Vanessa nodded her head and pulled him into a hug. “Thank you for being my brother.”
Chuckling, he rubbed her back. “You are annoying but still, I am glad to have you as my sister.”
Meanwhile, Becca, who was supposed to meet Alexander, watched Vanessa and Alexander hug. She heard their last conversation and gasped, placing her hand over her mouth. She couldn’t believe that Vanessa was Alexander’s sister and she felt betrayed by Vanessa.
“Wow,” Becca said aloud, making the Insworthe twins look at her, breaking apart from the hug.
Chapter 26: Winter Break
Becca was upset with Vanessa because they were like best friends, yet Vanessa didn’t feel the need, to tell her the truth; even after she learned Alexander’s truth.
“Becca…” Vanessa walked towards Becca, who stopped her from approaching any further with a hand. “I am Vanessa Insworthe, not Nessa Worthe, and if you listen to me fully, you will understand it all. Please don’t misunderstand me,” she told Becca, who stood frozen in her position.
“Becca, I didn’t mention it before because I didn’t want to expose her until she said so, and now, she was ready to reveal her truth to you until you heard us,” Alexander said, his eyes fully focused on hers. “She is my twin, and she stayed in the human world after we finished our hundred years of schooling. Since then, she has been living in the human world and got acclimated to life here.”
“I understand your situation, Alex,” Becca spoke up at last, her voice almost broken as she looked at Vanessa. “You should’ve told me before, Ness. You knew that I respected all kinds of creatures, mythological or otherwise. If you have told me that I was living with a vampire, I wouldn’t have run away.”
Vanessa shook her head, immediate guilt flooding her veins. “Becca, I—” she couldn’t complete her sentence as Becca decided to cut her off.
“You knew when I learned the truth of what Alex is, didn’t you? You should’ve informed me then. I would have understood that too. I treated you as my best friend but you… I feel betrayed, Vanessa Insworthe, or whoever you are.”
Sebastian was nearby as he was on rounds since he was the college representative. When he spotted the intensity among Vanessa and Becca, he said, “Oh, so Becca knows the truth?”
Vanessa shook her head, indicating for Sebastian to stop speaking, while Alexander rolled his eyes, mumbling incoherent words.
“So, Seb knows everything too,” Becca breathed out; as if she was informing herself. “I was the only one who was kept in the dark. Ness, I don’t know what to say. I have to get out of here.” With that, she walked away.
Vanessa was about to follow Becca, but Alexander stopped her and said, “I will talk to her.”
###
Becca was walking in the hallway. She wanted to step into the library and opened the door. But hearing the bell ring, she was about to close the door, but shuddered upon seeing Alexander leaning against the wall next to the door.
She heaved a sigh in relief after seeing the familiar face and deadpanned, “Do you lean anywhere you get the opportunity to?” she asked and started walking away.
Alexander shrugged his shoulders and walked along with her. “Maybe,” he responded.
“Did you want to talk about your sister? If you did, I don’t want to hear it,” Becca informed him.
“One hundred years ago, when Ness stepped into the human world, she was so lonely. We can telepathy, so she used to tell me how she was feeling, every time,” he started speaking, “She never made any proper friends. She used her persuasion power, which is her specialty, to connect to human beings. Only Sebastian could like the real her and she didn’t even have to use her power on him.”
“So?” she questioned, almost reaching her classroom.
“Becca, after Sebastian, it was you. You are the friend she was hoping to have ever since she stepped into the human world.”
Becca stopped in her tracks hearing Alexander. She looked at him and asked, “Why didn’t she tell me the truth then?”
“She was about to, but she was afraid of your reaction,” he answered and heard the bell rang. “Seems like we have the same class now. Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and walked into the class.
“You don’t have Literary Research now, I—” Becca was interrupted by Alexander.
“I do.” he said, “We have the same schedule, I just usually sit under the stone pine tree after attending the first class, which is our poetry class. I didn’t want to stay surrounded by humans for a long time.”
She narrowed her eyes in his direction as they took a seat. “It means you skip classes instead of attending them.”
Alexander chuckled and leaned towards her, whispering, “It means that I try to avoid your strong emotions for me.”
Becca’s cheeks flushed immediately and she averted her gaze. She put her focus on the classroom instead.
Later, Becca went to look for Vanessa after the class ended. She found her sitting at one corner of the garden and took small steps towards Vanessa.
“Is something wrong?” Becca asked Vanessa, sitting next to her.
Vanessa looked at her and said, “Yes. My best friend is angry at me because I hid something big from her. I don’t know how to defuse her anger.”
With a smile on her face, Becca told her, “If you ever want to melt her anger, just hold your ears and say a genuine sorry.”
Chuckling, Vanessa held her ears and said, “I am sorry, Becca. I really am.”
Becca pulled her into a warm hug. “You are forgiven,” Becca mumbled as Vanessa hugged her back. “Ness, is that why I felt this weird connection each time I was near you and Alex? Since I have the vampire potion and the two of you are vampires?”
They broke apart from the hug, and Vanessa replied, “Yes.” She added, “But I know that with Alex, your emotion is stronger.”
“What’s wrong with you twins teasing me all the time?” Becca breathed, scoffing in annoyance while Vanessa continued to tease her.
###
It was finally winter break.
That day, Becca resolved everything with Vanessa after the class she attended with Alexander. She and Vanessa were back to being best buddies.
However, as promised to her dad, Becca reached Hertford Manor as soon as she finished her last class, she gathered her things from the dorm room and returned to her own private hell, Hertford Manor. She stayed in her room till dinner time, putting away all of her belongings.
When it was time for dinner, she went to the dining area—her father used to cook food all the time.
“Hi, Dad,” Becca said, biting her lips in nervousness.
Shier was sitting on a chair at the dining table, waiting for the food to turn cold. He was habituated with eating cold food because of Becca. He glanced at Becca and gave a curt nod, not responding to her greetings.
Becca pulled a chair for herself and sat. She wished to ask Shier about the vampire potion. Was that the reason he treated her like trash? But Alexander told her not to ask or even mention the potion to him, otherwise, Shier might end up hurting Becca to prevent Alexander or any other vampires from taking the potion.
An awkward silence filled the room until Shier cleared his throat and decided to ask, “Did you meet anyone inhuman while you were at school?”
Becca could understand what her father meant. She couldn’t tell him about meeting the vampire twins. She didn’t know how she mustered enough courage, but she replied boldly, her grey orbs piercing through his blue ones, “Yes. The only inhuman person I have ever met is you.”
Shier tightened his grip on his spoon. “Looks like you need to be reminded of your place, Becca Hertford.”
Becca gulped and said with confidence, “Physically abusing me will cost you a fortune and ruin your fame, Dad. I am legally an adult now. You don’t want me to ruin your pristine image, now do you? Imagine if people find out that their favorite scientist is actually the most real monster ever alive, how do you think
they will feel?”
Shier was dumbstruck at the confidence of Becca. He wanted to keep her weak for a reason and she became stronger than before. He wondered whether something was wrong, or maybe he was over-thinking. So, he stayed silent and quietly ate his food, deciding not to interfere in her life anymore as long as she didn’t meet any vampires. Because he had his feuds only with the vampires, and he was well aware of their existence.
In the meantime, the dark sky gave chilly winds, and an ominous aura had spread throughout the woods. The thunder roared in the sky all of a sudden, the clouds covering the moon completely. The portal between the vampire world and the human world opened up in the Bellmor jungle, and a caramel-haired man stepped into the human world with an evil smirk plastered on his face.
All the animals in the Bellmor jungle started to run away from him, sensing his strong presence.
“I am here to acquire the potion myself since my dear brother seems to have gone astray,” mumbled Phil Insworthe.
Chapter 27: Vampires Fight
Phil looked at a beautiful thrush on a tree—it was the only bird that didn’t run away because it couldn’t feel the danger he presented.
Chuckling, Phil jumped on the branch of the tree and grabbed the thrush. His eyes turned black as he mumbled, “Bring Becca Hertford to this jungle, will you?”
The thrush squeaked, not wanting to obey his commands, but it had no control over itself as it started flying towards Hertford Manor. After all, Phil had one of the most dangerous special powers, which was the ability to turn animals into his willing subjects. Tasked to do his bidding at any cost.
He waited for the thrush to accomplish its task and texted his siblings, letting them know about his arrival.
Alexander and Vanessa rushed to the Bellmor jungle as soon as Phil informed them that he was in the human world.
“Phil,” Alexander said with a glint of excitement in his voice as he pulled Phil into a hug. After their hug, the two brothers looked at Vanessa.
“What brings you here, Phil?” Vanessa asked, not finding his arrival pleasant at all.
Phil glanced at Vanessa with his eyes, which were of two different colors—one was blue while the other was green. “Long time no see, my dear sister,” Phil said to her and was about to hug her, but she moved backward.
“Why are you here?” she asked again.
“Ness, you met Phil after a century. The least you can do is be happy seeing him,” Alexander pointed out.
Vanessa shook her head, saying, “He didn’t contact me ever after I came here. Why did he come now? What if he is here to hurt Becca?”
“No, no, no, Ness, that’s not my intention at all,” Phil said to her and placed a hand over her shoulder. “I am here just to acquire what I deserve, which is the vampire potion.”
“But you assigned that task to me, Phil,” Alexander said to his brother.
Phil smiled. “My dear brother, I am here because Pristine told me of a way to get the vampire potion.”
“Well, you could’ve told me the way and I wou—” Alexander was interrupted by Phil.
“Only I can do it, Alex.”
Vanessa arched an eyebrow. “What is the way to get the vampire potion which only you can do, and for that, you stepped into the human world?”
“The potion might be in Becca’s blood so I simply have to bite her and take the potion,” Phil responded in a calm tone.
Vanessa gasped while Alexander’s eyes widened.
“Will you kill her, Phil?” Alexander asked, his heart clenching at that thought.
“You cannot kill her for power,” Vanessa mumbled. “She is special and you know that. You cannot just kill her.”
Phil furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “When did I mention killing? I will just bite her once, take the potion and return to the vampire world as the first king. I won’t kill her.”
Alexander didn’t like the idea, but he couldn’t disagree either. If Phil gets the potion by biting her, then so be it, he thought.
“Will Becca agree to this?” questioned Vanessa.
Alexander said, “She agreed to help me with the potion so I think she would.”
“Just because she agreed to help doesn’t mean she would let herself get bitten by a vampire, Alex,” she pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter,” Phil said in between, “I sent a thrush to get her, so she shall be here soon. Then Pristine can inject her with a slight sedative which will make her unconscious. Then I can bite her and the task will be done.”
Vanessa let out a humorless chuckle. “A thrush? Even if you can control the bird, you cannot control Becca. She will never come following a thrush, and if you don’t believe me, ask Alex.”
When Phil looked at Alexander, he said, “She is right. Leave it to me. I will bring Becca here.” With that, he dashed away from the jungle and headed to Hertford Manor, leaving Vanessa alone with Phil.
“You know, Ness,” Phil started speaking when she was quiet, “We can start to bond again. I missed you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you want?”
“I am just telling you out of my brotherly concern,” he said, making her chortle.
“Brotherly concern?” she asked him. “You only love yourself, Phil. I can feel Alexander’s affection for me even if he doesn’t show it. Do you know why? It’s because he really loves his sister, but with you, I feel nothing but an empty space where emotions should be, Phil.”
Phil put his hands in the pocket of his long red coat. “If I become the vampire king, I can transform the humans and animals into vampires with a snap of my finger. So, if you promise to keep your mouth sealed like a century ago, I will transform that boyfriend of yours into a vampire too and both of you can safely stay in the vampire world forever,” he suggested. “Think of it.”
Vanessa thought of the offer proposed by Phil and it wasn’t bad. Rather, it would be best for her and Sebastian if they wanted to stay together forever.
###
Becca stared blankly at the thrush; as if it wanted to pass a message to her.
She was standing on the balcony of her room wearing a tank top with green leggings, looking at the dark sky. Surprisingly, there weren't even any stars shining in the sky, much to her dismay.
“Wanna go to the Bellmor jungle?” Alexander jumped on the balcony out of nowhere, making Becca shudder.
She glanced at Alexander and heaved a sigh in relief. “You need to stop doing that.” When the realization hit her, her eyes grew wider in terror. “Why are you here? Dad will kill me if he sees you.”
Alexander sat on the railing on the balcony and smiled at her. “Just wanted to see you,” he said, his eyes meeting hers. He didn’t lie to her as he really wanted to see her.
She shook her head with a smile. “You can travel anytime, anywhere you want?” she asked, “What did you say about the Bellmor jungle?”
“Oh, about that.” He wished he didn’t have to push Becca into trouble, but he trusted Phil to keep her alive. Besides, I was supposed to do my job only, which was why I was sent to the human world, he reminded himself. “I found a way to get the vampire potion from you and for that, I need you. So let’s head to the Bellmor jungle if you are free.”
She pursed her lips, thinking for a while. “I can go, I am not sleepy at all and my dad is in his lab. He will never come out till morning.” she added, “I have never gone to the Bellmor jungle by the way. I always wanted to go but Dad never allowed me. So I can see the jungle with you and also help you with the potion.”
Alexander extended a hand for her to grab so that he could jump with her. She was about to take it until she heard her dog, Seniha barking and running to Becca.
“Is that Seniha?” Alexander asked, looking at the Maltese dog barking.
Becca caressed Seniha’s fur. “Yes,” she answered. “Seniha, I will be okay. Go inside and sleep, okay?”
She grabbed Alexander’s hand after caressing Seniha and Alexander grabbed Becca
by her waist. “Hold on tight cause after jumping, I will run straight to the Bellmor jungle,” Alexander instructed.
Becca nodded her head and grabbed Alexander tightly as if her life depended on him.
Alexander jumped and ran towards the jungle along with Becca.
Soon, they reached the border of the jungle.
Becca and Alexander were walking hand in hand. Alexander was looking around, trying to find the others as they were not in the place he left them earlier.
All of a sudden, Becca felt a sting on her neck. Before she could turn around to see who it was, her vision got darker and she fainted in Alexander’s arms.
“Great job, Pristine,” Phil announced, a satisfying smirk on his lips as he landed from the tree following Vanessa.
They were hiding in the trees till Becca’s arrival.
“Now, you can bite her and be the king, Phil,” Pristine said, flipping back her caramel hair.
Understanding that everything was going according to the plan, Alexander placed Becca on the ground, unwillingly.
Phil walked to an unconscious Becca and inhaled her addictive smell.
Alexander clenched his fist, not liking the situation at all, yet he had to control himself. He wasn’t supposed to interrupt Phil from taking the potion, even if it meant Phil biting Becca.
Pristine and Vanessa stood next to each other, looking at Phil and waiting for him to bite Becca.
Phil closed his eyes and when he opened them, his eyes turned golden. His fangs descended and he looked at Becca’s pretty face for one last time before proceeding towards her neck.
As soon as Phil was about to bite her, he sensed a strong presence nearby. He stood up at that instant.
“Oh, fuck,” Vanessa mumbled as she and Alexander looked at each other as they transformed into a vampire.
Pristine also transformed into her vampire self. “The other vampires are here,” she confirmed with a snarl. “Get ready to fight.”
Chapter 28: Poisonous Blood
“I can't believe you all came after the vampire potion, fully aware that only Phil is capable of being the king,” Pristine spat out at the vampires that were surrounding them from all directions, their eyes glowing golden with the thirst for Becca’s blood which possessed the vampire potion.
The Vampire Potion (Vampire World Book 1) Page 13
