Chapter 83 Blood And Connections (2)

Perhaps because it was a dream.

Perhaps because it was a place where dreams lived.

There was a difference between the two if you could recognize the distinction and even in Lukas's limited understanding, he realized that this place–this dimension had power. Or at least a chance for him to experience things without worry.

That was his take on it and even as he reached out and focused on the bond between him and Lily Tenebris… he focused on the family. The Aura that the Drusilla spoke of was of shadows and darkness.

And then the words flashed in his head.

Almost vibrated with surety of what he had known and seen.

[You Have A Bond With Lily Tenebris]

[Connection: 79%]

[Improve Strength Factor]

But that was not the full depth of what he had been looking for and so deeper–into the connection of the blood within the blood. Or relatives, families, bloodlines and ancestors.

[Bond With Tenebris Bloodline (Low)]

[??? Authority Granted–]

[Will of Desire Has Been Used!]

[Desire Levels Are Of Envy-Level]

Words that didn't quite understand at first, or at least knew why they were there except for the fact that he was pulling something that he wanted and grappling with it. Desire was a thing and sometimes it manifested.

[Skill - Shadow Steps Obtained!]

"So, that was what it was." Lukas murmured and even in this dream world, he felt the atmosphere around him become a bit uncertain and then he flashed forward.

Lukas crossed into a speed that he couldn't quite imagine before, something he had only seen and witnessed through the appearance of an assassin but now he moved quickly chasing after the vision from afar.

***

Chaerin and 'Lukas' stood into something that might have resembled a great tree of unknown origins.

And it was not only because she knew not much about trees.

But it was special.

Grand, magnificent and with an atmosphere that was enough to make something stir within her. Beautiful, horrifying and thrilling all at the same time.

And then a wooden door, something you might see in a fairytale appeared–almost as if it had always been carved there. The doorknob was a golden color, shaped like an apple, or perhaps a fruit of sin… if there were any Humans who might have made the inference.

Lukas did not speak.

He didn't need to because all Chaerin needed was a little push, a little tug and she herself was venturing forward for the allure of it all. This was a dream but unlike any other dreams that Chaerin might have had even when she dreamed lucidly.

Chaerin's lips dried and her throat became parched, and yet it was not a thirst that craved for blood but for an ending. Perhaps an end to it all. The void, or perhaps there were more happier dreams to come?

She did not know.

Only if you opened the door–

The words almost whispered into her ears like vile snakes, temptation at its finest. And Chaerin did reach with a hand and touched the doorknob, her petite hands and fingers gently grasping and pulling the door and she stared into an oblivion.

Sweet darkness?

Perhaps her eyes could not see that far. Perhaps there was a lamp she could use? It was odd because she was a Vampire and she was supposed to see. Even in dreams, it did not make sense that she would see nothing because she saw even in the dark.

Maybe that was something that made her stomach churn.

A vulnerability that was exposed, even within the dream of a dream. A hand pushed her to the edge–or would have if Chaerin hadn't turned at the last moment. Glanced over her shoulder and then swiftly pressed her back to the door.

'Lukas' vanished and in lieu was the Dream Eater. Their form finally revealed themselves in all their glory, but even their eyes widened when they realized they were exposed.

And the momentum of that push? It was enough to send them into the edge.

Chaerin quickly shut the door behind her. If she could have heard any screams–she had heard nothing. There was no indication of how deep it was or whether what she saw would survive, but she held her ground.

This was her dream and she dictated the terms.

"C-Chaerin!" A voice sounded at last.

It was alarmed, and so painfully like Lukas that Chaerin almost wanted to close her eyes in pain. It just felt too real and yet before she knew it, she was engulfed in his arms and he held her close.

"Where's that bastard?! I ought to teach em' a lesson!" Lukas shouted indignantly, almost as if he was ready to beat someone up and fight with them to the death.

It filled Chaerin's heart with joy and a little trepidation. Maybe this really was a sweet and blissful dream? Because a part of her was afraid, so afraid that–Lukas cupped her cheek and brought his face closer to hers.

"Chaerin, wake up."

Chaerin gasped awake, eyes widening and bolting up that she struck Lukas against the forehead. The two people winced in pain and Chaerin even more so. The sensation of heat finally made its way to her face, a feeling quite the opposite of the complete oblivion.

Perhaps she would have believed if she thought about it some more, but then there was no time.

"I'm glad you're awake." Lukas breathed at last, ignoring the smallest hints of soreness at the headbutt.

"Where are we? How did we get here?" Chaerin's gaze flickered around and she saw the yellow colors of the sand. Yellow and burning so hot with the rays of the sun and then she understood pain in its physical sense.

And then her eyes widened.

"Lukas!"

"Yes?"

"Y-you… you're blocking the sun." Chaerin whispered.

"You say that as if I'm not wearing the protective gear that you gave me. You're wearing yours too, so you know." Lukas pointed out in a matter of fact tone. There was a hint of a smile across his face as beads of sweat rolled down his face.

This was hot and unbearable.

And it was not in that sexy way that made the heat of their loins or anything of that like. Both Lukas and Chaerin would have taken a feverish lust for each other over the striking and deadly rays of the sun.

Lukas might have survived the Light Survival Test in the Hunters Association but that had been less than a minute. He was no perfectly immune Vampire that could pretend to be a Human and not burn and hiss in pain.

Sure, he was not going to turn into ash any moment but that didn't make the pain any better. Perhaps if it was excruciating pain then he would have passed out from it, the searing heat taking out the strength from him completely.

Instead, it was uncomfortable and painful, yes–but he had to focus.

Lukas had to focus on his breathing, in the way that his body was just hovering above Chaerin so as not to crush her underneath his weight. It was like he was in some kind of push-up position and had to hold it until his arms shook.

"Lukas, this is enough–you don't have to do this."

"But I want to." Lukas cracked a grin. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I did not shield my girlfriend from the sun? I won't let a single ray touch you."

Promises.

Ah, they were words that Chaerin actually hated to hear. Her parents made them and they never came back, but she knew why Lukas said those words but there was something that she feared.

"Do… do the others know where we are?" Chaerin asked.

Lukas opened his mouth to speak, and then felt no voice or sound to come out of his throat. He wanted to say yes. Of course, that was the answer. But Lukas had run off and barely given time for Theodore to figure out where they were.

The direction should have been obvious, but what if Theodore got himself lost? That was a problem in itself, but he was a resourceful person wasn't he? And then Lukas worried about Stacy and then Alexei.

The two siblings… he hoped that they fared better than Chaerin and him.

"I'm sure that they'll find us, eventually." Lukas promised.

"Eventually." Chaerin smiled weakly.

And so there began the long excruciating wait for the others. Was it a punishment of some sort? It almost felt like that for Lukas. It might have been easier for him to push a boulder up a hill constantly than weigh himself against such a situation.

They were waiting… But what if the others never came?

What if the others arrived–only to find Chaerin and Lukas shriveled up or worse merely turned into dust like the sand around them? Questions like those plagued Lukas' mind though he'd never admit them aloud.

He couldn't show any weakness.

He had to think of a plan–

And then Chaerin started to sing.