4

The boardinghouse was the direction Katherine turned. Before letting anyone see him, he had to tidy up. He cleaned the blood from his face and neck in his room before looking at his arm. The mending process had already started, but he could speed it up even further with focused effort. He had already been worn down by the struggle with his brother and was quickly exhausting his powers. However, this was crucial. Not because of the pain—he hardly even felt that—but rather because he had to stay in shape.

Elizabeth and Dominic were holding out in front of the school. In the shadows, he could sense Elizabeth's wild new presence and his brother's impatience.

This needed to function, Dominic said.

Katherine remained silent. Another hub of activity was the school auditorium. People who had stayed through the storm should have been enjoying the Founders' Day dance, but instead they were pacing or huddled together in small groups to discuss. Katherine peered inside the open door as she mentally searched for a certain presence.

He located it. Over a table in the corner, a blond head was cocked. Matt.

Matt sat up upright and cast a perplexed glance about. He was forced to go outdoors by Katherine. You need some fresh air, he reasoned, whispering the idea into Matt's mind. You want to leave the room for a little while.

Take her inside to the photography room, he murmured to Dominic who was just out of sight and invisible. Where is it? She knows. Keep your presence hidden until I speak. He then took a step back and waited for Matt to show up.

When Matt emerged, he had his face sternly towards the dark sky. When Katherine talked to him, he jerked forcefully.

"Katherine! You are present! On his face, terror, hope, and desperation all vied for supremacy. He ran over to Katherine quickly. "Have they yet brought her back? Are there any updates?

What are you aware of?

Matt gave him a long look before responding. "Denis and Merit arrived and reported that Elizabeth had left my vehicle and driven off the Wickery Bridge. They said she..." He took a moment to swallow. "Katherine, is that really true? " He begged with his eyes.

Katherine averted her gaze.

Matt said a raspy, "Oh, God." He looked away from Katherine and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms. "I don't think it's true; I don't. It can't be real.

"Matt..." He put his shoulder on the other boy's.

"I apologize." Matt's voice sounded raspy and scratchy. You must be experiencing

Hell, and here I am making things worse.

He had no choice but to be honest with Matt. Let Matt, who is fully informed, make the decision.

Would you do it if there was anything you could do for Elizabeth right now? he said.

To inquire what type of stupid question it was, Matt was too overcome with emotion. He practically growled, "Anything," wiping an arm over his eyes. I'd sacrifice everything for her. His breathing was weak as he gave Katherine a defiant look.

Katherine thought, "Congratulations," feeling a sudden yawning hole in his stomach. You've just earned a trip to the Twilight Zone for yourself.

He said, "Come with me." "I have something I want to show you."

Three

In the darkroom, Dominic and Elizabeth were waiting. As he opened the door to the photography studio and brought Matt inside, Katherine felt their presence in the little annex.

As Katherine turned on the light, Matt stated, "These doors are supposed to be locked.

They were, Katherine clarified. He was at a loss for words to help Matt be ready for what was to come. He had never previously purposefully disclosed himself to a person.

He waited patiently until Matt turned to face him. The air appeared to hang heavily in the empty, frigid classroom. He saw Matt's countenance progressively shift from grief-numb wonderment to unease as the period of time progressed.

Matt responded, "I don't understand.

I'm sure you don't. He continued to stare at Matt while consciously removing the boundaries that prevented others from seeing his Powers. He saw Matt's response as unease transformed into panic. Matt shook his head and squinted as his breath became more rapid.

He started, his voice gravelly, "What-?"

You've undoubtedly pondered a lot of things about me, Katherine said. "I use sunglasses in bright light because. Why I don't Eat Why are my reactions so quick?

Matt was now facing away from the darkroom. As though he were straining to swallow, his throat shook. Matt's heart was thudding softly, and Katherine could hear it thanks to his predatory instincts.

No, Matt replied.

You must have been curious and must have questioned yourself why I am so unique compared to everyone else.

"No. I don't care, I mean. I stay out of matters that are not my concern. Matt was moving slowly in the direction of the entrance, his eyes darting there in a barely noticeable motion.

"Please, Matt. Although I don't want to harm you, I can't let you go at this time. Elizabeth was hiding a barely restrained yearning that he could sense pouring from her. He advised her to wait.

Matt stopped moving and gave up trying to get away. He added in a quiet voice, "If you want to terrify me, you have." What more would you like?

Katherine now informed Elizabeth. Matt was told to turn around by him. Matt swiveled. also suppressed a cry.

Elizabeth was there, but it wasn't the same Elizabeth Matt had last seen that afternoon. Under the hem of her long garment, her feet were now exposed. She was covered in ice crystals that glittered in the light that were caked on the delicate folds of white muslin that clung to her. Her delicate complexion, which was typically flawless, had an odd wintry sheen to her, and her light gold hair looked to

with a silvery shine applied over it. But her face was really different. Those deep blue eyes had thick lids and seemed to be nearly asleep, but they were strangely alert. Additionally, her lips curved in a sensuous anticipation and hungry expression. She was more attractive than she ever had been, but it was a terrifying beauty.

with a silvery shine applied over it. But her face was really different. Those deep blue eyes had thick lids and seemed to be nearly asleep, but they were strangely alert. Additionally, her lips curved in a sensuous anticipation and hungry expression. She was more attractive than she ever had been, but it was a terrifying beauty.

She paused over the initial consonant of the name before saying, "Matt." She then grinned.

Matt eventually drew away from Katherine, and Katherine heard his retracted gasp of shock and the almost sob he delivered.

It's okay, he added, giving Matt the message on a Power wave. He continued, "So now you know," as Matt jerked toward him, his eyes wide with surprise.

Katherine could see the denial on Matt's face and that his look indicated that he didn't want to know. However, Dominic entered the room next to Elizabeth and shifted slightly to the right, adding to the tense environment already there.

Matt was encircled. The three of them drew closer to him, inhumanly attractive and inherently dangerous.

Matt's worry could be smelled by Katherine. It was the fox's and the owl's helpless dread of the mouse and the rabbit, respectively. And Matt had good reason to be scared. He was the prey; they were the hunting species. It was their duty to put an end to him.

And just then, instincts started to run amok. Katherine's brain was activating responses as a result of Matt's natural tendency to fear and flee. It was as easy as that; the predator pursued the victim when it fled. Katherine thought he couldn't be held accountable for the outcomes if Matt fled since all three of the predators in this area were tense and on edge.

He said to Matt, "We don't want to hurt you. Elizabeth is the one who needs you, and what she needs won't harm you in any way. Matt, it doesn't even need to hurt. However, Katherine saw that Matt's muscles were still stiff from wanting to get away and that the three of them were shadowing him, getting closer and prepared to stifle any escape.

He anxiously reminded Matt, "You said you would sacrifice everything for Elizabeth," as he watched him make his decision.

When Matt exhaled, his body's tightness disappeared. You're correct; I did, he murmured. He seemed to brace himself before continuing. What is she in need of?

Elizabeth moved closer and traced an artery's giving ridge on Matt's neck with her finger.

Not that one," Katherine promptly said. "You'd rather not murder him. Say so, Dominic. When Dominic made no attempt to do so, he said, "Tell her,"

Try this, or this. Dominic held Matt's head high as he pointed with clinical effectiveness. Katherine saw that Matt's anxiety had returned since he was so powerful that he couldn't release the hold.

Believe me, Matt. He approached the human youngster from behind. But you must decide for yourself,

As he was finishing, a wave of sympathy swept over him. You may alter your decision. As he was finishing, a wave of sympathy swept over him. You may alter your decision.

Her heavily lashes emerald blue eyes were glued on his as she said, "Matt." Her lips split hungrily as they traveled down to his neck. When Dominic recommended feeding off the paramedics, she had showed no hint of hesitation. "Matt." She grinned once more before striking as quickly as a hawk.

To support Matt, Katherine pressed a flattened palm against his back. Matt attempted to flinch briefly when Elizabeth's fangs punctured his flesh, but Katherine quickly reasoned, "Don't resist it; that's what creates the agony."

Unexpected assistance from Elizabeth, who was exuding the warm, contented feelings of a wolf pup being fed, arrived as Matt sought to unwind. This time, she had perfected the biting technique straight away, and as the intense hunger pains subsided, she felt an innocent sense of pride and rising joy. Katherine noticed this with a swift surge of jealously and gratitude for Matt. Because Matt didn't represent a danger to Dominic, she didn't detest or wish to murder him. She liked Matt a much.

After allowing her to collect as much as was secure, Katherine stepped in. Elizabeth, enough enough. I hope you don't hurt him. But to get her off, he, Dominic, and a rather sleepy Matt had to work together.

Dominic responded, "She needs to relax right now. "I'm bringing her somewhere safe where she can do it." He was informing him rather than asking Katherine.

For Katherine's ears alone, he continued in his head as they walked away, "I haven't forgotten the way you assaulted me, brother." Later, we'll discuss about it.

Katherine kept her eyes on them. He had seen Elizabeth's unwavering devotion to Dominic and the way her eyes never left him. But now that she had the necessary power thanks to Matt's blood, she was safe. He convinced himself it was all Katherine had to hold onto and that was all that mattered.

He turned to look at Matt's confused demeanor. Atop one of the plastic chairs, the human kid was sitting down and staring straight ahead.

His gaze then shifted to Katherine's, and the two of them exchanged glum looks.

"So," Matt said. "I know now," He turned a little aside while shaking his head. But, he murmured, "I still can't believe it. He winced as his fingers cautiously brushed across the side of his neck. "Without this," He then scowled. "That person is Dominic. Identify him.