30. Alexander

Chapter thirty

Alexander

*ARDEN*

T he vampire in front of us seems ageless to me. He looks like he could be anything from twenty to late thirties. His skin is pale, his dark hair shiny; he wears it shoulder-length. Judging by the way the waitress ogles him, he must be handsome, though I'm certainly not the one to be able to judge that. I'm more fascinated by what he is and how he is a full-blooded vampire.

I've never met one before. Everything I know about vampires I know from my books, but this is my first time meeting one.

I have so many questions!

Cato pops up in my mind and projects an image of Meg and how she is chained to the wall. It's the picture Leila drew after her first vision. He is right; we have more urgent matters at hand than me being curious about vampires.

Aurelia introduces the both of us to Alexander before asking, "What do you know already?"

"Only what Silas told me," he explains. "Something about omega wolves going missing."

"Not just omega wolves," I correct him. "We have found out that while it's their preferred prey, they also abduct betas."

"How come?" Alexander wants to know.

"Some packs find them disposable," Aurelia says with anger in her voice. "Which means it takes a long time for them to be noticed missing. Especially, considering they choose those who are orphaned or have very little contact with their families."

"Seeing how they have been doing this for a couple of years, and you have only begun to research now, they were right in their assumptions," Alexander says, raising his eyebrows as if he is judging us.

I hate how he looks down on us, but he isn't wrong with what he said. "Unfortunately, that's the truth."

"Well." Aurelia smiles, but there is a hint of iciness in her smile when she looks at Alexander. "You are right. As a vampire you certainly know about elitism behavior, firsthand," she says.

Alexander smirks. "I have nothing to say in my defense."

"Alright, now that we've played around a bit, can we finally come to the reason we've met?" Aurelia asks bluntly.

Alexander seems to be interested in her, eyeing her curiously. "You certainly are intriguing," he muses, before looking at me. "You are her mate?"

"Yes," I huff.

"Pity," he mutters.

Cato pushes forward and growls. "What do you mean by that?" he asks. For a moment I am stunned. Cato has never taken over so forcefully, and he has never used my body to talk!

Alexander brushes through his hair, ignoring me completely. "And I can't change your mind?" he asks Aurelia sweetly. "Not even my beauty can?"

I swear, I'm so close to attacking him here and now, when Aurelia just laughs at him. "No way," she says. "Arden is the most intelligent person I've ever met, and he is fun and strong, and does everything to help those in need. No man's looks will ever be able to compete with what he brings to the table."

I glare at Alexander. "I have the ability to never forget a single face or word I've heard or read. So better be careful who you challenge."

"You think you can outsmart me?" he asks.

"Yes, absolutely," I say.

"Then tell me what you know about vampires,"

"Which book do you want me to recite?" I dare him.

"Anything written by the Vampire Convention from the 18 th century," he says.

"I've read all of the work that's available for werewolves."

"How about the original vampire families?" he prompts.

"That's an easy one," I say while I start searching my memory palace for said book. "It's the third book of the anthology. Chapter III to IV," I say before paraphrasing the text passages that contain information about the original vampire families. They don't mention any names in it, but from what I know, all full-blooded vampires are descendants of them. "The only one mentioned by name is a man named Aloysius, and the second brother, Silas, as two of the most prominent leaders of their times." I pause. "Seeing how you are brothers, I'd say—"

"Yes," Alexander interrupts me. "I've heard enough." He leans back, sipping at his coffee. "Alright." He nods contently. "I think you are both worth my time."

"Was that all just a test?" Aurelia asks, annoyed.

"Yes." Alexander grins.

She and I exchange a gaze. I don't need a mind link to know she isn't a fan of him, just like me.

"So, what do you have?" Alexander asks, skillfully ignoring our displeasure—or maybe he just really doesn't care.

"For the greater good." I sigh, trying to remind myself of why I am here, before taking the folder we prepared out of my bag and handing it to him. Aurelia and I take turns explaining to him what's going on and what his brother Silas believes is happening. Alexander first looks aloof, like it doesn't bother him, but the more we talk, the more serious his expression turns. He starts skimming the folder, his eyes pinned to the photos of the bodies we took and the ones we received from Marius.

"AB negative," he mutters. "Unbelievable."

"Does it make sense to you that vampires would target people with that blood group?" I ask.

"There is just something about AB negative," Alexander admits. "Something alluring. Their plasma is like a drug."

"Plasma?" Arden asks. "Wait a moment, vampires consume plasma!? That's such a complicated process and definitely not easy to create!"

"It's not just that," Alexander explains. "Consuming plasma is not allowed anymore because it makes us addicted. It wasn't always forbidden, but one of my brothers…" His voice trails off. "That's a story for another time. If I had to choose one blood group with the most amazing plasma, it would be AB negative. I don't know the reason for it, but maybe because AB plasma is universal and can be given to any patient. That, and the fact that AB negative is so rare probably turns it into the drug it is."

As if on cue my phone lights up with a message from Gustave, who is also working today until lunch. I stare at it, my eyes widening at what I am reading. "Alexander," I say, barely able to keep my nerves in check. "One of my co-workers just sent me a message, and I wonder if you can make something out of it."

"What did he say?" Alexander asks.

"Some of our victims had genetical or chronic diseases or addictions. Not everything is something major, and it could be a coincidence, but can this be a pattern?"

Alexander stares at us. "What type of illnesses or addictions?"

"Two girls, one of which we believe is actually still in the hand of the kidnappers, have lupus. Three of the victims had a massive iron deficiency. One guy suffered from pneumonia. Three, maybe even four, had drug problems. One was an alcoholic."

Alexander balls his hands into fist, before relaxing them.

"So, it is a pattern," Aurelia concludes.

"If you were able to retrace the auctions," Alexander says. "Which is probably impossible, you would find out that the wolves with illnesses in their childhood are selling particularly well, even if they aren't ill anymore once their wolf spirits awaken. For us vampires, the illness still lingers in the blood, as if it has a memory."

"What?" Aurelia asks, shocked.

"It truly depends on who buys these people," Alexander says. "Let me start with the basics. From a vampire's perspective, I can tell you there is a reason we only sire humans. Their blood works the best for us. Sucking blood from a werewolf is nothing I'd do personally because it…" his voice trails off.

"Hurts you?"

"No," he says. "Imagine it more like a human taking drugs. Worst case, you can get addicted to supernatural blood as a vampire, or you will at least get dependent on it. I would only ever drink from a supernatural being if they were my mate. Vampires strive for control, though. We deem it below us to lose control. It also diminishes our own powers. Every addiction comes at a price, and vampires are no different."

I nod. "Makes sense."

"So, as for why they buy victims from the dark net, it is like you concluded. It's to see them passing. Seeing the life leave their bodies. It's a game for them." He frowns. "I'm not happy about what I'm hearing today," he adds.

"What about their illnesses or addictions?" Aurelia asks.

Alexander furrows his brows. "Full-blooded vampires are immortal. We are not prone to falling sick or having any bodily weaknesses. But if we drink of a person who is sick, for a short period of time it gives us the possibility to experience what they do."

"Are you saying that if you drink of a cancer patient, then you experience their symptoms?" I ask.

"Yes," Alexander says. "Transience and sickness are something we don't have any relation to," he pauses. "It's a kick for them. Together with the fact that it's AB negative blood, the drugs they give the victims, like Silas concluded, they are basically enhancing the experience."

"That's just… crazy," Aurelia mutters.

"It is," Alexander says, his eyes glinting in anger. "I'm not happy. Just like the werewolves, we strive to stay anonymous. We have rules we follow to keep our society running, important rules. It's to protect us but also the other beings around us. This here," he takes the folder "is atrocious and a disgrace to what we are. And the worst, it's not low-ranked vampires doing that. It has to be full-blooded ones because no one else would be that bored and that crazy."

"Are you going to help us?" I ask.

He nods. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this for you."

"We know," Aurelia says shortly. "And we don't care who you are doing it for."

"Then, we are set," Alexander says. "I will contact you the moment I know more."

"Don't take too long," I say. "Seeing how the kidnappers are operating, they are getting more and more desperate."

"Of course, they are, because their customers, some of my fellow vampires, are getting more and more addicted." Alexander stands up and grabs the folder. "I will go to work immediately. Please stay here and finish your brunch. It's on me."

"It's clearly croissant," Aurelia says.

"No, baguette with cheese," I argue.

"Croissant, without any filling, but with fresh butter." She hums. "That was the best. That and the coffee."

"Okay, let's settle for a middle ground," I say. "Pain au chocolat."

She links her hand with mine, laughing. "How is that a middle ground?"

"How about everything tasted great."

"I can live with that," she agrees, the end of her lips curling into a smile.

I park my car at the underground garage below the Council building and grab the leftovers from our brunch before following Aurelia to the elevator. The plan is to have a calm and quiet afternoon and just relax.

Cato projects an image of me and Aurelia in a very obvious position in bed.

That too, I admit.

I made that bet without thinking of her friends, though, because the moment we step out of the elevator, Jazz and Tori dash forward and grab her hands. "Whatever you planned for the afternoon, forget about it," Jazz exclaims.

"We are abducting you," Tori agrees.

Val steps closer. "We want to prepare and plan for the party, and gossip."

"It's hours until the party," I point out, confused. Are they truly going to change and dress for hours?

Tori and Jazz grin while Aurelia smiles at me. "That's another point I really like about you."

I'm confused by what she means, but when Marilou joins them too, she laughs suddenly and agrees to spend the afternoon with them. Simultaneously, Nox, Lion, and Terry arrive, and to my surprise and joy, my brother is with them. "The four of us thought we could hang out while the girls do their thing."

Lion grimaces. "I don't want to imagine what they talk about."

"Are you kidding?" Terry snorts. "I would love to know!" When Lion just shrugs, Terry looks at him confused. "Well, I guess you were serious, huh?"

"We met Vander on our way to fetch you," Nox says. "And forced him to come along."

"So, what's the plan?" I ask.

"Hang out and play some video games," Terry offers. "Oh, or we could throw some hoops!"

"I'm in," I say.

"I'm pretty bad at basketball," Vander says. "But I wouldn't mind."

"Yeah, you are such a loser," Terry jokes.

"Who are you calling a loser?" Vander shoots back, playfully punching Terry's arm.

Terry laughs. "I have a girlfriend. I can't be a loser."

"So do I."

"Alright." Terry grins. "We need to settle this on the basketball court."

He dashes off with Vander following him while Nox and I look at each other amused. I'm happy, though. Terry is the type of guy who can tease someone without insulting them and is genuinely nice. Seems like Vander clicked with him.

The two of them battle it out on the basketball field, which is hilarious because they both suck at it. Not as much as I do, though. "What are you even doing?" Lion asks me while watching me how I hold the ball and eye the basketball hoop.

It's the first time he directly interacts with me. I have a feeling he doesn't like me much, but I can't tell why.

"I'm trying to calculate the distance," I say. "Combine it with my height, the current wind speed… to determine which angle to choose to throw the ball."

"Bro," Lion sounds amused. "You can't play basketball that way. Did you never play with your dad?"

"No," I say.

Lion looks at me, before turning away, flustered. "Goddess, I really am an asshole."

"I'm not upset," I say. "You just forgot about my situation, which is actually a pleasant change for me."

"I can show you how to throw," he offers. "I'm actually pretty good."

"That would be awesome," I say. "Never played any team sport."

"I love sports," Lion admits. "But I lack in other areas, like intelligence or common sense."

I'm wondering if he is joking or not because he certainly doesn't come off as stupid. "Then how about you show me some tricks?" I ask.

Lion gives me a thumbs up. Out of the corner of my eyes I can see Nox joining Vander and Terry. He is much better than they are, almost graceful in his movements. He is truly an interesting personality. The scar crossing his face makes it obvious he has a history, and he is quiet and composed most of the time, yet he was able to play his role perfectly when he and Aurelia went to retrieve the information from the hospital.

Lion interrupts me by tossing a ball at me. "Come," he says. "Stop daydreaming."

It's a completely new experience for me to actually hang out with other guys and be treated as one of them, and just have fun. I never had that when growing up, which makes me cherish it now.