Edge was in the cafeteria looking at his phone while sipping red thick liquid that I refuse to admit as blood from a mug of all things. “You didn’t erase Winch’s memories.” He stilled for a moment and returned to swiping on his phone without acknowledging me.

“Edge, thank you.” My voice trembled with so many emotions, but the one that overshadowed them all was gratitude.

He still refused to pay me any attention so I sat down next to him and laid my head on his shoulder. “Keep ignoring me and just see how touchy feely I can get.” I threaten.

“Whatever.” His words were dismissive, but his tone was playful.

“He’s the only family that actually gives a crap about me and you violated an order for me.”

“We are in a room filled with vampires some who actually like the way Gerald does things, so don’t mention this again.” I smile and wrap my arm around his bicep digging my face deeper into his arm.

He flinches slightly doesn’t tell me to let go. I wanted to keep repeating the words “thank you” until my voice was hoarse and my throat hurt, but right now I would settle for clinging to him like a child.

“Keep this between me and you.” He says and I nod into his arm.

“You aren’t such a big bad vampire after all.”

“You standards are disgustingly low.”

“Maybe.” I let go and stare at his profile. He still had his hood on and was still looking at his phone, but he had stopped scrolling with I hugged him. I look at his darkened face and I notice his cheeks were tinged slightly pink. Did I heat him just by hugging him? That makes more sense since I doubt vampires can blush. Once that thought came to mind my cheeks become a little heated as well. My heart sped a bit and he laid his head on his hand clearing his throat letting me know he could hear that.

“Pretend you don’t hear that.” I mumble feeling uncomfortable. Something feels off whenever I am with Edge and that makes me feel like I am stupidly letting my guard down. In the entire time I was here I had been lying to myself that I was here willingly, but I was a prisoner. I could feel my heart slow down and I turn my head away from him. We might be getting alone, but that was only because it would be better if we got along rather than be ripping each other’s heads off.

“I just had a pretty interesting conversation with Gerry. He’s still going to give us Valentine’s missions just for shits and giggles. It’s frightening being sent on missions where casualties are a good thing.” I place my arms on the table and lower my head on them.

“If I can help it you’re going home one day.” I don’t raise my head, because a sense of dread is telling me that he’s wrong. Edge comfortingly strokes my head.

“I feel like we are cellmates telling each other that we will be free one day.”

“To be honest, I don’t know why Gerald is doing this. You must have rubbed him the wrong way.”

“This isn’t as simple as not liking someone. The dick upstairs just outright admitted to my face he hopes I die.” I raise my head and curl my fingers into my hair.

“I’m sure he was just trying to rile you up.”

“No Edge. He wants me as dead as he can get me. Why?” I ask. “He could have lied and let me live in ignorance, he could have pretended to be nice and let me think that this freedom was real, but he wanted me to know I have nowhere to go. And I am very sure he also just threatened to torture me.” I hiss.

“He did what?” Edge’s voice cut through me.

“You heard me.” I take a deep breath. “I won’t deny that I have been a little shit, but this isn’t normal.”

Edge grabbed my arm and dragged me out of my seat. “Edge what the fuck!” He drags me through the cafeteria and I was smart enough not to fight against his grip.

“Edge, where are we going?” I ask trying hard to keep up with his long steps.

“Keep quiet for a few seconds. You were drawing attention in there.” I look over my shoulder and Edge was right a heads had been discreetly turned our way.

We go to the closest elevator and he pulls me in next to him. “Stand straight and try to look normal.” He intrusts. I take out my phone and begin looking through it looking like I was doing something normal. “Don’t say another word until we are out of here.” I rub my neck and move it up and down cracking it still trying to act normal.

When the doors open Edge plasters a big smile on his lips, a very fake and believable smile. We had gotten out of the elevator into the reception area. He jerks his head towards the door in a friendly manner and I follow him with my own smile. We walk towards the desk where Cam was sitting.

“Cam we are going out for a few hours.”

“Sign here dears.” We both sign a ledger.

“If I see something up to my standards I’ll bring you something nice.” Cam laughs and dismisses my offer.

We both exit the doors and I follow Edge without stopping. We walk for about ten minutes and we were walking through a very noisy street.

“Ok, here is fine.” He says satisfied. I stop abruptly almost crashing into him. “If I can’t hear them anymore they can’t hear me either. Let’s keep walking just in case.” We walk slowly and Edge doesn’t talk for a few minutes.

“Are we going somewhere specific?” I ask and he shakes his head.

“No, I just needed to make sure no one was listening. Ainz, what did Gerald say to you?”

“I went to ask him to change his mind and put someone more qualified in charge of Valentine’s missions and he told me that he would rather watch me fail.”

“Why did you do that?” He snaps at me. I flinch, but don’t slow down my pace.

“Because I’m not stupid I haven’t even been here a week and he wants to send me on high profile missions. With how dangerous this type of work is it was the responsible thing to do.”

“And?” He prompts.

“Nothing that can be counted as important he just tried to scare the crap out of me and I am ashamed to admit it worked.”

“Ainz, you shook him during your test.” I turn my head to give him my full attention. “We got on a plane straight away and he was agitated, very agitated. He kept scratching his neck, biting his nails he didn’t even sit still for a full minute. You made him mad.”

“And now he is very openly admitting that he wants me dead?” I ask.

“He’s being stupid right now. I think he is afraid of you.” I halt.

“Why is he scared of me?”

“I don’t know. Have you ever noticed anything about yourself that was off?” I really thought about it. What could I have noticed on myself that would look abnormal to a vampire? My hearing can be considered normal, I am not stronger than the average woman, my speed was normal, my scent was the same. Did I occasionally crave blood? Definitely not.

“I don’t think so. Should I be looking for something specific?” I ask him.

“The answer is no then. If there was something odd about you like I had in mind you would have noticed already. And you don’t smell like a witch either.”

“A witch!” I shriek.

“Shut up!” He hisses at me.

“Was that an option?” I can say for sure I had no magical powers and as a kid I had hoped for them.

“When you told me about your family I wondered, but I eliminated that possibility instantly.” I could have been a witch? Cool.

“Witches have a smell?” He nods.

“Not many people can detect it, but it’s a scent you remember.”

“What does it smell like?” Edge thought on it and shrugged.

“I can’t describe it. You just smell human.”

“Could my immunity to compulsion be a witch thing?” I ask and he shakes his head.

“I honestly don’t know, but witches aren’t immune to vampire compulsion. You’re the very first human I have ever encountered that can resist compulsion. That doesn’t just apply to me either even Highlander admitted this was unheard off.”

“So I can keep my wits about me what’s so special about that?”

“You don’t get it.” He says getting closer to me.

“Think about it you’re immune. Immune to one of the few things that make us superior to you.” Edge’s eyes start to glow and I take a step back. He grabs my arm and my head begins to feel painful and heavy again.

“Tell me something you have never admitted out loud.” My eyes begin to flutter and I feel so drowsy. My knees become weak and my mouth opens to say words that I never allow myself to acknowledge. “Tell me Ainz.” I look up at him and purse my lips.

“No.” My voice was weak, but I kept those hated words in my head. Edge’s eyes fade and he smirks.

“See? You are the only one in Folklore who he can’t control. Do you know how dangerous that makes you? You’re free.” He says the words with such pain that my heart sinks.

“Or maybe my need to keep my secret was that strong.” Edge grunts at my denial. He looks around and he steps in front of a man casually walking. The guy looks taken aback and Edge looks him dead in the eyes.

“Transfer your entire life savings into my account right now.” The guy nods takes out his phone and I watch in a trance.

“Edge stop it!” I grab his arm to pull him away.

“Where do you want me to send it?” The man asks in a monotone voice.

“Edge!”

“I changed my mind. Keep your money and forget this ever happened.” The guy snapped out of it instantly. He looked up at Edge and jerked back.

“What just happened?” The guy politely apologized to Edge and carried on walking.

I stare is amazement. He could have just stolen all that guys money and he didn’t even put up any resistance. It worked so fast it was eerie. Could vampires compel humans to do anything?

“Is that a good enough example for you? Or do I need to give you another more drastic example?” He snaps. “Will you believe me if I grab someone and tell them to drown themselves?”

“You can do that?” I ask horrified.

“Why are you surprised? During your test I asked you to shoot Winch. When it comes to controlling humans Ainz the possibilities are always endless. You could compel a woman into bed with you against her will, you saw that happen too.” My stomach started to churn. “If this isn’t a fluke just imagine the damage you could inflict.”

“But I am just one human. What could I possibly do?”

“You could do anything and that is what makes Gerald so scared of you.” So, I was free, why didn’t it feel that way? Also, why was Gerry scared of me? I had more questions and each one just led to more. I was stuck in a cage filled with vampires what made him think that made me free?

“He wants you scared of him which is probably why he was pushing your buttons.”

“It worked.”

“Then don’t let it again.” He shakes me. “All I know right now is that something about you is abnormal and the unknown is often feared. So for now play nice with him and we will figure this out together.” His grip eases. His eyes bore into mine and even though they weren’t lit up anymore they felt as spellbinding as they had before. An awkward silence spread between us. “So what do we do now?”

“Sightseeing?” He offers.

“Seriously?” I ask with a sarcastic tone.

“We can drink at the same time.” He shrugs.

I stare at him for a few seconds. “A’ight.”