"Stop kissing me in inopportune times!" I complain while evading his kisses.
"Then, I can kiss you during appropriate times?"
"No, of course not! There are no appropriate times for your kisses!"
Klevon guffaws. "Well, I was hoping that the more I kiss you, the more you can accept that you are better with me, Kaiya."
"Stupid," I say, yet I keep my distance. I climb onto the bed and proceed to sleep. Sometimes, it's better to just ignore his advances.
As dawn breaks, I wake up refreshed and ready for another day. Last night, I dreamed about Theo. Even if I should not, I am missing him. I miss his hugs and kisses. I miss the way he caresses me, and even the way our skin touches.
I am about to sit up when I realize that Klevon is sleeping next to me, with his massive arms over my chest. I groan audibly. I shake his shoulder until he awakens and stretches like a cat. He grins when his eyes focus on me, which I answer with a grimace. He seizes my hand and kisses my fingers.
"Good morning, beautiful," he greets me while I withdraw my hand from him.
"It was beautiful earlier. Not anymore."
He smirks at me. "Why so grumpy?"
"Because you're annoying!" I say as I stand up. "How can you sleep beside me again?!"
"Because werewolves are warm," he answers matter-of-factly.
I look at him with a deadpan expression. "That's it. We are going to visit Inanna and the other vampires."
I walk to the cabinet and prepare my things. Klevon sits on the bed and stares at me with amusement.
He then says, "I thought we are not allowed to go there? You mentioned Inanna warned us that Gezer and Ninus are feral."
I turn my head towards him as I fold my clothes into my bag. "Other than that, we also need to look for another magic sensor to find Bryer."
He stands up and walks towards me. I raise my hand in defense, but he walks past me. "The mimicked magic sensors are expensive. Not to mention brittle. It will break after one use."
I gulp when I realize what he's implying. "And what does it cost for an actual magic sensor?" I ask curiously.
Klevon shrugs. "It depends on how powerful it is. But usually, no ordinary warrior can afford it."

******************
Klevon and I set out for the library while seeking another magic sensor. We travel for hours, and from time to time, we hear strange news.
"Stine has become a dangerous place," they will say.
"Having a son with ice magic is prone to darkness."
"I've always known that Kingdom will fall because of that ice magic curse in their clan."
"The people should have rebelled the instant Brandon Stine showed signs of ice magic," another will say.
Every time we hear the rumors, Klevon and I will look at each other. "Perhaps we don't need another sensor?" Klevon will say, and I will just agree with him. Bryer actually might have gone to the Stine Kingdom.
Reaching the library, I see Inanna sitting on the steps of the library entrance. As if sensing us, she stands up and walks to us.
"Gezer, Ninus, and I have been waiting for the two of you," she smiles. "By the way, they are no longer wild, savage creatures."
"Are they strong enough to travel to Stine?" Klevon asks.
"Why Stine? Aren't we going to look for another sensor to search for Bryer?" Inanna asks.
"We don't need it," I interject. "We think Bryer is already on Stine."
"Oh!" Inanna exclaims. "It makes sense. General Brandon has ice magic. Bryer's magic will be heightened with him close."
"We think the Kingdom has fallen because of him," I tell her.
The library door opens, and Gezer comes out, followed by Ninus. They seem thinner and paler. "Then we must go there. We can continue getting strong on the way."
However, instead of answering, I ask, "Are you two really fine now? You still look sick..."
"We are getting better. It's only yesterday that we drank human blood," Ninus answers.
Klevon takes his sword out and points directly at the three vampires. His voice is gruff and intimidating as he booms at the group, "How many have you eaten?!"
Ninus takes a step back before he answers. "We have killed no one! We merely drank human blood as a form of recuperation and healing," he responds, his voice edged with anxiety.
I reach for Klevon's arm and squeeze it gently. While maintaining eye contact with Klevon, I say, "The three of you need to explain. We made a vow. The four of us. You promised you won't partake in human blood thru killing. "
They glance at each other before Gezer answers, "We remember our promise, Kaiya. We didn't kill. The human gives her blood willingly. In exchange, we will take revenge for her older sister. It's the one turned and killed by Bryer."
Ninus nods. "That's why we aren't degenerating into mindless monsters."
"Also, Inanna didn't drink. It's only Ninus and me. We are the only ones who need it."
Inanna walks forward and reaches for the sword from Klevon's hand. She pushes it down, and Klevon allows her. "You should meet the young woman who saved the two."
Inanna looks behind her. "Come out here, Ruth," she calls.
The library door opens again, and a young woman peers at me and Klevon. "Hello," she whispers, her voice feeble, her eyes darting everywhere.
Ninus groans. He takes hold of the young woman's wrist and pulls her away from the door's safety. The young woman squeals before Ninus steadies her in front of us.
She looks at Klevon and me with curious eyes. "Ahm, ah... I am... R-Ruth," she stutters. She is tightly clutching her dress. "I... am... Nice to m-meet you."
"This small, stuttering wisp of a woman saved you?!" Klevon roars, which makes Ruth jump.
Gezer chuckles. "She did more than that. Besides feeding us, she takes care of everything we cannot do."
Ruth's eyes widen as she stutters, "Oh no... That's not true... M-miss I-Inanna, is a b-big h-help."
"This personality," Klevon starts and walks closer to her. Ruth gulps, and there is a tremble in her posture the closer Klevon gets. "She might be lying to you. No sheep will do that."
"You might be right. No human would willingly go to a vampire's nest and offer herself," Gezer says as he drapes his arms protectively around Ruth. "Also, stop scaring her, Klevon. You are huge by human, werewolf, and vampire standards."
Ninus nods as he touches Ruth's shoulder. Ruth has already turned red from the attention. "We are monsters. I will partake in it if someone is willing to give it to us."
Klevon scoffs. "Seems like the three of you have earned a pet."
"Klevon!" I scold him as I see the way Gezer and Ninus glare at him.
"She is useful to us," Inanna says with a straight face. "But as you can see, as their savior, they have become pretty much attached to her, the same way we are bonded to you, Kaiya."
Klevon rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "You told us that vampires also get mates, the same way as werewolves are. What kind of attachment are we talking about? Is she their mate?"
Gezer smiles as he takes Ruth by the hand. "No. But we plan to bring her to Stine and probably to Pitchford."
My mouth hangs open, and I look at Ruth. "You had given consent?"
She looks at me, seemingly afraid, and whispers, "Yes. I want to go with you to Stine, even if it's dangerous."
Klevon shakes his head in disbelief. "Why?! They can just give you news after we are done with it."
"Mister Gezer and Mister Ninus s-still need my b-blood. I plan to give it to them while we go to the Stine Ki-Kingdom," she responds.
"You are an idiot!" Klevon growls at her. "You will just be dinner for them!"
Ruth squeezes her hands together tightly, making a faint sound of fear. "Even so..."
Klevon looks at Inanna and me before he looks back at her. "You want to die? You are too weak, so of course, you will die!"
Ruth drops her eyes in shame. "If I can be an instrument to avenge my sister's death. Then... it will be a b-better ending for someone l-like me," she whispers.
Klevon puts his hands on his hips and looks at her with a glare of displeasure. "Fine! I am allowing it!"
Inanna looks at me and smiles. "I think she is already part of our family now."
"T-Thank you," Ruth whispers quietly.
Klevon glares at Ruth as he asks, "How often do you need to feed them?"
Ruth tilts her head and pauses before she answers. "M-maybe... t-twice or t-thrice a week? It's enough for me to stay healthy."
"And you?" Klevon looks at Inanna as he asks this question. "You don't need blood at all?"
Inanna shakes her head. "I am fine on my own."
Klevon scoffs as he looks at Inanna and me and then back at Ruth with a raised brow. "Then let's get going!"