𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 - 𝐄𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐞

53: Confined

Gone for a day, Shu can't bring himself to leave her room. Why did you have to bite him? What drove you to do such a thing? You don't even know him. Except the fact that he's your cousin. He can't wrap his head around it and smells her scent on her pillow. A scent that he's all too familiar with. Jasmine. She always carries that scent with her. It reminds him of the first time he met her. It wasn't Ayato who saw her first. It was me. Her scent of jasmine drove me to the front door and open it. That's when I saw her and that idiot wasn't even on the couch yet. Caught up in his thoughts, he smells the pillow. 

'Are you going to stay here forever?' Reiji knew his brother would be in her room. The betrayal feels heavier for him than the others. 'You do realize that you are not confined in her room?' He doesn't get a reply and pulls the covers away. 'Pull yourself together. She bit someone else and left. She's not coming back.' Just great. He was already apathetic but now it seems he won't lift a finger anymore. Even when it's all her fault. 'She made a choice, Shu. But if you don't have anything left anymore, why not end it?' 

Shu doesn't respond. 

'Are we really back at where we started, you deadbeat.' Reiji provokes him to get any sort of reaction. 'Did you forget what she accomplished for us? And how are you not seeing that something else is in play? I don't know what it is but for now, she's gone. It won't be forever.' 

This time, Shu lifts his head at him. 'There is more?' 

'Yes, but I don't have all the information or that I have eyes on her.' Reiji has his arms over each other over his chest. Finally, a reaction. Besides, I don't understand why she would go and bite that Founder. Something must have happened? Maybe he manipulated her. 'But I'm here because of something else. Now that Miyu is gone, we need someone else. I contacted the church, and they are sending someone over.' 

Something else is in play? The words sink in, and Shu sits up. Why didn't I see that sooner? 'Weren't you looking for someone already? A girl alone is hardly enough to suffice for seven vampires.' 

'I was, but then this happened with Miyu. I know that she talked to Subaru before she met and drank from that Founder. Something happened in between.' But so far, no luck. Reiji looks around the room. 'I didn't confine you to her room. Or any room, so get up. I thought you are in love with her. Are you really letting her go without a fight?' I can't believe I'm doing this. But it needs to be said. You started to act out of character and all because of her. 

Damn it, he's right. Shu won't admit it. 'Do you know who is coming and when?' 

'Kiyomi and she is supposed to arrive a week from today,' answers Reiji. 'Get out of bed.' Having said his last words, he goes back to his room. 

❦❦

Miyu wants to be sure that her blood isn't affected by the disease. Looking through the microscope, she finds no trace. 

Keeping quiet, Carla follows her every move and facial expression. There seems to be nothing wrong with your blood because you're not angry. However, you're not happy either. 

'Do you realize that you took a huge risk? You're lucky, Carla. My blood doesn't show any sign of this disease. What's it called, anyway?' She insists on knowing. 

'Endzeit,' answers Carla and looks at the blood sample. She's right. Her blood is clean. He pulls her closer. 'That means I can bite you.' 

She pushes him away. 'I want to be sure that my blood can cure it. You could draw my blood. Now let me return the favor.' She picks up a syringe. 'Just because my blood is clean doesn't mean it will cure you. I need insurance and so should you.'