Chapter 13
A woman.
Meaning, the king’s avatars came in mixed genders.
She hadn’t seen clearly what that black mass was when she was ten. The voice had sounded metallic, hard to tell whether it belonged to a man or a woman.
I don’t even know if the one I’m supposed to take revenge on is male or female.
The only solid clue Melony had was the strange scar on the forehead—shaped similar to an X. Not exactly, but close.
“Curious about their story?”
“A little. Why? Will you ask in my stead?”
“As if.”
“……”
Then why talk to me at all?
Melony held back what she wanted to say and glared at Cain. If not for where they were, she would’ve used holy power to force him to submit. A pity she couldn’t.
The man and woman nearby eventually changed the topic of their conversation. Melony, deciding there was nothing more to hear, stood up. Seeing that Cain didn’t follow, she looked down at him.
“Get up.”
“Already leaving?”
“We’re done here.”
“I want to stay a little longer.”
“Then stay alone.”
She let the words slip out without thinking and was about to pull her hand away. Only one of her fingers remained hooked with his when she realized her mistake.
As she turned her body, Cain wore a knowing smile. His bright red eyes met her gaze, leaving her mouth hanging open.
Should she let go anyway?
Reading his lips, Melony’s expression immediately soured. She didn’t bother to hide her irritation.
“Haa…”
Letting out a very obvious sigh, she sat back down with annoyance. Cain’s quiet laughter echoed by her ear, as if mocking her.
“Mel, here, I’m the one with the advantage.”
“……”
“Even if I am wearing this necklace.”
“What do you want?”
Coming to this village had been a mistake. Relying on his ability was another one. Her judgment had clearly been clouded. If she could go back a few minutes, she’d slap herself.
“Answer me.”
Cain leaned back in his chair, relaxed, waiting for her reply.
Answer what?
Melony opened her mouth to ask, then immediately realized it—this sly, deceitful man’s intention.
“If you don’t, I’ll let go.”
“……”
“Oh, and then everyone here will notice what you are. They’ll smell that sweet scent of yours.”
He spoke softly, sing-song, and lifted one finger away from hers.
“I’d like to be the only one who gets to enjoy it, but…”
She regretted leaving her gun behind to avoid suspicion. She could use holy power, but that would cause a huge mess.
She was still a hunter belonging to Clovis. On the surface, she had no right to kill a vampire who hadn’t committed any crime.
Then another one of Cain’s fingers loosened.
“Maybe letting them watch wouldn’t be so bad either.”
“I’m going to kill you one day.”
Melony muttered low enough for only Cain to hear. He burst into laughter.
“Try it. If you can.”
After taking revenge, he would be her next target. Grinding her teeth, Melony answered with a furious expression.
“…Just once.”
Cain’s lips slowly curled in satisfaction at the answer he’d wanted.
“Offer me that pale neck whenever I want.”
“……”
“The answer?”
“I said it already. Just once.”
“Good. Don’t break that promise. If you do…”
Cain stood and paused mid-step. He lowered his head and whispered into her ear:
“I’ll make you beg and regret it to death.”
Melony looked down at the ground, then resumed walking.
“Ugh.”
She stepped hard on the top of his foot and ground her heel into it.
“As if.”
Satisfied with that payment, she gave a short laugh, turned around, and roughly dragged the scowling Cain behind her.
Not wanting to be pulled along, he resisted—but too late. Melony already had a firm grip and dragged him along without mercy. For someone so slender and delicate, she had surprising strength.
“Hey, Mel. I’m a Bishop, you know.”
“Did I say you weren’t?”
“If I let go, it’ll all end.”
“You agreed to give me your help. The deal is made. You’re obligated to protect me with your ability.”
Saying it out loud made her feel awful. Someone protecting her. Melony hated the thought to death.
In the end, accepting defeat, Cain let himself be dragged. His cape almost slipped off, and his silver hair shook beneath it.
“You really plan on killing the King alone?”
“Of course. I can’t do it with anyone else.”
“Want help?”
She froze.
Melony slowly turned, her expression blank. Unlike her, Cain was smiling in that sly, playful way of his. Meeting his eyes, she gave a cold, mocking laugh.
“You shouldn’t say things you don’t mean.”
“What if I’m serious?”
Her sun-colored eyes stared into him, demanding honesty.
“The price?”
“Saving it.”
He’d asked for her neck in exchange for one use of his ability. Who knew what he’d demand if he helped with her revenge?
Sure, with Cain’s help, her revenge would become far more achievable.
But no way would I ever accept help from him.
Instead of answering, Melony resumed walking. It wasn’t even worth responding to. She’d rather die than rely on a vampire.
“At least I know you’re one of the King’s close aides. To bring it up like this—betrayal?”
“Betrayal? Hardly.”
“……”
“I never once said I was the King’s aide. Where’d you get that idea?”
“That—”
She remembered the information she’d bought from that filthy rat she’d tossed aside. He had said the dark-haired, odd man at Bloody Night was the King’s aide.
So it was false intel?
She’d paid a hefty price for that information. Another mistake. Melony’s mood sank rapidly.
“That?”
Before she realized it, Cain was walking beside her, their shoulders brushing. Annoyed, Melony pulled away slightly.
Right then, Cain grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back in.
“…Let go.”
“I’m not sticking to you on purpose. Look.”
Cain tilted his head forward. Lifting her gaze, Melony saw the patrol vampires—the only young vampires maintaining order in the village. Six of them moved together, checking for any humans who might have secretly entered.
Vampire villages always had such patrols. Their senses were so sharp that sometimes even the pills failed if luck was bad.
“I see. They’ve noticed you before, haven’t they?”
“I ran into them often.”
“Have you ever been caught?”
Now Cain practically held her in his arms as they walked at a slow pace. Melony sighed and pulled her hood lower.
She had been caught once—when the pill’s effect was almost gone. Thankfully, only a few vampires had been nearby. She hadn’t been able to avoid fighting, but she hadn’t killed any. She’d just turned them into bloody heaps and escaped.
“Hard to say.”
Melony didn’t bother answering. No point bringing up unpleasant memories.
“Mel, isn’t my ability convenient?”
“Yes. Somewhat useful.”
“Planning to keep using it?”
“Not at all.”
“Harsh. Rejecting me so coldly.”
“You’ll just keep demanding my neck as payment, won’t you?”
“Exactly.”
Cain’s smile grew in satisfaction. Annoyed, Melony shot him a cold smirk.
“I’ll never do anything to benefit you.”
“You’ll have to give me blood eventually.”
“……”
“You didn’t forget, right? Planning to starve me after collaring me?”
“Oh, I forgot.”
“And what if I shrivel up and die? You’ll lose your tracking dog.”
He licked his lips, eyes gleaming like a beast staring at prey. The fact she’d managed to forget this even briefly was a miracle.
Right. I still have to feed him.
It was disgusting enough that her mind refused to remember.
“Haa…”
“If you look that openly disgusted, it hurts, you know.”
By now, no one else was around. Melony pinched the arm he’d draped over her shoulder and shook it off. Before he fully pulled away, she lightly hooked his pinky finger.
“Shut up. If you don’t want to starve.”
“At least twice a day.”
“Once is enough.”
“Mel, you don’t get to decide that. If I don’t get enough, I’ll collapse.”
She wanted to shut that smooth-talking mouth permanently.
Melony didn’t respond again and simply kept walking.
She needed Cain. But to keep using him, he needed her blood.
“…Fine. Twice. Now shut that irritating mouth.”
