Sneaks Peeks [New era]

N:Remember that on this route, Taylor doesn't know what you're about.

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"I thought I'd be used to death by now."

"To what?"

"With death." Cassie replies." It seemed easier when we were a bunch of rookies."

"We still are." You say, and Cassie snorts, a crooked smile on her lips.

"Yeah, but not that much." She looks at the city in the distance. They should be with us now." You knew who she was talking about, her colleagues and friends from the bus, who of all the people in there, only the three of you survived." But they're not. All because of our precious vampire creator and the assholes with the silver daggers." She frowns." That sounded better in my head. Silver daggers."

"Silver-plated." You correct." And it didn't sound so bad."

She stays silent long enough for you to wonder if she'll ignore your words, if she won't speak anymore, but when she finally decides to answer, the words make you freeze." I'm going to kill them."

///

"You shouldn't be here." Taylor walked up to you with wide eyes and rapid breathing. You smelled blood, saw the brief flicker of white in Dimitri's hand before he hid the dagger from view. Were they hunting? Have they killed or injured any of you? The smell of blood was too strong to ignore, but it wasn't the smell of human blood.

"You didn't answer my calls." You retort, trying to pretend you don't know exactly why. Looking behind Taylor, you see the other four hunters trying to disguise the fact that they couldn't hear the conversation as they turn towards the car." Why not?" The question had a double meaning. Why didn't you answer? Why shouldn't you be there? But all these questions you already knew, but what would Taylor say in the end?

"Please." Taylor reaches out for your elbow, pulling you gently away from the hunters just behind the car." Let's talk somewhere else, shall we?"

"Taylor -" You barely have time to finish speaking when you hear footsteps, and see three people emerge from the next alleyway. With dark masks, glowing red eyes, and no heartbeat. Vampires.

You see Taylor's shoulders tense up and the hand on your elbow increase its grip, as Taylor stands in front of you, partially covering you from the sight of the newly arrived vampires.

But what makes you tense is the sound of the hunters' blades and weapons being drawn from their hiding places for combat.

///

"I'll protect you." Alice said, her gaze softening. I know you must have your doubts about me, but I give you my word, if the hunters try to hunt you down, they'll have to go through me."Her gaze changes, her eyes narrowing into a darker expression."And no, that won't be as easy as you might think."

"Your word...." You comment, your gaze shifting briefly outside, to the sun rising behind the curtains at the window."Would you swear to me? That you would protect and stand by us in this?"

Alice nodded, her hands in her trouser pockets. I swear to you, none of you will die as long as I live."

"We're already dead." You point out, somewhat suspiciously.

"Not permanently." She corrects, and walks over to you, holding out her hand. "Do we have a deal?"

///