AN: This is a short story I'm planning to enter into a contest in a couple weeks. It will be in two parts. The next part probably won't be as long as this one.

And the Angels Cried

The story of Angelo Eros Heamon

Part 1

A dream is a dream

The dream once made

Shadows on the light of the soul,

A dance with the dance

Of the dance once performed

In the dark of the stars of the world.

“And so,” said the lord of shadows on high,

“And so,” said the king of the light,

“The dream of the dance is gone to the mist,

And the Angels shall cry tonight.”

When I was born, the angels cried. Perhaps that is why I am named for them; there could be no other reason, for my people have no connection to the angels in any way. However, I know angels now, and they have told me that this is what occurred.

I tell you this at the moment of my death only so you will know what has brought me to this point, why I have not lasted longer in this god-forsaken war. Why I fell for my deepest enemy, even after knowing what he was, and am now allowing him to be my demise. Yet it is not just my story, this tale I tell, but the story of my people and our enemies and my personal enemy and everyone affected. There has been death, ever so much since the war began, but there has been life too. I am one of those lives, for the war began before I was born. Still, when I was born, the angels cried.

And there is the heart of the matter. I was always destined to die; the one born just hours before me is testament to that. But perhaps…it is best not to begin with him. My life was not dependant on his, after all.

I had a relatively normal childhood. I had human friends who knew nothing about what I really was, and I grew quite close to a few of them. I also had friends among my people, and though I was often scorned by them for my heritage, this was always the fate of people like me, so I did not mind it. Many of my friends were much older than I, some were younger, and most were around my age. I was a very normal child.

My closest childhood friend was, surprisingly, a human, one by the name of Aaron Eaglesight. He was the only human to know of my true nature before secondary school. We were very similar; I related to him well, and he was always able to solve my unsolvable problems. I still remember clearly the day I told him what I was.

It was the last day of my fourth grade, Aaron’s fifth. He was a year older than I, but we had never found that to be a problem before, since we did attend the same school. Now, though, I knew that Aaron would be leaving for a secondary boarding school in the fall and we would probably hardly ever see each other. I wanted dearly to tell him what I was before I lost my chance forever.

Aaron and I always walked home together, since we lived a block apart. Usually we walked with a couple of the other children in our neighborhood, but that day, I was lucky enough to be able to walk home alone with him. I waited until we were in a quieter part of our route home before I said anything.

“Aaron, what do you know about the Other Races?”

Obviously, Aaron was quite confused; I am not sure he had ever heard the term before. “The what?”

“The Other Races,” I said patiently. It would be unfair to Aaron if I were anything but patient, because he always was with me. “You do not have to know of them. I am only asking if you already do before I shock you.”

Aaron shook his head with a faint smile. “I don’t. I guess you’ll have to shock me.”

I laughed; Aaron was so simple sometimes. “I will explain everything to you another time. I only wish to explain one thing today; the subject of the Other Races would take months, I believe.”

“I’m listening,” Aaron said with a shrug.

I nodded once and took a deep breath, trying hard not to show how nervous I really was. “Aaron, I am a Vampire. An Incubus Vampire to be exact.”

“You’re a…a Vampire?” Aaron choked out. I was not surprised by this reaction, though I had been hoping he would not be quite so shocked. I decided to elaborate a bit so I could get this over with quickly and then mourn the loss of my only true friend.

“I am actually only half Vampire—my father is human...in a way—but yes, I am a Vampire. I was born one.”

Aaron stared at me for another moment, the he smiled faintly. That threw me a little; I had expected him to run away. “You can’t be a Vampire, Angelo, but nice try. You almost had me there.”

“What? But I am!” I had not expected this at all, at least, not from Aaron. He had always been more into the metaphysical than most because of his heritage from the Americas.

“You’re walking in daylight. You can’t be a Vampire, not an Incubus anyway. They can’t walk in sunlight.”

I smiled. Ah, humans amused me sometimes. “I am half human, as I told you. My human blood permits me to tolerate sunlight.”

Aaron stared at me again, and I suddenly realized that he had only said that because he was hoping to run from the truth. I was almost sad that I had to disappoint him.

“I am an Incubus Vampire, Aaron,” I said seriously. “You may not like it, but that is what I am. I Feed on energy and blood, and rule the night, and can turn into a bat or a wolf, and whatever else you humans like to believe about my kind.”

Aaron remained silent and I sighed. I had expected no better a response. I would have to let him decide how he felt about my announcement on his own. I did hope that he would remain my friend, but I knew that it was very unlikely and I was prepared for that.

After several minutes, Aaron finally glanced over at me and asked weakly, “Can you really do all that?”

My first reaction was surprise, but I soon laughed and shook my head. “No, I cannot. Only the Strigoii can do that. Most of what I can do, humans do not know about.”

Aaron nodded and fell silent again. I watched him closely as we walked, hoping to see some emotion in his face, but Aaron was already very good hiding his emotions and I could not tell what he might be thinking.

It felt like hours before Aaron finally stopped and turned to face me. I almost prayed as I looked up into his serious face, but I have never known the gods to help Vampires like me. Perhaps this time they felt they should, because when Aaron opened his mouth to speak, it was not to condemn me but to say, “I’m glad you’re my friend, Angelo. You’re always interesting to be around.”

“Then you believe me?” I asked eagerly, hardly daring to believe it.

Aaron nodded with a smile. “I believe you, and I think it’s brilliant.”

The Other Races. A subject that could take years to truly understand. Simply put, they are the races that humans are often highly unaware of but share this world. A few actually live here—my people, and Aaron’s, and others—and a few live in the higher planes, only visiting this one when it is necessary. Humans know these beings better than any: the Christian God, the Hindu pantheon, Buddha, and various others who have been all but forgotten. Of course, these beings are naturally extremely vain and love to be worshiped.

My people, the five Vampire tribes, are the only non-human beings to coexist with humans on this plain. Some other beings visit sometimes, but the never stay. Humans are difficult to live with. They destroy everything they touch, yet they have the intelligence needed to know what they have done is wrong. Still, I cannot help but love them. I am part of their world as well, after all.

Those beings who visit most often are the demons, though they hardly cause serious trouble. They would be destroyed if they did. After them are the angels, though they have been visiting this world more often in recent years because of the war. I personally enjoy their company quite a bit and can easily pass for one simply because of my name. And the gods hardly ever visit this world, as they find it extraordinarily repulsive, but they do look in on it often and create miracles on a daily basis.

The only other people worth mention are the magicians, the humans able to use magic. I am still not sure how these humans come about—I think someone once told me that it is a result of a genetic mutation—only that they do, and at random. The magic can run in families, and often does, but there have also been many isolated cases. These magicians are our closest allies in this world, as they are the only humans who can truly understand what it is like to live in both worlds.

My father was one of those humans, and he became a very successful illusionist because of it. I often went to my father’s shows as a child, and I nearly always brought Aaron with me. Of course, my father used real magic in his shows, but the human audience never realized it.

My father was also the one who suggested I be sent to a special boarding school when I turned eleven. It was the school he had attended, he said, and it would help me discover myself. I was not thrilled with the idea at first, as I had always planned on going to the same school Aaron had gone to. Then he mentioned that the school was for our people, the Other Races, and I could not wait to go.

Llyridon School was only for the Other Races. It was the only place I have ever been where regular humans simply did not exist. We had eight houses, one male and one female for each race, in one building and the main school in another. There were also special sports fields nearby that had been modified not to be destroyed when we used them, since many of our powers can be rather destructive. However, unlike most schools, we had so few students that upper and lower forms were often forced to room together.

The male Vampire house had the brilliant name of Orpheus. Amazingly, I was immediately placed in a dorm with a sixth form student who was not only older than I, he was also a Dark Angel, my tribe’s enemy in the war. And though Alexander made it very clear, very quickly, that he would not attack me, we were still enemies at first. After all, as soon as we were both out of school and met on the battlefield, friendship would only get in the way.

Many of the students in Orpheus felt this way, and there were frequent fights in the corridors between Vampires alone. Most of them were between the Dark Angels and the other tribes, especially mine and the Elfin, though all of us were volatile sometimes. A few of us believed the war was foolish and we should all get along, myself among them, but we were few and far between.

These fights usually occurred between our classes or during our lunch period because that was when fewer teachers were on the lookout. We had nearly all of our classes at night, after all, and only the teachers needed for us would be awake then. The demons had most of their classes with us, and together we made up the Night Class. The Day Class consisted of the angels and magicians, so we hardly ever saw each other. The only classes we could possibly have with them occurred just after sunset and just before sunrise, so I hardly noticed anything about them at first.

I had been at school for two months when I collided with someone on my way to one of these classes. We had both been in such a hurry that our books were knocked out of our arms to the ground. I heard a soft gasp come from him, but I thought nothing of it at the time.

“Forgive me, I was not watching where I was going,” I apologized quickly as I dropped to the ground to collect my books and help with his. He joined me after a moment and we were soon able to stand again. It was only then that I looked up to see who it was.

“Aaron!” I exclaimed in surprise, for it was Aaron, dressed in the purple and copper uniforms of the magicians. I had never expected to see him in a place like this—he was just a normal human after all—and obviously he had thought the same thing about me from the expression on his face.

“What are you doing here?” we asked at the same time. We stared at each other for a moment, then Aaron suddenly started laughing.

“Sorry, it must be a shock to see me here,” he said once he had calmed. “I didn’t know you were here or I’d have come looking for you ages ago.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked in amazement. “You’re not…are you?”

Aaron laughed again. “Yes, I am. Let’s meet in the library during break. I’ll explain everything I can then. We’d better hurry or we’ll be late.”

“Oh, yes, I will be there!” I said before I hurried off to get to class.

“I’m a shaman,” he told me later in the library. “I can Speak with the dead and See the future...sometimes. Sometimes the future doesn’t want to be Seen. It runs in the family, but I never knew until you told me about the Other Races that we weren’t the only ones. I think my parents did, though, because they had always planned to send me here.”

“You never told me anything about this before,” I accused, feeling a little put out by this. I had trusted him with my secret after all, so he could have returned the favor.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to, but the rule in my family is that no one outside the tribe is supposed to know unless they figure it out themselves. I really did want to tell you.”

I did not believe him, and he must have sensed this because he smiled nervously and reached out to touch my hand. “Look, I know you’re upset that I never told you, but I had a good reason not to, just like you did for not telling me about yourself until you did. I did want to tell you, but does it really matter now? We’re both here; it can be just like old times.”

I sighed and nodded, smiling at him. He was right; it did not matter now whether he had told me earlier.

He grinned. “Are we still friends, then?”

“Best friends!” I answered with a laugh.

We met almost every day in the library during lunch or break, sometimes his and sometimes mine since I was able to walk in sunlight. I think we became even better friends than before, since now we could tell each other anything. We kept no more secrets from each other. Aaron was, and still is, my closest and only confidant.

I met my beloved angel for the first time only a week after that. In science, one of the two classes I had with any of the Day Class, our teacher paired us up for a lab and I was lucky enough to be paired with him. In the moment when he walked over to my table, I was amazed I had never noticed him before. His appearance was rather striking, even among his fellow Day Class students. I could tell at once that he was an Angel of the Sun; his long blond hair and golden eyes glittered with sunlight even though we were indoors, and his skin gleamed pale as marble. The white and gold uniform of the angels complimented him perfectly. I felt as though I had witnessed a glimpse of heaven at its highest levels, where even the angels can sin.

Of course, this vision of perfection lasted only a moment. As soon as he sat down and scowled at me, I could tell his personality was not nearly as beautiful as he was. That only entranced me further, however; it would have been boring for an angel this perfect to have a perfect soul as well.

“My name is Angelo,” I said, holding my hand out to him. “It is nice to meet you.”

He stared at me, startled, then down at my hand, then at me again. After a long minute, he briefly took my hand and pumped it once. “Kiran. I’m your lab partner.”

“Yes, I know,” I said with a faint laugh.

“Then why are you being so friendly?” he asked, clearly confused.

“Why not?” I asked, just as confused. After all, we were in the same form and a couple classes, perhaps more next year since I could walk in sunlight. I did not want any enemies, and I did not think he would either.

“You don’t know me.”

I laughed; well, if that was all… “Of course not, but how else do you make new friends?”

A dark look crossed Kiran’s face and he turned away. “I have no friends. No one wants to be friends with me.”

“I want to be your friend,” I said with a smile. I was surprised when he shook his head.

“You won’t want to soon enough,” Kiran muttered before he got up to get the supplies from the teacher.

As I watched Kiran over the next few days, I saw that he really did not have a single friend. Either he pushed others away or they wisely stayed away from him out of instinct. I do not know, nor do I think I ever could, why I never felt this automatic aversion to him or why he did not try as hard to push me away as he did with others. I simply know that I am grateful for it, because I most certainly saved his life, for without me, I am sure he had no reason to keep living.

I only found out years later when he trusted me enough that this lonely life of his was a result of his relationship with his family, his father in particular. His father never cared for him and in fact thought he was worthless and should never have been born. He said so on a regular basis; I was there to witness it myself once. His mother said she did not feel the same way and tried to be there for him, but any fool could tell by her eyes when she looked at him that she loathed him as well. His relatives felt the same away and hardly ever spoke to him. He had no one, and so developed his cold, cynical persona to protect himself. And because of that, he pushed everyone away.

Well, everyone except me.

For the next couple months, I pushed at him, testing his limits. During the two classes we had together, I sat next to him, whether he liked it or not. I began waking up in time to join him for lunch, and often stayed up all day to walk with him to classes or stay with him during break. He frequently yelled at me and ran away during those months, but I waited patiently and he always came back, murmuring apologies.

About a week before the start of the Christmas holidays, Kiran surprised be by seeking me out during my own lunch period. He looked very out of place among the dark colors so loved by the night class, but it obviously did not bother him as he made his way over to my table. I blinked in surprise as he thrust a hand out to me.

“I wanted to say,” he began in a very soft voice, “that I have considered this friendship thing of yours, and I decided I’ll give it a shot.”

“Really?” I said in surprise. This was completely unexpected.

“Really. It’s not like you’ll leave me alone anyway. I might as well make the most of it.”

I grinned and took his hand. “It is about time you figured that out. I would love to be your friend.”

He nodded once and pulled his hand away. “I think I’ll be going to bed then. Goodnight, Angelo.”

“Goodnight,” I answered with a smile. I kept smiling and watching him until he had walked all the way out of the cafeteria and out of sight.

To my amazement, Kiran completely opened up to me after that. He was more attentive when I spoke to him and responded correctly when a response was needed. He started up his own conversations occasionally and spoke much more than before. Over all, he seemed much more relaxed and…happier. Much happier. As I said before, I am sure that I saved his life simply by being there.

Not that I am complaining. I was happy myself for how well Kiran and I got along when he was not trying to resist me. I introduced him to Aaron, and they became fast friends as well, nearly as close as Aaron and I were. In what seems a very short time to me, we were together every moment we could be, either to study or to simply hang out. I am not sure how much sleep I got during those times, because whenever I think back, I cannot remember ever sleeping. I had classes at night and met with Aaron and Kiran during the day—yet I passed all of my classes with the some of highest marks in the form.

That is not to say Aaron and Kiran were my only friends. I had several other close friends and some not so close. By the time Alexander left school, we had formed a tentative friendship despite the war, although it may have only been because I was close to his demon boyfriend. I was lucky enough to share my dorm room with another Incubus after that and we were there for each other whenever we could be. I doted on a few of my other fellow Vampires as well; I believe never once refused a certain Succubus named Dominique unless it involved a bed. Because I could walk in sunlight where many of my classmates could not, I also had friends among the angels and magicians. I indulged Dom’s magician girlfriend as often as her, and certain angel-magician couple who always claimed they were not together took to asking me for help in every subject of life.

Naturally, I had my share of enemies as well. Almost from my first day, an Elfin Vampire named Aether decided I was a waste of life and made it the goal of his existence to cause me suffering whenever he could. I believe it was because I was not only a Halfling, but I could also walk in sunlight when none of my fellow Vampires could, and Aether was actually frightened of me, but I can never be sure. I do know that was the reason for the hatred I received from my other enemy, an Angel of the Sun named Endymion. Some of it was jealousy as well, for his hatred for me only increased as I grew closer to Kiran. At first, I was kind to both of them, but when it seemed they would despise me no matter what I did, I returned their sentiments in kind. I am not proud of that, but I do so dislike people who hate others simply because of how they were born.

However, out of anyone, friend or foe, Aaron was definitely the closest to me. We had a kind of intimacy that was closer than lovers; we told each other everything. After a couple years, Aaron proved this to me when he suddenly asked to meet me in private during lunch, even asking Kiran not to come. When I met him in the empty classroom he’d chosen, I was surprised to see him pacing nervously before the blackboard. Aaron never paced and was never nervous.

“What is wrong?” I asked immediately as I closed the door.

He looked more relieved than I have ever seen him before. “Thank god, I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

“Of course I would. You are my friend,” I said. I crossed the room and perched on one of the desks in the front.

Aaron laughed, but it sounded forced. “Sorry. I meant, I wasn’t sure you’d come alone. I half expected Kiran to come in with you.”

I shook my head. “You asked me to come alone. What is wrong? I have never seen you like this.”

“No, me neither.” Aaron paused for a moment, then started pacing again, saying shakily, “I’m not sure where to start...”

“The beginning,” I said with a shrug. “That is usually the best place.”

He gave another forced laugh and nodded. “Right. You’re right. I don’t know whether you know of Kallias Leigh?”

“The soccer star?” I asked, faintly surprised. Of course I knew of him; the whole school did. He was the one who had taken our school to the Other Race International League of Schools finals every year since he had joined the team. I was surprised that Aaron would be asking about him, though; I had never known Aaron to be interested in any kind of sport.

“Yes, him. That Kallias. Exactly. Have I ever told you that I like boys?”

I was thrown. I had never seen Aaron so distracted before. “No, I do not think so, but I do not see—” I stopped, suddenly realizing why one was important to the other. “Aaron, are you trying to tell me you like Kallias?”

“Yes. I mean no! I mean...maybe...” Aaron sighed and nodded in a very defeated way.

I forced myself not to laugh, out of respect for him, but it was hard. I could not imagine a more unlikely person for Aaron to fall for.

“Have you ever watched him play?” Aaron asked softly, finally stopping his pacing.

“A few times. He is very good.”

Aaron shook his head. “He’s not just good, he’s amazing. The way he runs across the field, how he’s practically in every play. It’s inspiring...”

I was stunned; Aaron was acting almost lovesick. “Have you told him you like him?”

Aaron shook his head again, his movements sharp this time. “He’d never look twice at me. Not in the way I want anyway. I’d just be another devoted fan to him.”

I nodded, feeling sorry for him. Undoubtedly, Aaron wanted a relationship that actually meant something, but it was common knowledge that Kallias was a complete playboy and otherwise obsessed with soccer. Aaron was not going to get what he was looking for there.

“Maybe you should try to forget about him?” I suggested.

“I’ve tried,” Aaron whispered. “I’ve liked him for over a year now. I don’t think it’ll go away.”

I was too stunned for words, but I was not really surprised. Aaron always put his whole heart into whatever he was passionate about, and this was no exception it seemed. However, I felt even sorrier for him than before; he was going to end up with his heart broken in the end.

“Perhaps you should try becoming his friend first and see what happens,” I said after a moment of thought.

“I don’t know anything about him, except that he really likes soccer,” Aaron murmured, staring at the floor. “And he’s in the Night Class anyway. I hardly ever even pass by him in the hall.”

I thought for another moment before speaking again, “I shall look into it for you. Kallias will not think it odd if I suddenly gain an interest in him. I do that to many people.”

Aaron stared at me, then suddenly grinned and pulled me into a tight embrace. “I knew you’d help me! Thank you, Angelo!”

“I would do anything for you,” I replied truthfully. Aaron just grinned and hugged me again.

For the next couple weeks, I befriended Kallias and learned as much as I could about him. He was very attractive and moved with a natural grace that translated well to his movements on the soccer field; I could easily understand what had initially drawn Aaron to him. He was also a fun person to be around; he did not mind that I was two years younger than him and a Vampire Halfling, and thus included me in everything. I went with him to soccer practice and studied with him. Once he invited me to help him with a prank he played on the Day Class girls. But I could not understand why Aaron was in love with him. They were so different. I was still sure everything would end in disaster.

The most important thing I learned about him, however, was that he was genius in mathematics, an area that Aaron was floundering in. So I arranged for us to have study session in the library before our classes and asked Aaron to meet me there.

Kallias frowned suspiciously at Aaron when we walked toward his table and sat down. I gave him an apologetic smile, remembering that I hadn’t warned him I’d be bringing someone else.

“He’s a friend of mine,” I explained. “He’s in the Day Class, so we usually meet about now to study together.”

“Oh, I see.” Kallais gave Aaron another appraising look before holding a hand out to him. “You’re Aaron, right? Angelo’s said a lot about you. I’m Kallias Leigh.”

For a moment, I thought Aaron might faint, but then his took Kallias’s hand and shook it. “I know. You’re a bit of a legend, especially in Day Class. We’re usually the only ones who get to see your games.”

Kallias laughed. “That’s true. Do you like soccer, then?”

I held my breath. That was probably the one question that could completely ruin Aaron’s chances.

“Well, not really,” Aaron admitted. “But I like watching you play. It doesn’t feel like watching a soccer game; it’s more like watching art in motion.”

Kallias grinned, like he usually did when he received a compliment, but I saw that he was also giving Aaron far more of his attention now.

“That’s very poetic,” he commented. “Are you a writer?”

“Not really,” Aaron said with a very faint blush, “but I do like English. More than math, anyway.”

Kallias blinked in surprise. “What’s wrong with math?”

“I just can’t understand it,” Aaron said, making a slight face. “I can when it’s in science, but when it’s just a bunch of equations, it makes no sense to me.”

“What unit are you in?” Kallias asked immediately, moving to sit next to Aaron. I knew then that both of them had forgotten me and quickly got up to leave them to figure thing out on their own. I was amazed at how well it had gone; of course, I had mentioned to Aaron beforehand that Kallias loved math, but I had not expected them to get along so well, especially not after Aaron’s comment of not liking soccer.

Then almost before I knew it, they were together. It seemed to me that one day they had never met, and the next they were kissing each other goodbye in the halls before class. I could hardly be jealous of him...Aaron was my best friend and just so happy. I will never know exactly what attracted them too each other, but it was clear they were attracted, in love even. I do know that after Kallias and Aaron started dating, Kallias never once looked at anyone else.

Of course, I would not have been a very good friend if I had not taken every chance to tease him about his relationship. He would have done the same to me after all, and did, in fact.

Aaron never forgot the help I gave him concerning Kallias, nor did I, something for which I was immensely grateful when Cupid decided to pay me a visit.

I am not sure how it happened, although I am sure I was always in love with Kiran; I had just never given it thought before. But now I did, and I thought about him almost constantly. I was a little frightened at first, and I certainly did not tell him, because he was already skittish with our simple friendship and anything more would scare him off. However, once I grew used to the idea that I had fallen for one of my best friends, I decided that I should talk to Aaron about it so that perhaps he could help me.

Had I been anyone else, the idea would have been madness. A Vampire and an Angel of the Sun? The two could not possibly even get along, much less fall in love. But I do not believe Aaron ever understood that, or he was simply such a good friend that he never objected to it.

I was very nervous as I waited for Aaron to show when I had requested. I did not pace, as he had, but I fiddled with my uniform and kicked my legs and overall acted very child-like. I did nearly panic when Aaron walked into the room but held myself still, reflecting that I was glad I had never laughed at him when he told me his secrets.

“What is it?” he asked as he sat on the desk next to mine. He glanced at my hands and smiled faintly. “Looks like I’m not the only one who acts oddly when he’s nervous.”

I smiled, but it was hard and it left my face in a second. “I need your help with something…I think. I do not think I want to do it alone.”

“Sure, what do you need help with?”

“I…well, you see, I’ve fallen in love with Kiran.”

I am sure it came out in a rush. At first, I was not sure Aaron had even understood me. Then he nodded with another of his gentle smiles and I knew immediately I had confided in the right person.

“And I am not sure how he will take it,” I continued, feeling much more comfortable with the conversation now. “I do not think he will take it very well…he may even leave me.”

“I doubt that,” Aaron said, shaking his head. “You might not be able to see it, but Kiran adores you. I think if you tell him, he’ll stay with you and date you just for you.”

I made a face. “I do not want that.”

“That’s what’ll happen.”

I sighed, turning away to stare at the blackboard. I wanted Kiran to be with me because he wanted to, not because that was what he thought I would want. He would be like a slave that way, and I could not imagine Kiran being happy as a slave.

“Tell you what,” Aaron said, interrupting the silence, “I’ll talk to him. I won’t tell him anything about this,” he added quickly, because I suddenly felt horrified, “but I’ll ask him a couple things and…nudge him in the right direction. Okay?”

“You will not tell him I love him?” I asked cautiously.

“I won’t tell a soul,” Aaron responded, shaking his head.

I thought about it for another moment before smiling up at him. “I would appreciate it. Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do,” he answered with a return grin.

I waited patiently for Aaron to give me a sign that he had talked to Kiran and that I had nothing to worry about, but none came. Whenever I asked him about it, he would quickly change the topic or expertly evade my questions. For a while, I thought that perhaps he had forgotten about what he promised to do, but then I saw him speaking with Kiran one day and resolved to be patient.

To my surprise, Kiran was waiting for me at breakfast the evening of my birthday...or rather, our birthday, since we have the same one. Usually he would be in his common room studying at this time, since he never liked to eat at night. Yet, there he was, sitting at the Orpheus house table and looking very nervous.

“Do you mind missing part of your breakfast?” he asked me when I reached him. “I need to talk to you.”

I hardly glanced at the table before shaking my head. It would not hurt to miss one meal.

“Would you walk with me outside? I don’t want to be overheard.”

I nodded and followed him out of the hall, out into the waning sunshine. I will always remember the sky that evening, not because it was exceptionally beautiful, but because it represented what he told me that day. It was golden, like him, tinged with red and blue. It was an exceptionally perfect evening.

“I...I’ve been talking to Aaron,” Kiran began, his eyes fixed on the ground.

“Have you?” I asked, feeling slightly betrayed again, even though I was sure Aaron would not have spilled my secret.

Kiran nodded shyly, which I found adorable. If this were any other situation, he would have scowled. “He gave me a lot to think about, especially involving you.”

“O-oh?” For some reason, I was a lot more nervous now than I had imagined I would be. Before I knew it, I had a bouquet of blood-red roses in my face.

“I really like you, Angelo,” Kiran said hurriedly, though in a stronger voice than before. “It’s taken me a while to realize it because of...well, I just really like you. Will you go out with me?”

I stared at him for a moment, startled that he would be so direct about it. I had thought he would be far too uncomfortable with the idea, especially if it was all his, but it only made me admire and love him more for his bravery.

“I know you like me,” Kiran added with one of his customary smirks. “Aaron told me after I’d decided what I wanted to do.”

“I do like you. A lot,” I answered. I could not understand why I started blushing; I had already resigned myself to that fact.

“So? Will you?”

I nodded and took the bouquet of roses with a smile. “I would love to date you. Thank you for asking me.”

Kiran raised an eyebrow. “That’s all you’re going to do? I don’t get a kiss?”

“That is not exactly a good idea,” I said warily. We had both just turned fifteen, after all, and puberty was just beginning for me. I was not sure what I would do to him.

“I’m an angel, my precious Incubus, and an Angel of the Sun at that,” Kiran murmured with a smirk, shifted closer to me. “I’m sure I can handle whatever you might do to me.”

I laughed softly, knowing it was true, though I was still a little uneasy about the idea. I could seriously harm him if I was not careful. Then a shaft of moonlight caught him just the right way and I could not help but to press a sound kiss on his lips. I felt a slight shudder through my body as our energies connected and I had to force the connection to stay shut so I would not kill him. It flew open when I heard him moan and moaned myself as a rush of energy passed into my. It was like heaven, and could have been since that was where he came from. I was extremely reluctant to pull away when I did.

Kiran’s eyes were closed to match the look of pure rapture on his face, and the gold of his eyes had darkened slightly when he eventually opened them. He pressed a second swift kiss to my lips before murmuring softly, “I’m amazed you weren’t already taken, with kisses like those.”

“All my kind do that,” I said with a laugh. “That is nothing special. I am amazed I did not kill you.”

Kiran smirked again. “You can’t kill me; I told you that. Now, why don’t we skip class today?”

It was definitely the best birthday either of us ever had. Not that we haven’t had some amazing birthdays since, of course.

We never strayed from one another...well, not without the other’s knowledge, anyway. I could not possibly have been properly Fed on Kiran’s energy alone without killing him, but he knew every one of my other partners and I always returned to him. Of course, I allowed him his share of affairs, though he hardly ever took up the offer. He was hardly comfortable being with me, much less several other people. We stayed together all through the rest of school, after school, and up until now.

After school, my life grew very interesting. The most important event happened only a week after graduation.

All Born-Vampires—Vampires who are born that way rather than Turned—have a Hunter, the one person born to kill that Vampire when Fate decides the time has come. Naturally, this process goes in reverse as well; only the Vampire is qualified to kill his Hunter. Common curtsey dictates that a Born-Vampire should never be harmed by anyone but his Hunter as long as the Hunter is still alive, and visa versa. For obvious reasons, the Hunter is always born of one of the Other Races, as no mere human could take on an adult Vampire, and the Hunter is always born a few hours before his Vampire, to gain back a little of the possible disadvantage in power.

Now, Fate usually likes to be mischievous; therefore, the Hunter and Vampire never know of each others’ true identities until one figures it out and tells the other. I knew my whole life that I had a Hunter waiting for me somewhere, as I was born a Vampire rather than Turned, but I had always thought I would meet him after a couple hundred years of waiting and we would kill each other in a stunning battle worthy of legend. Thus I was shocked and terrified when Kiran decided to inform me that he was my Hunter.

“You must be joking,” I said immediately, thinking it was all a big joke. Kiran shook his head, looking as mournful as he could manage.

“I wish I was,” Kiran said.

“How could you know?” I demanded. “You are not supposed to know that. You could not know that.”

“I do, Angelo. Think about it; we have the same birthday. I was born at nine sharp, pm; that’s when all Hunters in the Sun Angels are born. When were you born, Angelo?”

I felt a faint stab of fear. “Eleven-fifty nine. PM. But that means nothing. Many people are born each day; it is just a coincidence—”

“It’s not!” Kiran exclaimed. I stared at him; he often became angry, but he always kept it hidden well, afraid to drive others away more than he usually did. At the moment, his fists were clenched and his whole body was trembling. He would never lose control like this unless it was true, but I did not want to believe it.

“You must be lying,” I tried again, but I could not look him in the eye. “Please tell me you are lying, that this is all just a joke.”

“I’ve never once lied to you,” Kiran growled, looking even angrier than before at the accusation.

“Why? Why would you tell me?” I demanded. I know I was irrational, but I could not help it. My whole world had just come crashing down about my ears.

“Because I’ve never lied to you. I couldn’t keep this from you, no matter what. Not if we’re going to be together.”

I only grew angrier by his calm voice. “How long have you known about this?”

For the first time, Kiran looked away. “Several years. I was asking around and found out there weren’t any other Hunters at school, and you were the only Vampire there with my birthday. I wouldn’t have figured it out otherwise.”

I sank down into one of the chairs in our shared apartment, feeling utterly hopeless. I was destined to kill the one person I cared for most in all the world, simply because I was born at the wrong time. Fate truly loved to screw people over.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Kiran said as he knelt down in front of me. “We don’t have to kill each other. There’s no rule saying we have to kill each other. We can go against Fate.”

“You won’t think that after a while,” I murmured. I could not look at him.

Kiran probably rolled his eyes. “Do you realize how hard it was for me to admit me feelings to you, much less myself? I’m not going to turn on you, idiot.”

“But I might turn on you,” I answered, for that was truly the thing I feared most.

Kiran grasped my chin and forced me to look at him. I was amazed to see he was smirking; I did not find the situation amusing at all. “I know you better than that. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have told you.”

“Kiran...” I wrenched my head out of his grasp and stood abruptly. “I am sorry. I need some time to think. I...I will be at Aaron’s.”

He did not try to stop me as I passed him and walked out. I am glad he did not; I would not have been able to handle it. Nevertheless, I began running as soon as I stepped out the door and did not stop until I had reached the apartment where Aaron and Kallias had been living together for a year.

Fortunately, Aaron was at home when I arrived and Kallias was not, so I thankfully broke down and collapsed into his arms, rambling about everything that had happened. Aaron listened quietly and patiently, hardly speaking. Once I finished, he waited silently for me to calm down, thinking about what I had told him so hard I could practically hear his thoughts without trying. I was glad he was taking the time to think it all over; he had not grown up in my culture, so he knew very little about the Hunters and the implications of having one’s own Hunter as one’s boyfriend.

“Has Kiran tried to kill you yet?” Aaron asked once I had calmed down enough to think rationally.

I frowned in confusion; what did that have to do with anything? “No,” I answered slowly.

“Then I don’t understand what the problem is,” Aaron said, shaking his head. “If he hasn’t tried to kill you yet, why would he in the future?”

“Then why would he tell me what he is?” I asked desperately. “Why could not he just let me live in ignorance rather than fear?”

“Are you afraid of him?” Aaron asked in response.

“I do not know,” I admitted softly. “I do not wish to be, but how could I not be? We are destined to kill each other!”

Aaron placed a gentle hand on my shoulder to help me calm down again. “I am sorry if I don’t understand, but it seems obvious to me that if he hasn’t killed you yet, he won’t in the future.”

“Then why would he tell me?” I demanded, irrational and panicky and frantic. Aaron’s hand on my shoulder was not helping much.

“Angelo, you need to calm down and think! Why would he tell you rather than kill you? Because he’s not going to do it!”

“He should never have told me,” I murmured. I felt so helpless. He should have just let me alone to live in my little world of ignorance.

“I agree, he shouldn’t have told you,” Aaron said, and for the first time, I heard more than just calm sympathy in his voice; I heard annoyance, and Aaron never became annoyed with anyone. “At least, not without a little warning. But how long did you say he said he knew?”

“Several years,” I muttered. “But I do not see what—”

I stopped when Aaron held up a hand. “Several years. That’s several years he had to kill you but didn’t. He loves you, Angelo. He wouldn’t kill you.”

“But I might kill him,” I whispered. That was the heart of all of this; more than his killing me, more than him knowing for years, I was afraid I would not be able to restrain myself from killing him. That terrified me more than anything, because I was sure I could not live without him.

Aaron smiled faintly and shook his head. “You and I both know better than that. And I’m sure Kiran knows it too, or he wouldn’t have told you. Though he still could have thought of a better way to tell you. I think I’ll be talking with him about that.”

I was silent as I thought about this, but eventually shook my head. I simply did not trust myself. “Could I stay here for a few days?”

“Of course,” Aaron said, though he seemed rather unhappy about it. However, being the kind soul that he is, he left immediately to make up a guest room for me. When Kallias arrived home, I merely told him that I had wished to visit and answered none of his questions about Kiran.

I stayed there for nearly a week.

Then I went home. It really was a simple as that. I did not wish to take advantage of Aaron’s hospitality any longer, and I had decided that if we were destined to kill each other, that was what would happen, so I left and went back home. I expected to return to an empty apartment, since I had been rather harsh on Kiran, far too harsh for someone like him to handle. I also expected that the place would need a good deal of remodeling, for Kiran would probably destroy the place out of anger and anguish.

I found neither of these things. When I arrived, I found Kiran sleeping on the couch with dark circles under his eyes and a paler than usual complexion; I guessed he had not eaten much and had only fallen asleep when his body had forced him to. I was very touched that he would have driven himself into such a state just for me and therefore let him alone while I headed to the kitchen to make something for him when he woke on his own.

I was halfway through a novel when he finally awoke and made his way into the kitchen. I stared at him for a moment, surprised, because I could not have been home for more than three hours and he had seemed to need far more sleep than that. But he did appear rested and I dished up a plate of food for him without much more thought.

Neither of us said a word until he was finished, and even then we sat in silence for quite some time before I finally gathered the courage to speak.

“I am sorry I did not listen to you,” I said, though I could not bear to look at him, so ashamed with myself as I was. “I should have believed right away that you were telling the truth about not wanting to hurt me, since you could have at any time before now and did not. I am sorry.”

He stayed silent for a long time, so long that I was afraid he was so angry with me that he would throw me out himself. Then he stood and walked out of the kitchen without a word or a backward glance.

Before I had the chance to be too hurt by this, he was back with something long and thin wrapped in brown packing paper. He set it down on the table before me but remained standing, fidgeting nervously.

“That’s for you,” he said softly, gesturing vaguely at the package. “You don’t have to keep it, but I thought you might like it after…now that I told you what I know.”

I carefully peeled off the paper and gasped as a gleaming silver sword rolled out onto the table. It was very simple, with few decorations, but elegant and beautiful all the same. More importantly, however, it was a weapon; one that Kiran had given me, one that I could potentially use to kill him. I stared at it in shock. Why would Kiran hand me something so dangerous?

“I have weapons,” Kiran said after a moment. “More than I can count. I noticed you don’t, though, so I can’t blame you for being so upset when I told you what we are. Now you have no reason to worry.”

“Kiran…”

“I want you to carry that with you,” Kiran added firmly. “That way you can defend yourself at all times, whether I’m the one attacking you or not.”

I stared at him, then back down at the sword. It was gorgeous weapon and a powerful statement. Kiran was practically placing his life in my hands, especially at that moment in time; I could have killed him right then and there, and he would have had nothing to defend himself. He trusted me enough to allow that possibility, and I was stunned.

“Thank you,” I said as I took the sword into my hands. “This means more to me than you could imagine.”