The Vampire's Bride

In a blink of an eye, Zorek had grabbed Mallory from the neck and lifted her up as they flew from the ground. Having a hard time breathing, Mallory scratched his hands in an attempt to escape. Zorek laughed evilly as he said, "You have two choices, my dear. Die in my hands or fall to your death. Your call."

"I'd rather fall to my death than die in your hands! That way I know that my body wasn't touched by those disgusting and contaminated hands of yours!" Mallory hissed. She could feel something breaking inside her... something that was keeping the voice she could hear in control.

The boys below barely heard their conversation and were surprised to hear such words from Mallory. They all knew her as a meek girl. Shy to speak, afraid of others. Who knew that not only was Mallory smart, but she also have this... strange yet somewhat strong side of her.

"Then I guess I have to kill you!" Zorek tightened the grip on her neck and she almost choke. Aldo tried following but there was a barrier around him. He was still adjusting to his "new body" without being controlled by others that he cannot use the strength he originally had therefore he got stuck inside Zorek's barrier. Jillion and Brian also tried breaking the barriers around them but were worried about Mallory.

Jillion glanced at Leo and shouted, "Leo, get up! Your girlfriend is dying!"

Girlfriend?

Aldo knew it wasn't the right time to ask so he kept his mouth shut. But it did not stop the doubt lurking inside his heart.

"Do something, Leo!" Jillion continued to shout. Just as he was about to continue, Aldo stopped him. "Look! He's continuing with the plan so shut your mouth and hurry up with the barriers!"

Luckily, Zorek was far from them and was too focused on Mallory that he failed to notice the conversation they have below. He continued to look at Mallory while gritting his teeth. "Why won't you come with me?"

Mallory, on the other hand, smiled. "If I come with you, I'm afraid I will just kill myself. You know you taught me something during the times I've met you, Zorek."

"And what is it?" Zorek asked. Since she's going to die, why not offer her time for her last words?

"That is... to stop hiding. That's why I'm sorry but I will not allow myself to die right now... not until I figure out the truth!"

As Mallory finished speaking, she tried to use mind control on Zorek and was able to control him to let go. The moment he let go of her, she shouted, "Now! Open it!"

As she was about to fall, she tapped on Zorek's shoulder secretly and fell. Zorek felt like a huge mountain fell on him as he suddenly lost his control on his body and fell on the invisible cage-barrier that Leo made from the beginning. With a loud "thud", Zorek lost his consciousness.

The boys were relieved that they finally caught Zorek but it took them a second to realized that someone was still falling.

"Ahhh!" Mallory screamed for a second before closing her eyes and mouth. Her fall was too sudden that she was surprised. Knowing that she might wake up with a broken bone or two, she just clenched her teeth and fists.

Aldo was the first to react and quickly ran to catch Mallory but just as he was near, a shadow jumped and caught her.

As they landed, Leo let Mallory stand up and supported her. "T-Thank you, Master Orpheus," Mallory said. She was about to step down when she heard Leo mumbling, immobilizing her on the spot.

"Mallory! Are you alright?!" Aldo ran towards them but before he could even touch her, Leo had turned her around to face him and carried her over his shoulder like a sack. "Aldo, Jillion, get in the car. The police will come soon and we need to hide you (Aldo). Brian, let's go home. Leave this to the others. Leave the girl to Aldo."

"Understood, Young Master." Out of nowhere, two cars showed up. Leo entered the first car. Jillion's fingers were already at the door when suddenly Leo closed it, nearly jamming his fingers!

"Holy sh*t! What the hell was that for?!"

"I said get in the car. THAT car," Leo said as he rolled down his window and pointed at the car behind them. "Meet us tomorrow in my house."

Jillion could not help but cry.

Brother! I know that Aldo is your potential love rival but please don't include me! I'm already doing my best for you, okay?

Patting his shoulder, Aldo said, "Well, darling, let's go home."

"Who the hell are you calling darling?!"

"Don't get mad now, dar~ling. Anyways, I'm tired so let's go back to our house."

Gritting his teeth, Jillion felt wronged. He did his best but was tossed aside by Leo and now even Aldo, who just woke up not so long ago, was now playing with him and ordering him around.

Holding the door of the car, Jillion shouted, "IT'S MY HOUSE! NOT YOURS! NOT OURS! AND GO LIVE ON THE STREETS FOR ALL THAT I CARE!"

BAM!

...

"Umm..." Mallory was in an uncomfortable and awkward position. She was sitting on top of Leo's l.a.p facing him. She couldn't move because Leo's arms were wrapped around her, securing her position. His head was buried on her left shoulder. His hot breath was ticklish for Mallory.

"Umm... Master Orpheus, are you alright?" Malory asked. Silence was all she got. Knowing that he won't reply, she sighed. She looked at the view outside. She hoped that the trip will be shorter than usual as she could feel her legs going numb.

She could not help but feel weak as she recalled his soft pleading words earlier—

"Let's go back home... this is enough."

Is he... alright?

All throughout the trip back home, Mallory tried to stop worrying about him and recalled what happened. She could still remember Zorek's words and the boys' reaction. She could clearly remember the pained look Leo had. She had a lot of doubts, questions to ask but at that moment, as she looked at what seems to be a pitiful Leo, she only had one question —

What will she do now... with her life and the voice she kept on hearing?

Thinking about it, she haven't really accomplished anything except the fact that she got a few days away from her family. Mallory knew that Leo will keep her until he got tired of her... so why not use that period to the fullest? It might sound wrong because it will look like she will use him but... in this world, there's always an unspoken rule and that is, "the survival of the fittest."

She's been living in fear. After meeting Leo and Jillion, finding Aldo and the few talks she had with Zorek, she knew she was far from ready from completely getting away from the clutches of her family. She knew she was far from ready to learn the truth of what kept her motivated. She needed some time to prepare before she is ready.

Suddenly, Mallory felt like laughing. When she was left alone in the shelter during those cold nights in their house, she would always think of how she was ready to escape as long as there would be someone to protect her — or at least bring her out of that place. Now that she's safe, now that she could be free... she realized that she was nowhere strong enough to be alone.

Looking at Leo, she felt grateful. If he had not protected her that day, she would probably still be the same old, weak girl she had always been. Indeed... it was because of Master Orpheus. Thinking this, she had finally decided on the next things she will do.

But before she could even share her thoughts, she was immediately pulled to his room. "M-Master Orpheus?!" Mallory could not help but raise her voice as she was pushed down on the bed, her hands were locked on both sides of her head. "M-Master Orph—"

"Quiet... I'm checking something," Leo coldly said and eyed her.

Seeing his face coming closer, Mallory's heart started beating faster. She accidentally locked eyes with him and was dumbfounded. She felt like he could see through him. She followed his eyes and noticed him staring at her b.a.r.e neck. Taking a huge gulp, she asked herself —

Is he gonna drink my blood?

However, after confirming his suspicions, Leo irritatedly sighed. "You idiot!"

"Y-Yes?"