My head throbs and my face feels like it's burning but it's interesting to see Genesis so flustered. Maybe now he'll answer me honestly.

"Just this once be serious with me."

He wets his lips and avoids meeting my gaze.

"Cyan, please. You're not acting like yourself."

"You're the weird one. You've always avoided me unless you wanted affection. You're so clingy to someone who clearly hates you. Isn't that what Galya is for?"

He doesn't respond for a bit.

"Do you truly hate me?"

"Yes, I am your prisoner. You never let me leave, you refuse to be honest with me, you allow me to get hurt."

His facial expression turns to one of hurt. Curious, I've yelled and screamed plenty of times before.

"I'm just the big bad wolf Cyan, what do you expect? I doubt you'll remember this conversation. I can't let you go. When it comes time for it, you'll die by my hand."

He sits next to me on the bed. I reach out and touch his face. He covers my hand with his own and closes his eyes.

"That's bullshit. If you truly want me to die, act like it."

He kisses the inside of my wrist.

"My mother would tell me stories of a monster and a maiden. The monster hated himself above all and hid himself away from the world. He'd kill anyone that wandered onto his property. One day after years and years, a maiden strayed too far onto his land. He scared her but she stood her ground. He spared her because she didn't run or try to hurt him like the others. She kept coming back and eventually they fell in love..."

He trails off, nuzzling my hand.

"What happened? Was the monster a prince the whole time?"

Genesis laughs.

"No. They were killed because their love was an abomination."

"Ah, that kind of story. Let me guess, they swore they'd find each other in the next life?"

"No Cyan, it's not a fairytale. It's a warning."

I'm confused until I see his face through my haze. His eyes are glowing brightly and his canines are descended. He drags his fangs from my palm to my wrist, drawing blood. My heart pounds in my chest.

"Genesis?!"

"Toying with someone who can end your life in mere seconds isn't wise Cyan. Just because I choose not to kill you, doesn't mean I won't. Tempting me will only make it worse for you."

He licks the blood and stands, dropping my arm.

"I wasn't..."

"Don't offer something you're not willing to give and I can't have. I'll stop coming to you since you hate me."

Genesis turns and leaves the room. I struggle to keep my eyes open. It's as if just his presence was comforting my illness and now that he's gone I feel everything ten times worse. I wake up panting. Next to my bed on the table is a glass of water, a rag and a plate of small sandwiches. My stomach gurgles and I pick one up, biting into it. My eyes catch2 faint scars on my wrist.

I'm a fool. Hate him? Who am I kidding? I must be sick in the head. Maybe it's puberty. Even if he gives me attention and I like that he's clingy. He's a vampire, he kills children, he abducts them from their homes. Resisting these feelings with rational thought is getting harder and harder.

I drink the water and stand, heading towards the kitchen. I pause, hearing shouting from Genesis' office. I sneak up to the door to listen.

"Have you lost your fucking mind?!"

"Who are you talking to like that?"

"You! Why are you forcing Cyan to hate you more?!"

"I'm not forcing anything. She hates me of her own accord."

"Is it really her own accord when you lie to her and keep things from her?! And you bit her! What happens if she turns Genesis!"

"I didn't bite her Wirrin. I simply issued a warning."

"You're being reckless so she'll hate you! You use your powers on her constantly!"

"It's not on purpose! I can't control it around her!"

"Learn how! You're over 200 years old!"

"Don't worry, I'm staying away from her."

"Genesis, this will only confuse and hurt her more."

"Wait, shut up. I think someone's outside the door."