Scott Anderson looked at the alley he was walking in, already regretting that he had let Lucas and Arden talk him into the situation he was in. He was already getting angry at the entire situation, and he was mostly angry at the human girl, whatever her name is.

He was however happy that the bond had been broken, even though the process had been nothing but pain. Lucas had tied him down like an animal, so that his demon side would not take over him. Then, Lucas had made him gulp down some weird substance, which had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Then, the pain began. If Scott had thought vomiting due to the human blood was death, whatever Lucas had made him drink was hell. For more than 3 hours, his vampire blood and demon blood fought over domination. It got to a point when Scott had thought death would be a better option compared to what he went through.

It was all because he had made one stupid mistake of feeding from a human girl whose blood had called out to him and out of sheer hunger, he had obliged. And now, he was expected to live with that same human, steal some of her blood often, so that Lucas can find out the reason she was poisonous to vampires. He also has to behave like her dog, protecting her from possible danger. Which means no vampire should be allowed to drink from her.

Scott had also seen flashes of things and places. Some were his memories, the others, a jumble of things, which didn't make any sense. After he had calmed down, Lucas had told him the bond breaking had allowed his memories to merge with that of the human. But, if those weird memories had really belonged to the human girl, it means she has been through stuff that was meant only for animals. Scott felt a little sorry for her, knowing that she is going to face even more than she already had. And, her current situation would be worse than whatever she had been in before.

Scott was distracted from his thoughts as he heard a hiss. He looked up to see a man staring at him with something akin to anger. Scott shook his head in annoyance, he didn't have time to humble anyone with his current mood.

“Just get out of my way, if you want to see the next sunrise.” Scott warned the man, showing his fangs.

Rather than move, the man came closer, smirking at Scott like he had just handed him the evidence he needed.

“I almost thought you changed your mind about passing this way, Scott.” The man said with sarcasm.

Scott shook his head. So, the man already knows who he is, and yet, he wasn't afraid of him. Either the man was looking for vengeance or he's just looking to make a name for himself in the vampire world like others before him.

The man took another step towards Scott and stopped when he was about two steps away from Scott. In the blink of an eye, everywhere became even darker than it already was. Just as Scott tried to hold the man, he disappeared.

Teleportation skills.

Scott thought to himself, just as he disappeared too.

The man reappeared looking around for Scott, but Scott slashed him at the back. The man howled an animalistic sound and Scott saw wings emerging from his backbone and the eyes turning black.

Demon.

Scott thought, taking a step back. He's never had an encounter with a demon before, so what could be the motive for this man's action? Besides, why would a demon be able to teleport?

Scott didn't have time to dwell on his thoughts as the man clawed at him with his long finger. Scott dodged, but he wasn't fast enough. The nails scratched hit him. Scott looked down and saw black blood oozing out of the nails site.

“You and I have never had an encounter before, and I want to avoid killing you. So, let's go our separate ways.” Scott told the man.

“True, and I don't have anything against you. But, I've been ordered to kill you.” The man replied, throwing himself forward at Scott. The man slashed his left arm open and Scott growled.

“If it's a fight you are looking for, then you came to the right man.” Scott told the man, unleashing his vampire powers.

With a single thought, he was in the man's head. Scott commanded him to slash himself in the arm, and the demon obeyed immediately. Next, Scott told the man to blind himself. Just as the man was about to obey, he seemed to regain himself and stopped.

Impossible. No one has ever blocked him out of their minds before. Scott thought. Which means someone is helping the demon secretly. Scott thought again.

Scott's right arm burned, and he realized he had been slashed again. He made himself invisible and commanded a sword to appear. He slashed the man from his belly to his chest before making himself visible. He saw the man slumped down, but Scott knew he wouldn't die from such minor wounds.

Scott moved away from his adversary. He knew he had to find somewhere safe before the poison in the wound on his body takes root through his entire system. While he wouldn't die, he would be in pain until the poison gets neutralized. And while he could resist the sun more than the full-blooded vampires, he could still burn from the high sun at noon. He would also need to feed when he wakes up.

“Tell me who sent you.” Scott asked the demon.

“Someone powerful enough, no one can disobey him.” The demon answered.

Scott considered the reply and realized it had to be true. The demon clearly knew he wasn't a match for him, yet he came to challenge him, which means whoever ordered him had to be more powerful than Scott. The fact that the person had been able to counter his mind control on the demon affirmed the fact.

It could also be the same person who had injured him when he had been looking for the lost one. But, why was he the target of whoever the powerful person is?

“Tell me. Is this man a demon or vampire?” Scott asked the demon again.

“I don't know. No one knows anything about him. He just gives the order and we obey. Failure to do that will result in the death of our families.”

Scott turned away from the demon. Scott knew the demon was just a pawn in the chess game of whoever the player is.

“Why? Why didn't you just kill me?” The man asked, pain reflecting in his voice.

“Like I said, you and I are not enemies. But come near me again, and I promise not to spare you.” Scott told the man, and finally walked away.

By the time he was in front of Alijah's house, his eyes were drooping, his vision already blurred. With the last of his strength, he knocked on her door, as hard as he could. As he lost consciousness, he prayed she would at least take him in.