The next few days everyone was busy with their own tasks. Estefan continued to prepare for the coming-of-age ceremony, Vesper continued to monitor his prey, and university students had midterm exams and coursework to prepare. The peace that took over the week felt like the calm before the storm for Cassius, who's worries about Camilla's fate persisted to occupy his mind.
Today Cassius sat with Ashin and a pair of female students in one of the library study rooms to finish of their group project. They rooms small in size and soundproof but see through so by-passers could still see inside.
Cassius welcomed Ashin's company especially with the thoughts plaguing him. Although the other company he had to endure was draining his energy, his patience was drawing thin with every squeal and comment they made his way.
Times like these would cause Cassius to question why he was trying so hard to conform to their pointless mannerisms in this lifetime. Was it the treaty? No nothing ever tied him down to that degree. Was he really starting to see humans as people?
Ashin being socially adept noticed Cassius' discomfort. 'OK! Let's call it a day, we are pretty much done now anyway we'll finish up the last touches online.'
As the girls made their way out of the transparent glass doors, Ashin also stretched out the exhaustion of a long study session.
'I must say Ashin, you do know how to read me well.' Cassius leaned forward scrunching his eyebrows. 'What I mean to say is thank you.' He took his glasses off to rub his eyes awake. He knew this may cause a change in Ashin but after getting to know his friend, Cassius figured Ashin could handle a few seconds while he composed himself.
Cassius turned to face Ashin slightly interested in his companion's mental fortitude against his charm. What Cassius saw however, was an entirely different kind of surprise.
'Well, this explains much.' Cassius' smile grew devilishly long. 'No wonder I found your company of interest.' He leaned in, his eyes wide in excitement inspecting Ashin closely.
Ashin's sabre tooth earring had cracked, and with it his hands had morphed into claws scraping against the desk.
He snarled in Cassius' direction while his canines grew, and hidden within his silver hair were two cupped ears making Ashin look very much not human.
'It appears we have a were wolf among us.' Cassius commented mischievously, as he took note of the aura seething out of his friend, it felt wildly dangerous.
Ashin's facial expression was serious unlike his usual demeanour, it took all his willpower to suppress his transformation before Cassius' vampire scent.
'Oyy! Cassius! You're a fucking...' He looked around, 'vampire,' he whispered the word. 'Put your glasses back on while I can still control myself... please.' Ashin's voice was low, it reverberated in the air as it escaped his canines.
Similar to how Ashin's earring hid his scent, he assumed Cassius' glasses were the same.
'As you wish, my furry friend.' Still amused he placed his spectacles on dimming his charm and hiding his scent once more. However, before Ashin could fully revert to his human form...
*click*
They both snapped their heads in the direction of the camera sound.
'Fuck!' A small figure spoke as they ran to escape.
Both Ashin and Cassius recalled the scent, it was Hina. Camilla and Mayas friend. They left just as quickly to pursue.
Although it didn't matter if the picture taken had been of Cassius' changes state, this was of a werewolf. Other than Vampires, the public wasn't aware of other supernatural creates, that was the entire reason the treaty was agreed upon. If news of a werewolf got out of hand, who knew what the repercussions that followed could hold.
'Fuck fuck fuck! What was that? He was definitely not human. Shit shit shit, I need to tell someone! But who?' Hina ran quickly, breathed quickly, and thought just as quick. 'KAI!' She thought finally deciding on a destination knowing he was usually with camilla at the campus cafe at this time.
Since Kai was already an apprentice at the Vampire Subjugation Force (VSF), Hina thought he would know what to do. This may not have been a vampire but currently she wasn't being picky.
Unfortunately, all her plans were in vein as Ashin and Cassius had already caught up to her.
Ashin blocked her from in front, he appeared in her way as though magic. She turned heading back but bumped in to Cassius, who already stood in her way his crimson eyes active.
'Forget you saw us today and go straight home.' He commanded as Ashin deleted the picture from her phone.
Hina's eyes dulled as she repeated the instructions, 'I'll forget I saw you and go straight home.' Her voice was monotonous as she began walking calmly towards the university exit.
'Ahhhh Fuck, I can't believe today!' Ashin exhaled loudly outside the university library, ruffling his hair in frustration. 'I need a drink, you coming?'
'Indeed, should be quite interesting.' Cassius continued to smile as he followed Ashin from behind.
___________________________________________________________________________
Hina was mindlessly walking towards the exit until she passed by the campus cafe. She paused on instinct. Through the window she saw Kai and Camilla talking, 'Kai? Was I looking for him? Why?' She pondered for a moment. 'Maybe when I go home, I'll remember, I need to go home.' She continued on her way.
Her mind was slowly fighting off Cassius charm subconsciously. There were some humans who had some resistance to vampire charm, but what Hina was displaying was too strong to simply be human resistance.
Hina eventually arrived home, she lived in a luxury 2 floor apartment with her parents, although they were seldom there. She was the youngest of 5, the rest of her siblings were much older and were already on living their own lives. So Hina often found herself alone.
She collapsed on her bed, 'finally home!' She sighed as she sunk a little deeper. 'Why did I need to get home?' Her mind began to wonder once more.
Until all the day's events crashed down on her with a stabbing headache. She curled up into a ball trying to fight the pain. Hina held onto her family amulet that hung from her necklace tightly, it was a sort of coping mechanism for her as she found comfort in its touch.
Once the pain subsided everything was once again clear.
'KAI!' She called out as she reached for her phone.