A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the basement as the hot knife slashed through Asher's skin.

"Don't blame me little brother, the hotness is to stop any infection " Raphael told Asher who was glaring at him with anger.

"You're definitely sick in the head " Asher spat, throwing his head back from the effect of the pain.

Why should vampires worry about infections? They were undead creatures who couldn't be killed by such mundane diseases any longer - you can't kill what is already dead.

His half-brother Raphael has taken advantage of "bleeding him out " to torture him.

"Then, forgive me for being inexperienced " he shamelessly replied to him and removed the knife from his skin, returning it to the stove where it was being reheated.

" I wonder why I like you so much, little brother " Raphael remarked, causing Asher to glance up at him with an undiluted look of disdain.

But remained silent.

"Here's a very big opportunity for me to take you out but here I am " He sighed, as if forced to take-up a huge responsibility " Taking good care of you "

"Yeah, you sure take good care of me " Asher retorted with heavy sarcasm.

But Raphael pretended not to notice his tone and told him " ThankGod you know "

"When are you going to leave? Your clan sure seems comfortable without you" Asher subtly hinted he was not such a great leader.

Raphael waved it away " Oh don't worry, you seem to have forgotten Old Ezekiel is still around "

Oh right, how could he have forgotten, Raphael's father was still alive while his was gone.

Though he never supported his ways but Antonio sure was a great father who loved him endlessly.

Asher snorted " No wonder you have the time to frolic about and plot other people's downfall "

"Isn't that what makes life entertaining? The drama? The excitement " Came Raphael's reply that made him shake his head sympathetically.

Immediately, he threw close to him on the bare floor and began to regard Asher with an intensity that made him uncomfortable

"Why are you staring at me that way? "

"I'm curious, Why don't you ever ask about her "

Asher tensed up and met his gaze slowly, expression unsmiling and taut.

Raphael continued " Just because you were forbidden to ever communicate with her doesn't mean you can't ask about her" he shrugged his shoulder "Who knows, I might be magnanimous enough to answer if you ask nicely "

Asher knew he was talking about their mother, he was damned by the council from birth never to meet her till immortality fails him.

Thanks to his father's crime of stealing Ezekiel's mate, his sins were visited upon the children - thankfully not to the third generation.

Vampires live for ages, so imagine how long it would take for that punishment to end if it was meted out till to the third generation - it might even be forgotten in the process.

Asher told him sternly " I don't have a mother and if this is all you - "

"She misses you every day of her life " Raphael interjected.

Asher froze.

Though his mind told him that Raphael was messing with him as usual but he couldn't help but ache terribly inside.

Yes, he never shows it but it hurts bearing the punishment of a sin he has no clue was committed, had he not been informed.

"And now our discussion has bought enough time, the knife is good to go " Raphael announced with an evil lopsided smile and took away the knife from the stove.

Asher gulped when he saw the edge of the knife glowing a bright red and eyed Raphael.

"You seriously can't be thinking of using -ahhh! " Asher screamed as the knife sliced down his arm drawing out a trail of black blood.

The purpose of bleeding out a vampire was to draw out most of the werewolf venom that was infusing with the blood and done at targeted arteries.

But Rapheal was just cutting him wherever he wanted - Yes, he did the same to him days again but not to this extent - Raphael was a total nutjob.

The sizzling sound of escaping steam as the knife dived deeper into his flesh didn't escape his ears and Asher swore he would murder Raphael once he recovers from this.

"Finally done" Raphael dusted his palms together and rose to his feet with a satisfied smile on his face .

" You must be crazily thirsty "

Asher gulped, his throat and insides were burning and craving for the taste of blood. He knew this crazy hunger was a result of the bleed out, he had to feed, else he went crazy.

"I'm fine " Asher grumbled, he couldn't afford to have Raphael scour Little Town in search of human blood. Who knows the extent he would go?

He still had one or two blood bags - scratch that - one blood bag, he hasn't had time to go get blood ever since Raphael and Ben's matter arose.

But drinking just a bloodbag? That would arouse his hunger more, it was better he didn't take any at all.

Suddenly he heard footsteps and looked up only to see a young girl about twenty or so, strut into his basement like she was walking the runway.

Asher's brows drew together, expression mystified. Who was she? How did she get in here? Does she know what she's getting herself into?

His brows shot up towards Raphael and he asked sternly "What have you done? "

"Dinner is served " Raphael's lips stretched to the side and he entreated the girl to come towards him.

Asher glowered "Where did you get her? "

He replied nonchalantly " She was heading to the city when her car broke down in little Town this late at night and lark ended up being her helper, how convenient "

Asher could already surmise the rest of the story, Iark probably hypnotized and brought her back here.

"Sorry to disrupt your plans but I'm not feeding on her ! " he refused

Rapheal rolled his eye towards heaven "Sure, sure, keep on walking the righteous path and let's see how much you last ," His smile disappeared as he informed him, "You of all people should know what happens when our thirst takes over "

Asher's heart sank, even if he tried to deny it as much as he wanted,the truth would eventually be exposed and he could already feel it in his bones.

His hands were beginning to shake, as his mouth watered just staring at the girl in Raphael's arm.

With dilated eyes, his throat burned, fangs ached and the hunger pang hit his stomach severely - he wasn't sure how long he could take this torment without losing his mind.

"I could drain her dry in this state " Asher complained but looked away when Rapheal purposely flipped her hair, sending her scent straight to his nose.

"You don't need to worry, I'm here to ensure you don't make a mistake " Raphael assured her and grazed the girl's neck with his elongated fang and she shivered, giggling in delight.

A huge frown appeared on his face, trust Rapheal? What was the probability he would keep to his word?

Raven clan were not exactly known for honesty but Raphael has been showing a bit of brotherly love, perhaps he meant it.

Asher wanted to debate further but a strong wave of hunger hit him and he groaned out in pain.

Raphael raised a brow " No? " He gave his brother a condescending look "Perhaps, a little push would do"

He then went ahead to pull the girls hair to the side, nudge her back and slammed his fang into her neck.

Asher heard the girl gasp as his brother's fangs sank into her neck and drew blood .

The action caused Asher's eyes to darken and his fangs began their descent painfully amid his will to keep them at bay.

Rapheal pulled away and wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

" She's all yours now " He murmured and pushed the girl towards him.

Like a cat, Asher sprang up to his feet just on-time to catch the girl from falling.

His eyes were a deep, dark frightening shade of green but the girl was not repelled at all but kept laughing like a battery-operated doll.

But he was no longer sane enough to notice her odd behaviour, his hunger had reached its limit.

He pushed her up against the wall and pierced her neck with his fang. His body craved for blood and he took her's rapaciously .

His fangs ruthlessly tore into her skin and muscles but Asher was too immersed in the feeding to notice the way her fingers dug into his skin, struggling to pull away.

For a while he took the pleasure he wanted until he felt her grip slacken did he step back.

Asher was stunned when he could no longer find her purse as the girl slumped against his arms lifeless.

He whirled towards Rapheal who was standing against the wall with his arms folded and a knowing smirk on his face.

"You said you were going to guide me?! " Asher roared at him.

Rapheal cocked a brow " Did I? " he feighed an ignorant look " Oh right, I said 'guide' not 'stop' you " Raphael clarified.

Asher stood rooted to the ground, What has he done?