Blood Bound

Chapter 33: The dark fortress

I hold my breath when the tires touch the ground. The plane bounces on the hard asphalt runway but the pilot is experienced enough to keep it level and decrease the speed as we approach the terminal meant for smaller jets. I exhale shakily and feel the tension slip away from my shoulders.

"You can let go now," Sophie pipes up.

I look down and I realize that I haven't let go of Sophie's hand since the ascend. Heat rushes to my cheeks and I instantly release her.

Sophie chuckles as she stands up and stretches. "It's alright," she says amused. "I got plenty of heat from your hand. I almost felt like a human again, you know, with regular body warmth."

"Pfft," Kenji scoffs. "Touching a hand is nothing. Hugging is better."

Sophie raises an eyebrow. "You been doing a lot of hugging with your chef?" she asks sarcastically.

A very dull shade of pink forms on Kenji's cheeks and he states proudly: "Every chance I get." He then laughs at Sophie's reproachful expression and steps outside before she can let out a witty retort.

"Have you been doing it?" I ask curiously.

"No, of course not!" Sophie denies quickly. "Humans are food, they're not meant for stupid things like hugging."

"You know," Kenji chimes in loudly, after hearing what Sophie had just said. "You're starting to sound like Grigori,"

"Shut up!" she hisses angrily. "I'm nothing like him," she adds in a spiteful mutter.

"What about me?" I ask suddenly.

Sophie stops on the small ladder and looks up at me, frowning. "What about you?"

"What am I to you? Food or someone you could hug?"

This question has been burning in the back of my mind since we started our journey. I've always had to push it away due to unforeseen circumstances or because my naivety believed in Sophie's constant promises that she would tell me. Well, we're almost at her guardian's place, which feels to me that it could be our last stop and I want to know.

Sophie's eyes widen slightly. Kenji even stops and glances in our direction, straining his ears. My heart is pounding wildly and I brace myself for the answer.

She looks away. "I've already told you, didn't I? You're the exception to the rule."

"Meaning?" I press on, gripping the side of my cardigan.

Sophie fidgets with the tears on her jeans, obviously feeling uncomfortable by my question. She groans irritably and says loudly: "I'd probably consider you someone I could hug. Happy now?"

My lips curve into a satisfied smile, relieved to feel the knot in my stomach is coming loose. "Yes," I sigh contently. "Very much so,"

Sophie scowls, turns away in a huff and follows Kenji to the car that's by the terminal. My steps are quite lighter than they used to be and it's not until I reach the car and notice the person that's handing Kenji the keys. On the side of his neck, I see the familiar tattoo that had been on her. I gasp and grab Sophie's arm, pulling her to me.

"What are you-"

"Sangue!" I hiss, pushing her behind me.

"We know it's a Sangue," Kenji says. When he sees my bewildered look, he continues: "I've already notified Grigori of my sudden visit. I called him before we left home and he has allowed us to go see him tonight. He arranged the pick up." He surveys the Sangue. "But apparently he's become so paranoid that he needs to know everything, therefore sending a little bug to spy on us."