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Roman got out of bed and took his morning shower. He pulled his grey shirt over his head and removed his pants and briefs, turning on the showerhead. The icy cold water that was far too cold for a human being, ran down his face and traced down his strongly defined abs.

He used the shampoo Issa picked out for him, the one that had a woodsy Evergreen and minty fragrance. When he finished rinsing, he wrapped a white towel around his waist and rung a smaller one over his long, silver hair, before stepping out of the washroom.

Nyx was lying on his bed with his legs sprawled out, grinning widely as he enjoyed the view.

"Surprise, surprise darling, aren't you happy to see me?" He chirped merrily.

Roman ignored him, opening his closet and reaching in for his uniform. He wasn't surprised by Nyx's presence, he had heard Nyx sneak through the window when he was in the shower.

"Roman, don't be like that," Nyx frowned, sitting up. "You're my cousin's best friend which basically makes you and I family," he insisted, dismissively waving his hand in the air.

"My friendship with Aleksei is currently on hold because of you," Roman said, placing his uniform on the table. He leaned against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. "Why are you here?"

Nyx scowled.

"Do I have to have an ulterior motive to come see my favorite servant?"

Roman glared at him and Nyx sighed.

"Fine, fine," he said. "You Leblancs love to get straight to the point."

Nyx stood up and handed Roman a letter sealed with red wax with the royal sign.

"For Aleksei," he smiled.

"Why are you giving this to me then?"

"I want you to give it to him when the time comes," he said.

"And when's that?"

Nyx gently patted Roman's strong, round shoulder and winked.

"Only time will tell," he said, mischief glistening in his raven eyes. "Until then, it'd be best if you kept it a secret."

Roman knew that Nyx was up to his games, but what could he do? He was in no position to refuse a direct order from the king.

"And don't even try opening the letter beforehand." The smile on his face was overpowered by the dangerously low tone of his voice. "Say, how is my dear Issa doing? Fine, I hope?" He batted his lashes innocently. "You're doing a great job of keeping him safe and alive, a great job indeed."

Nyx bit back a smile as he saw the expression on Roman's face darken. Roman took in a tight breath, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He exhaled and slowly loosened his grip.

"I know that I don't have Aleksei's fearful reputation," Roman began in a calm voice. "But don't underestimate me, Nyx."

He almost looked at Nyx with disdain.

"The only reason why you have any power in the first place is that Aleksei lacks motivation and desire for the throne. If it weren't for him, you would still be sitting in an empty castle somewhere far in the Northern mountains. You did not earn your title, Nyx, you obtained it by coincidence."

Nyx narrowed his eyes but Roman didn't waver at the warning.

"Do you know why Aleksei is still feared? Why everyone trembles at his name to this day? Crown or not?" Asked Roman. "It's because he was a good king. And by good, I don't mind kind. He was a good king because he served and protected his people. He removed any threat to his region without mercy, burned castles belonging to those who defied him, scattered lands with the corpses and bones of his enemies to keep his people safe. He was a good king who ruled for his people and not for himself."

The tone of reproach made Nyx stiffen.

"And what have you achieved? You've done nothing but blackmail your comrades and made enemies with your allies, actively searched for trouble where there isn't any to begin with. For Hell's sake, you made up an entire plan to murder innocent beings without even consulting your advisors! You rule mindlessly and selfishly, that is why you will never amount to Aleksei," Roman jeered. "I may serve you but my respect and admiration will always reside with him."

Nyx's jaw tightened but he released a loud laugh that almost seemed forced. He pulled the black locks of hair away from his face before locking eyes with Roman again.

"A loyal fool, you are," he sighed, shaking his head. "Loyalty does not win wars, my dear friend. Power does. And the man you so highly respect has none."

Nyx has always been aware that he wasn't respected or taken as seriously as Aleksei, that he was seen no better than a washed-out sweater compared to Aleksei's golden armor. Even if he couldn't get the most ancient vampires to respect him, he could still create and lead a new army of young vampires; one that did not know of Aleksei's reign. Nyx could leave behind the humiliation and mockery and start fresh.

"Aleksei will fall on his knees and I will have him killed," Nyx swore. "In front of the entire court where everyone can watch their so respected king cry for mercy at my feet."

Roman's brows leaned inwards to a crease.

"What do you mean?" He asked, hearing of this for the first time. "Kill him?"

Roman's eyes then widened.

"Nyx, don't tell me-"

"A king must die for another to be born," Nyx said, a grin slithering across his pale face. He turned on his heel and when Roman blinked, Nyx was already gone.

After taking a moment to recollect his thoughts, Roman quickly changed into his uniform and headed out. He paced down the hall and knocked on a door. Issa opened it, his eyes round with curiosity as he saw the panicked look on Roman's face.

He pulled out his earphone and smiled nonetheless.

"Hiya, Romy," he beamed. "We can head to the cafeteria together. Let me put my socks on, I'll be right with you."

Issa turned around and was about to head to his drawers but Roman stopped him. He wrapped his arms around Issa, lowering his head and pressing his forehead against the nape of Issa's warm neck, letting out a small sigh of relief.

'He's safe.'

Roman almost never lost his temper, especially with Nyx, since the consequences could bite back heavily. If Issa was hurt because he couldn't control his mouth, Roman would never forgive himself.

"Roman?"

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his minty breath dancing against Issa's skin. "I'm just tired, Issa. Tired. I don't know how much longer I can do this."

Issa's lips pulled into a frown, pressing his hands against Roman's arms that were still wrapped around his chest. Issa had asked Roman to be more open about the double life he lived, and Roman had been more truthful ever since, but there were still secrets he had to keep to himself. Secrets that kept Issa alive.

Human and vampire relationships were never easy, but Issa and Roman were willing to fight for it so long as they were together, despite the heavy consequences. Being unable to fully understand and comfort Roman from his burdens and pain was one of them.

"Roman, you're not alone," Issa murmured. "I'll always be here for you. You know that."

He turned around and put on a smile for Roman, wrapping his arms around Roman's torso and pressing his chin against Roman's chest.

"You smell nice," he said, knowing that the compliment would please Roman. And it did.

"Hey, when's the last time you drank? You're paler than usual," Issa murmured, reaching out and poking the side of Roman's face. "Your cheeks are hollow too."

"I've been staying away from blood," Roman admitted. He had secretly been trying to convert his diet to animal blood to support Aleksei and so that he wouldn't have to be ashamed whenever he saw Issa.

Though, it was taking a big toll on his mental and physical energy. He now understood why Aleksei had so many mood swings.

Well, no, Aleksei always had mood swings even when he drank human blood daily.

"I'm sorry, I only have snacks from the convenient store," Issa frowned. He then pulled down his collar, revealing his bare collarbone. Roman took in a sharp breath, quickly averting his gaze. "If you're hungry, you can-"

"No," Roman interrupted abruptly, pulling Issa's hand away and buttoning Issa's shirt to the collar. "We've been through this before. I'm not drinking from you."

Issa pouted.

"It's okay, I don't mind," he urged. "I want to help you Roman, really. I'm tired of standing around idly while you're forced to go to dangerous extents to protect me. It's not fair! You're always taking care of everyone, but who's taking care of you?"

Roman was surprised by the painful tone in Issa's voice. The expression on his face softened and he gently brushed away Issa's tousled blond hair from his forehead.

"You're taking care of me," Roman said with a small smile. "By staying alive."

He raised Issa's chin so that he would look at him.

"Anything but your blood," he whispered, his voice soft and firm. Issa bit his upper lip, giving in.

"Alright, fine," he huffed, still unhappy. "How about I find another way to cheer you up?"

Roman raised a brow.

Issa stepped on his tiptoes and slapped both hands on Roman's cheeks, pulling him to his height and smacking a kiss on Roman's lips. It wasn't a romantic one like in the movies and was more like a kiss your grandma would give you before leaving her house, but it was packed with just as much love; a very Issa-esque kiss.

Issa pulled away, his cheeks blushing furiously red while staring into Roman's surprised eyes.

It was Issa's first kiss, one that he'd been saving for Roman.

"I love you, Roman," Issa said fiercely. "I love you as much as you love the stars."

Issa knew Roman's passion for the constellation, the bright luminous balls of gas that lit that velvet-black sky. He had even bought Roman a book about astronomy for his birthday, even though Roman knew more about the starry skies more than any man-written document. Roman still cherished it deeply.

"So turn that frown upside down," Issa said with a gentle giggle, pulling the corner of Roman's lips upwards. "You feel better?"

Roman nodded and Issa smiled proudly, patting Roman's silver wet hair.

"I'm glad," he beamed, still blushing red. "Now wait for me here, I'll be back with my socks. Boy, am I starving."

Issa scurried to his drawer and started digging for his bright yellow socks. Roman watched him with a smile, bringing the tips of his fingers to his lips.

Issa's kiss was a reward worth everything he's been through and everything else that was to come.

He swore to himself that one day when the war was over, when he could abandon Nyx's side and stand by Issa's with his head held high, he'd look into Issa's bright eyes and say the words back: I love you too.

***

Noah heard a knock on his door and when he opened it, he was surprised.

"Roman?"

"May I come in?"

"Yes, of course."

Roman nodded, making sure that no one was around, before closing the door behind him.

"We need to talk," he said. Noah was taken aback by the serious tone in his voice. "Noah, I want you to listen to my directions very carefully. Don't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Not Micka or Aleksei, not anyone."

"What? Why?"

"Noah, promise me," he pressed. Noah looked at the desperate look in Roman's eyes. It wasn't like him to act so urgently, so he nodded.

"I promise Roman," Noah said. "You have my word."

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Hi loves! The rest of the chapters of Who Let The Vamps Out is available on Patreon and will

This book is on Patreon. You will have access to the following:

•a total of 46 chapters

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Info on book 2:

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focused on Micka's + Diego's perspective

•werewolves

•Micka's anxiety

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