Thomas' POV:
I looked into Skylar's enthusiastic eyes and felt flustered.
"I hope it's not inconvenient if I stay for dinner."
After all, Skylar was pregnant.I didn't want her to tire herself out, and Jerome should prioritize her
health.
"It's no big deal," Skylar replied with a sincere smile.
"You saved me, and we're friends.It's not like you visit our home every day.We want to be gracious
hosts."
I smiled back at her.
"Thank you, both of you.You're too kind.I'm honored to be friends with you."
"I'm glad we're friends, too!" Skylar said, sitting down next to me.
Then, she reached for the remote and turned on the TV.
"Let's watch TV while waiting."
As soon as we got settled, Jerome came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of neatly sliced fruit.
"I couldn't help but overhear what you two were talking about, and Skylar is right.You saved her life, so
it's only right that we treat you well.Thomas, help yourself to some fruit.Try some fresh star fruit I just
bought yesterday."
I quickly nodded to him in thanks and took the plate of fruit from him.
"Thanks.I don't want to bother you, so please sit with us."
Jerome obliged and sat next to Skylar.
Just then, a news broadcast flashed on the TV.
The scene immediately drew my attention.
"Recently, the conflict between werewolves and vampires has been on the rise.The werewolves
claimed that they have no intention of compromising with the vampires in terms of territory.They even
said that if they can't reach an agreement with the vampires, a new wave of anti-vampire school of
thought will be born among the werewolves."
Hearing this, I sighed heavily.It seemed that the situation was only growing more and more tense.
The war between werewolves and vampires would inevitably take place again.
"Hey, Thomas, have you heard about this before?" Skylar suddenly asked.
"I heard from a friend that the borders of several werewolf packs have been attacked by vampires
recently."
I couldn't help but look at Skylar in surprise.I didn't expect her to ask me this question.
After thinking it over for a while, I decided to tell her the truth.
"Oh, I've heard some news.The Gangrel Clan wants to attack the werewolf packs, too.I strongly oppose
the war, but I can't change their opinion.After they decided to start the fight, I refused to participate,
which is why I'm staying on Rube Island for now."
Skylar tilted her head in confusion.
"Thomas, you're a vampire.Don't you hate the werewolves? How come you oppose the war?"
It wasn't the first time I had heard such a question, so I knew how to respond.
"It's simple, really.I like peace and hate war.I always hope that the conflict between the two races can
be resolved and that we can all live in peace.Life is created equal, so no one should sacrifice theirs in
the name of a war."
Unexpectedly, as soon as I finished talking, Skylar's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Oh, my God! You're so right, Thomas! I also hate war.Why can't we all just coexist in peace?"
I was stunned.I didn't expect that Skylar shared the same sentiments as me.
Ever since I made my anti-war stance known, everyone in my clan viewed me as a freak.
The other vampires all thought that only an incompetent person would be against war.I felt a rush of
excitement, having finally found a fellow vampire who held the same beliefs as me.
"Exactly, Skylar! I didn't think you'd feel the same way.I'm so glad to have finally met someone who
thinks the same way!"
Skylar beamed at me, pouring a cup of coffee and handing it to me.
"Thomas, you're the kindest and most reasonable vampire I've ever met.I'm glad I met you."
I graciously accepted the cup of coffee from Skylar, taking this as an opportunity to glance at her wrist.
Since she was reaching out her hand, her sleeve climbed up her arm ever so slightly, and it was
enough for me to see the mark on her left wrist.
Oh, my God! There was a hexagram on her wrist, and I knew where this mark came from.
"Skylar," I said excitedly, "how are you related to Aldrich?"
Skylar's POV:
I looked at Thomas blankly, not knowing why he had become so agitated all of a sudden.I touched my
face subconsciously, wondering if there was something on it.
"Thomas, what are you talking about?" I asked.
"Who's Aldrich?"
All of a sudden, Jerome stood up and stepped in between me and Thomas.Thomas didn't seem to
notice, with his eyes fixed on me strangely.
"Oh, my God! Skylar, how could you not know Aldrich? He's our king!" I stared at Thomas blankly.I
knew he was a vampire.But wasn't our king Anthony? Then, it hit me.He was talking about the vampire
king, since he thought that I was a vampire.
"I...don't know what you are talking about, Thomas," I stammered.
"How could I be related to the vampire king? As I've said, I'm not a vampire.You're the only vampire I've
met!"
Thomas stared at me searchingly, as though he was trying to find the answer in my eyes.
"Skylar, I don't know why you keep denying that you're a vampire, but it's clear as day that you are
one.I just saw the hexagram mark on your wrist, which is the mark carried by the Dracula Clan, the
royal vampire family."
I was rendered speechless.
How could I be so careless as to let him see the mark on my wrist? Panic-stricken, I pulled down my
sleeve anxiously to cover the hexagram, all the while denying everything.
"No, no, you misunderstand.I just got that as a tattoo when I was young and stupid.I didn't know it was
the vampire king's mark."
Thomas' eyes were full of doubt and confusion.
"Skylar, what are you talking about? The mark of the Dracula Clan can't be faked.It's clear to me that
the mark on your wrist is the mark of the royal family.Why won't you just admit it?"
'What?' I was completely stunned.
I took a few steps back and almost lost my footing.I was at a loss for words and unable to defend
myself.
Fortunately, Jerome came to my rescue.
"It's okay, Skylar.We haven't figured it out yet."
Jerome held my arm to steady my balance and tried to comfort me.I also knew it was useless to be
agitated, so I gave up.
Turning to look at Thomas pleadingly, I said, "Alright, it's true.It's not a tattoo.Can you keep it a secret?
Don't let any other vampire find out."
Thomas held up his hands apologetically.
"Skylar, I'm sorry.I didn't mean to alarm you.Please calm down.I don't understand what's going on.Why
can't we tell anyone?"
"I...I.."
Only now did I realize that I didn't have an answer to that question.
"Thomas, could you not ask her such questions?"
Jerome stepped in to defend me.
"It's too complicated.The reason why we came to Rube Island was precisely because we had to
conceal Skylar's identity.Trust me, Thomas.We're not bad people.We have our own struggles."
Both Jerome and I looked at Thomas nervously.
I felt my heart was beating fast against my chest.
If Thomas insisted on interrogating me, or worse, if he spread the news, what could we do? Should I
have asked Jerome to stop him? Fortunately, when Thomas saw the nervous looks on our faces, he
simply sighed in resignation.
"I already told you that you don't need to be nervous.Skylar, I'm your friend.Although I don't know why
you don't want to tell me anything, I'm willing to keep your identity a secret."
Hearing this, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.Life on Rube Island was peaceful.I didn't want to ruin it.
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