He jumped off the bed, a look on his face like I just slapped him. "No," he said.
A little offended, I responded, "You know I am a vampire, right? Drinking from you changed me."
He let out a heavy breath. "Yeah, I know."
"Does that make you uncomfortable because you didn't seem all that uncomfortable a few seconds ago." I got to my knees, pulling down my shirt, pushing back the apprehension fluttering like nervous butterflies in my stomach.
He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze focused on the floor. What was wrong with him? Ever since my Hunter bit me he'd been hot and cold. I couldn't figure him out.
"No, it doesn't make me uncomfortable. It makes-" He paused momentarily before continuing, "I am beyond happy to see you. But..." He let the word hang in the air.
Finally, I said, "But?"
"It's just. Ugh! Why is this so difficult?" His green eyes pleaded, as though I should understand what was wrong.
"Tell me," I uttered.
He sat on the bed and grabbed one of my hands in his. "Professor Pops told me he told you about those who might want you dead."
"Yes. He explained that other vampires, even other creatures, believe that if all Marked and Chosen are killed then it will be easier to destroy the Queen." The internal butterflies quivered.
"That's right. And just as the Queen is the leader of the vampires, there is a leader over those who stand against her." He started to fidget, playing with a tassel on one of my pillows.
"Makes sense," I said quietly.
"When I was little Professor Pops adopted me. You know that." He chuckled nervously. "From a young age I knew I was different, that Professor Pops was different, and that the world wasn't as simple as it seemed. Then when I turned twelve Pops showed me the Museum of the Supernatural. Something clicked inside. I felt drawn to them and inclined to hunt those who served the Vampire Queen." He brushed some hair out of his eyes, and cleared his throat. "Of course Pops wouldn't let me. He continued to train me, but that was all. But I knew there was more. That a big piece of the puzzle was missing. I didn't know why until a few days after I turned sixteen. A visitor came to see me." He stopped and searched my eyes.
"What? Who was he," I asked, taking his hand.
"The man was the leader of those who oppose the Vampire Queen. He told me he was my father."
I gasped, interrupting him. "Your father is alive."
He nodded. "Yes. He's been alive a long time."
Not really understanding, I asked, "Why didn't he want you?"
He pulled away. "It isn't that he didn't want me. He's just busy, and those who are loyal to the Queen killed my mom. He believed Professor Pops would be able to care for me until I was old enough to understand. And Professor Pops did. I couldn't have asked for a better father."
Comprehension washed over me. "Okay, so you're the son of the man who wants me dead. But how does that explain why you're still alive?" I knew there were many other questions I needed to ask him as well.
"There must be balance in all things. For every sunset there is a sunrise. For each sadness, there is happiness. And for every evil there must be good." He paused to let the words sink in. They sunk in all right. And I started to get mad. Was he saying I was evil? Had he come to kill me?
"Okay." I leaned away from him.
My movements didn't go unnoticed. He frowned, but didn't try to pull me closer.
Sighing, he went on, "When vampires were created so was another species. Equally as powerful, but keen on living in seclusion."
"Please don't tell me they were werewolves," I said, mocking.
"No, not werewolves, but chayot.
"Chayot? Did you just make that up?"
"No, Snow. This is serious. If you don't believe me, look up the word on the Internet. It's there, though a lot of the information about them is incorrect."
"I see." I sat cross-legged, and settled my hands in my lap. "Why aren't these chayot in Professor Pops' books? Or on display in the Museum of the Supernatural?"
He scooted nearer. "Any written mention of the chayot is considered blasphemy. The chayot are sacred, and to be revered." While he spoke, his voice softened. But that just infuriated me more.
"Let me get this straight. You're telling me you chayot are the good guys and we vampires are the bad guys? Is that what you're saying?"
He let out another weighty breath. "Yes, basically."
Chapter 8
I jumped off the bed. "What about Kenmei and Professor Pops?" I didn't add Christopher, but his body in the glass coffin crossed my mind.
"They were human before they became vampires." He gingerly moved toward me. "Though they did much evil in their time, they've atoned, and dedicated their lives to destroying the Vampire Queen."
I backed up, somehow feeling like a caged animal. "What about me?" I asked between rapid breaths.
He shrugged. "I'm supposed to-" He stopped, walked over to my dresser and began fiddling with the bottles. He took off each lid and brought the bottle to his nose. Then crinkled his face like the bottles contained skunk spray. If the situation hadn't been so serious I would've laughed. Instead I waited. Filled with apprehension at what he would say next.
He sighed, turned back to me, and said, "That's why I've come. My father is the first chayot. When the war broke out between the vampires and the other creatures, he stayed out of it. He and the other chayot didn't get involved. Until later. When vampires started using humans."
Frustrated tears filled my eyes, but I forcefully wiped them away. "You aren't making sense. Why did humans matter to them?"
"The reason is simple. My father fell in love with a human girl. They had many children together. The Vampire Queen made an extra effort to capture and change his offspring into vampires. Sons and daughters with chayot blood are more exceptional than a regular human. The Vampire Queen favored them over all others."
I thought about the vampires I'd seen in the castle. Were they descendants of the chayot?
Gabe continued, "The Queen started the war. It's my father's life's work to finish it. Kill them all. Destroy her. End the suffering." A regal arrogance shifted his features.