Vampire Nightlife

Lukas didn't expect that they'd travel for more than two weeks to reach the City of Nyx.

It was clear that the Vampire settlements were truly far from each other–it was only that the Veil Forest existed close enough to Lux.

In the span of time that occurred while they were traveling, Lukas was able to observe some things.

The initial and most obvious was the hostility between the members in the group.

When Alexei and Lukas first encountered each other, Lukas nearly had gotten mugged out of the Blood Water that he obtained. Alexei was also sharp-tongued and brutal during their meeting for the departure to Lux.

It was probably because of the danger involved that made Alexei rather hotheaded and unwilling to cooperate. However, as time passed, it became clearer that it was mostly a front and Alexei was actually charismatic when given the chance.

Chaerin, who was reluctant to share anything about what had bothered her, finally opened up a little to the group all thanks to Alexei making declarations about how Stacy was a headache of her own.

"So Chelsea's a lot like Stacy huh?" Alexei raised a brow. "She thinks that she can do whatever she wants since she's the one who's working–"

"Isn't that enough to warrant me more say in matters?" Stacy scowled. "Of course you'd sympathize with… her."

"Heh." Alexei jerked a thumb to his sister. "She's usually more straightforward, but it seems like she's hesitating more. She might have lambasted you more, but she's not."

"I'm not always that unreasonable." Stacy crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm more upfront with you, but–"

"Then it seems like you really have stuff to say to me." Chaerin crookedly smiled a little.

Lukas fought back a grin and glanced at Stacy's reaction.

"You do not have to worry about your finances due to the fact that you own a building." Stacy pointed out, giving Alexei a meaningful look. "We don't have that and can't afford some of us lazing around. Not that you're lazing around, I'm sure that you're the one taking care of the landlord's work, right?"

"... Yes." Chaerin said.

"I'm also doing meaningful work somewhere." Alexei protested. "Besides, after we're done with this–uncle Tenebris is going to owe us and then some, eh?"

Chaerin shook her head. "I probably should have… tried more to be more engaging, but I wasn't able to. I think that's where your brother and I differ in this regard."

"It's difficult taking care of yourself and your sister. Give yourself some more credit." Alexei said.

"Thank you." Chaerin smiled a little.

Surprisingly, Alexei was more than willing to take a more elderly brother role for even Chaerin.

In Lukas' opinion, it probably had to do because of the fact that he was a Vardoken.

Somehow, leadership roles were more natural to him, more than they knew.

It was a great contrast to how Theodore acted.

When they first met, the assassin was charismatic and friendly–but it only seemed to be a facade that he kept up every now and then to interact and engage with the people in the world.

Except for the occasion where Theodore was absolutely bored out of his mind, he didn't talk a lot and preferred to keep to himself.

"If things were to change, and you happen to need work, Alexei. It would actually be helpful if you could assist my sister and I in taking care of our property." Chaerin said.

"You want me to send some of my friends to guard the area? Prevent petty theft? We can offer protection." Alexei said with a grin.

"Well, I was thinking more in the lines of…" Chaerin started.

"That's completely unnecessary, Miss Atticus." Theodore finally spoke, his eyes flashing in the rearview mirror. "There's nothing to worry about when it comes to my uncle. Rest assured, 'uncle Tenebris' will take care of the Vardokens once this is all over."

Alexei let out a whistle. "That's what I wanted to hear before coming here."

Only when it came to the fact that there was a mention of work or family did Theodore willingly speak up on his own.

Especially when it came to defending his family's honor.

Lukas tried not to think too much of the implications of Lawrence Tenebris taking care of the Vardokens, because it could have been interpreted differently, and yet that was Lily's father who they were talking about.

The man wouldn't do an unreasonable thing for the people who saved his beloved daughter.

"Geez, at least it isn't as deadly silent as before huh?" Rhea said as she floated in front of Lukas. "I'm starting to like Alexei. He seems like he can get along with multiple people huh? I wouldn't mind tasting and knowing what he dreams of."

Lukas scrunched up his nose.

'I remember him saying that he choked the Dream Eater that he encountered in his dream. I'll rethink your choices if I were you.'

"Hahaha, right." Rhea said.

That was another thing that Lukas hadn't paid much attention to before, but shouldn't that have spoken to the skill level of Alexei?

Even if it was a fluke, Alexei managed to take care of himself.

Compared to Stacy, Theodore and Chaerin, he was already incredible on his own.

It was only the circumstances that happened to his family that prevented him from reaching his full potential.

Lukas hadn't thought much of it before, only considering Serena Weisse and Emerys di Verdant as his greatest connections–but there was something to be gained even from Alexei dis Vardoken.

It wasn't like Lukas had much ambition in his life besides protecting what he already had before… but there was already a certain amount of danger in his life and his loved ones.

Lukas already focused on himself and his training.

He was able to do a lot in the span of two weeks, training his mind with the help of Rhea and thinking more.

But it wouldn't hurt to have allies too.