Chapter 14: Back home

“Are you alright?” Clara asked as she settled beside Ethan, her eyes searching his face.

Ethan lay back, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. He absentmindedly nodded, still lingering in the afterglow of his earlier feeding session.

“Can you hear it ?” Clara ventured, a hint of nervousness threading through her question.

Ethan turned his gaze toward her, shaking his head slowly. “No, it’s quiet.”

Clara visibly relaxed, a sigh escaping her lips. “That’s good. Well, I think that should be enough excitement for one night. Shall we head out?”

With a groan, Ethan forced himself upright. “Yeah, let’s go.”

The two of them made their way downstairs, the dance floor now eerily still. Ethan’s gaze flickered back to the empty space for a moment before he followed Clara to the bar.

Julien greeted them with an inviting smile. “I hope everything was to your satisfaction?”

“It was, thank you, Julien.” Clara returned the smile, placing a golden coin on the counter.

Julien’s grin widened as he deftly pocketed the coin. “Oh, you didn’t need to do that.”

Clara simply nodded, already turning to leave. Ethan frowned, curiosity piquing within him as he caught up to her outside the bar.

Without missing a beat, she reached into her coat and retrieved another golden coin, offering it to him.

“What’s this?” he asked, surprised.

“That,” Clara explained, “is how we trade favors in our world. Money talks, but for the everliving, it carries even greater weight.”

Ethan rolled the coin between his fingers, feeling its cold surface. One side displayed an intricately carved crown, while the other depicted a fierce dagger. It felt foreign yet familiar at the same time. A symbol of a world he was just beginning to understand.

"That coin's value cannot be compared to regular money," Clara continued.

"Where can you even get it from?" Ethan asked as he handed the coin back.

"Like I said, favors," Clara smiled enigmatically.

Ethan frowned but nodded nonetheless. He handed the coin back to Clara, who shook her head with an uncharacteristic grin. “You can keep it, of course, for a future favor.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the coin once more. A part of him suspected that things weren’t as simple as that, but curiosity got the best of him. After a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded. “Alright.”

Clara’s smile widened as she led the way back to the car.

“What about Terrell?” Ethan asked as he glanced around the street, still busy with people going in and out of the clubs and bars.

Clara shook her head. “He’ll find his way back home.”

**

The drive back was silent. Clara's fingers rhythmically tapped on the steering wheel to the sound of classical music, while Ethan stared out the window, his mind occupied with thoughts of his future feed.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

He didn't notice when they arrived back home. There was no parking spot available causing Clara to mutter a soft curse as she circled the block a few times before finding one a short distance from the house.

As the duo walked to the house, Ethan couldn't help but ask. "Say, Clara?"

"Hmm?"

"Any news on my crazy master?"

Clara froze for a second before shaking her head. "You have to be patient, Ethan. None of us is in any position to follow the movements of a Red."

A sigh escaped Ethan's lips, "I know. I just have a lot I want to ask her."

Clara gave him a gentle smile in response. "And you'll get your chance. For now, focus on mastering your abilities and getting used to everything first. After all, all you have now is time."

Ethan absentmindedly nodded as they climbed the stairs and entered the house. Clara unlocked the door while he followed closely behind her. There was still no sign of Terrell, so Ethan assumed he would return later.

"Ah, before I forget," Clara said, making her way to one of the drawers by the entrance. She pulled out a brand-new phone and handed it to Ethan.

"This is for you. I shouldn't have to remind you, but keep your social media presence low. You'll find both my number and Terrell's saved in there in case you ever need anything."

Ethan took the phone with a nod, replying, "Got it. Thank you."

"Get some rest for now. Today has been a busy one," she said, patting him on the shoulder before retreating to her room.

Ethan watched her go for a moment before glancing at the phone in his hand. He sighed, then made his way to the living room. The game console was still on from earlier. He plopped down on the sofa, sinking back into the cushions. He wasn't tired enough to sleep yet.

His gaze drifted to the controller, and after a moment, he shrugged and turned on the game.

"Might as well."

It didn't take long, however, before his curses were heard across the house. Clara who was upstairs rolled her eyes as she changed out of her clothes.

"Another one," she sighed.

**

A few hours later, the front door swung open as Terrell returned home. He raised an eyebrow in surprise when he heard Ethan's loud curses coming from the living room, and a chuckle escaped his lips. After removing his coat, he made his way to the living room.

Ethan greeted him with a groan, his gaze still fixed on the TV.

Terrell grinned and sat down next to him, grabbing the second controller. “Heh, make way! Let me carry you.”

“You?” Ethan glanced at him suspiciously.

“What’s with that look? You’ve already died again. This round is lost; just surrender and let’s start a new one.”

"Fine."

**

"You suck!" Ethan cursed.

"It's not me! It's the team that's trash!"

"How were you unable to kill him when he had his BACK to you!?"

"I panicked okay?!"

"Hah," Ethan dropped the controller on the sofa and leaned back massaging his eyes. "This is our fourth loss in a row!"

"Ah, fuck it, I don't feel like playing anymore," Terrell grumbled by his side.

"It's already too late anyway, the sun is about to rise," Ethan answered.

"Hmm."

The duo sat in silence for a few moments, dwelling on their defeat, when Ethan glanced at Terrell and asked, "Are you alright?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about me!" Terrell grinned, but Ethan could see that his eyes told a different story. Still, he didn't feel close enough to the vampire to press further; after all, they had only known each other for a couple of days.

Deciding not to push, Ethan nodded and stood up to head to his room. He lightly tapped Terrell on the shoulder and said, "Good night."

Terrell appeared to be in a fog, his mind wandering elsewhere as he absentmindedly replied, "Hmm, good night."

**

Once in his room, Ethan locked the door behind him, changed his clothes, and plopped down onto the soft bed. He glanced at his phone, noting that it was five-thirty in the morning.

"Another day," he muttered, staring at the beautiful ceiling.

Sleep did not come easily that night. His mind kept replaying the events of the day: the warehouse, the werewolves, the taste of blood. Ethan wasn't sure when sleep finally took him into its embrace.