, cautious. Legundo was easy - the man wore his expressions freely, tired lines worn into his face over the years. Cleo was harder. She kept everything hidden, playing their cards with care and precision. Drift couldn't get a clear read on her.

"Hi" Shelby greeted, casual and easy. Legundo nodded back at her.

"Hello" he muttered gruffly.

"You said you wanted to talk to us about getting out of here peacefully" they continued with no preamble.

Cleo nodded "The doc and I had a plan we wanted to run by you" she said haltingly, their eyes flickered over Owen for a moment, hesitant and mistrustful.

Legundo glanced at them, pursing his lips just slightly before he began to speak. "We were hoping to try turning all the beacons neutral" he explained "As far as we understand, one beacon was already desecrated when we got here, and the barrier was only set in place after the town beacon was consecrated. We were hoping that turning all of them neutral could possibly release whatever magic is keeping us here".

Cleo nodded along, but there was a familiar glint in their eye that hinted that it wasn't the whole truth. Drift resisted the urge to frown. Cleo clearly didn't want to divulge it in front of the elder vampire.

With perfect timing, Drift felt the familiar flicker of pain accompanying a consecrated beacon. Legundo and Cleo quickly turned to each other. Shock plain on their faces. Not a planned distraction then; that was a relief at least.

"Owen" Drift called out "Could you check on that? Shelby and I will be right behind you".

The lumberjack nodded, scowling at the humans before transforming into a bat and setting off towards the lake.

Drift immediately whirled around to face Cleo "Okay he's gone" she said tersely "What's your real plan?".

Cleo blinked, surprise etched into their features. It was quick to melt into a wry smirk "Sharp" she praised "We've got a working cure".

Drift felt her breath hitch in her throat, similar unease echoing from Shelby's side of the bond "A cure?" she asked hesitantly.

Cleo nodded "Yes, from the tomes. It allows us to permanently cure vampires, to the point that the could not be turned again".

"What if we want to keep being vampires?" Shelby asked, a hint of a growl punctuating her words.

Drift quickly slipped her hand into theirs, rubbing her thumb up and down soothingly.

"We don't want a cure" she said sternly, trying to project the authority of her supervisors and the confidence Scott always displayed.

Cleo sighed "I was afraid of that" they said grimly "In that case, we would have to turn all the humans, desecrate the beacons, and then cure everyone who wants it".

Drift pursed her lips "Would that work?" she asked cautiously. It sounded too good to be true.

And yet, Cleo nodded. "Abolish has been looking into it. He says cured humans and vampires will be able to leave together" she explained.

Seriously, how competent had Abolish secretly been the whole time? All Drift remembered about him was that he was a pretty quiet neighbour and had some basic training that made him suitable for the night watch - the way others talked about him made him sound like a professional hunter.

Drift grimaced, this was all too convenient. "It can't be that easy" she frowned.

"It's not" Legundo said grimly "The cure requires the death of the vampiric sire and a human to use holy water. That means-".

"We need two sacrifices" Cleo interrupted "One vampire willing to die, and one human willing to turn".

"…die?" Shelby asked quietly, her grip tightening around Drift's. If she had circulation it would have surely cut off.

"We won't ask that of you" Legundo said quickly "You can turn one of us, and we'll take that fall".

"What?" Drift asked, voice breaking mid-way "You… why?".

Legundo sighed, looking at her with pity in his eyes "We've already discussed it, Drift" he said gently "We're willing to pay that price. I will sire the humans to be cured. Cleo will take care of the curing and then be permanently turned".

He looked between both of them, glancing at their tightly intertwined hands. Drift didn't know what to say.

"…I've lived a long life, longer than most here" he continued eventually "You all deserve a chance to experience what life has to offer. And honestly? I'm tired. All I wanted was to help people to atone for all the time I spent hurting others. If I get to allow everyone to leave at the cost of my life… it will be worth it".

"We've both lived long enough" Cleo mumbled "This isn't some impulsive or heroic decision. This is the most logical solution if you truly want a peaceful resolution".

The hopelessness in their gaze finally spurred Drift to speak. "It doesn't have to be like this" she begged, desperation bleeding through their bond "You don't- There must be a way for us all to get out of here. We can get cured. Just- please-".

Cleo shook their head "There isn't" they replied, tone gentle and stern in equal measure "A cured human can never be turned again, Shelby. You know Scott would never agree to that. Owen too".

Drift looked to her soulmate, realising another problem with that plan. "Avid can't be cured. He'll go back to being sick" she pointed out worriedly.

Legundo's eyebrows furrowed "Avid was sick?" he asked.

Drift nodded "It's… why he got turned. He's been badly sick since he was a child" she explained cautiously.

The doctor frowned "Why didn't he come to me?" he demanded.

Drift shook her head "It was a supernatural illness, there was nothing you could have done. He was dying, before he was turned. We can't risk that coming back".

"Owen was sick as a human too…" Legundo muttered, rubbing at his eyes "So turning everyone and curing the ones who want it is truly our only option that doesn't end in senseless killing".

"Talk to Scott" Cleo commanded "Talk to Avid, maybe even Owen. This will work, this will get us out of here. They just need to agree".

Shelby suddenly let go of Drift's hand, darting forwards in a blur of white to wrap them in a crushing hug. "Thank you" she muttered wetly "Thank you for doing this for us".

Cleo sighed, laying a hand gently across her shoulders. "Thank you" they muttered "For offering us the option of peace".

The humans left as quietly as they came; and suddenly it was just the two of the them in the clearing. Drift turned to her soulmate. "Owen must have gotten the beacon" she pointed out softly "Let's go back to the castle".

Shelby nodded, wiping at the crimson tears slowly tracing their way down her face.

"Yeah" they said softly "We should". She didn't move.

Drift shuffled closer, hoping that despite their lack of warmth the proximity could help at least a little. Shelby sighed quietly, leaning her head against Drift's shoulder.

Drift wrapped one arm around her soulmate in silent comfort, sending affection and reassurance through their bond. They stood like that for a moment, not breathing, not speaking. Just existing with each other.

Shelby raised her head to face Drift, laying a gentle hand on her cheek.

"Hey" Drift said softly, leaning into their hold.

Shelby smiled sadly "Hi" she whispered, brushing their thumb across her cheek in a distracting motion. Red eyes fluttered shut, suddenly a lot closer than before, the only warning Drift got before a pair of soft lips pressed against hers.

Drift froze.

Confusion and uncertainty warring with the urge to pull Shelby closer and never let go. Her soulmate pulled away before she could even move, the feeling of her lips lingering.

Shelby smiled, cheeks turning a soft pink "Sorry, I should have asked" they said shyly.

Drift frantically shook her head, blinking rapidly trying to jump start her brain into verbal responses because that just happened what. "No!" she blurted out "That's okay! You can do that!".

Shelby's grin turned happier, fangs poking out just slightly. Drift can feel their bond swelling with flustered joy from both sides "Okay!" they said brightly.

Drift gulped, mouth suddenly very dry "I uh- what happened to not liking kissing?" she asked genuinely. It didn't feel like a spur of the moment thing but…

"I've been thinking about it for a while" Shelby admitted, responding to her thought "I still don't like kissing, I think I just like kissing you".

And that-

That-

It takes every ounce of self control Drift has to not devour her soulmate right then and there. To lay claim to those lips and swallow all the pretty noises they would surely make.

Shelby can probably tell, if her reddening face is any indication.

"Um!" she squeaked "I don't- Let's take it slow, okay? We can kiss again later but maybe not now?".

Drift forced herself to breathe "I won't do anything you don't want" she assured, letting the sincerity of it flow through their bond "I promise Shelby, if at any point you want me to back off, I will. It's just, well, I can't really control what I'm feeling…" she trailed off.

Shelby shook their head, throwing her arms across Drift's shoulders "That's okay" she said "I trust you Drift, I want you to want me. I like it when you do". Her cheeks flushed a bright red, but her tone remained assured and confident.

Drift dropped her head onto Shelby's shoulder, smiling at the surprised yelp they let out. She sighed, wrapping her arms around them and breathing in the familiar sweet scent she always seemed to have. Shelby moved her hands to Drift's waist, squeezing lightly.

"Do you want to go turn a beacon together?" Shelby asked quietly "The town's not going to try anything again that soon - hopefully".

"And it's you" Drift pointed out, tone helplessly affectionate "At least half the town won't attack if it's just you and me".

Shelby squeezed again once before vanishing into a flock of bats, Drift soon following.

'The obelisk is neutral' Shelby chittered through their bond 'Let's go!'.

The flight was quick, just across the pale woods. Drift feels a mix of fondness and melancholy come through the bond as the obelisk comes into view - the place Shelby turned Avid, and where they had learned about Drift's turning too.

Drift landed clumsily, stumbling to a stop next to her soulmate who had gracefully ended up on steady feet. Shelby stretched out against the beacon, reminding Drift of a cat in a warm sunbeam. Her hair shimmered pink and white in the sunlight.

The slow desecration of the beacon built up in Drift's chest, feeling like a pitcher slowly filling with water. "Why'd you want to turn a beacon all of a sudden?" she asked, coming to sit beside her soulmate "Is something bothering you at the castle?".

Shelby shook her head. "I was just feeling a bit cooped up. Besides-" she grinned slyly "We haven't had a date in a while" they teased.

Drift laughed, leaning back on her hands "I guess that's true" she said dryly.

Between the vampire turning, the fights with the humans, and all their coven drama they hadn't exactly had the time.

She twisted her head to observe her soulmate. The slowly brightening red of the beacon washed her pale hair into a soft pink. Their eyes were tired. Vampires showed no sign of bad health, they didn't have dark circles, their skin couldn't look sunken.

But Drift was a detective.

She sees the tiredness in Shelby's gaze, her hair was just slightly mussed, like they hadn't brushed it recently. Sees the tension in her posture, no doubt hearing every thought Drift was currently having. They stayed silent.

Drift hummed lightly, cutting through the quiet "Are you doing okay, Shelby?" she asked gently "There's no one else here. It's just us" she added on.

Shelby sighed, meeting her eyes slowly; a wry smile gracing their face "Nothing gets past you, huh?" they muttered "I'm worried about Scott" they admitted.

"It's- Legundo and Cleo were willing to kill him to cure us Drift" she stressed "I don't- I don't want that".

She looked down at their claws, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt "I was so- I felt- relieved? That he wants to be better? I just- I can't lose someone like that again Drift I can't. Scott was- Scott was nice to me. He let me talk about cryptids and fanfiction without calling me weird or hating me".

Drift frowned lightly "I never did that" she pointed out.

Shelby sighed "Yeah but you-" she paused, biting at her lip. "You're my soulmate" they whispered eventually "You have to treat me nicely".

"You and I both know that's not true" Drift argued, feeling their doubt through the bond "I care about you. Avid cares about you. Pearl and Apo and Cleo and Sausage and Ren care about you".

Shelby looked away "Do they?" they muttered "We've all barely known each other a few months. Most of that was spent fighting". Despite the sadness in her voice, Drift noted that the most prominent emotion she was feeling was actually irritation. Shelby was annoyed.

"That's true" Drift conceded, wondering if maybe Shelby just needed to say it aloud. To just be upset for a moment.

Her soulmate continued, undeterred "And it's- I- they all talk about me like I'm this- beacon of kindness. Like I'm this nice and innocent girl who can't do anything wrong and should be saved from the big scary vampires".

"I chose to be a vampire" she hissed defiantly "I didn't choose to be turned. But I chose to stay like this. I want to".

Shelby shook her head, hair flying with the moment "I don't want to be cured" they decided.

Drift leaned forward, gazing directly into her soulmate's eyes. "You won't" she promised fiercely "It's your choice. If you want to stay a vampire then I'll do everything I can to make sure you leave as one".

The fight drained out of Shelby's posture, slowly relaxing into something calmer. "Thank you" she whispered. Their gaze turned curious, shuffling closer to her soulmate.

"What about you? Do you want to be a vampire?" she asked.

Drift tilted her head, considering. "You know what?" she said eventually "I think I do".

She hated that Scott turned her without asking, of course; but becoming a vampire was part of the plan anyways from the moment she learned that Shelby had been turned.

"I was always so scared before. Becoming a vampire didn't fix that per se but it's… freeing" she said slowly.

Drift looked down at her claws, flexing them lightly. They were blood red in the light of the beacon. When had it finished desecrating? "I'm not prey anymore; I'm a predator too" she said coldly, detached "I can hurt all of them worse than they ever hurt me".

Shelby's hands gently closed around her own "And yet you still choose kindness every time" she said softly "I think that's the bravest thing you can do".

What Drift saw as cowardice, Shelby saw as courage. She heard the darkest, most horrifying thing about Drift and still called her brave.

Drift felt a sob build in her throat "It's so hard" she whispered.

Shelby nodded, squeezing their intertwined hands "I know" they muttered.

Drift stared at their hands "It's- it's not even like, bloodlust? Or anything? It's like- you know before when something bothered you and you think, as a joke, 'I'm going to kill this person who bothered me' but obviously you never could but now- now I can. And I don't want to but I can" she rambled.

Shelby hummed sympathetically "…Can I tell you something?" she muttered "I don't really care if the town lives or not. I don't really care what happens to Owen. Scott thinks like that. Avid thinks like that. And I'm sick of pretending I don't too".

They shook her head. Determination and protectiveness surged through the bond and laced their voice "Maybe that makes me a monster, I don't know, I just want the four of us to get out of here in one piece. I don't care about what happens to the others anymore".

"That doesn't make you a monster" Drift promised "And if it does, then I'll be a monster with you".

Shelby smiled sadly at her, "I don't want the humans to find out" they said firmly, anger building up in her voice again "They'll- they'll think vampirism ruined me or something. Perfect little Shelby got corrupted by the darkness of course" she hissed mockingly.

"They don't know you" Drift said fiercely "You're- you're sweet and kind, yes. But you're also one of the smartest people I've ever met. Maybe it's naive but you're so full of hope it's inspiring. You love so freely and strongly - it's beautiful. If people want to think that's childish and ignore how genuinely mature and wonderful you are then that's their loss".

Shelby's eyes were shining, twinkling like the prettiest rubies "Drift…" they whispered breathlessly "thank you".

Affection poured through the bond so intensely it was almost overwhelming. Drift wanted to get lost it in. To stare into those red eyes and memorise that smile and maybe kiss it off their face if she would let them.

"Do you think-" she gulped "I could kiss you again?".

Shelby's eyes darted down quickly, cheeks flushed a delightful pink "yeah" they whispered, so close their breath mingled.

Slowly, Drift closed the distance between them.

Compared to the chaste kiss from earlier, this one was much more deliberate. Drift let out a small sigh as their mouths melted together, warm and comfortable. Shelby tilted her head, white hair tickling Drift's cheek as they leaned closer.

It wasn't burning or passionate like the books always described. It was safety and comfort and coming home. It was an eternity and no time at all before they separated softly.

"I think I love you" Shelby whispered into the space between them. Affection and fondness pulsed through the bond, so potent it left Drift's mind reeling.

"I think I love you too" she murmured back.

Shelby smiled, bright and radiant. She lunged forward to grab her in a crushing hug that Drift happily reciprocated. Clawed hands trailing through white hair carefully. Drift tucked herself closer, burying her face in Shelby's shoulder. "Do you want to go back to the castle?" she asked quietly.

Shelby hummed, leaning against her contentedly. "In a bit", she murmured "let's just stay like this for a while".

Chapter Text

Avid leaned closer to the cool body he was leaning against, curling closer in his soulmate's lap on the couch. Scott smelled like flowers and blood. Two things he hadn't expected to go well together, and yet meshed so wonderfully.

Just like the two of them.

Avid sighed, nuzzling further into his soulmate's chest, the ruffles of his shirt tickling his nose. He hears a thought from Scott flit through his head 'Gods above he's so sweet'. Avid is suddenly grateful he didn't have enough blood for it to flush to his face.

It doesn't help much considering Scott can surely feel how flustered he is anyway.

His soulmate didn't tease him, instead he looked pretty embarrassed himself, cheeks pink with fresh blood "Don't look at me like that. You're supposed to be asleep and not hear that" he grumbled.

Avid huffed out a laugh, burying his face closer to hide his burning cheeks "Vampires can't sleep" he pointed out.

"I know" Scott griped, tilting his head so his chin rested on Avid's hair.

Avid laughed again at the embarrassment colouring his tone "Do you think smitten thoughts about me a lot while I sleep?" he teased lightly.

Scott's form stilled under him. "Don't- it sounds odd if you say it like that" he protested "You just have silly thoughts when you're asleep, and I'm not used to you hearing my comments on it, alright?".

"You didn't deny it" Avid sing-songed, but conceded to letting it go, nuzzling closer with a snicker.

The conversation dissolved into peaceful silence again. Avid felt a rumbling purr quietly build up in his chest. It was a strange sensation, but it was quickly becoming familiar in the presence of their coven.

"I have a question" Scott said suddenly. Avid hummed to show he was listening, as Scott continued "That… 'panic attack' you had, before. Does that happen often?".

Avid paused; only just noticing the thoughts festering through the bond.

"Sometimes" he said eventually "It wasn't so bad… before. Probably won't be as bad now since I don't need to, y'know, breathe".

Avid had always been a paranoid person, but losing his partner had dialled everything up to eleven for a long while. He opened up the memories to Scott, of being scorned for jumping at shadows and yet praised for his alertness on the field.

"It helps me to stop for a moment and kind of… figure out what I know for a fact and what I'm trying to figure out" he explained.

Scott's eyes lit up "Certainties and uncertainties" he recalled.

Avis startled slightly "You remembered that?" he asked, incredulous. He hadn't mentioned it by name for months. Elle's voice always invaded his head when he did, her gentle tone reminding him to stay on track. He had been listing them instinctively in his head regardless but he never bought it up by name.

"You were the one who said it darling" Scott reminded, curling closer in his embrace "Vampires have perfect memories".

"Oh right" he said dumbly. Scott didn't comment on his blunder, instead raising a hand to softly card through his hair. It was almost completely white from blood.

"Is there anything I- that is, is there something I can do to make it… better?" his soulmate asked cautiously.

Avid blinked "Are you… asking how you can help me?" he checked, surprised by the genuine curiosity accompanying the familiar concern.

Scott sent assent through the bond rather than responding verbally. His ruby red eyes were focused entirely on Avid, expression open and honest. Avid hummed in thought, Elle had mostly left him alone to be upset before she approached him later with a warm drink and maybe their heavy blanket if it was a particularly bad day. There wasn't anything another's presence ever really helped with except making him feel more or less safe.

"If I ask you to give me space, can you close your side of the bond for a bit?" he said finally. Being alone with his thoughts had helped a lot in processing everything he had been feeling.

Scott's jaw clenched, hurt and a tinge of possessiveness creeping though the bond.

"Just for a while", Avid assured "I like having some time alone when I'm upset". He let his own feelings through, sincerity lacing his words.

Scott sighed "Fine. But if I think it would be safer for us to stay connected I'll keep the bond open regardless" he bargained.

"Deal" Avid agreed easily. He trusted his soulmate to respect his wishes, and he trusted him to understand danger better than Avid would. "What about you?" he asked, tucking himself closer to his soulmate again, looking up at him.

Scott blinked "What about me?" he parroted.

Avid nodded "Yeah, what can I do for you when you're upset?".

"I don't get upset" he said quickly. The wisp of a thought flashed through the bond, shut down almost as fast as it had come.

"Now I know that's a lie" Avid chided gently "I felt that, what were you thinking about?".

He feels the thoughts warring in Scott's head, the urge to keep his walls up battling his want to share everything with his other half. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to" Avid added, "Just- if there's something you're upset about, I want to help".

Scott sighed "it was a long time ago" he muttered.

Avid laced their fingers together, squeezing Scott's hand comfortingly "That doesn't mean it doesn't still hurt" he pointed out quietly.

Scott sighed again, thoughts still frenzied. It was quiet for a moment before Scott broke it once again. "I had a sister once" he admitted softly. Avid understands that he could have learned this simply through allowing the previous thoughts through the bond, but there is something vulnerable in how Scott chooses to tell it to him; Silver tongue dulling down, softening around his words.

"She was- she was lovely. She would have adored all of you, always so bright and full of energy" he said fondly, voice slowly picking up speed as he rambled "We matched, you know, our hair? She had pink and I had blue. Our parents were furious".

"They were never mad at her for long though, she made the family proud. Married someone important, a king, if you'd believe it. Not just a rich man. Absolute riot he was, so quick to anger, it was so fun to rile him up" he chuckled, something low and affectionate. The sound curled up in Avid's chest and settled there, warm and alive.

"You remind me of him, a little bit" Scott continued.

Avid tilted his head "I remind you of the guy your sister married?" he asked.

Scott shrugged "Just a bit, you're both spitfires, both so easy to tease. The reactions are the best part" he grinned "You both have a similar scream, all high pitched and shrill".

"Charming" Avid deadpanned.

"I said what I said" Scott retorted teasingly.

"You said I reminded you of someone, that night I found you hunting" Avid recalled, thinking of a moonlit clearing that felt a million years ago "Was that who you were talking about?".

Scott nodded, smiling faintly "Yes, he was a lot like you. Saying one thing and then doing the complete opposite. I heard you, that night. You were so ready to shoot me down; but when I flew off you let me go. That was the moment I decided to let you in, just a little".

"I couldn't do it" Avid admitted, fingers still curling around Scott's in a tender hold "Even when I was trying so hard to hate you I couldn't bear the thought of losing you like that".

Scott grinned "Surely it was also partly due to how handsome I looked covered in blood in the moonlight?" he teased.

"No." Avid deadpanned, rolling his eyes fondly. "Anyways, you were telling me about your sister?" he prodded gently "What was she like?".

Scott's eyes went distant, thinking back to a time Avid had never known. "She was my favourite person" the elder vampire admitted quietly "We fought, of course, all siblings do; but I wouldn't have traded her for the world".

An image comes through the bond. A girl, laughing happily amidst a field of flowers. Her pink hair is half done up, the rest flying loosely in the breeze. Startling blue eyes - the same colour Scott's used to be - twinkle brightly as they meet the gaze of the man beside her. He was broadly built, his hair a dark brown with a singular and purposeful stripe of green cutting through it. His expression is fond and exasperated as he watches her.

Avid blinks and the image is gone.

"Was that your sister?" he asked.

Scott nodded "Yes. And her husband" he said quietly.

Avid moved his free hand to Scott's waist, rubbing comforting circles to skin "You have the same smile" he said softly.

Scott scoffed, a small, sad noise. "I guess that's another thing we had in common", he muttered "Liz- my sister really would have adored you".

Avid thought of the filed of flowers. The carefree levity he could feel from his soulmate during the memory. "It felt like you were having fun" he said softly.

Scott smiled "I was".

"That was one of their courting days, I believe. What did Shelby say they were called now… dates?" Scott mused "I was to chaperone them, you know, make sure nothing scandalous happens before marriage, but honestly I didn't care. We would all just spend the day somewhere and I would conveniently be distracted for a few hours to give them some privacy".

Scott's smile faded "Of course, that was before… everything went wrong for us". Despair, potent and visceral shot through the bond. Avid jolted at the sudden burst of emotion, he quickly laid a hand on Scott's cheek, turning his head so their eyes met. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to" he assured gently.

"It's alright" Scott murmured "Just… war, you know. It's cruel. There was some stupid conflict, about resources or power or… something". He sunk into Avid's hold, burying his face in his shoulder. "They were gone overnight" he whispered, the soft admission hanging in the air like frost "We woke up to a letter, the whole kingdom had been taken over".

A cold feeling poured through their bond, trickling like ice down Avid's spine, cold like fear and empty like grief. "It made me afraid" Scott confessed quietly "I was afraid to die".

His voice started to speed up again, words stumbling into each other as his register turned more frantic."I was to take over as head of house as it was, women couldn't rule. But after… everything; I was afraid. I didn't want to put a target like that on myself. It may not have been to the level of a king, but there were plenty who would slit a nobleman's throat if it benefited them", his claws tightened around Avid "So when I was offered vampirism… who was I to refuse?" he asked quietly.

"I would stay young and beautiful forever. I couldn't die, not easily" he whispered "I became what they feared; killed their people before they could kill mine. You see how that ended up for me" he laughed sadly "I had never been one to care for much. I hardly had space in my heart for my own parents. My whole life the only ones that mattered to me were my sister and her husband. When they were taken from me… I found it difficult to care about anything much at all".

Scott moved away from Avid, leaning against the couch tiredly. He looked older like this, more worn down. Like an ancient tree weathering away with time. "They put me to sleep, burned down my castle. The portraits we had painted… they're all gone. Either burned or rotted past repair".

The elder vampire scoffed, there were red tears tracing down his face. "She lives on only in me now" he said softly "I don't know if I can carry that weight".

Avid leaned in to kiss him on the cheek gently "You don't have to do it alone" he promised "I may not have known her personally, but I'll remember what you told me. I can help you hold onto her stories".

"Thank you for telling me" he muttered, letting affection pour through their bond "You don't have to hold onto those memories yourself anymore. We can carry it together".

Scott's eyes shone. "Together" he whispered, hushed; reverent.

"Yes", Avid nodded "Us, Drift, and Shelby" he promised.

Scott's eyes widened, Avid feels his genuine surprise come through their connection.

"You need more of a support system than just your soulmate, Scott" he said, answering the question his soulmate didn't ask, like he had always done for Avid. "It's not fair for me if I'm the only one sharing your burdens".

"Oh- and Owen" he added awkwardly, remembering the final unofficial member of their coven.

Scott's lips curled in distaste "I'd rather not tell Owen any of this" he said shortly.

Avid snickered "That's fair" he smiled. His expression turned sad, their conversation bringing up his own painful memories too. "I lost my sister too" he explained softly, feeling Scott's inquisitive curiosity "Maybe- maybe one day I'll tell you about her" he said hesitantly.

'Elle?' Scott thought.

Avid nodded, forcing himself to inhale a shaky breath. The hurt still pulsed from somewhere in his head. He figured it would never stop hurting; but after his breakdown in front of Pearl it had gotten a lot better.

Scott wrinkled his nose "When was that?" he asked. The bond pulsed with confusion, mixing with a bitter emotion Avid needed a minute to even untangle.

"Scott" he giggled "Are you… jealous that I cried in front of Pearl and not you?" he asked incredulous.

His soulmate pouted "No" he said unconvincingly.

Avid laughed, tucking himself under his chin and kissing him gently "Don't worry, I'll cry about things to you so much you'll be sick of it" he promised lightly.

"I could never be sick you" Scott said affronted.

Avid grinned "Really? Even if I get tears and snot all over your expensive clothes?" he teased.

Scott's lip curled again, eyebrows furrowing "…Don't push it" he warned.

Avid laughed, throwing his arms around Scott's neck, red eyes sparkling. He kissed him on the lips, delighting in the surge of joy sparking through their bond.

They held each other closer, trading soft kisses. Avid felt an unfamiliar warmth building up in his gut. He moved a hand to Scott's hair, trailing through and tugging at silky white strands. Scott's claws tightened around his waist; Avid felt an unexpected thrill down his spine at the thought that his grip might leave behind marks.

One of Scott's fangs nicked at his lips and Avid groaned, shuddering as his tongue swiped over the wound to soothe it. "Sorry" Scott mumbled into the kiss, voice delightfully wrecked and breathless.

"It's okay" Avid gasped "You-".

A sudden clatter from the doorway interrupted them. Owen was standing there, hand outstretched from where he had dropped a damaged sword on the floor. His ever-present glare was directed straight at them.

"Oh!" Avid yelped, frantically pushing away Scott's face, cheeks flaming. "Owen! Hi! Sorry didn't see you there!".

The lumberjack scowled, eyes dark "Clearly" he rumbled "You have bedchambers for that. Use them". He eyed the sword on the floor "I got that off of Martyn" he said shortly "Stopped them from taking the obelisk beacon".

"Very good" Scott responded, scarily composed despite his uncharacteristically mussed up hair. Owen just grunted, turning around to leave with a twisted expression.

Avid dropped his head into his hands, letting out a loud groan. "That was so embarrassing" he whined. His soulmate didn't seem to care, simply laughing at his flustered reaction.

"You know" Scott drawled, arms snaking around Avid's waist again "Owen was right - we do have bedchambers we can use for a lot more than sleeping".

"Scott!" Avid yelped "You can't just- we don't- you can't just say that!".

"What?" Scott asked, mock innocent expression ruined by his teasing grin "I just meant kissing, Avid, honestly. What were you thinking?".

Avid frowned, cheeks still flushed. "You're insufferable" he grumbled.

Scott grinned "You like it" he purred.

Avid didn't deny it, instead dragging his annoying soulmate closer and shutting him up for once.

Chapter Text

Owen was barely living.

How could he, without his other half?

Two hundred years he spent, knowing nothing but earth and apathy. The memory of his soulmate clinging to his eyelids. Remnants of their time together cut tragically short by filthy humans.

It had taken barely hours after the pyre was set aflame for bond shock to set in.

It was agonisingly lonely. The hole in his heart festering like a gaping wound. Hours were lost to him, nothing but the emptiness behind his eyelids as he drowned in the grief left behind.

His parting gift from Louis.

A constant reminder of his lost love.

It hurt so much. He wished it hurt more. Wished he loved Louis enough for the pain to consume him entirely.

The blackouts were precious, they reminded him of how important Louis was to him; emptied out the hole in his head when it threatened to fill up with Scott's concern or Shelby's talk of family or the doctor's care.

The doctor. Oh. The doctor.

Owen had thought he was like Louis, thought he saw dredges of his lost love in green eyes; but that monster would never be half the person his soulmate was.

How dare he try fill the hole Louis had left behind?

How dare he even suggest Owen let it close up, to stop ripping out chunks of himself so that his love may live on?

Owen scowled as the man carried on speaking ahead of him. Claiming peace. Outrageous, after all the hurt they had caused. The beacon was turned while they conversed - a trap, no doubt. Owen flew off to investigate, cutting down Ren, Sausage, and Abolish in one fell swoop before they could ruin their beacon further.

He glanced at the enchanted container beside him, it would take far too long before it was ready to be desecrated, and he wasn't looking forward to converting alone. Better to go back to the castle and inform Shelby and her soulmate when they got back.

He paused. Scott would kill him if something were to happen to those two when Owen was responsible for their protection. He sighed, shifting into a bat again to look for them.

It didn't take long to find the pair, feeling the desecration of a beacon thrumming beneath his collarbone. He was about to drop in from behind when he noticed the serious expressions on their faces and the tension surrounding them.

He landed on a nearby tree instead, pale branches rough beneath his grip. Shelby's quiet hum filled the air, fully audible from where was stood. "…Can I tell you something?" she muttered "I don't really care if the town lives or not. I don't really care what happens to Owen. Scott thinks like that. Avid thinks like that. And I'm sick of pretending I don't too".

Her voice was certain, determined.

She had sounded the same, if livelier, when she had cheerfully announced him as part of their family months ago. She had never said it since, her expression twisting into something unreadable upon seeing his face. Owen had been taken aback, but something like hope had fluttered in his chest, the feeling successfully snuffed out by an episode of bond shock hours later.

As it should be.

Others would only turn their backs to him. He could only trust Louis. He studied Shelby's expression, her set jaw and furrowed eyebrows.

So much for family.

He ignores the pang in his unbeating heart. Nothing should hurt him except Louis anymore.

It doesn't matter. They're safe, he doesn't need to be here anymore. He flies off to the castle before they can notice him.

The next few days pass by in a blur. Every beacon going to neutral is a vicious reminder that stabs at his unbeating heart. Shelby leaning against one.

'I don't really care what happens to Owen'.

Martyn neutralises a beacon with Pearl and Owen very nearly tears his throat out.

There is a silver sword embedded in his chest, he rips it out and holds it in gnarled hands. Maybe he should give this to Scott. The elder vampire had been paying less and less attention to him lately. Owen's not allowed to miss his company.

He gulps down blood, the flesh coating his ribs slowly knitting itself back together. He was just rounding the corner when he hears his name mentioned from nearby. It's an awkward utterance, tacked on like an afterthought. The other elder vampire replies, voice laced with disdain. "I'd rather not tell Owen any of this".

Owen ignored it, downing another bottle of blood.

The silver burned under his marred palms. He walked into the room.

Scott and his soulmate were laying on the couch.

They were kissing. Softly and loving intertwined.

Something ugly reared it's head as Owen felt bitterness well up on his throat. He let the sword clatter to the floor, relishing in the distance the two put between each other at the interruption.

"Oh!" their newest fledgling yelped, frantically pushing his lover away. "Owen! Hi! Sorry didn't see you there!".

Avid's face was flushed. The vampire grinning sheepishly despite his embarrassment.

Disgusting.

He fled to the forest, taking out his frustrations on an unsuspecting cow, wishing it were a human.

How dare they? How dare they rub it in his face with their disgusting displays that they still had someone? That they didn't know the pain of a festering hole in their hearts burning and burning forever on that pyre?

The cow was shredded to pieces at his feet.

He had cut up humans like this once. Men, women, children. Everyone who dared lay their eyes on Louis and not bask in his presence. Who didn't try to save him when they had the chance. Who didn't lay down their lives for the best of them.

It had been two hundred years.

Two thousand seven hundred and ninety nine people.

He hadn't killed a human since that day.

They deserved it. The filthy humans deserved it. The terrible backstabbing vampires deserved it. Deserved to know the pain of getting their hearts ripped out their chests and viciously beaten into despair.

The people of Oakhurst wanted to walk free. He had stopped them before, and he would stop them again.

A peaceful solution.

Owen flexed his claws, feeling the blood drip off of them sluggishly.

Not if he had anything to say about it.

Chapter Text

Shelby rocked on her heels, eyes darting around, taking in the view of the town walls. It had been… a while since they had been here. Owen was standing a ways away on her left, while Avid was safely directly beside her on their right.

Scott was perched on his soulmate's shoulder as a bat - Cleo's suggestion. Something about how he looked less threatening in this form so the humans wouldn't feel like they were in danger. Shelby had to agree, Scott made for a very cute bat. They would give him head scratches if he wasn't busy adorably nuzzling into Avid's neck.

An image flickered into her mind- the inside of town, looking no worse for wear. Cleo and Legundo were standing ahead, the other humans gathered in a loose circle behind them.

Shelby sent back an affirmation through the bond, trying to ease the nerves she could feel from her soulmate. "Drift is in town" she reported to the rest of the coven "We're good to go".

Avid nodded at her, smiling reassuringly. They set off towards town, footsteps quiet against the path. A fluffy brown bat flew in and landed on her head, nuzzling into her hair slightly with a chirp before darting to the ground and shifting back into humanoid form; Drift immediately taking her hand with a smile.

Owen clicked his tongue from behind them; Shelby frowned.

Even though he was technically coven, he really didn't like them all very much - and it wasn't from a lack of trying from Shelby's part.

They hardly ever saw him, the other elder vampire preferring to sit in silence or go hunting. He didn't even join when Shelby tried to put together a vampire slumber party, making some excuse about how vampires can't sleep; even after they explained to him that no one sleeps at slumber parties anyways.

Well, his loss. Shelby squeezed Drift's hand that was intertwined with hers, claws painted in matching reds. She had seen her mother do it before, for big parties and events. Using powders and vegetable dye to stain colours onto her nails. Shelby had never been allowed to do it, her mother said it wasn't good for their skin.

Well, that was just another benefit of being a vampire. Her skin healed from anything instantly.

No one spoke on the way, even Avid was uncharacteristically quiet. By sunset they might all be free. A bit broken and bruised, but no one had to die. It felt too good to be true. Shelby inhaled a deep breath, focusing on the grounding weight of Drift's hand around hers. She was being paranoid - maybe their fledgling's habit was rubbing off on them.

Town was exactly like the image Drift had shown her, humans all crowded together, asking what was going on. The sound of their heartbeats rose in a clamour and Shelby had to suppress a wince - she hadn't been around so many humans at once, it was almost overwhelming.

Drift squeezed her hand, sending reassurance through the bond. Shelby was about to squeeze her hand back when the humans suddenly froze - all eyes on the vampires strolling through their gates.

"What are they doing here?" a sharp voice called out, the crowd parting to reveal Apo, maroon eyes ablaze. Avid winced at the sight of her. Barely noticeable, but Shelby was especially alert when it came to him. He was her fledgling, after all. And this was the human who nearly took him away from them.

She carefully brushed her fingers against his arm, hoping to calm him down as well as reign in Scott, who's fur had visibly bristled at the human's voice.

Cleo came forward, voice commanding as they addressed the crowd "They're part of our plans, the vampires have proposed a peaceful resolution" she announced "The doctor and I have been working with them to figure out how we're all going to get out of here".

Martyn elbowed Apo, one hand set on the hilt of a brand new silver sword "Why is this the first we're hearing about it then?" he demanded.

Legs sighed tiredly, coming to stand beside Cleo "Because you would have done something rash if you heard the plan" he said tiredly "It requires all of us being turned-".

An immediate uproar - Shelby flinched as the humans started yelling back, objections and protests and curses in equal measure. She thought she heard an enthusiastic cheer from M somewhere beneath the clamour.

"Everyone shut up!" Cleo roared, Pearl suddenly rushed forward to place a hand on their arm and she visibly calmed, shoulders dropping. The farmer sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let us finish" she said tersely "The doctor and Abolish have figured out the cure".

Shelby felt a brush of suspicion from Drift and an incredulous thought of 'Why can Abolish apparently do everything and how did no one know this??'. They fought the urge to snicker, silently agreeing with her.

"We haven't tested it out" Cleo was saying "Abolish volunteered to be the first to be cured, and I will cure everyone who wants it and then get turned". Pearl squeezed their shoulder, a pained smile on her face. Cleo didn't turn to look at her, and Shelby felt their own heart pang in sympathy. "The sire needs to be killed in order to cure someone, and doc has- Legundo has agreed to make that sacrifice for us".

Gasps from the crowd, Scott fidgeted uncomfortably on Avid's shoulder. Her fledgling was staring at nothing, lips pursed.

"Don't try to change my mind" Legundo said dryly "Abolish has confirmed that turning everyone, consecrating all the beacons, and then curing those who wish to remain human should break the barrier and allow us to leave as what we wish".

"We could get out of here?" a soft voice asked, the source being the quiet scholar Apo lived with. Shelby thought his name might be Pyro, which Drift confirmed for her through their bond. Pyro was fidgeting nervously with their coat sleeves "If- if it gets us out of here I'm willing to do it" he said shakily.

Apo moved to stand beside them, the two looked close. "And you're sure we return to being human after being cured? No side effects?" she demanded.

This time it was Abolish who chimed in with confirmation. From Avid's shoulder, Scott also added in a comment about the fact that they likely could never be turned again if they get cured. Honestly that was an impressive amount of time to remain silent for him, Shelby's almost proud.

Apo's eyes briefly flickered to the elder vampire with narrowed eyes, but she bit her lip and nodded. "Okay" they accepted "I can do that. Whatever gets me out of here".

Sausage raised his hand next, a glimmer in his eyes "What if we want to stay as vampires?" he asked enthusiastically. Several people turned to scowl at him.

Shelby gasped loudly "I could turn you if you want!" they blurted "That way you would still have an intact coven bond with us". It would be amazing to be the sire of one of her favourite authors. Sausage's face lit up and Shelby feels a matching grin push through her expression.

"Hey- hey hey hey, what about the Militia?" Martyn demanded, grabbing Sausage's arm protectively "We can't succumb to this! We can't become those disgusting blood suckers!".

Cleo growled "Okay" she said, frustrated "Who still has a problem with the plan? Show of hands". Martyn's hand shot up, as did Ren's. Shelby felt a stab of betrayal as Owen also raised his.

"Owen?" Drift hissed "What are you doing?".

The elder vampire scowled "I don't think half of you deserve to walk free of Oakhurst" he growled.

Scott rolled his eyes as best he could in bat form "Oh please" he drawled "Put the drama aside Owen, this is our best chance at getting out of here".

"Scott" Avid admonished before Shelby could. Her fledgling turned to Owen apologetically "He's worried about you" he conveyed "Scott's just bad at showing he worries, he doesn't want anything to compromise any of our chances of getting out of here".

Something flickered behind Owen's eyes "He's… worried?" he asked quietly.

"Yes" Avid confirmed. Scott fidgeted on his shoulder but didn't deny it.

Owen bit his lip, nodding silently before turning away. Shelby felt a small smile break through the tension, he looked almost shy about it, it was sweet, if not a bit sad.

Cleo sighed, rubbing at her eyes "Right" she grumbled, all business again "Ren and Martyn? Any chance we can convince you two?". The humans looked hesitantly at each other at the slight growl in their voice, silently communicating something.

"There's no need for that" a quiet voice murmured from behind her, making them jump. Owen came forward, looking directly at Cleo, eyes flitting over the doctor briefly. "There's no need for that" he repeated, voice still deathly quiet and yet commanding everyone's attention. He flexed his claws, gaze hardening "Because I am going to kill you all where you stand".

For a sickening moment, Shelby didn't comprehend what he said. Didn't understand what was about to happen. It was only the spike of adrenaline from Drift that had them instinctively raising her claws, ready to protect Cleo and the other humans from the sudden threat.

No one was prepared for Owen to lunge behind him and attack Avid.

Shelby felt a scream catch in their throat as her fledgling crumpled to the floor; Scott darted off his shoulder. There was a blur of silver and red, and before Scott could turn back there were multiple gashes suddenly embedded in his wing, crimson dripping off of Owen's claws.

The elder vampire careened downwards, finally shifting back into humanoid form clumsily. His arm was bleeding. His eyes darted to Avid who was slowly getting back up, but quickly settled on the other elder again.

"Owen" Scott said, voice deathly calm, punctuated by the unsheathing of weapons from the humans "What… the hell do you think you're doing?".

The elder vampire growled "What I should have done a long time ago". He scowled at Drift who was helping up Avid. The town had all equipped a weapon, from silver axes to swords to bows, all glinting in the dreary sun light. Shelby held up her shaking claws, throat dry, mind reeling.

This wasn't supposed to happen. They hadn't accounted for this. Owen wasn't supposed to be a loose end. He was weird, sure, a little too broody and dark, a little too traumatised to be friendly, but he wasn't supposed to be dangerous.

Drift recovered first, standing strong, one hand on her best friend's arm. "Why attack Avid?" her soulmate demanded "Why try to take out one of your own?".

Owen recoiled like he'd been slapped "My own?" he spat "That creature is nothing like me. None of you are! None of you deserve to walk out of here after what you've done!", his voice was getting progressively louder, buzzing in Shelby's ears like static.

The doctor came forward, foolishly unarmed. "What have they done?" Legundo demanded "What have they done that was so monstrous, Owen? What have they done that you and I haven't?".

The elder vampire's red eyes blazed like a lit pyre. "Don't compare yourself to me, soldier" he growled, the human flinching back at the vitriol in his voice "Monsters like you took him from me. I've killed you once, I'll do it again". His eyes flickered over Shelby as he gazed around and she wondered who he was seeing.

A fellow vampire? A coven mate? A friend? Or the indistinct faces of those before her, the ones who had inhabited Oakhurst themselves two centuries ago?

Two thousand, seven hundred, and ninety nine people, he had said.

Her blood had run cold at the number; but it had been a long time ago. It was the past. It wasn't who he was now, she had told herself.

How wrong they were.

They can't let him add another to that tally.

Her fledgling came forward, Shelby suppressed the instinct to shield him from the danger before him. "Owen" Avid pleaded "I get it- really, I do! I lost the most important person to me too! So many of us have! But violence isn't going to help anyone, continuing the cycle only makes everything worse". His voice was begging, desperate.

His anger didn't lessen. "You know, Avid, you taught me something important" the elder vampire said slowly. Owen pulled something out of his pocket, wooden and twisted. "Next time I should use this" he snarled, brandishing it towards them. The end was sharp and pointed. A stake.

The sky rumbled in time with his declaration, the clouds suddenly splitting open with a vicious downpour. Shelby gasped, feeling the cold water collide with her skin.

A memory, both recent and ancient.

Curled up in Scott's side, his hair still streaked with a vibrant blue.

"And that's how you would call up a storm". Rain hammering against the windows.

A scoff, Owen's eyes rolling. "Only use it if you're in danger, it takes a lot of power".

Gentle hands in her hair, safety and warmth.

The feeling washed away in the rain.

'Only use it if you're in danger'.

Shelby had never felt threatened enough to need it, in all their time in Oakhurst.

Yet here was Owen, white hair plastered to his face, furious expression blazing despite the chill. Using it against them. He thought he was in danger.

A blonde blur charged forward with a cry- Martyn - only to be shoved aside easily, flying like he weighed nothing. He collided with Pyro, the scholar collapsing beneath him, and Shelby heard something crack.

The other humans didn't hesitate, Pearl brandished a sword with a determined expression, quickly backed up by Apo. Scott joined the fight, for once not going against them. Claws and weapons clashed, Owen somehow holding his own against the relentless assault.

The moment it looked like they were overpowering him, his form flickered once, then vanished. Scott's head shot up, ears flicking intently. Shelby looked around frantically, seeing Avid do the same. The rain obscured her vision, making it difficult to spot any sign of him. Drift was the one to find him, noticing a sudden indent in the mud. Shelby followed her gaze to meet- no. Their blood ran cold.

The doctor, tenderly patching up Pyro's oddly twisted wrist.

No.

Not him. Not their one guarantee of freedom.

"No!" Shelby yelled, propelled forward with a burst of strength even she didn't know she possessed. They collided with Owen, shoving him unceremoniously to the ground. His form crackled back into existence, mud streaking across his face.

"You" he growled, lunging for them, stake outstretched.

Shelby yelped and darted aside, slipping in the mud. A surge of worry shot through her soulmate bond. Their knees hit the ground, held upright only by shaking hands. "Owen!" she screamed "Please- stop! Tell us what's wrong! We'll figure it out together! We're coven, we're family-".

"No!" he roared, eyes blazing "You don't care about me. No one did. He was the only one!" his voice cracked around his words, breaking apart like fragile glass. He looked down at the stake in his hands, ignoring an arrow from Abolish that narrowly missed his ear. "He was the only one…" he whispered.

He turned, catching the blade of Apo's sword before it could embed in his back. Blood trailed down sluggishly from his palm. "How come you all get to be happy? How are you allowed to live when the best of us had to die?" he snarled, pushing aside the human "You don't deserve his gift! You don't deserve to be loved when I can't!".

"You are!" Shelby cried desperately, standing up on shaky legs "I care about you Owen! I promise I do!". They raised a hand, stopping Scott in his tracks before he could pounce. She didn't want anyone to die, if there was even the smallest chance they could get through to Owen, then damn it she was going to try their best.

Owen frowned, anger dimming just slightly. Progress. "You don't" he insisted, sounding less sure.

"I do" she whispered, voice nearly lost under the torrent of rain "I really, really do. I think we could be friends. I always hoped we would be family. You're coven. You're one of us".

They desperately hoped the little care she had ever shown him would help him believe them. The way she would always get him a blanket or a fresh bottle of blood after one of his blackouts. Sure, he wasn't one of her favourite people or anything, but she didn't want him dead.

Owen titled his head, mocking, condescending "Really?" he asked softly "Would you still claim to care about me? Even if I take away what's most important to you?".

Instinctively, her eyes flickered to Avid. Her fledgling was watching them silently, pupils slitted. His claws were bared, his hands trembled. Owen had never liked him.

Owen laughed, noticing her glance. There was something fractured behind his eyes. "Incredible" he muttered, gaze set on the rumbling clouds above them "Even now, you still fail to love properly. None of you know how to love the way he loved me".

There was no time for a warning. No time for anything except panic flaring from both sides of her soulmate bond as they registered what was happening.

Owen pounced on Drift, claws outstretched, stake poised; aimed to kill.

A dark blur intercepted him, animalistic snarling filling the air. The creature growled, eyes luminous yellow and feral. An unfamiliar expression on a familiar face.

Shelby could barely focus, flashes of blue orchids and killers and a board covered in string the colour of blood and blood and blood there's so much blood-

With a wince and a silent apology to her soulmate, Shelby blocked off their connection; knowing Drift would understand her prioritising survival over her soulmate's mental state.

They came back to themself just in time to see Avid push Owen back, his horn (oh God he had a horn-) grazing against the elder vampire's forearm, cutting into it with a splatter of blood and a hiss.

Drift looked up at her saviour, eyes wide and glassy. "Avid?" she whispered, the slightest hint of clarity returning to her gaze.

"What the hell?" Martyn yelped, backing away "What is that thing?". The blonde pulled out a silver sword, pointing it straight at her fledgling.

Scott raised his good hand sharply, stopping him in his tracks "That thing is my soulmate" he snapped "And he's helping us".

Owen grinned, something animalistic and feral and broken in his expression "So you finally show your true colours!" he laughed viciously "I'm going to enjoy killing you".

Avid snarled, his new tail lashing back and forth in agitation. The two clashed in a dangerous dance, not giving room for help, not letting up even as more and more gashes appeared on both creatures.

Abolish came to stand beside Scott "Is he in control?" he asked sharply, eyes trained on Avid.

The elder nodded "For the most part" he reported, calm and detached "He won't hurt us; but don't provoke him". Shelby agreed quickly, still feeling the mind of her fledgling stirring through their sire bond.

The human nodded, pulling something out from his coat "Then I think it's time we end this" he said shortly, brandishing the weapon in his hand. Another stake. Shelby felt tears spring to their eyes, this wasn't fair. This was- everything was too fast and too much this wasn't fair-

A hand slipped into hers, squeezing gently. They looked up to meet Drift's gaze. There was a cut on her cheek, blood mixing in with rainwater in a morbid weave.

'It has to be done'.

Shelby forced herself to watch as Abolish charged forward, Scott on his heels. The two attacked with more co-ordination than anyone else had, matching each other move for move as they drove Owen back.

Scott lead the other elder away from his soulmate. Avid didn't follow, watching them fight with a confused frown; like he was an innocent and bewildered puppy and not a beast that had nearly felled an elder vampire single-handedly.

Shelby caught his gaze, something like clarity returning to yellow irises as their eyes met. She forced herself to look away, forced herself to watch as Owen was worn down. He was bleeding from everywhere; Shelby was surprised he was still standing. His eyes blazed with fury, but they had lost their red sheen, returning to that warm brown that once could have been caring.

Abolish lunged, stake outstretched, and her eyes shut without conscious thought. The feeling of loss ripped through her, carved a hole in her chest as the familiar sensation of a coven bond snapped away; not as violently as it had been when her fledgling was ripped away from her, but it stole the breath from their lungs anyway.

Owen was dead.

She opened her eyes again to a pile of ash of Abolish's feet. The other humans quickly crowding around it. Scott was already gone, cradling his soulmate's face in his hands as he whispered something something too soft for Shelby to hear over the ringing in their ears.

Owen was dead.

A gentle pressure on her hand. Drift.

Owen lunging with a stake. Drift in danger.

But Owen was dead.

The skies were clear. Dreary sunlight illuminated every speck of ash on the ground. The world was tinted red from the tears in her eyes.

A hand on her shoulder, a grounding weight, familiar and almost parental. Scott.

Her coven was with her. She tore her eyes away from the remains in the mud.

Avid looked back at her, he smiled at them weakly.

His eyes had gone back to red. His entire arm was still blackened, tainted skin blossoming under the tears in his sleeve in a nauseating fashion. Scott was holding his hand anyway.

Shelby did her best to smile reassuringly back at their fledgling.

The silence was broken by a quiet voice, lacking it's usual enthusiasm. "What happens now?" Sausage asked meekly, holding his cravat to staunch the bleeding from a gash on his cheek.

Cleo limped forward, green eyes haunted. "I think there's been enough death for one day" she said heavily, gaze set on the ashes now slowly dispersing in the wind "We need time to recover. It wouldn't do us any good to be turned in this state".

"We can still get everyone out" Shelby pleaded, voice cracking with strain "We can still leave!". It couldn't fall apart like this. It couldn't have all been for nothing.

Pearl nodded quickly, laying a bloody hand on her other shoulder "We can" she assured them "Just not today. Let's all get some rest, try again tomorrow". She gestured to the town.

Pyro was still holding his injured wrist. Martyn had blood dripping from his head. Apo's dress was ruined, their skirt in tatters. Scott and Avid's intertwined hands were bruised and bloody. Everyone else looked exhausted.

Shelby breathed in deeply, squeezing her soulmate's hand for strength. "Okay" they sighed "Okay. Tomorrow. We'll see you all tomorrow".